The Virginia Gazette

Translation of a letter written by a French officer now in the service of the
States of America, to a French nobleman at Paris.

My LORD,
PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1776.

After the permission you were pleased to grant me to come to this
country, I am at last arrived; not without many dangers, and great ex-
pen se. I found here a happy people, averse to oppression, without any
spirit of sedition, active and laborious, with all the necessary qualifica-
tions required to the foundation of a powerful republic; able to support
itself without the assistance of Europe. This immense country possesses
all advantages, and its true riches consist in the produce of its soil. It is
as yet in its infancy; but still it is a vigorous child, that in reality has
no more need of its mother nor its neighbours, provided it never inter-
meddle with the balance of Europe. Perhaps, my Lord, you will not
consider these things in the light I do; but this country might be the
greatest market for our manufactures, could we once give those people
a taste for those which we have in great abundance, and with which
Great Britain used to furnish them to the amount of immense sums. I
found the people generally inclined for absolute independency, and wil-
ling to support it with their lives and fortunes. I was surprised to see
their troops exercise and manoeuvre as well as they do; and were they not
animated by the love of liberty, they would be an unparalleled prodigy;
but when that takes place all wonder ceases. I visited many of their for-
tifications, which have been raised with an amazing celerity. I never
knew so many, and such good works, performed in so short a time. I
was accompanied in this tour by several General Officers, particularly by
Majors General Putnam and Gates, and a member of the Congress. I
told them my opinion of those works, and I have been desired to raise
some necessary ones here where they are required.

This government, its form, its liberty, are so similar to that of the
ancient and once happy people of Bretagne (the country of my nativity)
that I am delighted with it; and, if I can be useful to the United States,
I intend to end my days in them. I shall regard my original country
and its subjects as my family, and if I can be useful to them, and any
thing advantageous to the American States, and equally agreeable to
France, could be proposed here, I would undertake to offer it with the
greatest pleasure, without requiring from the King of France either ho-
nours, pecuniary rewards, or any other mark of gratitude. All my sa-
tisfaction would consist in the inward feelings of my soul, if I could once
by my endeavours set on foot a commercial correspondence, equally be-
neficial to my former country and that which I now adopt. You will
imagine, my Lord, that I am too hasty; but permit me to assure you,
that after mature deliberation, and positive information of the strength of
America, I am convinced they are able to resist against all their enemies.
If the Americans have not the greatest knowledge in the art of war, they
have great advantages from the situation of their country, undaunted
courage, determined resolution, and the best and most glorious cause.
Nothing will be able to divide them. Every precaution is taken against
their interior enemies, whose number is insignificant. Such a solemn
and well supported resolution gives me the highest opinion of these privi-
leged souls, who defend their rights without ostentation or faction, and
who desire only liberty and independency. They already feel that such a
state is not a chimera, as is too generally thought in Europe, Switzerland
excepted. I have the honour, my Lord, to enclose you the declaration
of independency, published yesterday by the Hon. the Congress of the
United American States, and, to prevent the danger of my letter mis-
carrying, shall send it by duplicate.

I have the honour to be, &c.