Item 9: Letter from Francois Alexandre Frederic, Duke of Rochefoucauld- Liancourt to Pieter Johan van Berckel [French Language], ca. 1795 June 1
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 9
Dates
- Created: ca. 1795 June 1
Creator
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter/Correspondence
Condition Note:
Fair: parchment browning and brittle, slight staining, approximate 1 inch tear in center
Measurements:
9 ½ in. x 8 in. (closed); 9 ½ in. x 15 ¾ in. (open)
Description:
The following is an undated letter from the Francois Alexandre Frederic Duke of Rochefoucauld-Liancourt [Francois Alexandre Frederic duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt], to Pieter Johan van Berckel in Philadelphia. Within the letter, the Duke mentions that he enjoyed traveling around the state of Pennsylvania and that he was happy to see the success of French Azilum. He states that he believes Pennsylvania will be a comfortable home for Europeans. Furthermore, he mentions that he will leave for Tioga the following morning. The Duke asks van Berckel to pass along his well wishes to Monsieur Bingham (possibly William Bingham). The letter also mentions Mr. Read in Reading, “General Hanne” [likely John A. Hanna (written as “Hannah” in Rochefoucauld’s book p. 54)] in Harrisburg, and Mr. Kittara who was not in Lancaster. At the beginning of the French Revolution, Rochefoucauld remained loyal to King Louis XVI and was forced to flee France. During his exile, he toured America between the years of 1795 and 1797. In Rochefoucauld’s book detailing his travels throughout North America, he mentions that Mr. Read of Reading had ten children, only two of which were baptized. Mr. Read was a lawyer who welcomed him in Reading and provided letters of introduction to be taken to Lancaster. According to his book, Rochefoucauld was in Reading on May 7, 1795 (p. 23), and continued on to Lancaster on May 11, 1795 (p. 38). He then visited Harrisburg and General Hannah on May 13, 1795. “General Hanne” likely refers to General Hannah, a Brigadier General of the militia, member of the Pennsylvania Senate, and husband to the daughter of Mr. Harris, the founder of Harrisburg (p. 54). Rochefoucauld left Azilum for Tioga on June 2, 1795 (p. 97). This letter mentions leaving for Tioga on the following morning, therefore, this letter was likely written on June 1, 1795. This letter is addressed to Pieter Johan van Berckel, the first Dutch ambassador to the United States. Van Berckel’s brother had connections to the Holland Land Company. Van Berckel may have been involved with surveying land on behalf of the Holland Land Company, so Rochefoucauld may have been writing to Van Berckel to assure him of Holland’s good investment in American lands. The second signature on this document may belong to Herman LeRoy, the former consul-general to Holland and representative of the Holland Land Company. The “Bingham” mentioned within the letter may refer to William Bingham. He was considered one of the wealthiest people in the United States at the time, and he became a major land developer. He may have played a role in establishing lands for the Holland Land Company and/or French Azilum.
Location:
Philadelphia (Pa.); Azilum (Pa.); possibly Tioga County (Pa.); Reading (Pa.); Harrisburg (Pa.); Lancaster (Pa.)
Transcription:
[Front page]
Je ne veux pas quitter la pennsilvanie[sic] [Pennsylvanie], Monsieur, sans avoir l’honneur de vous remercier des lettres que vous m’aviez donné, et qui nous ont fait recevoir par l[’]obligeance, de ceux a[sic] [à] qui nous les avons - remis. ils se bonheur a[sic] [à] M[onsieu]r Read a[sic] [à] Reading, et au general[sic] [Général] Hanne a[sic] [à] Harrisburg. M[onsieu]r Kittara n’etais pas a[sic] [à] Lancaster. Jay[sic] [J’ai] parcouru avec un grand plaisir toutes les parties de la pensilvanie[sic] [Pennsylvanie] partout de grands moyens de prospérité, une grande activité, des grands efforts pour y arriver.- tous avoir(?) avec une rapidité prodigieuse, et sans doute dans(?) bien(?) peu(?) de feu(?) l’etat de pensilvanie[sic] [Pennsylvanie] presentera dans tous ses ponits[sic] [points] une deimeure[sic] [demeure] confortable aux europeens[sic] [Européens]. et des ressources dans tous les rapports au dela[sic] [au-delà] de ce qui l’on peut le supporter. Je suis beaucoup plus content de l'établissement d’azylum[sic] [d’Azilum] que je ne mi[sic] [m’y] attendais avec quelque efforts de la compagnie, plutot[sic] [plutôt], combinée et fait avec l’intelligence que dispendieux ces établissements sera(?) dans un grand trani[sic] [train](?) du prospérité et l’affaire deviendra excellente. Nous partons demain p[ou]r Tyoga[sic] [Tioga] et de la p[remiè]r[e] prestation(?) [de] notre route selon nos projets ils me meuerou(?) de la promise de Mauie(?), ou saurg(?) le plusieur(?) devra revoir, et devons renouvelle mes remerciements et le(?) garrosse(?) liueer(?) de dentmeu(?) avec les quels J’ay[sic] [J’ai] l’honneur(?) d’etre[sic] [d'être] Monsieur votre tre[sic][très], & & [humble et obéissant serviteur] Liancourt [signature] Serais(?) vous prier de présenter mes respects a[sic] [à] M[onsieu]r Bingham
Azylum(?) Leroy(?) [Signature](?)
[Back page]
Mons[ieur] Liancourt
M[onsieu]r Wanberkel Ministre d’hollande Philadelphia
Translation: [first page] I do not wish to leave Pennsylvania, Sir, without having the honor of thanking you for the letters you had given me, which allowed us to receive, through the kindness of those to whom we presented them, happiness for Mr. Read in Reading, and for General Hanne in Harrisburg. Mr. Kittara was not in Lancaster. I have taken great pleasure in traversing all parts of Pennsylvania, where there are great means of prosperity, significant activity, and considerable efforts to achieve it—all occurring with prodigious speed, and undoubtedly in a short time, the state of Pennsylvania will present itself in all its aspects as a particularly comfortable home for Europeans and resources in all respects beyond what one can support. I am much more pleased with the establishment of Azilum than what I expected, with some efforts from the company, rather, combined and executed with intelligence [rather] than expensively; the establishments will [have] a great series of prosperity and the matter will become excellent. We leave tomorrow for Tioga and from the first provision of our route according to our plans they will lead me to the promise of Mauie(?), where many will have to revisit, and we must renew Mr(?) thanks and the large delivery of goods with which I have the honor to be, Sir, your very, very etc. [humble and obedient servant],
Liancourt [signature] I beg you to present my respects to Monsieur Bingham
Azylum(?) Leroy(?)
[Back page]
Mons[ieur] Liancourt
Mr Wanberkel, Minister of Holland Philadelphia
Je ne veux pas quitter la pennsilvanie[sic] [Pennsylvanie], Monsieur, sans avoir l’honneur de vous remercier des lettres que vous m’aviez donné, et qui nous ont fait recevoir par l[’]obligeance, de ceux a[sic] [à] qui nous les avons - remis. ils se bonheur a[sic] [à] M[onsieu]r Read a[sic] [à] Reading, et au general[sic] [Général] Hanne a[sic] [à] Harrisburg. M[onsieu]r Kittara n’etais pas a[sic] [à] Lancaster. Jay[sic] [J’ai] parcouru avec un grand plaisir toutes les parties de la pensilvanie[sic] [Pennsylvanie] partout de grands moyens de prospérité, une grande activité, des grands efforts pour y arriver.- tous avoir(?) avec une rapidité prodigieuse, et sans doute dans(?) bien(?) peu(?) de feu(?) l’etat de pensilvanie[sic] [Pennsylvanie] presentera dans tous ses ponits[sic] [points] une deimeure[sic] [demeure] confortable aux europeens[sic] [Européens]. et des ressources dans tous les rapports au dela[sic] [au-delà] de ce qui l’on peut le supporter. Je suis beaucoup plus content de l'établissement d’azylum[sic] [d’Azilum] que je ne mi[sic] [m’y] attendais avec quelque efforts de la compagnie, plutot[sic] [plutôt], combinée et fait avec l’intelligence que dispendieux ces établissements sera(?) dans un grand trani[sic] [train](?) du prospérité et l’affaire deviendra excellente. Nous partons demain p[ou]r Tyoga[sic] [Tioga] et de la p[remiè]r[e] prestation(?) [de] notre route selon nos projets ils me meuerou(?) de la promise de Mauie(?), ou saurg(?) le plusieur(?) devra revoir, et devons renouvelle mes remerciements et le(?) garrosse(?) liueer(?) de dentmeu(?) avec les quels J’ay[sic] [J’ai] l’honneur(?) d’etre[sic] [d'être] Monsieur votre tre[sic][très], & & [humble et obéissant serviteur] Liancourt [signature] Serais(?) vous prier de présenter mes respects a[sic] [à] M[onsieu]r Bingham
Azylum(?) Leroy(?) [Signature](?)
[Back page]
Mons[ieur] Liancourt
M[onsieu]r Wanberkel Ministre d’hollande Philadelphia
Translation: [first page] I do not wish to leave Pennsylvania, Sir, without having the honor of thanking you for the letters you had given me, which allowed us to receive, through the kindness of those to whom we presented them, happiness for Mr. Read in Reading, and for General Hanne in Harrisburg. Mr. Kittara was not in Lancaster. I have taken great pleasure in traversing all parts of Pennsylvania, where there are great means of prosperity, significant activity, and considerable efforts to achieve it—all occurring with prodigious speed, and undoubtedly in a short time, the state of Pennsylvania will present itself in all its aspects as a particularly comfortable home for Europeans and resources in all respects beyond what one can support. I am much more pleased with the establishment of Azilum than what I expected, with some efforts from the company, rather, combined and executed with intelligence [rather] than expensively; the establishments will [have] a great series of prosperity and the matter will become excellent. We leave tomorrow for Tioga and from the first provision of our route according to our plans they will lead me to the promise of Mauie(?), where many will have to revisit, and we must renew Mr(?) thanks and the large delivery of goods with which I have the honor to be, Sir, your very, very etc. [humble and obedient servant],
Liancourt [signature] I beg you to present my respects to Monsieur Bingham
Azylum(?) Leroy(?)
[Back page]
Mons[ieur] Liancourt
Mr Wanberkel, Minister of Holland Philadelphia
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu