I should be wanting in the feelings of gratitude did I not mention on this occasion, with the warmest sense of acknowledgment, the very cheerful and able assistance which I have received in the course of our operations from His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau. Nothing could equal this zeal of our allies but the imitating spirit of the American officers, whose ardour would not suffer their exertions to be exceeded. The very uncommon degree of duty and fatigue, which the nature of the service required from the officers of engineers and artillery of both armies, obliges me particularly to mention the obligations I am under to the commanding and other officers of those corps. I wish it was in my power to express to Congress how much I feel myself indebted to the Count de Grasse, and the officers of the fleet under his command, for the distinguished aid and support which has been afforded by them, between whom and the army the most happy concurrence of sentiments and views have subsisted, and from whom every possible co-operation has been experienced which the most harmonious intercourse could afford. Returns of the prisoners, military stores, ordnance, shipping and other matters, I shall do myself the honour to transmit to Congress as soon as they can be collected by the heads of departments to which they belong. Colonel Laurens and the Viscount de Noailles, on the part of the combined army, were the gentlemen who acted as commissioners for forming and settling the terms of capitulation and surrender, herewith transmitted, to whom I am particularly obliged for their readiness and attention exhibited on the occasion. Colonel Tilghman, one of my aids-de-camp, will have the (p. 088) honour to deliver these despatches to Your Excellency; he will be able to inform you of every minute circumstance which is particularly mentioned in my letter. His merits, which are too well known to need any observations at this time, have gained my particular attention, and I could wish that they may be honoured by the notice of Your Excellency and Congress. Your Excellency and Congress will be pleased to accept my congratulations on this happy event, and believe me to be, with the highest respect and esteem, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, Geo. WASHINGTON. P.S. Though I am not possessed of the particular returns, yet I have reason to suppose that the number of prisoners will be between five and six thousand, exclusive of seamen and others. _____ _General Washington to the President of Congress._ To His Excellency Headquarters, near York, THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. October 27, 1781.