From Jean François Ubetius
als: American Philosophical Society
<Turin, December 10, 1776, in French: I met you several times
in London, some seven years ago, and now take the liberty of
writing to recommend the bearer, Thomas Negroni, who has
a burning desire to serve the colonies on his own. He comes
from a good family in the Duchy of Milan, and his zeal and
courage in emigrating to America entitle him to be considered
as born there. Your admirer and colleague, Father Beccaria,
adds his recommendation to mine. I should like to come to
Philadelphia myself, to see you again and spend the rest of
my days there, but the voyage would be extremely harmful
for me. Endorsed by Franklin: “Ubetius recommending the
young Italian.”>
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