Preeson Bowdoin to William Short, 6 March 1785

         I only arrived here last Evening from Marseilles where I left my Compagnons de Voyage with an intention of visiting Italy but I much doubt their puting it into execution. I fancy they will get no farther than Nice for travelling without either the french or Italien, they will find very disagreable as well as expensive for you know an english coat and and english tongue enhanced the price of every thing,— for my part I think it a mad whim they have got in their head I am here on my way to Amsterdam and from thence shall go to London. Letters I have received lately obligeds a quicker return to England than I expected— Comment et-il possible- que <…> ne vous ai pas ^^encore accordé la derniere faveur <…> je ne la croyais pas cruelle [How is it that <...> has still not granted you the last favor; I did not think her cruel] I am sure it is your own fault– elle est connûe en Provence comme à Paris [she is known both in Provence and in Paris]– keep the strings of your Purse well to gether I much wished and hoped to have seen you again in Paris before my return to London but can no longer flatter myself with that Pleasure I much wish to hear an account of your adventures with that fair Lady– She is called the ace of Spades having the white hair and black C–t— do on this subject, be curious and see whether it is true or not. If the fair Girl with who have you have been so lucky as to make ac<...>quaintance should go to London to make her debut— do give me a Letter to her— je lui devai bien des choses de votre part [I owed her many things from you]— Coming from Marseilles here I meet with an agreeable hansome married Woman of this Place She had nothing forbiding in her countenance nor nothing much in her disposition I made love to her and laid much close <…> that the third night— I <...> with something <…> I found myself happy in the arms of a most elegant made woman and as to the Pleasure of the flesh I never experienced ^it so perfectly If you ever travel in france do it in the Deligences, it is there you meet with those adventures. I never will travel Short more— do write me a long Letter give me all the news you promised in your last and continue the history of your amours— do you intend to London in the Spring? I should be happy to see you there! direct your Letter to me aux armes d’amsterdam à Amsterdam for which Place shall set out in 8 days— how does M^r Jefferson I hope better— my respects to him & Colonel Humphreys

                                                                                                                                             Your sincere friend & Servant