To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Julie Rutledge d’Herbigny, 20 May 1783
From Marie-Julie Rutledge d’Herbigny6
ALS: American Philosophical Society
reims ce 20 mai 1783
Most honorable Sir,
Give me leave to assure Your Excelence of my Gratitu’d Mr le Comte de Vergennes has been So good as to obtain me from his majesty a pension Sur le fond des Eccossois tho’ the Some his very Smale I have the Same Obligasion to your Excelence, and beg youl Continue me the honnor of your protection, perhaps I am the only in france who has the honnor to be related to a member of Your Congress, I beg leave to Send you a paquet for Mr Rutledge.
Give me leave to assure Your Excelence of my gratitu’d wishs for you and your Countrys prosperity attachement and Respect.
I am with respect Most honorable Sir Your most humble and most oblidged Servante
Rutledge DHERBIGNY
I beg youl excuse my bad English
my direction md dherbigny ché. Mr labbe Rutledge chanoine a reims7
6. The wife of a French army officer and relative of John Rutledge, member of Congress from South Carolina. Two months earlier, Rutledge d’Herbigny had asked BF to intercede with Vergennes on her behalf, in order to obtain a royal pension: XXXIX, 390, 392–3.
7. One of her brothers: XXXIX, 392.