11To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens, who will leave Paris in a few days. With great &...
12From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 4 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If by any Operation of War in the ensuing Campaign, the Regiment of Neustrie should happen to be near your army, the Chevr. Le Veneur, Lieutenant Colonel of that Regiment, will probably have the honour of paying his Respects to your Excellency. He is recommended to me by Persons of Worth, as a Gentleman of Excellent Character, highly esteemed by all that know him. As...
13From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy: Library of Congress; (II) copy: Library of Congress I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr. le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick...
14To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick Happiness shews him the Friend to Mankind, and as such intitles him...
15To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Count Christian and Count William de Deux Ponts Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of that Name are now abount to embark for America. As Possibly they may before their Return visit your Army, I beg leave to introduce them to your Excellency and to Recommend them to your Civilities as young Gentleman well known to me, of Excellent Character and zealous Friends to our Cause and...
16From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 5 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I received but lately the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me in Recommendation of the Marquis de la Fayette. His Modesty detain’d it long in his own Hands. We became acquainted however, from the time of his Arrival at Paris, and his Zeal for the Honour of our Country, his Activity in our Affairs here, and his firm...
17To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 5 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received but lately the Letter your Excellen[c]y did me the honour of writing to me in Recommendation of the Marquis de la Fayette. His Modesty detain’d it long in his own Hands. We became acquainted however, from the time of his Arrival at Paris, and his Zeal for the Honour of our Country, his Activity in our Affairs here, and his firm Attachment to our Cause, and to you, impress’d me with...
18From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bodleian Library, Oxford; copy: Library of Congress M. de Fontevieux, who hopes to have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is a young Gentleman of a considerable Family, and of excellent Character, who goes over with Views of improving himself in the military Art under your Auspices. He is willing to serve as Volunteer, in any Capacity for which your Exclly. shall find him...
19The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
20From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Three Spanish Gentlemen, Natives of Peru, and Officers in the Army of that Country, [ in the margin : here insert their Names] propose to pass into North America with a View of entring our Army, being ambitious of serving as Voluntiers under your Excellency, whose Reputation as a General stands high all over Europe. They are represented to me by Persons of...