Lovell, James (1737-1814) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03660 Author/Creator: Lovell, James (1737-1814) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 September 1787 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21.5 x 16.8 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the friendship he established with the Chevalier de Longchamps when they were both prisoners of war in 1775. Also refers to his intent to defend Longchamps character in relation to the Chevalier's involvement in the Longchamps-Marbois affair: "You will receive this from the hand of the Chevalier Longchaps [sic]. He was my Prison Mate here 12 years ago, and was treated, for a Time, worse by the British than I have been; afterwards he was for Months in the same Chamber. He was suspected if not known to have been serviceable to the Army at Prospect Hill. I was exceedingly surprised at seeing him lately, and finding that my Comerade Bleutiere was the individual who had undergone the notable Tryal at Philadelphia in the year -84 for Indignities against the Consulate of France there. I most sincerely approve and aim to defend that Institution of which I have given Proofs to Monsr. Marbois as well as to the consul here..." Calls Longchamps his "Comerade Bleutiere." Refers to Provost Marshal [William] Cunningham, who was notorious for his harsh treatment of prisoners.
The Longchamps-Marbois affair occurred in 1784 when Marbois, then a French Consul general to the United States, refused to accept official documents that would defend Longchamps against public attacks to his character. Longchamps physically assaulted Marbois in Philadelphia, and the ensuing legal battle raised the question of whether Pennsylvania or France had jursidiction over the case.
[draft]
Boston Ly. 11 1787
Sir -
you will receive this from the Hand of the Chevalier Longchaps. He was my Prison-Mate here 12 years ago, and was treated, for a Time, worse by the British than I have been; afterwards he was for Months in the same Chamber -. He was suspected if not known to have been serviceable to the Army at Prospect Hill. I was exceedingly surprised at seeing him lately, and finding that my Comerade Bleutiere [2] was the Individual who had undegone [sic] notable Tryal at Philadelphia in the year - 84 for Indignities against the Consulate of France these I most sincerely approve and aim to defend that Institution, of which I have given Proofs to Monsr.Marbois as well as to the Consul here; and therefore I doubly grieve at what has taken Place thro the Indiscretion of one for whom I have a Sort of School or Collegiate Regard a Jail producing Something [3] of the Kind, tho' there might not have been in Reality a Strict Conformity in the Ideas & principles which led [Mr] Bleutier and myself to the same Chamber of Suffering. I was in a Situation to help him to fare a little better than the [strikeout] [inserted: infamous Provost Marshal Cunningham allowed; and I was amply repaid by the amusement which an uncommon stock of Vivacity in this my Fellow Prisoner afforded under the various Forms of [4] singing laughing scolding [or] [text loss]oling. Longchamps de la Bleutier was the Name he gave me on paper when he left Prison. He has [conceived] that he shall reap some advantage by my Communicating these little annecdotes [sic] of our Brotherhood in Tribulation; at the Same Time he gives me pleasure by conveying to Major General Knox assurances that I am, with much Esteem
Sir your Friend and most humble Servant
James Lovell
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