Peter Penet among the Oneida Indians. 279 



a demand to make of you for a favor, which I desire to 

 obtain, and which I hope to merit. I have wrote con- 

 cerning it to Dr. Franklin. It is, that you would grant 

 me the honor of the title of your first aid-de-camp, and 

 that you will permit me to wear the uniform and also the 

 ribbon. I ask no pay but the honor only of being in your 

 service, I hope you will grant me that favor, in considera- 

 tion of my attachment, and the desire I have to serve with 

 fidelity, the nation of the Thirteen United Colonies of North 

 America. I shall make my residence at Nantes, and 

 don't intend to return to the continent before the end of 

 the war, my presence being necessary for your operations, 

 and not being able to trust such secret affairs but to my- 

 self. If I can be so happy as to be of any service to you, I 

 am entirely at your disposal. Dr. Franklin can forward 

 your letters to me, and also the brevet of aid-de-camp, 

 which I hope you will not refuse me, and which I shall 

 receive with the greatest pleasure. 



I beg my best respects to Madame Washington, and 

 assure her, that I have the honor to be, my General, her 

 and your most obedient servant. 



P. Penet, and Co." 1 



To General Washington. 



On the 7th of October, the commander-in-chief ad- 

 dressed the president of congress, enclosing this letter, 

 and asking their leave to grant this request, which was 

 done on the 11th, by a resolution appointing Penet an 

 aid-de-camp by brevet. 2 



It appears that the inquiries of our commissioners in 

 France, did not increase their confidence in Mr Penet's 

 ability to negotiate advantageously, and in their letter to 

 the secret committee of congress, dated Jan 17, 1777, they 

 say: 



" We also think it advisable that you should be so far on 

 your guard, with respect to Mons. Penet, as not to deviate 



1 American Archives, V Series, ii, 928. 

 3 lb. 1398. 



