Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834) To: Jean B. Gouvion
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08016.03 Author/Creator: Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834) Place Written: Paris Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 June 1787 Pagination: 2 p. 18.8 cm x 15 cm Order a Copy
An expedition to Egypt. [In French]
Paris the 17 june 1787
Hardly had you gone, my dear gouvion, that Wadsworth had arrived; he had done nothing for Villande, and the article of the gazette has nothing to do with him moreover he spits blood, and with reason [is more] anxious. he returns in the meanwhile for dublin, and will bring me news in America all that I wish at present, is to manage myself the general Good opinion, to be looked by ones like their [poser] leader, by others like a useful friend; to be called by an express ship if there has been a rupture; but if there isn't, to be invited in the current of Winter to a visit. because you will see Wadsworth give him ambition, and ardor.
after two serious quarrels, with Mr of Segur, I finally had the letter - which poiry will give back to you; I will go by him when leaving, and I hope to find the conclusion of good business
I spoke intensely to Mr de [caswics] in order to [hear] you in Egypt; if you go there, consider the thing under two points of view; a [consignment] of the government, and a [consignment] for my own account. try that your return will be near the month of january so that you could [2] find me arrived, and that we arrange together the means of conducting this operation. you could go to the l'isle de france or at Bourbon through Suez. ask to see the memory of the [Barm] of [tott]. say to Mr de [caswics], and to Mr de chadlus that I have made you hope that you will be employed in an interesting mission, and for which I have a personal tenderness. if they speak to you of india, propose [strikeout] to go through [strikeout] [inserted: Egypt]; in going to the iles de france and Bourbon, you will return later, but it seems to me that you could still be here before the spring, and we would go together in [corsica], or yet you would disembark at a return.
i will send you the American gazettes, you know what I have said to you about this subject; that you [strikeout] [see here] [inserted: [the bet]] or not, they will be addressed to you at my place. if you will borrow money for your trips, pounds, cards or whatever it may be, you know, my dear gouvion, that all I have is at your orders. Mrs de lafayette and I will not forgive you if you stay anywhere but at our place
i am well angry to have not led the poor poiry; tranquilize your head, because in order to not torment it i have taken but one manservant of the secretarial chamber. Goodbye, my dear gouvion, I love you and kiss with all of my heart.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.