1To John Adams from the Chevalier de La Luzerne and François Barbé-Marbois, 7 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
Le Chevalier de la Luzerne et m. de marbois sont bien sensibles au souvenir de Monsieur Adams et ont appris avec bien de plaisir que son indisposition n’avait point eu de suites. Le Docteur Cooper ne prechera point aujourd’hui: M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne espere avoir une autre occasion de l’entendre. M. de marbois a pris des arrangemens avec M. Cushin pour assister aujourd’hui à un autre...
The Chevalier de la Luzerne and M. Marbois are very moved by the remembrance from Mr. Adams and learned with a great deal of pleasure that his indisposition has had no serious consequences. Dr. Cooper will not preach today: M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne hopes to have another opportunity to hear him. M. de Marbois has made arrangements with M. Cushing to attend another sermon today. We hope to...
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:173–174 ( JA ’s English translation); for the French text, see JA, Works The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols. , 7:115. Praising John Adams for...
4From John Adams to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:175–176 . John Adams, thanking La Luzerne for his letter of 29 Sept. (calendared above) congratulating him on his appointment as minister to negotiate the peace, confessed to some diffidence about his ability to undertake so difficult a task. He added,...
5From John Adams to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 1 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have not had opportunity, Since I left Braintree, to pay my Respects to you. The good old Sensible had like to have laid her Bones in the Atlantic, as there is great Reason to believe our Sprightly Companion the Courier de L’Europe did. She parted from Us in a violent Gale of Wind And has not Since been heard of. The Misfortune of a Leak in the Sensible, gave me, an Opportunity of Seeing...
Monsieur trumbull ma fait remettre monsieur, la lettre dont la charge votre excellence. 1 jai été bien faché de n’etre pas chez moi lors qu’il sest donné la peine d’ÿ passer, mais jvai certainement le chercher, et lui rendre tous les soins que je dois a votre recommendation monsieur, aus vertus de son respectable pere et a ses propres talens. je vous prie d’etre persuade quil ne tiendra pas a...
7To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 1 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Les connoissances que Vous m’avés procurées à Boston et les directions que j’avois reçues de Vous avant mon depart m’ont été trop utiles pour que je n’aie pas le plus grand empressement de Vous en marquer ma reconnoissance. Les paquets que Vous m’aviés confiés pour cette ville ont été exactement remis à...
8From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received with great Pleasure the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me from Boston. I rejoiced to hear of your safe Arrival, and that the Reception you met with in my Country, had been agreable to you. I hope its Air will suit you, and that you while you reside in it, you will enjoy constant Health and Happiness. Your good Brother does me sometimes the...
9To George Washington from La Luzerne, 21 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I cannot let Col. Fleury depart without assuring Your Excellency of my entire gratitude for the kindnesses without number, that I have received from your camp to Philadelphia —Mons. De Fleurie will communicate to your Excellency his intention to go and pass some months in his own Country—He will be sure of receiving the recompences of his Majesty and of his fellow citizens if he carries back...
10From George Washington to La Luzerne, 23 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Fleury this moment presented to me the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write from Trenton. & by his communication of your arrival at that place without accident, & meeting Monsr Gerard in good health, made me perfectly happy. Monsr Fleury has obtained my consent to be absent from this Army—He carries with him a certificate expressive of his great merit as an Officer—and a...
11To George Washington from La Luzerne, 23 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Advices recently received from Europe make mention of the efforts which The English have made in Germany to procure recruits and new levies and of the difficulty they experienced even in the part of those courts with whom they have before treated— The greatest part of The German princes, who have sold soldiers to the Court of London now blush at these sales, which have excited their subjects...
12From George Washington to La Luzerne, 4 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Major Galvan delivered me the letter which your Excellency did me honor to write me on the 23d of Jany—to which I have paid all the attention the importance of its contents demands. I am much flattered by this commencement of a corrispondence from which I have every thing to gain; and equally indebted for the interesting communications it affords. It is a happy circumstance that the efforts...
13To George Washington from La Luzerne, 4 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
L’année derniere une Compagnie, à la tete de laquelle se trouve M. Duer a proposé au Ministere du Roi de fournir à la Marine françoise des Bois de Construction et des matieres. Ces offres étant de nature à mettre dans nos mains de nouveaux moyens d’accroitre nos Forces Navales ont été bien acceuillies; mais les Circonstances n’ont pas permis d’Exécuter le plan qu’on avoit fourni de Faire...
14From George Washington to La Luzerne, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th which only reached me late on the 13th. Sincerely desirous of doing every thing in my power by which the interest of his christian Majesty inseparable from that of these States can in any manner be promoted, and still more in a point so essential as that which makes the subject of your letter, I should not...
15From George Washington to La Luzerne, 26 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from a visit to Mr D’Miralles, and am happy to inform your Excellency, that if he has experienced any change since you left him, it is for the better. His Fever & pulse, tho’ he had a very restless night the last, are now moderate & regular, and his hic-cough has entirely left him. These are symptoms which the Doctor considers as rather favourable, but I am unhappy they are...
16From George Washington to La Luzerne, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with pain I inform your Excellency that Mr de Miralles is worse to day—He had a restless night, and his fever is increased—His Throat is now so sore that it is with difficulty he can be nourished—and besides these, his respiration is bad. Symptoms so unfavourable in the advanced stages of a disorder afford little hope of recovery, especially in a person of Mr de Miralles’s age. Permit me...
17To George Washington from La Luzerne, 29 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received with all the gratitude possible the news which your Excellency has been pleased to give me of Don Juan. I begin to flatter myself that the cares he has received from you and from all those who surround him will reestablish him. I cannot sufficiently express to you Sir my sentiments in this respect and for the kindnesses without number, which you have heaped upon me during the...
18To George Washington from La Luzerne, 4 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Don Francisco is just arrived and has communicated to me the cares without number and the honors which your Excellency heaped upon Mr Miralles after his death. I have given the Spanish Ministry and the Governor of Havanna an account of your kindnesses. They will certainly have a lively participation in my gratitude. I have the honor to address you a detail which has been sent me from Martinico...
19From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5–6 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of 29th of April. The polite terms in which you mention the attention which my respectful attachment for you dictated during your stay in Camp adds to the obligation I felt for the honor of your visit. I was happy in that oppertunity of giving you new proofs of my sentiments and I entreat you to afford me others as frequently...
20From George Washington to La Luzerne, 11 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The attention and honors paid to Mr De Miralles after his death were a tribute due to his character and merit, and dictated by the sincere esteem which I always felt for him. I am much obliged to your Excellency for your intention of sending me a detail of the land & Sea forces arriv’d at Martinique, which I beg leave to inform you, you forgot to inclose in your letter. You will participate in...
21From George Washington to La Luzerne, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the honor to receive the detail of His most Christian Majestys Fleet in the West Indies, which your Excellency has had the goodness to send me. I congratulate you very sincerely, Sir, on this very respectable armament, which I found to surpass my expectations and I would willingly hope that an occasion will be afforded the Count De Guichen to strike some important blow...
22Enclosure: La Luzerne to the Continental Congress, 16 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The underwritten Minister of France has the Honor to inform Congress, that the King in pursuance of his affection and friendship for the United States, and the desire he has to put an end by effectual measures to the calamities of the present War, has resolved to send to this Continent a supply of Troops to Act against the Common Enemy and a Fleet to second the Operations of the Land forces....
23From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
My time has been so entirely engrossed in the preliminary arrangements of immediate necessity towards the intended co-operation, that I have not been able till now, to do myself the honor to thank your Excellency for your letter of the 21st of May. We have too many proofs of the generous zeal of your Country men in the cause of America, not to be convinced of it, and to feel all that the most...
24From George Washington to La Luzerne, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a letter which has just come to hand from the Count de Rochambeau of the 22d instant. It is certainly of great importance that the precaution he mentions should be taken without loss of time. I should think the Delaware the best place for the reception of the 2d division, though there ought to be cruisers off both capes. It is necessary a plan should...
25To George Washington from La Luzerne, 30 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
J’envoye à Votre Excellence une lettre pour Mr le Chever de Ternay dans laquelle Vous verrés les mesures que j’ai prises ici pour remplir les intentions dont Vous m’avés fait part le 27. de ce mois. Je Vous prie de vouloir bien faire cacheter ce paquet et le faire parvenir à son addresse, lorsque l’occasion S’en presentera. Le Congrès a mis sous Vos ordres Monsieur ses fregattes en leur...
26From George Washington to La Luzerne, 4 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Gemat arrived here last night, by whom I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s request, that I would send instructions for the second Division coming from France, with respect to the measures which it should pursue for forming a junction with the first. I beg leave to inform Your Excellency that I wrote to the Count de Rocambeau, agreable to my Letter to You of the 27th Ulto and...
27From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Count De Rochambeau being too much ⟨en⟩gaged to write to your Excellency, when the last express came ⟨aw⟩ay has requested me to give you an account of his present ⟨dis⟩positions —which you will find in the inclosed copy of ⟨his⟩ letter of the 30th of July. In the letter I did myself the ⟨hon⟩or of writing to you yesterday, I omitted sending you a ⟨de⟩tail of the enemy’s naval force with...
28From George Washington to La Luzerne, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this morning the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th of July, with the One addressed to the Chevalier de Ternay, which I have sealed & forwarded by an Express. With respect to the Continental Frigates—I beg leave to inform Your Excellency, that I did not apprehend from the Resolution of Congress concerning them, that they were to be under my orders or to receive any...
29From George Washington to La Luzerne, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit Your Excellency a Letter from the Chevalier Ternay, which came under cover to me last night, with One addressed to myself. I also enclose an Extract of the Letter from the Admiral to myself and of one of the same date, from the Count de Rochambeau. Your Excellency will perceive by these, tho I presume the Admiral has written to You fully on the subject, the...
30To George Washington from La Luzerne, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu les lettres que Votre Excellence m’a fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 4 le 5. et le 6. de ce mois et les pieces dont elles étoient ac compagnées. Je me Suis conformé à votre opinion dans les avis que j’ai Fait parvenir à la Seconde division de notre Escadre et comme je les ai envoyés par des batimens stationnés dans des latitudes très variées, il est vraisemblable qu’elle les...
31From George Washington to La Luzerne, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency a letter which came under cover to me from the Count De Rochambeau. I think the plan of engaging the German Deserters will answer a good purpose. The Chevalier De Ternay has applied to me to have a Vessel loaded with flour now in the Delaware convoyed by the Continental Frigates to Boston and the Sloop Saratoga Sent to the West Indies with his last...
32To George Washington from La Luzerne, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre que Vôtre Excellence m’a fait l’honneur dé m’ecrire le 11. de ce mois avec celles dont elle etoit accompagnée. Je vais prendre en consequence les mesures dont je fais part à Mr le Cher de Ternay dans la lettre ci jointe que je Vous prie de vouloir bien lui faire parvenir après en avoir pris lecture, ainsi que des papiers dont elle est accompagnée. Je suis avec un...
33From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to return your Excellency the plan of the lines at Charles-town, which you were so obliging as to favor me with a copy of. I hope you arrived in good health & without accident at Philadelphia. With great consideration and personal attachment I have the honr to be Yr Excellys Most Obedt Hble Servt ALS , FrPMAE ; ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This document has not...
34To George Washington from La Luzerne, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that the Cloathing destined for the Army under the command of your Excellency had at length arrived in the River, in the Vessel of Paul Jones or in one of those coming under his Convoy, but I regret infinitely that You have not yet that satisfaction. A passenger arrived in one of this Convoy told me that when this same little squadron, which left France the 8th October,...
35From George Washington to La Luzerne, 14 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday brought me the honor of your Excellency’s favor without date—but which I suppose to have been written on the 5th Instt, as it accompanied a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette of that date. Receive my good Sir, the expression of gratitude which is due to your Excellency, for the important intelligence you have communicated relative to the designs of the Court of Spain upon the...
36To George Washington from La Luzerne, 14 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Fleury and the Chevr Duplessis who have had the honor to serve under the orders of your Excellency, are desirirous of being admitted to the Advantages which the Congress have allowed to those Officers, who not having an active employ in the Army by the new arrangement, are intitled to receive, after the peace, the Half pay, as well as those who are in immediate service. I have spoken...
37To George Washington from La Luzerne, 21 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer une lettre a M. le cher Henry Clinton que je vous prie de vouloir bien lui faire parvenir. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec le plus sincere et le plus respectueux attachement Monsieur De Votre Excellence Le tres humble et trèes obeissant Serviteur. LS , DLC:GW . GW replied to La Luzerne from headquarters at New Windsor on 9 Jan. 1781: “I was duly honored with Your...
38To George Washington from La Luzerne, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had flattered myself that my Stay in Annapolis would procure me an opportunity of waiting upon Your Excellency, but the roads are so bad and the Snow so deep that I am obliged to renounce to this happiness untill my return to this place, which, I hope, will be towards the middle of next month. I hope then to take hold of the favorable moment, which I have lost in this Season, and to enjoy...
39From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks. I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment...
40Appendix IX: To La Luzerne, 17 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Letter addressed by your Excellency to the President of the Society of the Cincinnati, and the Memorials referred to that Body, have been laid before the General Meeting. The Institution, as it is amended, admits into this Society “the late & present Ministers of his Most Xian Majesty to the United States; all the Generals & Colonels of Regiments and Legions of the Land Forces; all the...
41From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until Capt: Hardwine deliver’d the Claret your Excellency was so obliging as to spare me, that I had the least knowledge of its being sent. In consequence of your kind offer to furnish me with three hogsheads, I wrote to Colo. Tilghman (at Baltimore) requesting him to receive & forward it to me; & obtained for answer, that before Your Excellys order had reached your Agent at that...
42To George Washington from La Luzerne, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I cannot quit the Continent, without renewing my assurances of the esteem towards you, with wc. I am inspired—From the five years residence I have made in America, and the share I have had in business; I have had a better opportunity than most, of admiring your Military talents, and those great qualities wc. have secured for ever, the Independance, and liberty of your Country—I share in...
43From George Washington to La Luzerne, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter your Excellency did me the honor to write in the moment of your departure from this Country, conferred the highest honor upon me, & is not more flattering to my vanity, than it is productive of my gratitude. I shall ever reflect with pleasure Sir, on the readiness with which your communications to me have been made; & the dispatch & ability with which you have conducted business in...
44To George Washington from La Luzerne, 12 September 1784 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself that the distance in which I live now from you has not lessened the esteem and Confidence with which you have been constantly pleased to honor me. I should think myself very fortunate if the future incidents of my Life could afford me an opportunity to receive new proofs of your Kindness and of your Friendship. The first moments I passed with my Countrymen were employed in...
45From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your early attention to me after your arrival at the Court of Versailles, amidst scenes of gaiety & the gratulations of friends, does me great honor & excites my warmest acknowledgments. That your august Sovereign, his amiable consort, & the Princes his brothers, should deign to interest themselves in, & wish to be acquainted with the circumstances of my life, is one of the most flattering...
46To George Washington from La Luzerne, 20 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mr de Chateaufort, Consul of France for the State of So. Carolina, intends, on his Journey from Newyorck to Charlestown, to wait upon Your Excellency and to present You this letter. Permit me to recommend him to your attention. He is quite a stranger in America, but he belongs to a nation for whom You have always shewn the greatest partiality, and his personal merit will, I doubt not, render...
47To George Washington from La Luzerne, 15 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de la Fayette has delivered to me the letters of your Excellency and I am extreemely flattered by this mark of your attention and of your remembrance. I have executed your commissions near his Majesty and the Royal family, and the King is concerned that your domestic affairs deprive him of the satisfaction to see a man, whose talents and virtues have procured the hapiness of his...
48To George Washington from La Luzerne, 25 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have received by the Marquis de la Lafayette, on his arrival in France, the letters your Excellency has honoured me with. I can not express how much I am sensible of these marks of your Kindness and Friendship; I am likewise extreemely flattered by the interest you take in my future employments. Permit me to assure you that wherever the King may send me, he can not entrust me a commission as...
49From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for your several favors of the 20th of Decr introductory of Mr de Chateaufort—of the 15th of Feby & 25th of March, which I should not have suffered to have remained so long unacknowledged, if anything had occurred, the relation of which could have compensated for the trouble of reading my letter. Long as I have waited for such an event, nothing has yet happen’d of much...
50To George Washington from La Luzerne, 3 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Mr Houdon Delivered me the Letter, That Your Excy Honoured me with of the 5th Novr And I have learnd with very great Satisfaction, that you have Enjoyed very good Health, & that you Promise to your Aquaintances a long Life, that has been Glorious, & Usefull to Your Country. I return Your Excy my Most Sincere thanks for the Accurate Account, you have given me of the Affairs of the United...