I hope that your Excellency will give me the leave to beg a favor of
your justice. I think it just to intercede for the Baron de Closen who
was an aide-de-camp to Mr. Rochambeau during the American war. He longs
with the desire to be a member of the association of the Cincinnati. The
officers who were employed in the French army and younger than him in
the military service have been decorated with this emblem of liberty,
and such a reward given by your Excellency's hand shall increase its
value.
I flatter myself that you will receive the assurances of the respect and
veneration I have for your talents and your virtue, well known in the
whole world.