In the Conclusion of my last Letter1 to you I intimated that I should wait for Intelligence from England before I resolved either to leave the Army or to continue in it. I think it idle to form Conjectures about the future Measures the Ministry will adopt. To me, who am a Child in the Science of Politics, it would appear Madness in them to prosecute the War against us & the House of Bourbon. But there are so many of them, quibus Bellum utile est,2 that I should not be surprised if the same ruinous Councils should still prevail— If they cannot reinforce their Army so as to enable it to take the Field with a Prospect of important Success they may carry on a partisan War and endeavour to deprive us of the Pleasure of eating Poultry.

In this Situation of Affairs I should be at a Loss to know what to do. The Motives which led me into the Army would in great Measure cease. This time Peace would not be restored; but the Independence and with it the Freedom of America would be fixed on a sure & permanent Basis. Ought I then to resign, & return to my Studies? I believe I ought. My Reasons will be the Subject of another Letter.3

I enclose for your Perusal a Copy of the Certificate General Gates gave me. It paints his Inconsistency in striking Colours. Hence you will see the Futility, to say Nothing of the Cruelty, of all his Charges against me.

Before I got this Certificate I was extremely uneasy for I foresaw the Benefit I should derive from it. I trusted some Time to his Generosity; but was deceived. At length I embraced a favorable Opportunity, when he was alone, of addressing him in the following Manner. “Sir, I have already apprised you of my serious Intention to leave you. I have now one Request to make which probably will be the last I shall ever trouble you with. Sir, as I have only a Brevet Commission I request of you a Certificate of my Services since I have been in your Family. Do not imagine, Sir, that by granting me one you will oblige me. Upon this Footing I disdain it. Sir, I demand it as a Matter of Right, because I am conscious of the Uprightness of my Conduct.” He said, “sit down—write one to please yourself—and I will sign it”— I replied—“Sir, You are very polite; but sooner than my Right Hand should be guilty of an Act so dishonorable I would cut it off.” He then directed his Secretary, Mr. Clajon,4 to draw one: and after the Original of the inclosed was finished he signed it with Reluctance, observing “it might have been more respectful.”

I can apoligise for sending you a Copy of it, in no other Manner, than by assuring you of my Desire to be favored with the indulgent Opinion your Goodness has long entertained of me. When I become a Toole to designing Ambition— When I stoop to the vile Arts of Adulation to secure a temporary Interest— And when I lose the grateful Remembrance of your many Kindnesses to me may I be despised by you as much as I shall be hated by myself. I offer my Compliments to Col. Livingston, and Major Clarkson, and am, My dear Sir, With the purest Affection, Your Friend.