Duc de Lauzun letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 January 26

Letter of Lauzun to the Vicomte d'Arrot dated from Newport, Rhode Island, January 26, 1781. Lauzun writes concerning a package intended for General George Washington and his own personal goods coming from Rhode Island. Has no worthwhile news.

[English Translation]

You want, Sir, at whatever hour the package for Gen. Washington arrives at Lebanon to pass it on the field to Hartford. The post leaves from Hartford Monday at nine o'clock in the morning. It is important that the package be there before.

I am very obliged to you to have well chosen to take care of my goods coming from Rhode Island, leave my wagon horses [there] Mr. Blanchard promised me to transport [them] to me from Providence when I would like, I would only be very obliged to you to tell me the name of the area where the waggon left its cargo. Nothing new even from Pennsylvania. The letters from Gen. Washington are from the ninth¹, and speak to me of nothing. According to all appearances I will still stay here five or six days. The General wishes that I await Col. Laurens. You know, Sir, the sincere inviolable friendship which I have sworn to you.

[Envelope]

To Monsieur le Vicomte d'Arrot Col. Commanding the foreign Volunteers from Lauzun the 26 January to pass on the field to Lebanon Urgent D. Lauzun

1. The phrase "du neuf" ordinarily means "something new" which does not seem likely in this context.

Ink on paper