To George Washington from de Beaulieu, 25 July 1796
From de Beaulieu
July 25th 1796
My General
As I know your kind heart, I put myself into your hands, I like better to address myself to God than to his Saints. My Wife is taken away from me as a second Penelope indeed with some modifications, for it is because we have been under an obligation all last Winter till now, that She is tore from my Arms: great Gods!1 Such are the virtuous men of our age! If I was born of low conditioned Parents, I would be used to hard labors and I could make out for myself or at least I should know a trade which I would make use of. but having been only a Cultivator in the Colonies, and deprived of every thing which I possessed, I am in extreme want, and I address myself to your good heart. I cannot go back to my home, because the flag Vessels carry over only Women and old Men.2 perhaps some new sacrifice will be made of them: as it happened at the last disturbances of the Cape.3 I was not here when you had shared the World: and in consequence I have not an Inch of ground. if some pieces of land were remaining uncultivated near some City I should bless you all the moments of my life if you would do me the honor of admitting me amongst those who have the happiness to live under Your laws: for I possess nothing at all but tenderness for my Wife, who expresses to me her satisfaction of joining again with me, if I could procure her an easy existence.
I make vows for the conservation of Your precious days and I am—very great and mighty General, president & Dictator with very great respect Your very humble obedient Servant
(signed) debeaulieu
living at Baltimore on the road of the point in a Wooden house.
Translation, DLC:GW; ALS, in French, DLC:GW.
1. In Greek mythology, Penelope remained faithful to her husband Odysseus while he was away despite the advances of several suitors.
2. From late 1795 into 1797 French consuls advertised the departures of flag of truce vessels (Parlementaires) to carry French citizens to France or to Saint Domingue. Vessels for Saint Domingue only carried women, children, the aged, and the infirm. For an example, see the notice printed in French in The Centinel of Liberty and George-town Advertiser, 17 June 1796.
3. De Beaulieu is referring to the burning of Cap Français in June 1793 (see Thomas Millet to GW, 20 Aug. 1793, and n.8).