To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 March 1780
From Benjamin Franklin
Passy, March 19 1780
Sir
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.1 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 Country, With the highest Esteem and Respect, I have the honour to be, Your Excellency’s &c.
LB, DLC: Benjamin Franklin Papers. A note on the letterbook copy indicates that this letter also was sent to Joseph Reed, president of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council.
Franklin again wrote GW from Passy on 25 March: “The Bearer of this, M. le Prince Emanuel de Salm, Colonel Commandant of the Regiment d’Anhalt, supposing it possible that the Operations of the ensuing Campaign may bring him near to your Excellency, has desired of me a Line of Introduction. He bears here an excellent Character, is highly esteem’d by all that have the Honour of his Acquaintance, and I make no doubt of your receiving great Pleasure in his Conversation” (ALS, FrPNA). This letter probably never reached GW because a lack of transports prevented Colonel Salm-Salm’s regiment from leaving France.
Emmanuel-Henry-Oswald-Joseph-Nicolas-Léopold, prince de Salm-Salm (1742–1808) entered the Austrian military service at a young age. He joined the Spanish army in 1763 and eventually became an officer in the French army. Named colonel commandant of the Anhalt Regiment in March 1780, Salm-Salm anticipated action in the United States under Lieutenant General Rochambeau until a shortage of transports prevented the departure of his command. Salm-Salm continued as a French officer—apparently as one of Marie Antoinette’s favorites—until 1789, when he left the country.
Franklin also wrote GW from Passy on 4 April: “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 such I beg leave to introduce him to you, and to request for him those Civilities which you afford with Pleasure to strangers of merit” (LB, DLC: Benjamin Franklin Papers; see also , 32:212–13).
Alexis-Paul-Michel Le Veneur de Tillières (1746–1833), from a noble family, joined the French army as a lieutenant in 1763 and embarked on a military career. His regiment never reached the United States during the Revolutionary War. Le Veneur was suspended from his command during the French Revolution, in which he barely escaped execution. He returned to the army in June 1795 and held a general’s rank when he retired in 1797. After his retirement, he served as a government official.
1. Christian, comte de Forbach des Deux-Ponts (1752–1817), and Guillaume (William) Philippe, vicomte de Forbach des Deux-Ponts (1754–1807), sons of Marianne Camasse Deux-Ponts, comtesse de Forbach, began their military service as lieutenants. Both served as captains before attaining their respective ranks as colonel and lieutenant colonel of the Royal Deux-Ponts Regiment in the French army. The brothers came to the United States with Lieutenant General Rochambeau’s army in 1780. (For an account of preparations and the voyage, see , 75–91.) Christian served through 1783. Wounded at Yorktown, Va., on 14 Oct. 1781, Guillaume received recognition for gallantry after his return to France later that year and was promoted to colonel of the 3d Regiment of Chasseurs in January 1782. The two officers subsequently served as lieutenant generals in the Bavarian army. Christian eventually received the title of marquis de Forbach, and Guillaume replaced his brother as comte.