collection appertaining to the Ponts et Chaussées; they must afford him useful lights on the subject. We want a bridge over our river Schuylkill, and have no artist here regularly bred to that kind of architecture. My grandsons are very sensible of the honour of your remembrance, and desire me to present their respects. With the most sincere and perfect esteem and attachment, I am ever, my dear friend, &c. B. FRANKLIN. 1675. TO COMTE D'ESTAING 1 (L. C.) Philada, April, 15, 1787. DEAR SIR: When I receiv'd the two Letters you did me the honour of writing to me last Year, I was made to hope for the great Pleasure of soon receiving you here, in your Way to Georgia. That Event would have made me very happy. I should have had an Opportunity of showing some Marks of the Respect I bear and always shall for the generous Warrior, who fought and bled in the Cause of Liberty and my Country." The Assembly of that State has de Rochefoucauld & General Chastellux are in the Country. I dined yesterday with an old Friend of yours M. Malesherbes who is of the new Council of finances; and who received me with an Heartiness of friendship. It must have been a very strong attachment to America that drew you from this Country for your friends are very numerous and very affectionate. "M. Le Roi has been most attentively kind to me. As he speaks English there is scarcely a day pass without an interview. He took me a few days ago to see an old friend of yours M. Buffon. But we were informed by the servant that he was very ill, and under the operation of Medicine."— Ed. 1 Charles Hector-Theodat, Comte d'Estaing (1729–1794), naval officer. ED. 2 D'Estaing was severely wounded, October 9, 1779, in an attack upon Savannah. Ed. granted me 3,000 Acres of their Land to be located where I can find any Vacant. I wish much that it might be near yours: For you contriv'd to make your Neighbourhood so agreable to me at Passy, that I could wish to be your Neighbour everywhere. M. du Plessis staid here but a few Days. I should have been glad of any Occasion of being serviceable to him on your Account. The Bearer of this is Mr. Paine Author of the celebrated Pamphlet, "Common Sense," by which the Revolution was greatly forwarded: He must be known to you by Reputation. Will you permit me to recommend him as a Friend of mine to those Civilities you have so much Pleasure in showing to Strangers of Merit. With sincere and great Esteem and Respect, I am ever, Dear Sir, etc., B. FRANKLIN. 1676. TO THE MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX1 Philadelphia, April 17, 1787. DEAR SIR, 3 Your most pleasing letter, accompanied by the invaluable present of your Journal, and translation of Colonel Humphreys's poem, came to hand but lately, though dated in June last. I believe they have been in the West Indies. They have given me a great deal of pleasure in the perusal, as every 1 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin" (1818), Vol. I, p. 219. — ED. 2 "Voyages dans l'Amérique Septentrionale dans les Années 1780, 81 et 82." Paris, 1786. Ed. 3 Discours en vers, addressé aux ... soldats des ... Armées Américaines, 1786 (in French prose). — ED. thing of yours always did. The portrait you have made of our country and people is what in painting is called a handsome likeness, for which we are much obliged to you. We shall be the better for it, if we endeavour to merit what you kindly say in our favour, and to correct what you justly censure. I am told the Journal is translated into English, and printed in one of the States, I know not which, not having seen the translation. The newspapers tell us, that you are about to have an Assembly of Notables, to consult on improvements of your government. It is somewhat singular, that we should be engaged in the same project here at the same time; but so it is, and a convention for the purpose of revising and amending our federal constitution is to meet at this place next month. I hope both assemblies will be blessed with success, and that their deliberations and counsels may promote the happiness of both nations. In the State of Pennsylvania, government, notwithstanding our parties, goes on at present very smoothly, so that I have much less trouble in my station than was expected. Massachusetts has lately been disturbed by some disorderly people; but they are now quelled. The rest of the States go on pretty well, except some dissensions in Rhode Island and Maryland respecting paper money. Mr. Paine, whom you know, and who undertakes to deliver this letter to you, can give you full information of our affairs, and therefore I need not enlarge upon them. I beg leave to recommend him to your civilities. I have fulfilled all your commissions to the ladies here, who are much flattered by your kind remembrance of them. My family join in every sentiment of esteem and respect with, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. 1677. TO MESSRS. THE ABBÉS CHALUT AND ARNAUD1 Philadelphia, April 17, 1787. DEAR FRIENDS, Your reflections on our situation, compared with that of many nations of Europe, are very sensible and just. Let me add, that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters. Our public affairs go on as well as can reasonably be expected, after so great an overturning. We have had some disorders in different parts of the country, but we arrange them as they arise, and are daily mending and improving; so that I have no doubt but all will come right in time. Yours, B. FRANKLIN. 1678. TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE2 DEAR FRIEND, Philadelphia, April 17, 1787. I received the kind letter you did me the honour of writing, in February, 1786. The indolence of old age, and the perpetual teasing of too much business, have made me so bad a correspondent, that I have hardly written a letter to any friend in Europe during the last twelvemonth; but, as I have 1 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin" (1818), Vol. I, p. 220. The letter is a reply to one from the Abbés, dated "Paris 9 Decembre 1786." Ed. 2 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin" (1818), Vol. I, p. 221. — ED. - 3 February 10, 1786 in A. P. S. — Ed. always a pleasure in hearing from them, which I cannot expect will be continued if I do not write to them, I again take up my pen, and begin with those whose correspondence is of the greatest value; among which I reckon that of the Marquis de la Fayette. I was glad to hear of your safe return to Paris, after so long and fatiguing a journey. That is the place where your enlightened zeal for the welfare of our country can employ itself most to our advantage, and I know it is always at work and indefatigable. Our enemies are, as you observe, very industrious in depreciating our national character. Their abuse sometimes provokes me, and I am almost ready to retaliate; but I have held my hand, though there is abundant room for recrimination; because I would do nothing that might hasten another quarrel by exasperating those, who are still sore from their late disgraces. Perhaps it may be best, that they should please themselves with fancying us weak, and poor, and divided, and friendless; they may then not be jealous of our growing strength, which, since the peace, does really make rapid progress, and may be less intent on interrupting it. I do not wonder that the Germans, who know little of free constitutions, should be ready to suppose that such cannot support themselves. We think they may, and we hope to prove it. That there should be faults in our first sketches or plans of government is not surprising; rather, considering the times, and the circumstances under which they were formed, it is surprising that the faults are so few. Those in the general confederating articles are now about to be considered in a convention called for that express purpose; these will indeed be the most difficult to rectify. Those of |