From Boux
als: American Philosophical Society
<Paris, February 14, in French: I did not have time yesterday
evening to tell you about a friend of mine who, at my earnest
solicitation and out of attachment to me, has decided to enter
the American service and take his whole family with him. He
has served the King for forty-two years, been a chevalier de
Saint-Louis for twenty-four and a major for sixteen, and is
now a brevet colonel in the regiment du Cap; he will be a
brigadier before his return to Saint Domingue. He is fifty-four,
and his distinction and experience could be most useful
to you. I have long been close to his family, whose fondness
for me has decided them to move to your country; and I hope
you will not separate me from my old friends. His only condition
is a rank higher than what he will hold when he leaves.
If my friend M. Cornie were as close to me as M. le marquis
de Bouillé, I should have no doubt of persuading him to follow
me. Once I rejoin my friends, America will become my
country and theirs.
Please tell me approximately when you will be writing home,
so that I may know whether I shall have time before my departure
to make the plan of the ships for you to enclose with
your letter.>
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