From — Larguier des Bancels
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Rochefort, September 2, 1777, in French: The justice of your
cause and our long standing animosity against the British bind
our nation to yours, and I expect at any moment a treaty of
friendship between them. My sojourn here has brought me
daily stories of Frenchmen going to America, where I am sure
they are welcome; can you tell me whether they go with the
King’s permission, and find work suited to their qualifications?
Mine are not for war. I am thirty-eight, and from the age of
eight have been involved in trade or agriculture in the Cévennes.
Many young men there would, at a word from me,
emigrate if they were sure of military or agricultural employment,
and of not being penalized in France as fugitives. I have
not the means to get to America to find out for myself the
conditions there. If you can find me and my friends anything
to do that will be mutually beneficial, we will pray constantly
for you and your cause.>
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