To John Jay from Lewis Littlepage, 25 November 1785
From Lewis Littlepage
New York 25 Novr. 1785
Sir
The Minister of his Catholic Majesty1 will deliver to you different Letters of recommendation in my favour, which I request may be laid before Congress and the originals, or attested copies of them, returned to me.2
Encouraged by the condescension of a great and benevolent King, who has deigned to recommend me to Congress, the request which I take the liberty of offering to them, will not, I flatter myself, be deemed importunate or presumptuous.
The Character of a Citizen of America, I consider as the first of Titles; to serve my Country is my highest ambition; to merit her esteem would be my noblest recompence: but as America has happily no further occasion for the exertions of military zeal,—Congress, I hope, will not think my conduct inconsistent with the duties of a Citizen of the United States, when I inform them that my intention is to return to Europe, where some years of my future Life will be devoted to the service of a Monarch. The name of the King of Poland reflects sufficient honour upon all who boast his patronage: of his esteem at least I should think myself assured under the sanction of a recommendation from Congress.
Permit me then, Sir, to request that you will officially notify to Congress, that if not incompatible with the principles of the Constitution, or their Resolutions, I humbly petition them to honour me with a letter of recommendation addressed to his Polish Majesty. I have the Honour to be &c.
(Signed) Lewis Littlepage
LbkC, , 1: 515 (EJ: 1810). Enclosures not located.
1. Don Diego de Gardoqui, encargado de negocios of King Charles III of Spain.
2. JJ forwarded this letter to the President of Congress the next day, 26 Nov. 1785, with the covering note: “Your Excellency will herewith receive a Letter from Mr. Lewis Littlepage to me, and also five Letters for your Excellency, which Mr. Gardoqui, to whom they were delivered by that Gentleman, conveyed to me.” LS, DNA: PCC, item 80, 2: 69 (EJ: 164); LbkC, , 1: 516 (EJ: 1811). JJ’s letter was read on 30 Nov. 29: 895n, records that “The matter was referred back to said Secr. to report and the report was rendered December 27.”
The texts of the letters of recommendation have not been found, but Littlepage published the letter of congratulations of 24 Dec. 1782 from Charles III in his pamphlet Lettre de Mr. Littlepage, Citoyen Américain, Chambellan et Secrétaire intime de Sa Majesté le Roi de Pologne, Chevalier de l’ordre de St. Stanislas, A Son Excellence Monsieur Le Baron de Thurgut, Ministre des affairs étrangères de Sa Majesté L’Empereur et Roi (Hamburg, July 1795), 13–14. A certified copy of Crillon’s letter to Congress of 6 Jan. 1783 regarding Littlepage is in the Charles Roberts autograph collection, Haverford College Library. See 407. For the outcome of this request, see the editorial note “Lewis Littlepage Redivivus,” above.