I wrote a few days past, by a french Gentlemen, but now my dear friend thy daughter having procured me an oppertunity, which appears more sure, I make use of it to inform, that in my last was inclosed an earnest petition to thee from Francis Geay de la Gaconniere, the person to whom an Estate is fallen at Fontenay le Vicomte in Poitou which I think thou art not unacquainted with, as the first letter came thro’ thy channel to Jams Lovel, then employed in foreign affairs. I have wrote abt. twenty letters for him, and sent four powers of attorney, and am at last informed by His sister, that by his desertion, about forty years past, from the french service were he was a dragoon in the regiment of he has forfeited his right; to request they assistance in procuring him letters of Rehibilation is the purport of his petition. He is extreemly poor, between 60 and 70 years old and has been 3 times in our hospital, being at times disordered in his senses, owing as its thought to a cut he received on his head at the battle of Detanguin. I yesterday put in a petition to the same purport to the Chevalier de la Lucern Sally assuring me the bearer will deliver the packet without charge which I was afraid might occur if in danger of being put in the post office, I venture to send thee a number of Short Accounts of the Quakers Principles, their settlement in America &c in French which is not done so much from a desire of persuading people of the rectitude of their sentiments, as to strengthen in the people a disposition which appears to encrease of shaking the popish Nations from that dreadful yoke of implicite subjection to the tyranny of their church government, priest, monks &c and to give them an idea of that civil and religious freedom which So long did and its hoped still will subsist in these parts. The difference of a simple innocent upright worship, in spirit and truth which the Gospel proposes in opposition to that dead round of stupid practices in use, particularly in the church of Rome I fear much for the maintenance of priestcraft than sincerely seeking God. I also send thee a couple of copies of a small Collection I lately published which I trust will not be disagreable to thee, upon the Innocency and plainness of the Christian Religion, in opposition to the crafts used in the church and the cruelty and horrid devastation and destruction by War, the armies &c illustrated in a small summary of the last German War at page 10th. also the effect of a contrary disposition in the instance of Numa Pompelius, who accepted of the crown of Rome, solely with a view of promoting the happiness of the people, whose virtue and love of his Maker and Fellow-Men was so blessed, that during forty three Years the he reigned his kingdom was preserved in peace; this Plutarch (tho called an heathen) has such a sense of the divine care over men, that he observes, that, in Numa’s happy reign, by a particular providence, (mark the expression) Heaven was pleased to preserve this happy reign, which is a plain proof of what God in his mercy and love can do, in rendering virtue triumphant over vice. Virtue, love, moderation and industry prevailed and and even the nations around were so far from taking advantage of Numa’s pacific temper to make war against him, that Plutarch remarks, a wonderful change prevailed amongst themselves and even in their differences they chose the Romans for their umpires; A clear instance this is, of what God in his love and mercy can and would doubtless do for makind, if their heart and eye was to him; Particularly when we consider they were under the monstrous prejudices which more or less attended on paganism, and that we are favoured with the precepts of the Gospel and the example of a meek saviour who himself overcame by suffering. How vain are all expectations that mankind can establish themselves in safety and peace by force of arms and the number of their troops. Is the Emperor more secure with three hundred thousand men, whilst his competitors, the King of Prussia or other potentates vie in raising an equal or greater number, if each of them had but a few hundred, they would be as strong. The encreasing the number does but increase the misery of the people and destruction of Mankind; by those Legal Murders, which our abominable nature has made so necessary as Voltaire expresses it, as mentioned at page 20th; whereas if the disposition which was in Numa, was prevelant amongst Christians, there is the greatest reason to believe that the benevolent Power, who has dominion over the heart of Man, which himself has made and whom the Apostle denominates under the appelation of Love God is love and they that dwell in God they dwell in Love would bless and preserve his creature man in a state of love to his Maker and one to another I believe it is not so much a disbelief in the power of God, to maintain order amongst men without that horrid corruption and destruction which war occasions but it very much arises from an indulgence of the corrupt propensity of the heart, those lusts which the Apostle James says are the remote causes of war, that lust of power that pride, that desire of amassing wealth, must at any rate be satisfied, and while that continues to be the case and God consequently does not see cause to force men to act agreable to reason and humanity, the true Christian must mourn like the Dove when out of the Ark and suffer as a pilgrim and stranger in this world, till their sighs and tears prevail. Happy would it be if some of the powers of Europe were favoured with the same prospect which prevailed in Numa, doubtless the same blessing would attend, and as we are favoured with the light of the Gospel exceed. How joyful would it be if thou coulds’t be the happy instrument in the promotion of this blessed work. I am the more free to express my self thus, as I am sensible there is something working in the minds of many thoughtful persons both french and germans, verging to this end; but I am afraid I shall if I have not already tire thee. Well Sally tells me she expects to see thee here this summer, which affords me satisfaction, and gives me hope that if thou wilt endeavour to promote such a blessed disposition, whilst thou has the ear of the king of France, and other great ones, we shall have with pleasure, talk over of it, as of the Aurora of better times for mankind together by the fire side, before we put the Chairs in order while the long sleep will take place; when all great prospect peculiar to this world, but that of humility and love will sink into nothing and less than nothing.

I also send thee a letter wrote by Eliz Webb, mother to Jams. Webb, thy old companion in the assembly, which I am persuaded will be agreable to thee, and would I believe be so to many pious people amongst the french, if in their language, there is something agreably tendering and tending heaven ward in it.

The continuance of the Slave Trade is another avowed abomination, could thou not give an item to the king of France (and such of his ministers who are blessed with feeling hearts) who I believe is a well disposed prince, what an honour it would be to him and his country if he would take the lead in putting an end to that unreasonable, inhuman and dreadful traffick; the plea of necessity in its support is to Christians or even Philosophers horrible beyond expression, besides it is not true; surely two hundred and fifty thousands Negroes in the Island of Hispaniola, and others in the same proportions is sufficient, with their encrease if well used, to carry on their business: if a copy of this paragraph or something to the same purport was put in the hands of the leading people, might it not be of service, for indeed we cannot expect peace will be of any long continuance whilst such wickedness of so deep a dye, is so publickly maintained. In a former letter I mentioned the case of the protestants in France, as an object worthy thy notice, to endeavour out of charity to them, as well as love to ourselves to endeavour the revocation of the edicts still in force particularly those of May 14. 1725 confirmed by that of Jany. 17. 1750 by which is enacted That all preachers who shall call assemblies preaching them &c shall be put to death and the congregation sent the men to the gallies and the women to perpetual imprisonment; and by the same the Intendant of every province is impowred to give judgment in the last resort in the case of Protestants in consequence in 1752 Francis Benezet was hanged at Montpellier for having held religious Meetings. Whilst these ordinances are in force we shall have reason to fear for our children and others who may travel in France. I have given memorials to the same effect to the Chevalier de la Lucern and to the Comte or Chevalier Chaleloux who promised to make use of them in parte.