Éléonore-François-Élie de Moustier

Éléonore-François-Élie de Moustier (1751–1817) entered the French army as a young officer before pursuing diplomacy. He represented Louis XVI at the court of the elector of Trier and undertook a mission to London in 1783. ¹

In New York, Moustier maintained a conspicuously French household with his sister-in-law, Anne-Flore Millet, marquise de Bréhan, acting as hostess after his wife's death. His furniture, tableware, and entertaining practices later helped shape the presidential household. After his departure, George and Martha Washington bought furnishings from him with their own money and took over the house at 39 Broadway, moving there in February 1790. ²

His relations with American leaders deteriorated sharply. Writing confidentially to John Jay on 4 February 1789, Jefferson reported complaints about Moustier's conduct and described efforts, through Lafayette, to secure his replacement. Jefferson was particularly concerned that a harshly worded demand for repayment of the French debt would damage relations. Foreign Minister Montmorin agreed to have the demand drafted in Paris and considered granting leave as a way to remove Moustier without immediately finding him another appointment. ³

Moustier subsequently served in Prussia in 1790–91. He published works on France's interest in a monarchical constitution and on Europe's stake in the French Revolution in 1791 and 1793. His family's surviving papers include diplomatic correspondence, personal memoranda, and estate accounts. ^{4, 1}