To George Washington from Lafayette, 20 May 1788
From Lafayette
Paris May the 20th 1788
My dear General
I Have Been Requested to introduce to You Mr de Chastel de la Vallée a french Gentleman Who intends to Visit the United States, and Will probably Settle in one of them. He is Particularly Recommended to Me By the Marquis de Boüillé to Whose lady He is Related, and I Beg, My dear General, you Will Honour Him with Your Advices in His intended plan.1
Not knowing When this Can Reach You, and Having a Speedy Opportunity to write I shall only Present You, My Beloved General, with the filial Respect and Affection of Your Most devoted friend
lafayette
ALS, PEL.
1. For the identity of the marquis de Bouillé, see GW to Bouillé, 1 June 1787. There is no mention in GW’s diaries of a visit from Chastel de La Vallée to Mount Vernon. For Thomas Lee Shippen’s letter introducing Chastel de La Vallée to his father in Philadelphia, see 13:120. See also the reference to a letter to Jefferson from Chastel, 27 Sept. 1788, ibid., 640.