Meanwhile, the family at Geneva had moved heaven and earth to smooth their path, and had written or applied for letters of introduction in their behalf to every person who could be supposed to have influence. One of these persons was the Duc de la Rochefoucauld d'Enville, who wrote to Franklin a letter which may be found in Franklin's printed correspondence.[4] The letter tells no more than we know; but Franklin's reply is characteristic. It runs thus: FRANKLIN TO THE DUC DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD D'ENVILLE. PASSY, May 24, 1780. DEAR SIR,--I enclose the letter you desired for the two young gentlemen of Geneva. But their friends would do well to prevent their voyage. With sincere and great esteem, I am, dear sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. The letter enclosed was as follows: PASSY, May 24, 1780. DEAR SON,--Messrs. Gallatin and Serres, two young gentlemen of Geneva, of good families and very good characters, having an inclination to see America, if they should arrive in your city I recommend them to your civilities, counsel, and countenance. I am ever your affectionate father, B. FRANKLIN. To RICHARD BACHE, Postmaster-General, Philadelphia. Lady Juliana Penn, also, wrote to John Penn at Philadelphia in their favor. Mlle. Pictet wrote herself to Colonel Kinloch, then a member of the Continental Congress from South Carolina. Her description of the young men is probably more accurate than any other: "Quoique je n'ai pas l'avantage d'être connue de vous, j'ai trop entendu parler de l'honnêteté et de la sensibilité de votre âme pour hésiter à vous demander un service absolument essentiel au bonheur de ma vie. Deux jeunes gens de ce pays, nommé Gallatin et Serre, n'étant pas contents de leur fortune, qui est effectivement médiocre, et s'étant échauffé l'imagination du désir de s'en faire une eux-mêmes, aidés d'un peu d'enthousiasme pour les Américains, prennent le parti de passer à Philadelphie. Ils sont tous deux pleins d'honneur, de bons sentiments, fort sages, et n'ont jamais donné le moindre sujet de plainte à leurs familles, qui out le plus grand regret de leur départ.... Ils out tous deux des talents et des connaissances; mais je crois qu'ils n'entendent rien au commerce et à la culture des terres qui sont les moyens de fortune qu'ils ont imaginés." ... With such introductions and such advantages, aided by the little fortune which Gallatin would inherit on coming of age in 1786, in his twenty-fifth year, the path was open to him. He had but to walk in it. Success, more or less brilliant, was as certain as anything in this world can be.