From George Washington to Chastellux, 16 September 1787
To Chastellux
Philadelphia Sept. 16th 1787
My Dr Marqs
Mr Pinkney will do me the favor of presenting this letter to you1—He is a Gentleman of fortune, family & character in South Carolina—A member of Congress, and delegate to the Fœderal Convention, now sitting in this City. As he proposes to visit your Country I take this liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance and attentions—and this I do with pleasure⟨.⟩ I persuade myself that you will in him find, abilities and information. I am &ca
G. Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
1. GW on this day also wrote to Lafayette and Rochambeau on behalf of Charles Pinckney (1757–1824). He wrote Lafayette: “My dear Marqs, Permit me to introduce Mr Pickney to you the bearer of this. He is a Gentleman of Fortune, family and Character in South Carolina—a member of Congress and at present a delegate in the Fœderal Convention.
“Having a desire to travel I take the liberty of introducing him to your civilities & attention as a Gentleman of information and one with whome you will be well pleased. I am &ca G. Washington” (LB, DLC:GW).
The letter-book copy of his letter to Rochambeau reads: “My dear Count, The Gentleman who will do me the honor of presenting this letter to you is Mr Peckney of So. Carolina—a member of Congress, and deligate to the Fcederal Convention from that State. Having an inclination to travel I take the liberty of giving him this letter of introduction to your acquaintance and civilities as a Gentleman of Information and worth. I am &ca G. Washington” (LB, DLC:GW). Pinckney did not go to Europe in 1787; he returned to Charleston and served as a delegate in the South Carolina Ratifying Convention in 1788.