my-deer-history

[my-deer-history]

Prussia?

I have always been curious about John Laurens' throwaway comment to his father that he was considering a stint in Prussia prior to his return to America:

If I could manage to spend the Winter as a Volunteer in Prussia, at little expence, I shd come out to you pretty well trained early in the Spring_ if the service to be learn'd in the time will not make it worth the while which matter I am just now consulting_ I shall take my Passage immediately for Carolina_

John Laurens to Henry Laurens, 26 October 1776

The Prussian army at the time was renowned for its military successes, discipline and training regimen, and did frequently accept foreign volunteers – so it wasn't a completely farfetched idea.

And it turns out that John did indeed ask around about this! He received some advice from fellow South Carolinian Ralph Izard:

You say nothing of your son. I heartily rejoice at his promotion. He must have informed you that he was very desirous of going into the Prussian army. I dissuaded him from it, and advised him if he was determined upon becoming a soldier, to take Marshal Saxe and the Chevalier Folard's Commentaries upon Polybius into his hands and go to America, where an ample field would be open to him. I am happy to find that he has had no cause to repent of having followed my advice.

Ralph Izard to Henry Laurens, 25 July 1778

In his 17 August 1777 letter to his father, John does indeed request Saxe's book. If the Folard book is the one I've linked above, then he may have been able to purchase it in London, as it was a recent publication.

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I know your heart too well my dear Kinloch to reproach you for not writing to me, or to be restrained by your Silence from doing all in my power to procure myself the only dedommagement that Friends can have of Absence from each other_ indeed I should not have been so long in renewing my Application, if I had not flatter’d myself day after day with the hopes of hearing from you; but henceforward you may expect Letters from me as often as possible, without my paying any Attention to the formal Alternity which reigns in some Correspondences; especially at this time, where I may send by every Post some interesting Intelligence relative to your own Country.

John Laurens to Francis Kinloch, 6 November 1774

This is the first half of the letter listed on the NYPL archive here. Due to an archiving error, the first part of the letter is listed under a different correspondent's name.

[my-deer-history]

Thank you! "Amn" sounds exactly right, and if we take 3 to be "cartrige" with a missing D, that fits neatly too.

I'm sure about "Enemys" for 4, but what is the word after it? "Camp" would make sense but there's no visible P and the words seems a little longer. Is "caisson" a word that would make sense here (in the meaning of "powder/bomb chest")?

Getting the seance equipment out for 5. 🙏

John Laurens – battle orders

Deep-diving into archives has produced another fascinating document, and one that I haven't seen referenced or quoted anywhere else – a set of instructions written by John Laurens that spell out orders to troops under his command.

The document (which is held by the Chicago History Museum) is undated, but I'm fairly certain that this was written for the assault on Redoubt 10 at Yorktown. The orders are a close match for what we know about the battle plan – silent approach, close-quarters engagement with bayonets, fording water (presumably the moat). Another clue is that the text mentions "the illustrious Example" of the Marquis de Bouillé, a French officer who was active in the West Indian theatre and had executed a number of daring attacks on British holdings there between 1778 and 1782. Bouillé defeating a British garrison during the May-June 1781 invasion and capture of Tobago is perhaps the action that Laurens is referencing, though the troop numbers don't really match (nor do they really match any of Boiullé's other engagements).

I'd love to hear any other theories!

The full text is below the cut, with reference to the words I couldn't make out.

~~~

Col. Laurens congratulates the gallant troops which he has the honor to command, on their being selected by the General for the execution of a brilliant and important Enterprise_

Their past glorious Successes_ the mutual confidence subsisting between the men and officers; their patriot zeal and soldierly sense of honor_ are pledges of Victory_

The Order of march will be from the right by platoons_ the troops to be perfectly light and unincumbered[sic]_ on arriving at a ford which is to be passed_ the Cartridge boxes are to be slung on the Ram Rods_ and the Arms carried perpendicularly so as to preserve their [Arms? 1] from wet_ after [crossing? 2] the [3] boxes to be returned_

The Column on the march and in all its forward movements is to be kept closed to the half distances_ to facilitate the display of the line, or [long blank] the charge in column as occasion may require. The platoon Officers will be particularly attentive to this point_ and consider themselves as responsible for the conduct of their men_

Care has been taken to provide sure and intelligent Guides and every proper information has been obtained relatively to the En.’s Strength and Situation_ So that the troops may advance with the greatest confidence_

The Col. requires of them the most inviolable Silence and absolute attention to the commands of their officers_ that there may be that order & union of movements, that superior Countenance which overawes the Enemy & decides the battles.

No Soldier is to presume to fire or advance without orders_ confusion only can arise from unconnected individual efforts_ happy consequences depend on the execution of the general disposition_

The Col. persuades himself that no Soldier under his command can be so insensible of his own and the general safety as to quit his post for plunder when we penetrate the Enemys [4]. Shd there unfortunately be any man so blinded by dishonorable motives as to commit this crime, he will be punished with instant death_ the Col. orders the officers to be inexorable on this subject_

The Col entreats the Troops to place their principal Reliance on the bayonet_ which is the Weapon of the brave_ and when they are ordered to charge_ to rush forward with that decisive ardor which characterises the Defenders of Liberty & the Rights of Mankind.

In all circumstance, he depends upon their inflexible maintenance of order_ and bids them remember that bravery alone extinguishes Danger_

He sets before their Eyes the illustrious Example of the Mquis de Bouillé who with 400 men under every disadvantage of ground & armaments lately carried a british Garrison of 750

The Cause in which we are engaged_ our countrys honor & our own must inspire us with Sentiments which are the Presage of Victory_ The [5] is forward_

~~~

their [Arms?] from wet

2. after [crossing?]

3. the ? boxes

4. Enemys ?

5. The ? is

[my-deer-history]

John Laurens – battle orders

Deep-diving into archives has produced another fascinating document, and one that I haven't seen referenced or quoted anywhere else – a set of instructions written by John Laurens that spell out orders to troops under his command.

The document (which is held by the Chicago History Museum) is undated, but I'm fairly certain that this was written for the assault on Redoubt 10 at Yorktown. The orders are a close match for what we know about the battle plan – silent approach, close-quarters engagement with bayonets, fording water (presumably the moat). Another clue is that the text mentions "the illustrious Example" of the Marquis de Bouillé, a French officer who was active in the West Indian theatre and had executed a number of daring attacks on British holdings there between 1778 and 1782. Bouillé defeating a British garrison during the May-June 1781 invasion and capture of Tobago is perhaps the action that Laurens is referencing, though the troop numbers don't really match (nor do they really match any of Boiullé's other engagements).

I'd love to hear any other theories!

The full text is below the cut, with reference to the words I couldn't make out.

~~~

Col. Laurens congratulates the gallant troops which he has the honor to command, on their being selected by the General for the execution of a brilliant and important Enterprise_

Their past glorious Successes_ the mutual confidence subsisting between the men and officers; their patriot zeal and soldierly sense of honor_ are pledges of Victory_

The Order of march will be from the right by platoons_ the troops to be perfectly light and unincumbered[sic]_ on arriving at a ford which is to be passed_ the Cartridge boxes are to be slung on the Ram Rods_ and the Arms carried perpendicularly so as to preserve their [Arms? 1] from wet_ after [crossing? 2] the [3] boxes to be returned_

The Column on the march and in all its forward movements is to be kept closed to the half distances_ to facilitate the display of the line, or [long blank] the charge in column as occasion may require. The platoon Officers will be particularly attentive to this point_ and consider themselves as responsible for the conduct of their men_

Care has been taken to provide sure and intelligent Guides and every proper information has been obtained relatively to the En.’s Strength and Situation_ So that the troops may advance with the greatest confidence_

The Col. requires of them the most inviolable Silence and absolute attention to the commands of their officers_ that there may be that order & union of movements, that superior Countenance which overawes the Enemy & decides the battles.

No Soldier is to presume to fire or advance without orders_ confusion only can arise from unconnected individual efforts_ happy consequences depend on the execution of the general disposition_

The Col. persuades himself that no Soldier under his command can be so insensible of his own and the general safety as to quit his post for plunder when we penetrate the Enemys [4]. Shd there unfortunately be any man so blinded by dishonorable motives as to commit this crime, he will be punished with instant death_ the Col. orders the officers to be inexorable on this subject_

The Col entreats the Troops to place their principal Reliance on the bayonet_ which is the Weapon of the brave_ and when they are ordered to charge_ to rush forward with that decisive ardor which characterises the Defenders of Liberty & the Rights of Mankind.

In all circumstance, he depends upon their inflexible maintenance of order_ and bids them remember that bravery alone extinguishes Danger_

He sets before their Eyes the illustrious Example of the Mquis de Bouillé who with 400 men under every disadvantage of ground & armaments lately carried a british Garrison of 750

The Cause in which we are engaged_ our countrys honor & our own must inspire us with Sentiments which are the Presage of Victory_ The [5] is forward_

~~~

their [Arms?] from wet

2. after [crossing?]

3. the ? boxes

4. Enemys ?

5. The ? is

[my-deer-history]

Hi, I saw the post about Wit and got a little confused - did Magninac steal the dog???

Nope, though I can see where the confusion comes from.

When Kinloch says "Magninac & Wit have run away with near fifty Pounds between them", he means that's how much money their upkeep has cost him. He's just being dramatic.

[my-deer-history]

The Celebrated Wit (Part 1)

While living together in Genthod, near Geneva, Francis Kinloch and Johannes von Müller acquired a dog. There's no mention of how Wit came into their possession, what kind of dog he was, or what inspired his name, but he was clearly a domestic companion. He accompanied Kinloch after his departure from Switzerland. While Wit did take several shorter trips around Europe with Kinloch, it's very unlikely that he was taken to America; most probably, he was left in Scotland with Kinloch's relatives.

In this post, I've assembled all of the mentions of Wit that appear in Kinloch's letters to Müller. In Part 2, I'll talk a little more about the significance of Wit as a pet in the context of the 18th century.

~~~

Martin & I ascended this triumphal Char about half an hour after eight, Wit found a place at our feet, & Magninac [Kinloch's valet or manservant], mounted on a long, lean, tall Steed came trotting after_

14-15 October 1776

Finding all my lamentations useless, I stretched myself out upon my trunk, with an old sail for my pillow, & amidst the Gruntings of the faithful Manganac [sic] on one hand, & the Snoring of the no less faithful Wit on the other, fell fast asleep.

3-4 February 1777

Magninac accompanies me, mais la Bete de Genthod [i.e., Wit] se reposera ici en attendant [but the Beast of Genthod will remain here in the meanwhile]. As I come on horseback it is impossible to bring him_

13 March 1777

I have written to here with my dinner before me, for having no stomach, I have amused Myself in writing instead of Eating, to the no small astonishment of Magninac, & Wit.

Early May 1777

Wit is not Well.

16 May 1777

[describing his lodgings at Lincoln's Inn] & with half a dozen chairs which are at the discretion of the Beast of Genthod, & myself_

Late May 1777

We [the passengers on the ship to Hamburg] were_ six Englishmen_ two Germans_ a Dane, an Italian, an American, & a Swiss, not to forget the renowned Wit_ who eat[sic], drank, snored, & was sea sick like any Christian of us all. Often would Magninac hold up his brawny arms towards heaven, & execrate the Wretch_

25 July 1777

when I have been at the play, or in Company, I meet no face to smile upon me at my return, or any living creature who manifests the least joy at seeing me besides Wit, whose caresses though sincere are such as I would dispense with at any time. [...] Sometimes I dine at home, & whilst the great Magninac dresses my hair, the mighty Wit est occupé a se saisir des restes du diner [is occupied with seizing the leftovers from dinner].

13 November 1777

La Pauvre bete de Genthod est terriblement galeuse, ce qui m'a obligé de la mettre en pension ches [sic] une vieille femme ou il mange bien, & soufle tout son saoul [The poor beast of Genthod is terribly mangy, which has obliged me to put him in a boarding house with an old woman where he eats well, and breathes to his heart's content]

18 December 1777

Magninac & Wit have run away with near fifty Pounds between them [...] I am throwing my eyes around in order to find out a place, where I may retire & live upon two hundred a year with Wit, without Magninac, a few books, & your letters.

2 February 1778

Does not Magninac, does not even Wit retain a place in your memory?

20 June 1784

The book I am writing on is a large Atlas, & I have been tracing our journey in the North of Switzerland, which we performed in company with the Celebrated Wit, & the Great Magninac.

12 June 1790

[my-deer-history]

Francis Marion Papers online

The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust has just published the first volume of the collected Francis Marion Papers – available free and online!

From the press release:

The papers, consisting of more than 600 historical documents, includes letters written both to and from General Francis Marion, famously known as the Swamp Fox for his elusive guerrilla warfare tactics against British forces. These materials, discovered in archives across the country including Harvard University and the University of Michigan, have been carefully compiled and annotated by leading historians. The first volume, complete with illustrations and battle maps, will be released on February 27 – the anniversary of Marion’s death. “This project is rewriting history,” said Rick Wise, director of SCBPT. “A lot of historians and biographers have gotten Marion wrong in some respects. These papers offer a more nuanced and personal look at his character, leadership and strategies.” For years, Marion’s legacy has been shaped by secondhand accounts and folklore, but these original documents provide firsthand insights into his thoughts and correspondences. This release will likely prompt new discussions on his contributions to the American Revolution and challenge some long-held assumptions about his life and military tactics.

[my-deer-history]

John Laurens to Henry Laurens, 17 August 1777

It's a good day when I get to read a John Laurens letter that I haven't seen before – and this is a charming one. Thanks to @gracehosborn for steering me to it!

John is writing to Henry on 17 August 1777 (so, less than two weeks after joining Washington's staff) and he's asking dad to send him some books.

You will oblige me farther by directing James to send me Saxes Reveries, the best way will be for him to direct the parcel, as my name is not known, to Colonel Hamilton Aid de Camp to Genl Washington

Sounds like our Jack has made a friend.

There are two Books which I am very desirous of having_ Les Memoires de Monsr de Feuquieres, and the King of Prussia’s Instructions to his Generals, be so kind as to let James inquire for them at Bells & let me know the price of them, if it be very extravagant in money, I may find means to make them come cheaper to me by an exchange of other books upon which I set a less value

"Bells" probably refers to Robert Bell, who was based in Philadelphia and had published Thomas Paine's Common Sense. And that's not all:

James may send me likewise the unbound book of Military Instructions_ I find that I have much more room allow’d me for baggage than I expected.

What could be more relatable than filling all your excess luggage space with reading material?

[my-deer-history]

Les Filles de Joye are obliged to have their names enregister'd in a book, to live in a particular stretch, out of which they are never permitted to stir, & are visited regularly twice by month by Chirurgiens payed by the Grand Duc [of Florence] for that purpose.

Francis Kinloch to Johannes von Müller, 20 November 1776

It's hardly even worth asking why Frank knows that the Duke of Florence runs what is essentially a state-sponsored prostitution service.

"Filles de joye" (or "joie") translates as "ladies/girls of joy" and is a pretty plain euphemism for prostitutes. A "chirurgien" is a doctor – it's the same etymological root as the English word "surgeon".

[my-deer-history]

Francis Kinloch gets catfished

A thing happened to me at Paris which I must tell you_

is how Kinloch introduces the story in his 9 April 1777 letter to Johannes von Müller. Kinloch has been staying in Paris before his return to England, living a few doors down from Ben Franklin but avoiding making any calls on him. At this time, Kinloch is very much a loyalist, and has no interest in taking part in any revolutionary activities or fraternising with that sort of person.

But, one morning, his peaceful reading is disturbed by the arrival of a letter,

which had been left by a Servant in livery_ It was most horribly written, I succeeded however so far as to find out that it was a Mons Le Roy who desired me to step to his lodgings, for that He [had] something of the most interesting nature to communicate to me_

Kinloch immediately smells a rat, and suspects someone is trying to recruit him to the revolutionary cause. Can't have that!

It immediately struck me, for I must do justice to my Penetration, that it was some American Agent, who having learnt by Chance what Countryman I was, was desirous of speaking with me_ Rousing up the flame of Royalty in my bosom, & preparing all my best arguments against the Americans, I order'd my coach & was very soon at the House indicated in the letter_

He arrives at the house and is shown upstairs to:

a very neat room, where I found, not the redoubtable Franklin himself, not Dean [Silas Deane]_ but___ a girl of the town who laughed heartily to see me enter with my usual gravity & applauded herself upon the success of her scheme_

How embarrassing!

He pretends to enjoy the joke, and despite the fact that she's not very attractive, he figures that, since he's already there and it would be embarrassing to turn her down, he may as well have sex with her. As you do.

But! He's saved from temptation by chance – and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

I took up a book that She had been reading when I enter'd, & found that it was no other than the Nouvelle-Heloise_ [...] I might have been capable of risking my health out of pure mauvaise honte with a Woman who was neither very pretty nor very young, had not the book been open'd upon that very letter which St Preux expresses his regret for having been inveigled into the arms of a whore_

He extracts himself with all haste, dignity (lol) intact.

I immediately made my excuses to the Lady for being obliged to go away, which She consented to upon my giving her a rendezvous_ which I firmly determined not to Keep_ These are the dangers that a young man runs at Paris

[my-deer-history]

Francis Kinloch at Eton

Here is the entry from the The Eton College register, 1753-1790 showing that Francis Kinloch attended in 1772 and 1773.

The "F. Yonge" indicates where – or rather, with whom – he was lodged. Frances Yonge was one of the Eton "dames": women who ran specialised lodgings for Eton students, providing rooms, meals, and other domestic services like laundry. The same register provides this short biography:

Jordley's – or more correctly Jourdelay's – was the first purpose-built student residence at Eton and is still in use today.

The register also gives the following names of other students who also lodged with Mrs Yonge during Kinloch's stay:

John Amyatt

Anthony Linacre Askew

John and Edmund Bastard

Blackwell

Charles Boddam

Henry Bosanquet

Boyle

James Dawes

George Dupuis

Gerard Noel Edwardes

Charles and George Mitchell

Edward Pratt

Taylor

[my-deer-history]

I moved up to him [Lord North] under the Wing of my friendly Mentor, was kindly shaken by the hand (as almost every body else had been) & told (as almost every body else had been) that he would be very happy to serve me, but that the opportunity had not yet presented itself_

Francis Kinloch to Johannes von Müller, 18 December 1777

Poor Frank – positively drowning in annoyance and frustration at realising that maybe he doesn't have a special place in the British prime minister's favour – gives us a nice example of how tone was conveyed in 18th century letters.

[my-deer-history]

The full letter is heart-wrenching.

The letter is written to Lt Col Tom Boone, the son of Kinloch's guardian Thomas Boone, by his sister Elizabeth. It conveys the news of the death of their young cousin.

Ramsgate Novr 12th I am most truly grieved my dear Love to be the Messenger of such melancholy Intelligence_ Poor Booney died last Friday Night_ We have this moment heard it_ Good God what a dreadful, dreadful thing for his poor Father_ He was all he loved on Earth_ Every Wish, every Hope was center'd in him_ The whole World is now nothing to him_ He has lost this sweet Boy_ who was the Joy the chief Joy of his Life_ Such are the pleasures of short-sighted Mortals_ They enjoy them for a Moment_ they look forward to Futurity_ and foray ill warn'd with increasing Felicity_ and then_ on a sudden Whim Hopes are dash'd to the Ground_ The Flowers that deck'd each prospect Wither & Die_ they cast their languid Eyes around_ And see nothing but Despair and Sorrow_ Heavens_ what a Field for Moralizing_ I know you will regret as I do this Charming Boy_ he was indeed ev'ry thing the fondest Parent cou'd wish_ his Fever had lasted 20 days_ We had other Hopes_ recollecting how ill you and I were Abroad_ I tremble to think of Mr Boone's Grief_ I know not what will become of him_ his Passions I fear are violent_ and used all his Life to prosperity he will ill bear this sad reverse_ Philosophy is a fine word_ People may talk or write finely of its power_ but no Man can be a Philosopher when he loses his darling Object_ loses it for Ever_ In my opinion Philosophy has no power over the Heart_ 'tis in vain to talk of Fortitude under Affliction_ all are equally weak when they are wretched_ Do you think as I do_ My Father sets off in half an hour for London_ we shall go_ in a day or two_ Don't you pity poor Harriet & Eliz: I am sure I do from my Heart_ Mrs B too has not been accustom'd to Melancholy turns_ how they must all miss & Regret the poor Fellow_ Adieu you will excuse my not writing more with best Compliments to Mr Muller_ I remain Ever your most truly Affectionate Eliza Boone

Tom Boone was staying with Müller at the time, which is why Eliza directed her letter there. Müller explains in a letter to his brother on 9 August 1786:

In meinem Hauswesen hat sich weiter nichts verändert, als daß Hr. Boone, Kinloch's ehmaliger Vormund, und von Südcarolina Gouverneur, seinen Sohn hieher gesandt, welcher bei mir wohnt; Zeit kostet er mir keine, da ich nur bei Tafel ihn sehe; er ist ein liebenswürdiger Officier, der auch zu Aschaffenburg sehr wohl gefallen. Nothing else has changed in my household except that Mr. Boone, Kinloch's former guardian and governor of South Carolina, has sent his son here, and he lives with me; he does not cost me any time, as I only see him at dinner; he is a amiable officer, who was also very well liked in Aschaffenburg.

One of the interesting things I found in the Schaffhausen archive, in the Thomas Boone papers, was a torn-up letter – ostensibly from Boone's sister, Eliza. All the pieces are present, and I photographed them separately, and now that I'm home I can put them back together digitally and read what it says.

For now, I'll leave you with this rather poetic fragment.

Good God [po]or Father_ [Ev]ery Wish, every Hope [W]orld is now nothing to him_

[my-deer-history]

Poor Laurens was killed in one of the last skirmishes in Carolina, he was a brave and generous Enemy_

Thomas Boone to Johannes von Müller, 7 October 1783

I was hoping for a mention of John Laurens in the Müller letter collection at the Schaffhausen archives, and I found one! It is, of course, about his death.

Thomas Boone was a British official and a Tory, which is why he calls Laurens an "enemy"; however, as with other British accounts of his death, there's an acknowledgment of his virtues.

The inclusion of the news in a letter to Müller also strengthens the case that Laurens and Müller met when they were both in Geneva. There's no doubt that Müller knew of him, given that Francis Kinloch was corresponding with Laurens over the time he was living with Müller (and you can practically imagine them huddling together and dissecting John's heated letters), but it's more likely that Boone would include the mention if there was a direct acquaintance.

[my-deer-history]

One of the interesting things I found in the Schaffhausen archive, in the Thomas Boone papers, was a torn-up letter – ostensibly from Boone's sister, Eliza. All the pieces are present, and I photographed them separately, and now that I'm home I can put them back together digitally and read what it says.

For now, I'll leave you with this rather poetic fragment.

Good God [po]or Father_ [Ev]ery Wish, every Hope [W]orld is now nothing to him_

[my-deer-history]

"that so well performed work of yours"

There are many, many normal ways in which to tell someone, "Hey, your son is a great guy!"

And then there's the Gilbert way.

I make you my warmest thanks to have progenited a son like yours whose compagny and frienship is so agreable to me in camp, whose activity, zeal, intelligence and military knowledge have been so useful to me in the field during out detachment, and tho’ you di’nt think much of me when you did get him, I however aknowledge myself under great obligations to you for that so well performed work of yours.

Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Laurens, 25 May 1778

[my-deer-history]

Langle and the Résolue

I will do everything in my power to avoid any kind of encounter until we have landed in North America, and I am sure, your majesty, that Colonel Laurens will have on board of the Résolue all of the respect that is due to a distinguished soldier whom you did the honour of recommending to me; and I will consult him if I find myself in such danger that giving whatever assistance I could to the Cybèle would risk the Résolue falling into the hands of the enemy. Colonel Laurens’s lodgings are ready, and are as comfortable as they can be in times of war on board this frigate, and as the Count d’Hector ordered.

Chevalier de Langle responding to the instructions conveyed to him under Louis XVI's name, 21 May 1781

(my translation – original French under the cut)

Paul Fleuriot, chevalier de Langle, was the French naval officer tasked with conveying John Laurens and about 1 million livres of specie from Brest, France to America. He commanded the frigate Résolue, which sailed in convoy with the Cybèle and the Olimpe to deliver the much-needed military stores and hard currency to the continental army.

Many thanks to @echo-bleu for help deciphering the scribbles! Presume an overarching [sic] for this whole text – 18th century spelling is a wild ride in English but the French dial that up to 11.

je ferai tout ce qui deprendera de moy pour eviter toutes especes de rencontres jusqua latterage de l’amerique septentrionale et je suis sur monseigneur quon aura a bord de la resolue pour le colonel Laurens touts les egards qui son dus a un militaire distingué que vous me faites l’honneur de me recommander, et je le consulterai si je me trouve ases embarassé pour creindre que le secours que je dois donner a la cibele ne fasse tomber la resolue au pouvoir de l’enemi. Le logement du colonel Laurens est pret, il est aussi comode quil peut l’etre en temps de guerre a bord [de la] fregatte et tel que monsieur le comte d’Hector l’a ordonné.