Elisabeth Françoise Sophie Lalive de Bellegarde, Comtesse d'Houdetot was a French noblewoman. She is remembered primarily for the brief but intense love she inspired in Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1757, but she was also for fifty years in a relationship with the poet and academician Jean François de Saint-Lambert.
a Sanois Dimanche au Soir [April 1, 1781] 3 Madame la Comtesse D’houdetot Et toutte Sa Societé Sont tres affligées de ne pas Voir Demain Monsieur franklin. Madame D’houdetot Espere…
Le 10. Aoust 1781. On M’avait donné ce printems mon Cher docteur l’Esperance de Vous Voir un jour a Sanois, dans le lieu ou je Conserve du moins le souvenir…
a Paris Vendredy matin [before Feb. 16, 1782] 5 Madame La Comtesse D’houdetot fait Mille tendres amitiés a Monsieur franklin. Elle Le previens ainsy que Monsieur son fils qu’elle n’aura…
paris Le 9. Avril 1782. Monsieur Le Duc D’harcourt 4 Vient De me faire dire Mon Cher Docteur que Monsieur De Castries Luy Mande qu’il n’attend que Votre Consentement pour…
a Sanois le 18. 8bre. 8 1782 Mde. la Cesse D’houdetot qui a L’honneur D’offrir Mille tendres Complimens a Monsieur franklin Le prie De Vouloir Bien faire passer surement Ce…
paris Le 17. jer 1783. J’ay Eté Bien affligée de voir hier a ma porte Le nom de Mon Cher Et Respectable Docteur, je le prie D’Estre persuadé de mes…
Elisabeth-Françoise-Sophie de La Live de Bellegarde urges Benjamin Franklin to respond promptly to an inquiry from Monsieur de Crevecœur regarding a matter involving Monsieur de Castries. She emphasizes the importance of this reply for Crevecœur's upcoming meeting and expresses her personal interest in facilitating the communication. Additionally, she requests Franklin to send back a muff she left at his residence.
Elisabeth-Françoise-Sophie de La Live de Bellegarde, comtesse d’Houdetot, invites Benjamin Franklin to visit her estate in Sanois, offering him hospitality and expressing admiration for his achievements. She requests a prompt response, hoping Franklin and his grandson will accept her invitation to enjoy the beauty of her garden and countryside retreat.
Elisabeth-Françoise-Sophie de La Live de Bellegarde appeals to Benjamin Franklin for assistance in securing the release of a French sailor unjustly imprisoned in Caen, requesting Franklin to write to the local intendant to facilitate the sailor's freedom and return to Lorient. She offers to cover any expenses if no funds are available and emphasizes the sailor's potential to continue serving America.
a Sanois Le 14. 8bre. 1783. J’aprend avec Bien Du Chagrin que Mon Respectable Amy a Eté Malade il Est plus triste Encore D’Estre privée De Le Voir pour une…
Elisabeth-Françoise-Sophie de La Live de Bellegarde invites Benjamin Franklin to visit her at Sannois, arranging a comfortable yacht and boatmen to ease his journey. She requests he inform her in advance to prepare for his arrival, emphasizing her deep attachment and respect. She suggests the visit occur before July, as she plans to travel and the summer heat would make the countryside less pleasant.