Item 43: Letter from Chevalier Anne-César de la Luzerne to John Hancock [French Language] [Removed to Legal Box #1] , 1783 January 10
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 43
Dates
- Created: 1783 January 10
Creator
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
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
Condition Note:
Good, yellowing.
Measurements:
12 ¼ in. x 8 in. (closed); 12 ¼ in. x 16 ¼ in. (open)
Description:
The following item is a letter from Chevalier Anne-César de la Luzerne, Ambassador of France, to John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, on January 10, 1783. The letter acknowledges the joy that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts expressed towards the birth of Louis-Joseph-Xavier, Dauphin of France by Marie Antionette. As dauphin, Louis-Joseph was the heir-apparent of France and was first in line for the succession of the throne until he died in 1789. He was born in October 1781, almost two years prior to this letter. This delay in congratulations was likely due to the American Revolution, which ended in February, 1783. This letter also mentions that the King of France, Louis XVI, will always take particular interest in the prosperity of Massachusetts. This serves as a recognition of the state’s independence from Britain. The King’s special interest in Massachusetts may be because of the Boston Massacre, which led to the Boston Tea Party, leading to Britain’s Intolerable Acts, leading to the American Revolution. Furthermore, several key battles took place there, such as the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Finally, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, John Hancock, representing Massachusetts, was the first signature. Luzerne became the French minister to the United States in 1779 and returned to France in 1784. He was a staunch supporter of the American Revolution and greatly influenced the development of the new government in Philadelphia. A second document describes Luzerne as a French minister living in Philadelphia during the American Revolution. This second document mentions a celebration of the birth of the Dauphin, possibly referring to the open-air pavilion in Philadelphia that was commissioned in 1782 by Anne-Cesar de la Luzerne to host a party for the birth of the Dauphin.
Location:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Transcription:
[first page]
a [sic] [à] Philadelphie le 10. Janvier. 1783.
Monsieur
Sa Majesté a été informée des marques de joie que l’Etat [sic] [l’État] de Massachusetts a donné à l’occasion de la naissance de Msgr.[Monseigneur] le Dauphin. Elle a vu avec beaucoup de Satisfaction la part que les Citoyens de votre Etat [sic] [État] ont prise à cet heureux évenement [sic] [événement]; le Roy [sic] [Roi] m’ordonne de vous témoigner la Sensibilité à ce Sujet et me charge en même leur d'assurer les Citoyens et habitans [sic] [habitants] de l’Etat [sic] [l’État] de Massachusetts de son affection et de l'interêt[sic] [ l'intérêt] particulier qu’il prendra toujours à leur prospérité. J’ai l’honneur d'être avec un respectueux attachement. Monsieur, de votre Excellence Le très humble et très obéissant serviteur % Le che.[valier] de la Luzerne [signature]
[in pencil] French Minister to the U.S.
Son Excel[len]ce. Mr. Hancock Gouverneur de l’Etat[sic] [l’État] de Massachu[setts]
[Second document, ripped out of a book] [Cut off] poem “At Sea,” and “The C[cut off] [Cut off] en Bucket,” the author of which live in Scituate also. 309. LUZERNE, Chevallier[sic] [Chevalier] de, French Minister dur-ing American Revolution, l.s. folio, Phila., 1783. To John Hancock, thanking him in the name of the King for the celebration by Massachusetts of the birth of the Dauphin.
Translation Attempt: To Philadelphia, January 10th, 1783
Monsieur, Her majesty has been informed of the marks of joy that the state of Massachusetts has given to the occasion of the birth of Monseigneur le Dauphin. She has seen with much satisfaction the part that the citizens of your state have taken to this happy event; The King orders me to show you sensibility to this subject and tasks me at the same time to assure the citizens and inhabitants of the State of Massachusetts of his affection and of the particular interest he will always take in their prosperity. I have the honor to be with a respectful attachment Sir, Your Excellency's Your very humble and very obedient servant %
The Knight de la Luzerne [signature]
His excellent Mr. Hancock, Governor of the States of Massachusetts
[second and third pages are blank] [fourth page]
Cheval[ie]r De Luzerne Rec’d[sic] [Received] from Philadelphia, Febr[uar]y 4th 1783
[pencil] To Hancock
Monsieur
Sa Majesté a été informée des marques de joie que l’Etat [sic] [l’État] de Massachusetts a donné à l’occasion de la naissance de Msgr.[Monseigneur] le Dauphin. Elle a vu avec beaucoup de Satisfaction la part que les Citoyens de votre Etat [sic] [État] ont prise à cet heureux évenement [sic] [événement]; le Roy [sic] [Roi] m’ordonne de vous témoigner la Sensibilité à ce Sujet et me charge en même leur d'assurer les Citoyens et habitans [sic] [habitants] de l’Etat [sic] [l’État] de Massachusetts de son affection et de l'interêt[sic] [ l'intérêt] particulier qu’il prendra toujours à leur prospérité. J’ai l’honneur d'être avec un respectueux attachement. Monsieur, de votre Excellence Le très humble et très obéissant serviteur % Le che.[valier] de la Luzerne [signature]
[in pencil] French Minister to the U.S.
Son Excel[len]ce. Mr. Hancock Gouverneur de l’Etat[sic] [l’État] de Massachu[setts]
[Second document, ripped out of a book] [Cut off] poem “At Sea,” and “The C[cut off] [Cut off] en Bucket,” the author of which live in Scituate also. 309. LUZERNE, Chevallier[sic] [Chevalier] de, French Minister dur-ing American Revolution, l.s. folio, Phila., 1783. To John Hancock, thanking him in the name of the King for the celebration by Massachusetts of the birth of the Dauphin.
Translation Attempt: To Philadelphia, January 10th, 1783
Monsieur, Her majesty has been informed of the marks of joy that the state of Massachusetts has given to the occasion of the birth of Monseigneur le Dauphin. She has seen with much satisfaction the part that the citizens of your state have taken to this happy event; The King orders me to show you sensibility to this subject and tasks me at the same time to assure the citizens and inhabitants of the State of Massachusetts of his affection and of the particular interest he will always take in their prosperity. I have the honor to be with a respectful attachment Sir, Your Excellency's Your very humble and very obedient servant %
The Knight de la Luzerne [signature]
His excellent Mr. Hancock, Governor of the States of Massachusetts
[second and third pages are blank] [fourth page]
Cheval[ie]r De Luzerne Rec’d[sic] [Received] from Philadelphia, Febr[uar]y 4th 1783
[pencil] To Hancock
- American Revolution (1775-1783)
- Chevalier; Minister
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Diplomacy
- Diplomat.
- Diplomats--France
- Hancock, John, 1737-1793
- Louis XVI, King of France, 1754-1793
- Louis-Joseph-Xavier, Dauphin of France, 1781-1789
- Marie Antoinette, Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France, 1755-1793
- Minister in America
Creator
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