TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. Introducing M. Houdon, the Artist. DEAR SIR, Philadelphia, 20 September, 1785. I am just arrived from a country, where the reputation of General Washington runs very high, and where everybody wishes to see him in person; but, being told that it is not likely he ever will favor them with a visit, they hope at least for a sight of his perfect resemblance by means of their principal statuary, M. Houdon, whom Mr. Jefferson and myself agreed with to come over for the purpose of taking a bust, in order to make the intended statue for the State of Virginia. He is here, but, the materials and instruments he sent down the Seine from Paris not being arrived at Havre when we sailed, he was obliged to leave them, and is now busied in supplying himself here. As soon as that is done, he proposes to wait on you in Virginia, as he understands there is no prospect of your coming hither, which would indeed make me very happy; as it would give me an opportunity of congratulating with you personally on the final success of your long and painful labors, in the service of our country, which have laid us all under eternal obligations. With the greatest and most sincere esteem and respect, I am, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN.* * M. Houdon went to Mount Vernon, where he remained three weeks, and modelled a bust of General Washington, as exact in all its lineaments as his skill could make it. From this model was executed the statue of Washington, which was procured by the State of Virginia, and placed in the Capitol at Richmond. See SPARKS's Life of Washington, p. 390. TO WILLIAM GREENE, GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND, AND MRS. GREENE. Philadelphia, 20 September, 1785. I seize this first opportunity of acquainting my dear friends, that I have once more the great happiness of being at home in my own country, and with my family, because I know it will give you pleasure. I shall be glad to hear of your welfare, also, and beg you to favor me with a line, and let me know particularly how my young friend Ray does. I enjoy, thanks to God, as much good health as can reasonably be expected at my time of life; and am ever, with sincere esteem, my dear friends, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. FROM M. DE MARBOIS TO B. FRANKLIN. Congratulates him on his Return to America. SIR, Translation. New York, 21 September, 1785. It is with the greatest satisfaction, that I have the honor to congratulate you on your happy return to your own country. As a Frenchman, it is with some degree of pain, that I reflect on the necessity, which has caused you again to join your fellow citizens, who have desired to see you among them; but the six years that I have passed in this country, and the ties I have formed here,* have made me so much an American, that I participate most sincerely in the joy, which all the world is expressing at your return. M. de Marbois had married an American lady of Philadelphia. VOL. X. 15 I am on the point of departing for St. Domingo, and am extremely sorry, that the short time remaining before that event deprives me of the pleasure of paying my respects to you in person at Philadelphia. I shall sail in three or four days, and shall be happy to execute any orders with which you may favor me. I am, &c. DE MARBOIS. TO JOHN JAY AND MRS. JAY.* DEAR FRIENDS, Philadelphia, 21 September, 1785. I received your very kind letter of the 16th, congratulating me on my safe arrival with my grandsons; an event that indeed makes me very happy, being what I have long ardently wished, and, considering the growing infirmities of age, began almost to despair of. I am now in the bosom of my family, and find four new little prattlers, who cling about the knees of their grandpapa, and afford me great pleasure. The affectionate welcome I met with from my fellow citizens was far beyond my expectation. I bore my voyage very well, and find myself rather better for it, so that I have every possible reason to be satisfied with my having undertaken and performed it. When I was at Passy, I could not bear a wheel carriage; and, being discouraged in my project of de * As soon as Mr. Jay heard of Dr. Franklin's arrival, he wrote to him as follows. "Dear Sir; I had this moment the satisfaction of seeing, in a Pennsylvania newspaper, an account of your safe arrival with your grandsons at Philadelphia. Accept Mrs. Jay's and my sincere and cordial congratulations on this happy event; and our best wishes, that the same kind Providence, which has restored you to your country, may long bless you with health and prosperity in it."-New York, September 16th, 1785. scending the Seine in a boat, by the difficulties and tediousness of its navigation in so dry a season, I accepted the offer of one of the King's litters, carried by large mules, which brought me well, though in walking slowly, to Havre. Thence I went over in a packet-boat to Southampton, where I stayed four days, till the ship came for me to Spithead. Several of my London friends came there to see me, particularly the good Bishop of St. Asaph and family, who stayed with me to the last. In short, I am now so well as to think it possible, that I may once more have the pleasure of seeing you both perhaps at New York, with my dear young friends (who I hope may not have quite forgotten me); for I imagine, that on the sandy road between Burlington and Amboy I could bear an easy coach, and the rest is water. I rejoice to hear that you continue well, being with true and great esteem and affection your most obedient servant, B. FRANKLIN. FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO B. FRANKLIN. Mount Vernon, 25 September, 1785. DEAR SIR, Amid the public gratulations on your safe return to America, after a long absence and the many eminent services you have rendered it, for which as a benefited person I feel the obligation, permit an individual to join the public voice in expressing a sense of them; and to assure you, that, as no one entertains more respect for your character, so no one can salute you with more sincerity or with greater pleasure, than I do on the occasion. With the highest regard and greatest consideration, I am, dear Sir, &c. GEORGE WASHINGTON. FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO B. FRANKLIN. DEAR SIR, Mount Vernon, 26 September, 1785. I had just written, and was about to put into the hands of Mr. Taylor, a gentleman in the department of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the enclosed letter, when I had the honor to receive by post your favor of the 20th instant. I have a grateful sense of the partiality of the French nation towards me, and feel very sensibly the indulgent expression of your letter, which does me great honor. When it suits M. Houdon to come hither, I will accommodate him in the best manner I am able, and shall endeavour to render his stay as agreeable as I can. It would give me infinite pleasure to see you. At this place I dare not look for it; though to entertain you under my own roof would be doubly gratifying. When or whether I shall ever have the satisfaction of seeing you at Philadelphia is uncertain, as retirement from the public walks of life has not been so productive of leisure and ease as might have been expected. With very great esteem and respect, I am, dear Sir, your most obedient, &c. GEORGE WASHINGTON. FROM JOHN JAY TO B. FRANKLIN. DEAR SIR, New York, 4 October, 1785. Your grandson, whom it gave me great pleasure to see, delivered to me a few days ago your kind letter of the 21st of last month. Your being again with your family, the manner in which the French court parted with you, the attention you experienced from your |