To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, [24 March 1783]
From the Duc de La Rochefoucauld
AL: American Philosophical Society
Lundi matin [March 24, 1783]
Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur franklyn le projet de lettre convenue hier: peut être y manquerat-il quelquechose pour la forme, mais Monsieur franklyn la corrigera.4 Il Sera bon qu’il la remette lui même demain à M. le Cte. de Vergennes, ou du moins qu’il lui en parle pour accélérer l’expedition.
Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld a l’honneur d’y joindre Sa recommandation pour la place de Consul des Etats-Unis à fecamp,5 et de faire mille complimens à Monsieur franklyn
Notations in different hands: Le Duc de La Rochefoucauld. / Mar. 24. 1783
4. BF adopted the text as written; it is the letter to Vergennes, immediately below.
5. He must have enclosed the undated petition from Jacques-Laurent Berigny (Hist. Soc. of Pa.) requesting a consulship or vice-consulship in Fécamp. (A notation on that petition indicates that La Rochefoucauld recommended Berigny to BF on March 23.) Berigny’s qualifications seem to be that his father, with whom he resides, is the principal merchant / outfitter of Fécamp, and the only merchant there with the resources to assist foreign ships. Berigny also points out that, having spent much of his youth in England, he has a great facility in English (though he writes this appeal in French). He offers to serve with zeal, and for the honor of being useful to his nation.