Francastel, Nicolas Jean (fl. 1784-1786) to Marquis de Lafayette
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03239 Author/Creator: Francastel, Nicolas Jean (fl. 1784-1786) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript letter Date: 19 January 1786 Pagination: 1 p. ; 31.8 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
An english translation of GLC02437.03238 in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest, Francastel was to be paid 20,229 livres. Francastel says he cannot take back or make any changes to the eagles as they are already made. It is unclear where this translation was written, so the place written was left as unknown.
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