From F— J— (unpublished)
Heidelberg, Der 14th 1778.

The Person who makes the following Proposals, is a Man of Family, who has always distinguished himself in Support of the public, constitutional Liberty of his Country; and tho’ ungratefully rewarded, he has been lucky enough to recieve the most ample and honorable Testimonies of his Conduct and Character for twenty years past, as a Gentleman, an Officer, and a Magistrate. Impressed with the same Sentiments of Liberty, which gave Birth to the Spirit of Freedom, that has happily shewn itself in America, he is desirous of dedicating the Rest of his Days (aged about 40;) to the Service of the States; and if employed, hopes to give such Proofs of his Fidelity, as may deserve their Encouragement and Protection.

He proposes to raise a Corps of volonteers for the Service of the American States, to consist of four Companies, of Sixty Men each.

1t. Company: Colonel Commandant, a Captain, Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant, and Bas-officers.

2d. Company: Lieut: Colonel, and other Officers.

The two remaining Companies under their respective officers.

In making these Proposals, it is taken for granted, that the Minister plenipotentiary from the American united States to the Court of France has Interest Sufficient, to get Leave for such a Corps to be raised in the french Dominions; which the Proposer will be at the Expense of raising, on receiving the Commission of ColonelCommandant. The said Commission, as well as those of the other officers, must, for obvious Reasons, be signed by his most christian Majesty; and exchanged for those of the States, on their Arrival in America.

The Officers to be nominated by the said minister plenipotentiary, on such conditions, as shall appear most reasonable to his Excellency; and as shall be farther agreed upon between the said contracting Parties, the said minister, and the Proposer, who only requests the Commission of first Lieutenant, for his eldest son, (aged 16.) now a Page to his serene Highness, the Elector Palatine of Bavaria, and who, of Consequence, gives up the Prospect of superior advantages in Europe.

The Proposer, as Colonel Commandant, and the other officers, to receive full Pay, from the Date of their respective Commission; and the Men from the Day of their inlisting. For which Pay the commanding Officer shall have Power to draw on such Person, or Persons, as shall be nominated by authority to issue the same.

The Proposer to receive brittish Pay during his Stay in Europe, as Colonel and Captain. He shall also be allowed Bagage-Money, at the Rate of one Shelling English per Mile, from the Time, he leaves his present Place of Residence, till he arrives at his destined Poste for recruiting; and the same from thence to the Place of Embarcation. This being a common Allowance, in all similar Cases, to officers, when on Duty, the Demand cannot be thought unreasonable; particularly, when it is considered, that the said Allowance is not adequate to a tenth Part of the Expence, the Proposer must be at, in the Removal of himself and Family.

The enlisting Money to be at the Expence of the Proposer; except such Proportion, as the other officers shall be at, in raising Recruits for their respective Companies; which Proportion shall be determined by the said Minister plenipotentiary.

All other Expences, with those of Embarcation, and the voyage to America, to be at the Expence and Cost of the united States.

A Pattern of the Uniform, Accoutrements, &c. to be laid before the said Minister, for his approbation.

By this Proposal the united American States will have an Opportunity of obliging many french Families, as the Minister has the Nomination of the Officers; and They will gain a Number of new Subjects. The Gentleman who makes this Proposal, will always be as ambitious, to shew himself a good Citizen, as well as a good Officer; and from these Motives will endeavor to render the Men under his Command usefull and worthy Members of Society.

Supposing an early Period should be put to the present Contest, which is not likely to be the Case, yet, ever in that Supposition, Men will always be wanting in America. Those, who are now employed in Defence of their Liberties, will return to their different occupations and Callings, tho’ still some military will be wanted. In this Case the Proposer offers, to raise and arm at his own Expence, instead of the above Corps, a Body of a hundred picked Men, a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign; to have for himself the Rank and Pay of Colonel commandant, as above; other Conditions to be the same, as in the first Proposals; And in either Case a Pension for his wife, if she survives him, having a large and numerous Family to provide for. If his Corps should be discharged, himself and officers to have half Pay.

Superior advantages are at present offered in the Service of his imperial Majesty. And indeed, if these Proposals are compared with the Expence, by Treaties for Soldiers entered into by G. Britain, they Must appear fair and reasonable; with this glorious Difference that the one is proposed for the Defense of Liberty; the other for its Destruction!

The Proposer, who enjoys a Post of Honour and Distinction in one of the german Courts, tran[s]mitts these offers of his Service to the united American States, by the Hands of his Friend, Rodh. Valltravers, Counsellor of the palatine Ambassy in Switzerland, to Their Minister at Paris. If this, or any Similar Plan is not accepted, he begs, his Name may not be mentioned.

The Conditions now granted by the Emperor to Count Nesselrode and Baron Kerpen, who never served are 1000. Ducats in Hand, Ten Ditto for each Man, they raise, cloathe, and arm; the Nomination of their Officers, with the Rank and Pay of Colonel during Life So, that the 1000. Ducats, and the Nomination of their Officers will be so much clear Gain to these Gentlemen whereas by my Proposal, I Must be immediately a considerable summ of Money out of Pocket; whilst my future Fortune must entirely depend on the Success of that Cause, in which I so heartily embark.

Should this, or any similar Plan be adopted, of which I am to have the Execution, I must have Leave for six Months under the Minister’s Hand, for settling my Family-affairs, disposing of my Property in England, and raising the Number of Men, that may be agree’d on; And the commission of Colonel Commandant to be immediately Sent me, signed by his Majesty, the King of France, to be exchanged and ratify’d by the united american States, on my arrival in america.

F. J.

Endorsed: Memoire from F. J. (wants Employ in Ama.) Decr 14. 78.
631121 = 028-226a001.html