Dumont to John Badollet, February 20, 1784

Description:	Dumont begins this letter by stating his concerns: after spending four years away from home in a strange land (Guiana), largely solitary, Badollet is unhappy. Dumont encourages him to be strong and to try to send his imagination in a more positive direction. The conversation transitions to one about the recent revolts, in which Dumont mainly tries to convince Badollet that the revolution was necessary not only in a political sense, but also a spiritual one, and that God is not what Badollet imagines Him to be. Dumont goes on to counsel Badollet not to be jealous of those who have more money than he does, but to live as full a life as he can, because a person’s capacity for happiness is not increased by the amount of money they have. In the political sphere, Genevans who sought refuge in Ireland during the revolution are struggling to return home. Lastly, Dumont asks Badollet if he can move he and his students’ trip to Geneva up so they can see one another for a few days before Dumont leaves for England or some other asylum at the end of the summer.
Origin:	1784-02-20
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16066coll35/id/125
Collection:	Vincennes University Archives
Copyright:	Digital image © 2015 Vincennes University. All rights reserved.
Geography:	United States -- Indiana -- Knox County -- Vincennes -- February 20, 1784
Subjects:	Badollet, John, 1757-1837 -- Correspondence Badollet, John, 1757-1837 -- Mental health Switzerland -- History -- 1648-1789

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