To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 3 November 1778
From Daniel Roberdeau5
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Philad. Novr. 3d. 1778
Dear Sir
Le Chevalier Mauduit Du Plessis by whose hands I received your introductory favr. last year is also the Bearer of this to acknowledge the service you did your Country, as well as the honor confered on me in that Instance.6 To be more particular in commending the good and brave conduct of this worthy Officer would be to sanctify the repeated acts of Congress fully expressive of that Gentleman’s high merit not only as to promotion, being raised in so short a time to the high rank of Lieut. Colonel, but also testifying of their approbation of his good behaviour & Galantry on repeated occasions of which he is furnished with Credentials. I am respectfully Dr. Sir Yr. most obt. & very huml. Servt.
Daniel Roberdeau
His Excellency Benja. Franklin
Addressed: His Excellency / Benja. Franklin Esquire / Minister Plenipotentiary at the / Court of France / favored by the Cheva- / lier Mauduit Du Plessis / Paris
Endorsed: Genl.7 Roberdeau’s Letter about M. du Plessis
Notation: Nov. 3d. 1778.
5. BF’s old friend was a Congressional delegate from Pennsylvania and a member of the committee for foreign applications.
6. On BF’s recommendation Roberdeau had procured Thomas-Antoine Mauduit du Plessis a commission as captain of artillery: XXIV, 11. Du Plessis subsequently was honored by Congress for his services: XXVI, 395–6. He returned to France with Lafayette on Feb. 6, 1779. Later he served on Rochambeau’s staff and became colonel of the regiment of Port-au-Prince. In 1791 he was killed by his own troops: Bodinier, Dictionnaire, under Mauduit. See XXIII, 154n, for his earlier career. An undated, unsigned note to BF inquiring about the captain’s fate reveals that his family had heard rumors of his death. APS.
7. BF wrote “Genl” before “Roberdeau”. It has subsequently been lined through, probably by a later hand. Roberdeau was a brigadier general of the Pennsylvania Associators: DAB.