The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William CobbettConway, Moncure Daniel
Religion
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William Cobbett
Conway, Moncure Daniel
Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809
"I propose going from hence by the stage on Wednesday for New York, and
shall be glad to be favoured with the care of any letters of yours to
France or England. My stay in Paris, when with Col. Laurens, was so
short that I do not feel myself introduced there, for I was in no house
but at Passy, and the Hotel Col. Laurens was at. As I have taken a part
in the Revolution and politics of this country, and am not an unknown
character in the political world, I conceive it would be proper on my
going to Paris, that I should pay my respects to Count Vergennes, to
whom I am personally unknown; and I shall be very glad of a letter from
you to him affording me that opportunity, or rendering my waiting on
him easy to me; for it so often happens that men live to forfeit the
reputation at one time they gained at another, that it is prudent not
to presume too much on one's self. The Marquis La Fayette I am the most
known to of any gentleman in France. Should he be absent from Paris
there are none I am much acquainted with. I am on exceeding good terms
with Mr. Jefferson which will necessarily be the first place I go to.
As I had the honor of your introduction to America it will add to my
happiness to have the same friendship continued to me on the present
occasion.
"Respecting the model, I shall be obliged to you for a letter to some
of the Commissioners in that department. I shall be glad to hear their
opinion of it If they will undertake the experiment of two Ribs, it
will decide the matter and promote the work here,--but this need not be
mentioned. The Assembly have appointed another Committee, consisting of
Mr. Morris, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Robinson, to
confer with me on the undertaking. The matter therefore will remain
suspended till my return next winter. It is worth waiting this event,
because if a single arch to that extent will answer, all difficulties in
that river, or others of the same condition, are overcome at once.
I will do myself the pleasure of waiting on you tomorrow."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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