From Benjamin Franklin to Condorcet, 12 October 1777
To Condorcet6
ALS: Pierpont Morgan Library
Passy, Oct. 12. 1777
Dear Sir,
I send you enclos’d the Letter you desire.7 But as I am apprehensive that the young Gentleman may have flattered himself with Expectations that are never likely to be answered in that Country, I wish he would consider it well before he undertakes such a Voyage. If he will take the Trouble of calling on me, perhaps I may afford him some useful Lights on the Subject.
I have not yet seen in the Vol. of 1773 what you mention.
I am glad to hear that Madame la Duchesse d’Enville and the amiable Family were well. With the greatest Esteem and Respect, Je suis, Mon cher et illustre Confrere Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. I have read with the highest Pleasure your excellent Eloge de M. l’Hopital.8 I knew you before as a great Mathematician; I now consider you as one of the first among the Politicians of Europe.
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Marquis de Condorcet / à l’Hotel des Monnoies / à Paris
6. In reply to Condorcet’s letter above, Oct. 7.
7. It was to Jonathan Williams, Sr., and has since disappeared. See d’Abadie to BF below, March 28, 1778.
8. Eloge de Michel de l’Hôpital, chancelier de France, discours présenté à l’Académie française en 1777 (Paris, 1777). Condorcet presented a number of such eulogies after being named secretary of the Academy. For Michel de l’Hôpital, the famous 16th-century chancellor, see Larousse under l’Hospital.