Paris, Hotel de Valois,
Rue de Richelieu, 23 February, 1780.
My dearest Friend,--The children made me a visit to-day, and went with
me to dine with my old friends, the two Abbes, whom you have often heard
me mention, Chalut and Arnoux, who desire me to mention them to you in
my letters as devoted friends of America, and particular friends to me
and to you, notwithstanding the difference of religion. The children are
still in good health and spirits, and well pleased with their academy.
Ah! how much pain have these young gentlemen cost me within these three
months! The mountains, the cold, the mules, the houses without chimneys
or windows, the--I will not add. I wish for a painter to draw me and my
company mounted on muleback, or riding in the caleches, or walking, for
we walked one third of the way. Yet by the help of constant care and
expense, I have been able to get them all safe to Paris. The other
moiety of the family is quite as near my heart, and therefore I hope
they will never be ramblers. I am sick of rambling. If I could transport
the other moiety across the Atlantic with a wish, and be sure of
returning them, when it should become necessary, in the same manner, how
happy should I be!
I have been received here with much cordiality, and am daily visited by
characters who do me much honor. Some day or other you will know, I
believe, but I had better not say at present. Your friend the Comte
d'Estaing, however, I ought to mention, because you have been acquainted
with him. I have dined with him, and he has visited me and I him, and I
hope to have many more conversations with him, for public reasons, not
private, for on a private account great men and little are much alike to
me.
Mr. Lee and Mr. Izard are going home in the _Alliance_, and, I hope,
will make you a visit. How many vicissitudes they are to experience, as
well as I and all the rest of our countrymen, I know not. The events of
politics are not less uncertain than those of war. Whatever they may be,
I shall be content. Of one thing I am pretty sure, that if I return
again safe to America, I shall be happy the remainder of my days,
because I shall stay at home, and at home I must be to be happy. There
is no improbability that I may be obliged to come home again soon, for
want of means to stay here. I hope, however, care will be taken that
something may be done to supply us. My tenderest affection to Abby and
Tommy. They are better off than their brothers, after all. I have been
taking measures to send home your things. I hope to succeed by the
_Alliance_. It shall not be my fault, if I do not. If I cannot send by
her, I will wait for another frigate, if it is a year, for I have no
confidence in other vessels.
Yours, forever yours.