From Benjamin Franklin to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 15 March 1780
To Conrad-Alexandre Gérard
Copy: Library of Congress
Passy, Mar. 15. 1780.
Dear Sir,
I congratulate you most Sincerely on your safe arrival after so many fatigues and Perils and on your happy Meeting with your family and friends.4 I long to embrace and Welcome you in Person but have been prevented, partly by an unwillingness to intrude on Those first hours, which you might wish to Spend with your nearer Connections, and Partly by Accidental Business. Please to let me know by a line when you can see me with the least Inconvenience. I am ever with the sincerest Esteem and Respect, Dear Sir, y. m. O. & m. h. S.
Mr. Gerard
4. Gérard arrived at Versailles on the 15th and Vergennes presented him to the King: Gaz. de Leyde, March 24, 1780 (no. XXIV). His trip from Cadiz took so long because he stopped in Madrid for several days: Meng, Despatches of Gérard, pp. 905–7.