To George Washington from La Luzerne, 18 February 1784
From La Luzerne
Annapolis [Md.] Febr. 18th 1784.
Sir.
I had flattered myself that my Stay in Annapolis would procure me an opportunity of waiting upon Your Excellency, but the roads are so bad and the Snow so deep that I am obliged to renounce to this happiness untill my return to this place, which, I hope, will be towards the middle of next month.1
I hope then to take hold of the favorable moment, which I have lost in this Season, and to enjoy longer Your Excellency’s Society in renewing the assurances of the respectful attachment with which I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most obedient and very humble Servant
le che. de la luzerne
P.S. I beg leave to enclose a Letter from the Marquis de la Fayette. He gives me some hopes to be here in the Spring.2
LS, DLC:GW.
Anne-Cesar de La Luzerne de Beuzeville, chevalier (in 1785 marquis) de La Luzerne (1741–1791), was the French minister to the United States from 1779 until his departure in June 1784, after which he became France’s ambassador to Great Britain, a post he held until his death. La Luzerne was an effective supporter of the American cause during his tenure as minister.
1. After La Luzerne’s visit to Mount Vernon in April, the following item appeared in the Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser (15 April 1784): “On Tuesday last [13 April] arrived in this Town, on his Return to Annapolis from a Visit to Mount-Vernon, his Excellency the Chevalier La Luzerne, Ambassador from His Most Christian Majesty to the United States, accompanied by his Excellency General Washington. They were received with repeated Discharges of Cannon from the Town and Shipping in the Harbor; and after dinner at Mr. Lomax’s Tavern in Company with a Number of Gentlemen, were saluted with the like Compliments on their Departure.”
2. This was undoubtedly Lafayette’s letter of 11 Nov. 1783 which GW answers on 4 April 1784.