From Johann Adolf Behrends
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Frankfurt am Main, October 28, 1778, in Latin: I am asking
my good friend Mr. Bethmann, who is leaving for France, to
bring you this letter. It expresses my admiration for you as
founder of the fatherland, doctor of the human race on the
matter of bodies’ electrical energy and illustrious member of
the Republic of letters; most of all it tries to convey my
boundless esteem for you as a human being. I burn with desire
to meet you and render any service I can. Accept my congratulations
on your appointment as foreign member of the
French Royal Society of Medicine. May God grant you the
freedom of your country!>
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