From the Sieur de Pommereuille (unpublished)
paris the eighteenth of may [1780]
Sir.

I would have made use with honour and pleasure, of the permission you have given me the Last year of Coming and Seing you, had I not feared by my visits to Rob you of some portion of your time So much precious since it is bestowed upon the Conservation of your own Country. Courted with officiousness by all the great of the Kingdom, the private gentlemen may only gaze on your picture, and they wish you may be a long while witness of your glory which one may Call a Continual triumph. As I know you are delighted in obliging, I am not afraid of praying you to serve me in a thing, if yet it is in your power to do so. One says in paris Mr. Paul Jones should go and imbark himself in a few days to the haven of the east: an ancient disbanded muskeeteer without the Least fortune, has a great desire to accompany Mr. Jones no matter with what title, provided that he be employed. He is an excellent subject, of a noble extraction, he has the best attestation from the Earl of Montboissier his ancient Commander. It would be an action of charity for he is extremely poor. His name is the Knight de ballivit. I dare apply myself to you Sir, that you would be so kind as to send me a Letter of Recommendation for Mr. Jones in his favour; though I have no other claim to ask this from you that to be as many french men are an admirer and a zealous partisan of a freind to mankind. If you Can serve him I have the honour to assure you he shall not be ungrateful, for if he falls in with your foes he shall not spare them. May god to Lengthen out your days without diseases, that you might in time Return in your own Country! happy they, who will be witnesses of your Landing: for who might enjoy a more magnificent sight than that of a whole people Coming in haste before your ship, naming Loudly their saviour, and Kissing the happy hand that saved them? I have the honour Sir of being with the greatest Consideration your most humble and obedient servant

De pommereuille

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