To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Dominique de Roberdeau, 8 April 1778
From Jacques-Dominique de Roberdeau
LS:3 American Philosophical Society
Haguenau april 8th. 1778.
Sir.
Your agreable favour of the 21st feb. past I duly received. The reason of my Silence Was, that gen. roberdeau’s letter, you have been So good as to Send me, has been mislaid, and I could not find it Sooner. Here I send it inclosed according to your desire.4
Pray give me leave to use this opportunity for myself, and pay you my compliment on the hapy Success of your magnanimous Endeavours for your dear Country. May you Enjoye a long time the Sublime pleasure your heart must feel in the Knowlegde of being your Self the author of the present and futur happiness of your country and Countrymen. Is there any thing in the World So disirable as to be like you the teacher and friend of mankind? Yes my dear Sir I’d Wish to be master of the first crown in this World, and exchange it for the part you acted in it. With these Sentiments I am Sir your Most Obediant Servant.
J: DE Roberdeau
colonel de cavallerie
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Le Docteur franklen / Delegué des Etats Unis de l’amerique / A Passÿ prés de Paris / à Paris
Endorsed: Roberdeau about Du Plessis5
3. As in his previous letter (above, XXV, 672), he seems to have signed some one else’s translation of his letter into English; this time he added a “de” to his name.
4. BF’s reply to his earlier inquiry has apparently been lost; the letter enclosed with it was Daniel Roberdeau’s brief note above, XXIV, 11.
5. The enclosure mentioned above had to do with BF’s recommendation of du Plessis.