Gouvion, Jean Baptiste (1747-1792) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02290 Author/Creator: Gouvion, Jean Baptiste (1747-1792) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 July 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 32.7 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Colonel Gouvion, a French engineering officer, to Major General Knox, in reply to Knox's letter at GLC02437.02218. Says when he left the army he received letters of some importance that kept him from going through West Point. Says if he saw Knox he would tell him "how grateful I am for all the marks of friendship you gave me during my staying in America." Praises America saying "the prodigious difference I find between what this country was during the war and what it is now, the activity which prevails now every where, and the happiness which appears already to be generally diffused gives me the most favorable opinion of the flourishing state in which it shall be soon." Hopes he can visit for 5 or 6 months in the coming years if he can get time away from the French army. Sends greetings from General du Portail. Asks to be kept informed about the Society of the Cincinnati, "of which I am proud to be a member." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.
Gouvion was one of the four French military engineers sent to America upon the request of Congress (the others being Duportail, La Rodière, and de Laumoy). He entered the Continental Army on 8 July 1777 as a major. In November 1777 was given the rank of lieutenant colonel. Along with Duportail, he planned and executed the fortifications at West Point. He also built the redoubt at Verplancks Point. He participated in the Battle of Yorktown, was brevetted a colonel in November 1781, and retired from the army in October 1783. Although his service was considered exemplary, little is actually known of his activities in America (see Boatner, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution).
[draft]
Philadelphia July 15th. 1783.
Dear General
if it had not been for some letters I recieved [sic] at head quarters (when I left the Army) and which as I was told did require dispatch, I should have certainly passed through West point, to take leave from you, and to express to you how gratefull [sic] I am for all the marks of friendship you gave me during my staying in America.
the prodigious difference I find between what this country Was during the War and what it is now, the activity which prevails now every where, and the happiness which appears already to be generally diffused gives me the most favorable opinion of the florishing state in which it shall be soon, so if in some years my duty permits me to leave France for five or six months I shall look upon my time as employ'd for the best if I do spend it in visiting this country again, and in enjoying the most pleasant prospect for a man of feeling which is to See a whole nation living in plenty and happiness if I can put my Scheme to execution my duty and my inclination will lead me to whatever place of the continent you Will be at that time.
I shall take the greatest care of the letters you sent to me and shall deliver them my self.
[2] I beg you would present my respect full compliments to Mistress Knox.
general Du Portail gives me charge to rember [sic] him to you.
I shall make use of the leave you gave me to write to you from france, and I hope that you will favour me with Some of your letters, and let me know the Situation of our Society of which I am proud to be a member.
I am With Respect
Dear general
your obedient Servant
J Gouvion
[address leaf]
the honorable
Major general Knox
Commanding
at
West point
[docket]
from Colonel Gouvion
28 July 1783-
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