Certificate for Rolandeau, 13 December 1777
Certificate for Rolandeau8
AD: Dartmouth College Library
Passy, near Paris, Dec. 13. 1777
This may certify whom it may concern, that M. Rolandeau, a Lieutenant in the 5th Regiment of the State of Carolina, came to France on some Affairs of Importance which indispensibly requir’d his Presence, and so suddainly that he had not an Opportunity of obtaining his Congé. Of this I am well assured by Persons of great Honour and Distinction here. And as he takes this first Occasion of returning to his Duty, I hope and request that he may be receiv’d and employ’d in the Continental Service, as heretofore.
B. Franklin
One of the Commissioners from the United States.
8. In belated reply to his request above, Oct. 18, reiterated on Nov. 15. Rolandeau lost this certificate when he was captured on his way to America. He apparently escaped and returned to France, this time on leave, and persuaded two of his brothers to quit the French army for the American; BF was again asked for a certificate: Ossun to BF, Sept. 12, 1778, APS.