From — de Forestier
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Hesdin in Artois, June 27, 1778, in French: I feel compelled to
warn you that a man has recently appeared here who calls
himself de Bonne. Until lately he was a merchant, and he left
town because of business troubles and misconduct. He is
dressed in brown, vulgarly known as puce, with yellow trousers,
vest, cuffs, and collar, and a gold epaulette like a captain’s;
he announces that he is a captain, in the American service, and
leaves next month for Boston. He can give a most unfortunate
public impression of American officers, whereas our new allies
ought to be held in respect. If he is not an impudent fool who
has made up the whole story, he must have imposed on your
confidence.>
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