From George Washington to Bouillé, 1 October 1788
To Bouillé
Mount Vernon October 1st 1788
Sir,
The letter introductory of Mr Chastel de la Vallee, which you did me the honor to write to me on the 6th of May, has been forwarded by him since his arrival in America;1 with information that his affairs would detain him some little time in Philadelphia—I have written to him in return, that I shall be very happy to receive him, with marks of regard, at Mount Vernon; whensoever he can make his journey commodiously for himself.2
In the mean time I would not delay to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and to assure you that your recommendation will ever have the force of a command with me: being always desirous of demonstrating with how high consideration and esteem I have the honor to be &c.
Go: Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
François-Claude-Amour de Bouillé du Chariol, marquis de Bouillé (1739–1800), had a long career in the French service, becoming colonel of the Regiment du Vexin and brigadier general of infantry in 1770, maréchal de camp in 1778, and lieutenant general in 1782. In 1777 he was appointed governor general of the Windward Islands where he performed valuable services for agents of the Continental Congress during the Revolution. During the 1780s he served as governor general of several islands in the French West Indies. In 1791 he opposed the arrest of the king at Varennes and was forced to leave France, going first to Germany and then to London. Although he took no part in the war on the mainland of North America, Bouillé was voted honorary membership in the French Society of the Cincinnati for the services he rendered to the United States.
1. Letter not found.
2. See GW’s letter to Chastel de La Vallée, 1 Oct. 1788. Chastel de La Vallée had also been recommended to GW by Lafayette, who noted that he was related to Bouillé’s wife (Lafayette to GW, 20 May 1788). In addition he carried letters of introduction from Thomas Jefferson, who described him as “a gentleman, of worth, wealth, and high connection,” and from Thomas Lee Shippen to his father in Philadelphia ( 13:120).