To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 20 March 1779
From the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts3
ALS: American Philosophical Society
20 Mars [1779]
Je Nait qun instent Mon respectable amis pour vous envoyér ce petit Memoir quon Ma bien priez de Vous recomandér4 et pour Vous renouveller le plus tendre et le plus fidel homage de Mon Coeur
FORBACH DOUAIRIERE
DU DUC DE DEUXPONTS
Je part dans Le Moment pour Versaille dous je ne reviendres que pour Loger dans ma Nouvelle Maison ous jespere bien exelant home que vous me gagnerés quelques partie dechecs
Addressed in another hand: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Dr Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiare / des Etats Unis de L’Amerique / a Passy
3. Marianne Camasse, comtesse de Forbach (XXV, 313n), widow of the duc de Deux-Ponts, was a mutual friend of BF and the chevalier de Kéralio, the military inspector.
4. The “petit Memoir” must be that of the baron de Ried, on whose behalf BF had already received a recommendation the previous fall: XXVII, 104. In the present memoir the baron writes that he has a good knowledge of forges and the manufacture of tools, as well as firearms, and he offers to procure for America the best workmen in these activities. The comtesse adds to his statement that the man has received a good education, is strong in mathematics, speaks many languages, draws and paints admirably, and is unhappy with the inaction he now endures. He has the air of a robust man, about forty years old. APS.
Kéralio wrote WTF on April 12, gently inquiring into the status of the memoir in favor of the baron. Would BF be so kind as to make “une petite réponse ostensible qui prouve que la commission a été faite?” APS.