From — de Bissey
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Paris, January 21, [1778?], in French: Your virtues make me
overcome the delicacy of my sex and write to ask your help. I
am an orphan of eighteen, daughter of an infantry captain,
and have no resources except a good education and the hope
of a pension from the ministry of war. A court lady has interceded
with the prince de Montbarey, but the times are not
good for getting pensions. My troubles and the cold have made
me take to my bed, and I should not have dared ask help from
any one for my age and birth and feelings make me cautious.
But your character has reassured me so far that now, far from
considering my approach imprudent, I put all my hopes in it.
Will you come to see me? The letter is addressed to Franklin,
“lui seul.”>
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