32. FRENCH OFFICER SEEKS AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE START OF THE WAR One of the most unusual documents we have encountered in quite a while, a request for a position in the American army by one Major Francois Bernard four months before the commencement of hostilities at Lexington and Concord, in a manuscript D.S., 3pp. 4to., [n.p., Jan. 9, 1775] in French entitled "Traitte du Sieur major Bernard avec l'honorable congres de Philadelphie". According to the document Bernard had been then serving as a major of cavalry in the service of the King of Portugal. The document is not really a request but more of a set of demands, or in his words a `Treaty' listing eight articles including a commission as a colonel commanding an entire regiment, payment in land comparable to his rank, forage for six horses, rations for four domestics among others. Very good condition. $600-800