From Gioanni de Bernardi with Franklin’s Note for a Reply
als: American Philosophical Society
<Turin, March 20, 1779, in Italian: The reputation acquired
throughout Europe by the glorious thirteen American colonies,
their success and wise legislation, have aroused in me a
desire to see this new republic with my own eyes and offer it
my services as a jurist. The best way I can think to accomplish
this is to turn to you. I realize that you know nothing about
my qualifications, but I trust in your acumen and your kindness.
Should you give me some encouragement, I shall send
you my credentials. I am a twenty-four-year-old lawyer and
citizen of Milan, currently living in Turin.>
Endorsed: Thank the Gentleman for his Good will and Offers
of Service to America in qualité of Jurisconsulte but that our
Laws and Language being different from those he is acquainted
with, I can neither advise nor encourage him to go
thither—
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