I don't know if this will have any meaning for any of you Blanchard searchers, and perhaps you already have information on Claude Blanchard, but I found the following in a volume by Mary Ellen Loughrey, FRANCE AND RHODE ISLAND, 1686-1800, New York: Morningside Heights, Kings Crown Press, 1944. Loughrey discusses all of the early French influences in RI, including that of the French who assisted in the American Revolution. On page 121-2 is recorded the following: "One of the most comprehensive journals was that of Claude Blanchard, the commissary in chief of the French army. It covered practically every subject imaginable---food, money, climate, products of the soil---even a picnic at which a three-hundred pound turtle was the piece de resistance. Blanchard was not favorably impressed by Rhode Island weather. . . . Blanchard's work as commissary took him frequently to Providence, which city he preferred to Newport, although he considered the latter 'small, but handsome'. Providence, however, seemed 'more lively, more addicted to commerce, more supplies are to be found there." "With regard to the people, Blanchard declared: 'We live on good terms with the inhabitants. . . . They are affable, well clad, very cleanly, and all tall. The women enjoy the same advantages, have fair skins, and are generally pretty. . . . Americans are slow and do not decide promptly in matters of business. . . . They love money and hard money. . . . In many of the houses there are carpets also, even upon their stairs. In general, the houses are very pleasant, and kept with extreme neatness. . . . Their education is very nearly the same; so that a merchant is often called to their assemblies, where there is no distinction'. . . ." For the above material she lists the source as: Blanchard, Claude. Journal of Claude Blanchard, Commissary of the French Auxiliary Army sent to the United States during the American Revolution, 1780-1783. Translated by William Duane. Edited by Thomas Balch. Albany: J. Munsell, 1876. Pp. 207. In an earlier chapter on pages 63-4 Loughrey discussed matters of a scientific nature which were printed from time to time. There was mention of Montgolfier's balloon flights in Paris, and also flights by Messieurs Charles and Robert. In addition, "In the (Newport) Mercury of May 8 appeared an account of an experiment by M. Blanchard with a balloon ascension, and the issue of September 4 published a description of his second trip in a 'batteau volant'. The Providence Gazette of November 27, 1784, printed a translation of M. Blanchard's observations during his third 'aerial voyage'." In this instance she does not report Blanchard's first name. I wonder if it was Claude, referred to above, or perhaps another of the early Blanchards, but one whose words needed to be translated. These flights are presumed to have occurred in Rhode Island. Forgive me if this is of no interest, but I am still trying to get information on the RI Blanchards. P.S. I have just looked at the index of the book again and Loughrey does not list this second Blanchard under the listings for Claude. I presume him to be a different person, but his first name is not given. The initial M. I would guess stand for Messieur and I will so list him in the index line. Index: Claude 1780-81 RI 1997 11 09 Messieur 1784 RI 1997 11 09 Sincerely, Bob Letson Tucson, AZ