What success he met with at first is not known, though the visits of the French fleet and the presence of its officers may have awakened some interest in their language.

However this may be, in December Gallatin wrote to his good friend, Mademoiselle Pictet, a frank account of his embarrassments.
Before it reached her, she had already, with her wonted forethought, anticipated his difficulties by providing for a payment of money to him wherever he might be, and had also secured for him the interest of Dr.
Samuel Cooper, whose grandson, young Johannot, was then at school in Geneva.

Dr.Cooper was one of the most distinguished of the patriots in Boston, and no better influence could have been invoked than his.

In July, 1782, by a formal vote of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, Mr.Gallatin was permitted to teach the French language.

About seventy of the students availed themselves of the privilege.