From Johann Rodolphe Valltravers (unpublished)
From Vienna, in Austria, Octr. 2d. 1782.
Sir!

None of the five Letters, which I had the Honor to write to Your Excellency in the Year 1778, from Switzerland, having been so happy, to meet with the Favor of a Reply: I could not Know, how to account for my misfortune.

Having since that time left my native Country, to sollicit in Person in Germany, several Sums due to me, from several courts, as well as Persons, expended in their Service, and Commissions, whilst in England and France: I forbore to trouble Yr. Excy. any further, as my Letters were then more exposed than ever, to be intercepted; alltho’ I much wished to impart many valuable Intelligences, in Suport of Yr. great Cause, the reasonable Liberties of Mankind.

Monsr. Lieuthaud, a dramatic french Author, and well versed in french and german Literature, on his present Return to Paris, being so obliging, as to take particular Charge of this Letter, and to afford me a long wished for opportunity, of conveying a Renewal of my sincere Respects, with a Tender of every good office in my Power to your worthy Self, in Safety: I once more venture to beg your kind Acceptance thereof.

All attempts, both by law, and by my humble Petitions and Remonstrances, to recover my sacrificed Property, from these german Vulturs, proving all vain: I now prepare for a Journey to Venice, towards the latter End of this Month, where I shall be happy, to recieve the Honor of Yr. Excellcy’s. Commands, under Cover of his christian Maj Minister, Monsr. le Presidt. de Vergennes, Brother to the King’s Minister at Versailles, my old Patron, when ambassador in Switzerland. Or, if Yr. Excy. had any Commands for this Place, Previous to my leaving it, they might still reach me in Time, conveyed for me, to Baron Fichtl, Agent for the holy roman Empire at Vienna.

If your Exccy. thinks, I might be usefull to his Constituents, in Sounding the general Dispostion of the Venitian State, towards the free States of America; in bringing that respectable common Wealth over to the Suport, Independence and Prosperity of their new-born Sister-Republick beyond the atlantik; in forwarding an early Connection, Friendship Trade, and defensive Alliance between both; or in raising at least some under Hand pecuniary Assistance of Cash, shipping, and Merchandise, if over-awed by Great-Britain: Yr. Exccy.’s Instructions on these Objects shall be received with Joy, managed with Prudence and Discretion, and obeyed with Punctuality, Zeal, Fidelity and Dispatch.

Mr. Jas. Creassey (Surveyor lately returned from the East-Indies, with heavy Complaints against the British Company’s Depredations and Treachery and Tyranny of their Servants) having made me a Cession of Part of his Lands, in the North Part of the Province of New-York, along the Mohawk River; and being promised a Similar Cession in Georgia from Genl. Oglethrope: I consider myself as a Fellow-Citizen of yours in the new World and am not a litle proud of that Honor.

A Tour made thro’ Hungaria, a most fertile? Country, ill-peopled, wretched, and ill-cultivated from the Slavish Condition of their Husbandmen, has convinced me more and more that legal and equal Liberty alone, is the soul of Industry, Diligence, Wealth and Happiness.

I am with everlasting Veneration, Gratitude and Attachement, Sir! Your excellence’s Most devoted hble. Servt.

Rodh. Valltravers.

p. s. Yr. friend, Dr. Ingenhuys, continues well and indefatigable in his instructive Labors.
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