To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, [before 23 February 1781]
From the Duc de La Rochefoucauld
AL: American Philosophical Society
Vendredi matin. [before February 23, 1781]4
Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld est chargé par Me. Sa mere de proposer à Monsieur franklyn de lui faire l’honneur de diner chez elle le Vendredi 23. de ce mois, au lieu du samedi 24; la mere et le fils lui font mille complimens et le prient d’engager pour ce même jour Monsieur Son petit-fils, et M. le Veillard.
4. While the 23rd did fall on a Friday earlier during BF’s stay in France, we have eliminated those dates based on what we know of La Rochefoucauld’s absences from Paris or those of his mother, the duchesse d’Enville. The 23rd also fell on a Friday in March, 1781, and so this letter could have been written instead on March 9 or on March 16. A letter written later in March would likely have mentioned their friend Turgot’s death; see BF’s letter of condolence to them of March 31, below.