From J. Mosneron l’Ainé
als: American Philosophical Society
<Nantes, December 31, 1776, in French: I pay homage to the
Archimedes and Solon of his country, known throughout the
world. The press of business and callers while you were here
kept me from trying to push through the crowd; I was afraid
of becoming one more favor-seeker. The philosophe whom I
know through your works will, I trust, approve of my asking
advice about the following project. Six months ago I had the
idea of loading a ship for America, as long years of family
experience equip me to do, but I fear she will be captured en
route from the Leeward Islands. Although your small ships
make the passage safely, no vessel in this port remotely matches
them for speed and handling. Your clear-sightedness and
knowledge of the area will perhaps suggest ways to succeed
that elude me, and I have as much confidence in you as in my
best friend.
Tell me whether you think my plan reasonable, and if so
what the best means are of forwarding it. I must also know to
what American port or ports the ship should be directed, and
what cargo she should carry; it would likewise be helpful if
the captain had letters from you to the principal merchants of
the area. Please let me have your answer as soon as possible;
none but you and me will see it. An admirer of yours can
scarcely fail to be an honest man. If I had been a mason I
should have prided myself on helping to build the Parthenon;
you are raising a structure of liberty that will be equally famous
down the centuries, because it ensures the greatness and
felicity of one-eighth of the world.>
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