Jacob Gerhard Diriks to George Washington, 3 January 1781
From Jacob Gerhard Diriks
New port [R.I.] Jany 3th 1781
Sir
I’hope You will pardon the Liberty I take in introdúcing to your Excellency the Bearer Coúnt de Rechteren Lord of Limpúrg, a Gentleman of me acqúaintance and connected with the first families in the Provinces of overyesel, and came to this Coúntry with the french Army as a Captain in order to have an opportúnity of displaying his Military Talents, the Zeal and attachement he has for the Caúse of america and his desire to serve únder yoúr Excellency;1 Indúce me to wish yoúr Excellency would please to favor him with yoúr recommandation to Congress, his Connections with several families of Distinction and Inflúence in holland who have shewn strong attachements to the Interests of America, and Besides he being acqúainted with Baren vander Capellen,2 will, I’am persúaded Sufficiently recommend him to yoúr Excellen[c]ys favorable Notice and attention.3 I’have the honor to be with the Greatest regard and Esteem, yoúr Excellency Most obedt & Most húmb: servant
Diriks
ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection; Sprague transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Frederik (Friedrich) Reinhard Burchard (Burkhard) Rudolf, graaf van Rechteren-Limpburg (1751-1842), a noble of the Dutch province of Overijssel, was a cadet-gentilhomme (gentleman cadet) of the Royal Deux-Ponts Regiment in the French army in March 1780. Subsequently a supernumerary officer of the regiment, he came to the United States with lieutenant general Rochambeau’s French expeditionary corps in 1780. Rechteren-Limpburg then became a captain in the Royal Deux-Ponts Regiment. He left the United States in May 1781. In 1817, he became a chevalier in the Ordre du Mérite Militaire. Around the same time, Rechteren-Limpburg was in the service of the king of Bavaria.
2. Diriks refers to Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, a strong supporter of American independence.
3. No reply from GW to Diriks has been found. There is no evidence that GW recommended Rechteren-Limpurg to Congress.