From Frantz Nicolaus Gustav Becker
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Bayonne, February 27, 1778: A young man pours out his
heart, on a matter affecting his whole life, in order to ask your
advice. I am a native of Lübeck, from a family esteemed in
Germany for its services to the church and the law. As the
youngest of five brothers I have been trained in commerce:
eleven years’ experience in Germany and almost three in
France, a knowledge of English, French, Dutch, German, and
Spanish. Since the beginning of this war I have wanted a part
in it, to share the colonists’ danger and enjoy their liberty, but
have hitherto had to care for my old mother. Now that she and
my father are dead, I shall be free within a year of all commitment
to Europe. But I do not want to cut my ties here without
knowing what difficulties I may meet in a strange land.
Can I be assured of establishing a trade profitable to my
new countrymen and myself? The contacts I have and could
readily make in Germany, especially on the Baltic, should help
to expand the commerce of America. Lübeck furnishes its
products to Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and part of Muscovy,
and in peacetime would be an ice-free port for your vessels;
Hamburg exports the manufactures of Silesia and upper
Saxony. I am well known in both cities and could further a
trade with them if I were in an American commercial center—
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland? I do not know,
and should be grateful if you would tell me. I will come to
Paris to see you before I embark, which unfortunately cannot
be until March of next year, and shall hope for your protection
and for recommendations to your countrymen.>
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