To George Washington from Samuel Blackden, 28 May 1789
From Samuel Blackden
Paris May 28th 1789.
Dear General—
Monsieur De Lormerie a french Gentleman and a friend of Mine, wishes to present to your Excellency a book and he has asked me for a line of introduction.1
Presuming upon your goodness, I shall Pray you to consider him as a Zealous and Warm friend to the Government and people of America, where he flatters himself he shall pass the remainder of his life in tranquility And for this purpose he some time since has made a purchase of lands in Virginia, and intends in a convenient time to pass into America.
I pray your Excellency to Accept my most Ardent wishes for the continuence of your health and all your enjoyments with which I have the honor to be, Dear General Your Most Obedient humble Servant
Sam. Blackden
ALS, DLC:GW.
Samuel Blackden (Blagden) of Massachusetts served as major and aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. David Wooster in 1775 and 1776 and as a major and lieutenant colonel in the 2d Continental Dragoons from December 1776 to August 1779. In the fall of 1786 he went to France with a plan to open trade with the port of Honfleur in northwestern France. Apparently he also wished to sell land in Kentucky to citizens of France. See Lormerie to GW, 28 May 1789. During the years he was in Paris Blackden was involved in a number of other schemes, including a plan, in collaboration with James Swan, to supply Paris with wheat and flour.
1. See Lormerie to GW, 28 May 1789.