To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier, [13 April 1782?]
From Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier
ALS: American Philosophical Society
a lacademie Ce Samedy. [April 13, 1782?]6
Monsieur et tres respectable Confrere
M. Le Roy veut bien Se charger de vous faire passer Ce billet et nous nous reunissons pour vous prier de venir diner avec nous a l’arsenal apres demain lundy. Nous aurons M. Magellan et quelques academiciens; nous esperons que Mr votre petit fils voudra bien vous accompagner.
J’ay lhonneur detre avec lattachement le plus respectueux Monsieur et tres respectable Confrere Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Lavoisier
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur francklin ministre / des etats unis de lamerique / A Passy.
Notation: Lavoisier
6. The only clues to dating this invitation are the inclusion of Magellan in the dinner party and the way in which BF is addressed. Magellan was in Paris in June, 1778 (XXVI, 380n, 663–4), and may have returned at any time thereafter. The next visit of which we have evidence, however, was in April, 1782; see Magellan’s letter immediately below. Of the two possibilities, 1782 is the more attractive because Lavoisier here addresses BF as minister; this he did not do—although others did—in his few surviving letters while BF was still a commissioner.