From Mme. Roger Rossard des Naudins
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Châteaudun, May 16, 1777, in French: Through a mutual acquaintance
you have shown interest in the fate of our son. Let
me explain our circumstances. My husband and I, allied with
some of the first families of the provinces, have five children,
equally dear to us, whom we have educated as best we could.
If our fortunes had matched our feelings, our three sons would
have gone into the army; but only the eldest did. The other
two became officers on merchantmen, and are enrolled in the
gendarmerie to be sure of secure berths when they return.
The older of these two, after a two-year voyage to Gabon,
decided to enter the service of New England. We do not know
where he is or what he is doing, and are anxious. He would
by choice, I suspect, have joined the navy, for after eight and a
half years at sea he knows his business and loves it. If you
could help us find him and learn that he is doing his duty with
honor, and earning his superiors’ respect, our worries would
be over. He is twenty-four, named Rossard de Villié; I enclose
a letter for him, and should be most grateful if you would
forward it.>
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