To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte de Cheminot, 4 April 1784
From Charlotte de Cheminot6
AL: American Philosophical Society
paris ce 4 d’avril 1784
Madame de cheminot presente ces civiliteé a monsieur francklin et prend la liberteé de luy mender que demain Lundy 5 d’avril elle profitera de la permission quil a bien voulu luy donner daller dejeuner chez luy elle ŷ menera messieurs le roy7 gudin8 quointin9 qui sont penetree de cette marque de bonte de monsieur francklin.
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur francklin / ministre plenipotentiaire / des etats unis de lamerique / en son hotel / a passy—
Notation: Cheminot 4 avl. 1784
6. A former dancer who entertained prominent men of letters, including Diderot and Beaumarchais, at an hôtel on the rue Neuve-des-Mathurins: XXX, 166n; XXXV, 431.
7. Either Jean-Baptiste Le Roy or his brother Julien-David (XXIX, 634n), who, after BF’s return to America, included news of Mme Cheminot in almost all his letters: Julien-David Le Roy to BF, June 20, 1786; March 23 and April 27, 1787 (all at the APS).
8. Poet and playwright Paul-Philippe Gudin de la Brenellerie (1738–1812). Gudin was a longtime friend of Beaumarchais and edited his complete works: DBF.
9. Most likely the chevalier de Cointin: XXXV, 431n.