Revolutionary Letter from a French Wife

From the archives: Historic collections are constant sources of surprise. One of my most recent discoveries was a letter I encountered in the William Templeton Franklin Papers at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia.

A copy of the original Conway letter, unfolded to show both address and content.

The Facts behind the Letter about Thomas Conway

Dated 25 September 1778, the letter, in French, was from Madame Françoise Antoinette Jeane Langlois de Bouchet to William Templeton Franklin.  Franklin was in Paris as secretary to his grandfather, diplomat Benjamin Franklin. De Bouchet was Madame Conway, wife of Major General Thomas Conway of “Conway Cabal” fame.

Conway’s criticisms of Washington had involved him in a duel with Pennsylvania brigadier general John Cadwalader; and to the delight of many patriots Cadwalader had wounded Conway in the mouth. Quickly healing, the Frenchman took ship for home. However, news of the duel reached France long before Conway did, and Madame Conway had no idea if her husband was still alive.

What Madame Conway’s Letter Contained

Her letter begged the American diplomats for any available news, and not to spare her feelings if the news was grim. It was a plaintive communication and it is impossible not to sympathize with the distraught wife. But there was no additional information, and we don’t know when she finally learned Thomas was alive.  As it turned out he was not only alive, but he prospered.

Thomas Conway upon Returning from America

The French promoted him and Conway served with distinction in French India, where he was governor general the late 1780s.  Back in France, however, Conway picked the wrong side during the French Revolution. Apparently, he never learned from his American experience that he was a poor judge of political winds (he had backed Horatio Gates over George Washington).

In 1793, after commanding royalist troops, he and Madame Conway fled from revolutionary forces, and Thomas died in Ireland in obscurity about 1800. My interest in Conway stemmed from my research on the Cabal, and Françoise Antoinette’s letter—a genuine archival surprise—added a very human dimension to a man to whom most American historians have been less than kind.

_________________________________________

For other discoveries and information about books and events, please subscribe to my e-newsletter DISCOVERIES.  If you’d like to schedule an event or presentation, please contact me.