expedition, somewhat resembling the one proposed by congress. I flatter
myself I am too well known by you to have it suspected of me, that any
tie of kindred or friendship could make me forget the profound secrecy
which is due to affairs of state. I have added to nature some acquired
skill in this particular. My sole reason for mentioning the subject,
therefore, is to add, that the indiscretion of some of the members of
congress, and the number of officers returning from America, will always
spread rumours, which it will be impossible to suppress. Truth cannot
remain hidden but by being buried in a mass of false reports. Hence,
caution is necessary in order to preserve our secrets from all the
inconveniences to which they are subject in America, both from the form
of the government and from the character of some of those at the head of
affairs. I have the honour to be, with profound respect, &c.
Footnote:
1. During this period of three years, we do not find, as in the
preceding years, a great number of family letters and those of
friendship. We have inserted all those we have been able to discover.
In amends, more than two hundred political, diplomatic, or military
letters, are in our hands. We do not publish a third of them, although
there are few that would not be interesting to the historian of the
American revolution. We again repeat, that all the letters to Americans,
or from Americans, were written originally in English.
ROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.~[1]
(ORIGINAL.)
Camp, at Middlebrook, 8th March, 1779.
My Dear Marquis,--I am mortified exceedingly, that my letter from
Philadelphia, with the several enclosures, did not reach Boston before
your departure, from that port. It was written as soon as congress had
come to a decision upon the several matters, which became the subject of
the president's letter to you, and was committed for conveyance to the
messenger, who was charged with his despatches to that place.
Monsieur la Colombe did me the honour of delivering to me your favours,
and will probably be the bearer of my thanks for the affectionate manner
in which you have expressed your sentiments in your last adieu, than
which nothing can be more flattering and pleasing; nor is there anything
more wished for by me, than opportunities of giving substantial proofs
of the sincerity of my attachment and affection.
Nothing of importance has happened since you left us, except the enemy's
invasion at Georgia, and possession of its capital; which, though it
may add something to their supplies, on the score of provisions, will
contribute very little to the brilliancy of their arms, for, like the
defenceless island of St. Lucia, it only required the appearance of
force to effect the conquest of it, as the whole militia of the state
did not exceed twelve hundred men, and many of them disaffected. General
Lincoln is assembling a force to dispossess them, and my only fear is,
that he will precipitate the attempt before he is fully prepared for the
execution. In New York and at Rhode Island, the enemy continued quiet
till the 25th ultimo, when an attempt was made by them to surprise
the post at Elizabethtown; but failing therein, and finding themselves
closely pressed, and in danger from detachments advancing towards them
from this army, they retreated precipitately through a marsh, waist-deep
in mud, after abandoning all their plunder; but not before they had,
according to their wonted custom, set fire to two or three houses.
The regiment of Anspach, and some other troops, are brought from Rhode
Island to New York.
We are happy in the repeated assurances and proofs of the friendship
of our great and good ally, whom we hope and trust, ere this, may be
congratulated on the birth of a prince, and on the joy which the
nation must derive from an instance of royal felicity. We also flatter
ourselves, that before this period the kings of Spain and the two
Sicilies may be greeted as allies of the United States; and we are not a
little pleased to find, from good authority, that the solicitations and
offers of the Court of Great Britain to the Empress of Russia have been
rejected; nor are we to be displeased, that overtures from the city of
Amsterdam, for entering into a commercial connexion with us, have been
made in such open and pointed terms. Such favourable sentiments, in so
many powerful princes and states, cannot but be considered in a very
honourable, interesting, and pleasing point of view, by all those who
have struggled with difficulties and misfortunes to maintain the rights,
and secure the liberties, of their country. But, notwithstanding these
flattering appearances, the British King and his ministers continue to
threaten us with war and desolation. A few months, however, must decide
whether these or peace is to take place. For both we will prepare; and,
should the former be continued, I shall not despair of sharing fresh
toils and dangers with you in America; but if the latter succeeds, I can
entertain little hopes, that the rural amusements of an infant world, or
the contracted stage of an American theatre, can withdraw your attention
and services from the gaieties of a court, and the active part you will
more than probably be called upon to share in the administration of your
government. The soldier will then be transformed into the statesman,
and your employment in this new walk of life will afford you no time to
revisit this continent, or think of friends who lament your absence.
The American troops are again in huts; but in a more agreeable and
fertile country, than they were in last winter at Valley Forge; and they
are better clad and more healthy, than they have ever been since the
formation of the army. Mrs. Washington is now with me, and makes a
cordial tender of her regards to you; and if those of strangers can be
offered with propriety, and will be acceptable, we respectively wish to
have them conveyed to your amiable lady. We hope and trust, that your
passage has been short, agreeable, and safe, and that you are as happy
as the smiles of a gracious Prince, beloved wife, warm friends, and high
expectations, can make you. I have now complied with your request in
writing you a long letter, and I shall only add, that, with the purest
sentiments of attachment, and the warmest friendship and regard, I am,
my dear Marquis, your most affectionate and obliged, &c.
P. S. Harrison and Meade are in Virginia. All the other officers of my
staff unite most cordially in offering you their sincere compliments.
10th March, 1779.--I have this moment received the letters which were
in the hands of Major Nevill, accompanying yours of the 7th and 11th of
January. The Major himself has not yet arrived at head quarters, being,
as I am told, very sick. I must again thank you, my dear friend, for the
numerous sentiments of affection which breathe so conspicuously in your
last farewell, and to assure you that I shall always retain a warm and
grateful remembrance of it. Major Nevill shall have my consent to repair
to France, if his health permits it, and if the sanction of congress can
be obtained, to whom all applications of officers for leave to go out of
the United States are referred.
Footnote:
1. We believe this letter never reached M. de Lafayette.
TO M. DE VERGENNES.
Paris, April 1st, 1779.
Sir,--From what M. de Sartine said to me, I requested M. de Chaumont
yesterday to send for Captain Jones, and although the place of his
present residence be unknown, our messenger will do all that can be done
to bring him immediately to us. I gave him an urgent letter for Jones,
and as Dr. Franklin was not at home, I left one also for him, in which
I expressed our desire to see the captain, rather as if to consult him,
than as if we had formed any definite project. The time I passed with M.
de Chaumont enabled me to discover what I shall now have the honour of
relating to you.~[1]
The armament of the _Bonhomme Richard_ (the vessel of fifty guns)
goes on as slowly as possible. The refusal to supply what is wanted,
especially guns, from the king's magazines, will retard the expedition
for a whole month, because it will be the same for all the other ships.
The only way to obviate this delay, would be to charge one man with the
whole armament, and to send him to the ports with orders to get all that
was necessary.
I have discovered that Jones had a little plan for an enterprise formed
under the direction of M. Garnier, and in which M. de Chaumont has taken
part. The manner in which M. de Sartine brought him to us, was by making
M. de Chaumont a half confidant, (the most dangerous of all things,
because it gives information without binding to secrecy,) and I think
it would be now better to communicate the secret of the armament without
betraying that of the expedition, and desire him to employ all his
activity in completing it. The other person need not, in that case, take
any part in it, and according to the orders received from M. de Sartine,
it appeared to me, from what M. de Chaumont said, that the _Bonhomme
Richard_, and other vessels, if required, might be in readiness before
the expiration of three weeks.
I intend to have the honour of paying my respects to you after dinner on
Saturday. If you approve of my idea, M. de Chaumont, or any other person
you may prefer, might be summoned at the same time; for by the
ordinary method this business will never be achieved. I hope that,
in, consequence of my aversion to delays in military affairs, you will
pardon the importunity which my confidence in you has inspired, in
favour of a project of which you feel the importance.
I have the honour to be, with the most sincere respect and affection,
&c.
Permit me to confide to you, also, under the same secrecy, my fears that
orders have not yet been sent to all the ports.
Footnote:
1. In the previous recital a few words have been said relating to this
armament. Two frigates, bearing the American colours, were to have
been placed under the orders of Paul Jones, and M. de Lafayette was to
command the small army intended to descend unexpectedly upon the
western coast of England, and to ransack Bristol, Liverpool, and other
commercial towns, for the advantage of the American finances. But
this expedition was soon considered below the position in which M. de
Lafayette was placed, and was abandoned for the plan of a descent on
England, which was to be executed by the combined forces of France and
Spain. The slowness of the latter power occasioned, at a later period,
the failure of the project; and the only result it produced was Paul
Jones's expedition, and the conflict between the _Bonhomme Richard_
and the _Serapis_. See farther on the first letters to congress and to
Washington. In a collection of Franklin's private letters, there is also
found a letter relating to this affair, and the note written by M.
de Lafayette to Paul Jones when the expedition was abandoned. (_A
Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers_ of B.
Franklin, Boston, 1833. Washington's writings, Vol. vi., Appendix viii.)
TO M. DE VERGENNES.
Paris, April 26th, 1779.
Sir,--Allow me the honour of proposing to you a plan, the success
of which, uncertain as it now is, will depend perhaps upon your
approbation. As your means of attack or defence depend on our maritime
force, would it not be doing a service to the common cause to increase
for a time that of our allies? To purchase vessels would be too
expensive for a nation so destitute of money; it would answer all
purposes to hire them, and would enable, us to make such diversions, or
to undertake such operations, as might be deemed necessary.
Do you not think, sir, if the King of Sweden would lend to America four
ships of the line, with the half of their crews, and the United States
would engage to return them within a year upon certain conditions, that
the step would be advantageous for us? The vessels might come to us
under the Swedish flag. France need not be implicated at all. We could
supply them in part, provide them with officers in blue, and send them
out under the American flag. It would only be necessary to know, whether
France would engage to be responsible for the sum requisite for the
hire, and would help to complete the equipment. Even if the first part
should meet with obstacles, the government might pledge itself only in
case it should exceed my fortune.
I have not as yet spoken to Dr. Franklin about the scheme, but I have
sounded the Swedish ambassador on the subject, much to my satisfaction;
he asked me for a letter, directed to him, which might be sent to
his king; and since I saw that this important project might result in
something advantageous, I was constrained to confide it to you, and ask
your opinion. The Swedish ambassador states that the vessels may be here
in two months and a half; consequently, including the rest of the fleet,
the whole might be at sea in the month of August; and arrive at Rhode
Island, Bermuda, or somewhere else in America, in the month of October,
which would be a good season.
It will be necessary for Dr. Franklin to send a trustworthy man, or,
what would be better, for you to send one, upon whom he might depend.
The proposed engagement requires some promise, and especially some
hopes, of commerce, that would diminish the expense which must be
incurred. Inform me, sir, I pray you, whether this little romantic
scheme offers any difficulties, and whether I am to prosecute or resign
my proposition.
I am, &c.
If, whilst we are arranging the negotiation with Sweden, the
contributions of England should yield us anything, I might then recal to
your attention a favourite project of mine.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
(ORIGINAL.)
St. Jean d'Angely, near Rochfort, June 12, 1779.
Sir,--How happy I shall think myself whenever a safe opportunity of
writing to congress is offered, I cannot in any way better express than
in reminding them of that unbounded affection and gratitude which I
shall ever feel for them. So deeply are those sentiments engraven on
my heart, that I every day lament the distance which separates me from
them, and that nothing was ever so warmly and passionately wished for,
as to return again to that country of which I shall ever consider myself
as a citizen; there is no pleasure to be enjoyed which could equal this,
of finding myself among that free and liberal nation, by whose affection
and confidence I am so highly honoured; to fight again with those
brother soldiers of mine to whom I am so much indebted. But congress
knows that former plans have been altered by themselves, that others
have been thought impossible, as they were asked too late in the
year.~[1]
I will therefore make use of the leave of absence they were pleased to
grant me, and serve the common cause among my countrymen, their allies,
until happy circumstances may conduct me to the American shores, in such
a way as would make that return more useful to the United States. The
affairs of America I shall ever look upon as any first business whilst I
am in Europe. Any confidence from the king and ministers, any popularity
I may have among my own countrymen, any means in my power, shall be, to
the best of my skill, and till the end of my life, exerted in behalf of
an interest I have so much at heart. What I have hitherto done or said
relating to America, I think needless to mention, as my ardent zeal for
her is, I hope, well known to congress; but I wish to let them know
that if, in my proposals, and in my repeated urgent representation for
getting ships, money, and support of any kind, I have not always found
the ministry so much in earnest as I was myself, they only opposed to me
_natural fears_ of inconveniences which might arise to both countries,
or the conviction that such a thing was impossible for the present;
but I never could question their good will towards America. If congress
believe that my influence may serve them, in any way, I beg they will
direct such orders to me, that I may the more certainly and properly
employ the knowledge I have of this court and country for obtaining a
success in which my heart is so much interested.
His excellency, Doctor Franklin, will, no doubt, inform you, sir, of
the situation of Europe, and the respective state of our affairs. The
Chevalier de la Luzerne will also add thereto the intelligence which
will be intrusted to him at the time of his departure. By the doctor
you will learn what has been said or thought on account of finances.
Germany, Prussia, Turkey, and Russia, have made such a peace as the
French have desired. All the northern kingdoms, the Dutch themselves,
seem rather disgusted with English pride and vexations; they put
themselves in a situation to protect their trade of every kind with
France. Irish intelligence you will be fully and particularly acquainted
of. What concerns Spain will also be laid before you; so that I have
nothing to add but to tell you that our affairs seem going very fast
towards a speedy and honourable end. England is now making her last
effort, and I hope that a great stroke will, before long, abate their
fantastic, swollen appearance, and shew the narrow bounds of their
actual power.
Since we have taken Senegal I don't know of any military event which
I can mention. There has been a privateering expedition against Jersey
Island, which has been stopped by the difficulty of getting ashore. That
little attempt, made by some few private volunteers, England honoured
with the name of a public French expedition, and very unwisely employed
there Admiral Arbuthnot, which will interpose a great delay to his
reported departure. Congress will hear of an expedition against our
friends of Liverpool and other parts of the English coast; to show
there French troops under American colours, which on account of raising
contributions, my concern for American finances had at length brought
into my head. But the plan was afterwards reduced to so small a scale
that they thought the command would not suit me, and the expedition
itself has been delayed until more important operations take place.
There I hope to be employed, and if anything important should be the
matter, I shall, as a faithful American officer, give an accurate
account thereof to congress and General Washington.
The so flattering affection which congress and the American nation are
pleased to honour me with, makes me very desirous of letting them know,
if I dare speak so friendly, how I enjoyed my private situation. Happy,
in the sight of my friends and family, after I was, by your attentive
goodness, safely brought again to my native shore, I met there with such
an honourable reception, with such kind sentiments, as by far exceeded
any wishes I durst have conceived; I am indebted for that inexpressible
satisfaction which the good will of my countrymen towards me affords to
my heart, to their ardent love for America, to the cause of freedom and
its defenders, their new allies, and to the idea they entertain that
I have had the happiness to serve the United States. To these motives,
sir, and to the letter congress was pleased to write on my account, I
owe the many favours the king has conferred upon me; there was no time
lost in appointing me to the command of his own regiment of dragoons,
and every thing he could have done, every thing I could have wished, I
have received on account of your kind recommendations.
I have been some days in this small town, near Rochefort harbour, where
I have joined the king's regiment, and where other troops are stationed
which I for the moment command; but I hope to leave this place before
long, in order to play a more active part and come nearer the common
enemy. Before my departure from Paris I sent to the minister of foreign
affairs, (who, by the bye; is one of our best friends,) intelligence
concerning a loan in Holland, which I want France to make or answer for
in behalf of America; but I have not yet heard any thing on that head.
M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne will give you more explicit and fresher
news, as he is particularly ordered to do so, and he sets out directly
from Versailles. That new minister plenipotentiary I beg leave to
recommend most earnestly to congress, not only as a public man, but also
as a private gentleman. From the acquaintance I have made with him, I
conceive he is a sensible, modest, well-meaning man; a man truly worthy
of enjoying the spectacle of American freedom. I hope that by his good
qualities and his talents, he will obtain both public confidence and
private friendship.
Wherever the interests of beloved friends are seriously concerned,
candid and warm affection knows not how to calculate, and throws away
all considerations. I will frankly tell you, sir, that nothing can more
effectually hurt our interests, consequence, and reputation, in Europe,
than to hear of disputes or divisions between the whigs. Nothing could
urge my touching upon this delicate matter but the unhappy experience of
every day on that head, since I can hear, myself, what is said on this
side of the Atlantic, and the arguments I have to combat with.
Let me, sir, finish this long letter, by begging you will present once
more to the congress of the United States, the tribute of an unbounded
zeal and affection, of the highest respect and most sincere gratitude,
with which I shall be animated, till the last moment of my life.
With the most, &c.
Footnote:
1. This relates to the project of an expedition to Canada, and other
plans of the same kind.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
St. Jean d'Angély, near Rochefort harbour, June 12,1779.
My Dear General,--Here is at length a safe opportunity of writing to
you, and I may tell you what sincere concern I feel at our separation.
There never was a friend, my dear general, so much, so tenderly beloved,
as I love and respect you: happy in our union, in the pleasure of living
near to you, in the pleasing satisfaction of partaking every sentiment
of your heart, every event of your life, I have taken such a habit of
being inseparable from you, that I cannot now accustom myself to your
absence, and I am more and more afflicted at that enormous distance
which keeps me so far from my dearest friend. I am the more concerned
at this particular time, my dear general, as I think the campaign is
opened, you are in the field, and I ardently wish I might be near you;
and, if possible, contribute to your success and glory. Forgive me
for what I am going to say, but I cannot help reminding you that a
commander-in-chief should never expose himself too much; that in case
General Washington was killed, nay, even seriously wounded, there is no
officer in the army who could fill his place, every battle would most
certainly be lost, and the American army, the American cause itself,
would, perhaps, be entirely ruined.
Inclosed I send your excellency a copy of my letter to congress, in
which you will find such intelligence as I was able to give them. The
Chevalier de la Luzerne intends going to congress by passing through
head quarters. I promised I would introduce him to your excellency,
and I have requested him to let you know of any news he may have been
entrusted with. Such a conversation will better acquaint you than the
longest letter. The ministry told me they would let him know the true
state of affairs before his departure. By what you will hear, my dear
general, you will see that our affairs take a good turn, and I hope
England will receive a good stroke before the end of the campaign.
Besides the good dispositions of Spain, Ireland is a good deal tired
of English tyranny. I, _in confidence_, tell you that the scheme of my
heart would be to make her as free and independent as America. I have
formed some private relations there. God grant that we may succeed,
and the era of freedom at length arrive for the happiness of mankind.
I shall know more about Ireland in a few weeks, and then I will
immediately communicate with your excellency. As to congress, my dear
general, it is too numerous a body for one safely to unbosom oneself, as
with one's best friend.
In referring you to M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne, for what concerns
the public news of this time, the present situation of affairs, and the
designs of our ministry, I will only speak to your excellency about that
great article, money. It gave me much trouble, and I insisted upon it so
much, that the director of finances looks upon me as a devil. France has
met great expenses lately; those Spaniards will not give their dollars
easily. However, Dr. Franklin has got some money to pay the bills of
congress, and I hope I shall determine them to greater sacrifices.
Serving America, my dear general, is to my heart an inexpressible
happiness.