Mount Vernon, August 29, 1788.
Sir: Agreeably to your desire I am sitting down to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, which you was pleased to address to me on the 18th. of this Month.83 In the multitude of persons, public and private, of whom I may have had some knowledge, it will not be thought strange, that I should retain no recollection of you. I am only sorry for the losses which you say you have sustained, without being able to remedy them.
[Note:Mary stated that he had been secretary to the Consulate General of France during the Revolutionary War. He had been, also, French instructor at the University of Cambridge, and was then teaching French in New York. ]
You are doubtless informed, Sir, that I lead altogether a private life. It would hardly be expected then that I should go abroad in search of employment for a gentleman with whose talents and character, I have not the honor of being acquainted. Not having any agency with the College that bears my name, or knowledge of any family that, at present, wants an Instructor in the French language, you will excuse me for giving this laconic reply, with my wishes for your success. I am, etc. 82
[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers . ]