From Benjamin Franklin to the Prince de Montbarey, 18 January 1780
To the Prince de Montbarey2
Copy: Library of Congress
Passy, Jan. 18. 1780.
Monseigneur
Monsieur Noirmont de La Neuville3 has produced to me a Number of Testimonies from American Generals and from the Congress, of his Valour and good Conduct in several important Actions of the War, by which he has acquired great Esteem in that Country; At his Request I have certified the Authenticity of Those Papers; and I beg leave to add, that I am persuaded, if his Majesty should think fit to honour this Gentleman: with any mark of his favour, on Acct. of his services to the United States, the same would be very pleasing to the Congress and People of America, with the greatest Respect, I am Monseigneur your most obedient and most humble servant
Mgr. le Prince de Montbarrey.
2. The French minister of war.
3. BF is conflating the names of Lombart de Noirmont and his elder brother Lombart de Laneuville. See the elder brother’s letter, after Dec. 22, 1779. The younger brother, whom BF is recommending, was a captain in the regiment of Royal Comtois, as well as a lieutenant colonel in the American army. A battalion of his regiment was sent to Martinique in February (Dull, French Navy, p. 377) and he chose service in the West Indies over returning to America: Bodinier, Dictionnaire, p. 379; Lasseray, Les Français, II, 356–8.