To George Washington from La Luzerne, 21 September 1779
From La Luzerne
Trenton [N.J.] the 21st [Sept. 1779]
Sir,
I cannot let Col. Fleury depart without assuring Your Excellency of my entire gratitude for the kindnesses without number, that I have received from your camp to Philadelphia1—Mons. De Fleurie will communicate to your Excellency his intention to go and pass some months in his own Country—He will be sure of receiving the recompences of his Majesty and of his fellow citizens if he carries back the approbation of his general.2 I entreat you to be persuaded of the sentiments of respect & admiration with which I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most humble & obedient servt
The Chevalier De La Luzerne
Translation, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing with the salutation in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; ALS, in French, DLC:GW.
1. La Luzerne, the new minister plenipotentiary of France, had departed from West Point on 17 Sept. after visiting GW en route from Boston to Philadelphia (see Substance of a Conference with La Luzerne, 16 Sept., and GW to Robert Howe, 18 Aug., n.1).
2. GW sent Congress a letter of commendation on Lieutenant Colonel Fleury’s behalf; he had already given Fleury a certificate of commendation to carry to France (see GW’s letters of 23 Sept. to John Jay and La Luzerne). Fleury took his leave of GW on 25 Oct. (see Fleury to GW, that date, DLC:GW).