every Whig; while the poor Tory droops like a withering flower under a
declining sun. We are anxiously expecting to hear of great and important
events on your side of the Atlantic; at present, the imagination is left
in the wide field of conjecture, our eyes one moment are turned to an
invasion of England, then of Ireland, Minorea, Gibraltar; in a word,
we hope everything, but know not what to expect, or where to fix. The
glorious success of Count d'Estaing in the West Indies, at the same
time that it adds dominion to France, and fresh lustre to her arms, is
a source of new and unexpected misfortune to our _tender and generous
parent_, and must serve to convince her of the folly of quitting the
substance in pursuit of a shadow; and, as there is no experience equal
to that which is bought, I trust she will have a superabundance of this
kind of knowledge, and be convinced, as I hope all the world and every
tyrant in it will be, that the best and only safe road to honour, glory,
and true dignity, is _justice_.
We have such repeated advice of Count d'Estaing's being in these seas,
that, though I have no official information of the event, I cannot help
giving entire credit to the report, and looking for his arrival every
moment, and I am preparing accordingly; the enemy at New York also
expect it; and, to guard against the consequences, as much as it is
in their power to do, are repairing and strengthening all the old
fortifications, and adding new ones in the vicinity of the city. Their
fears, however, do not retard an embarkation which was making, and
generally believed to be for the West Indies or Charlsetown: it still
goes forward; and, by my intelligence, it will consist of a pretty
large detachment. About fourteen days ago, one British regiment (the
forty-fourth completed) and three Hessian regiments were embarked, and
are gone, as is supposed, to Halifax. The operations of the enemy this
campaign have been confined to the establishment of works of defence,
taking a post at King's Ferry, and burning the defenceless towns of
New Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk, on the Sound, within reach of their
shipping, where little else was, or could be, opposed to them, than the
cries of distressed women and helpless children; but these were offered
in vain. Since these notable exploits, they have never stepped out of
their works or beyond their lines. How a conduct of this kind is to
effect the conquest of America, the wisdom of a North, a Germain, or
a Sandwich can best decide, it is too deep and refined for the
comprehension of common understandings and the general run of
politicians.
Mrs. Washington, who set out for Virginia when we took the field in
June, has often, in her letters to me, inquired if I had heard from you,
and will be much pleased at hearing that you are well and happy. In her
name, as she is not here, I thank you for your polite attention to
her, and shall speak her sense of the honour conferred on her by the
Marchioness. When I look back to the length of this letter, I have not
the courage to give it a careful reading for the purpose of correction:
you must, therefore, receive it with all its imperfections, accompanied
with this assurance, that, though there may be many inaccuracies in
the letter, there is not a single defect in the friendship of, my dear
Marquis, yours, &c.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~[1]
(ORIGINAL.)
Havre, 7th October, 1779.
My dear general--From those happy ties of friendship by which you were
pleased to unite yourself with me, from the promises you so tenderly
made me when we parted at Fishkill, gave me such expectations of hearing
often from you, that complaints ought to be permitted to my affectionate
heart. Not a line from you, my dear, general, has yet arrived into my
hands, and though several ships from America, several despatches from
congress or the French minister, are safely brought to France, my ardent
hopes of getting at length a letter from General Washington have ever
been unhappily disappointed: I cannot in any way account for that bad
luck, and when I remember that in those little separations where I
was but some days from you, the most friendly letters, the most minute
account of your circumstances, were kindly written to me, I am convinced
you have not neglected and almost forgotten me for so long a time. I
have, therefore, to complain of fortune, of some mistake or neglect in
acquainting you that there was an opportunity, of anything; indeed,
but what could injure the sense I have of your affection for me. Let me
beseech you, my dear general, by that mutual, tender, and experienced
friendship in which, I have put an immense portion of my happiness, to
be very exact in inquiring for occasions, and never to miss those which
may convey to me letters that I shall be so much pleased to receive.
Inclosed I send to your excellency the copy of my letters to congress,
which, in concert with Mr. Franklin's longer despatches, will give you
a sketch of European intelligence. Contrary winds have much delayed an
expedition which I think should have been undertaken much sooner: the
kings of France and Spain seem desirous of carrying it on before the
winter; it may be, however, deferred till next spring, and the siege of
Gibraltar would be the only land expedition for the present campaign. In
a few weeks time, when West India successes may be compared to those
in Europe, my gazettes and predictions will have a greater degree of
certainty, but one must not be a conjuror to see that England is in such
a way that one may defy her to get up again, and that a happy peace,
blessed with American independence, will, in this or the ensuing
campaign, be the certain effect of the present war.
As my private circumstances are somewhat interesting to your friendship,
I will tell you, my dear general, that since my last letter I have
hardly quitted this place, where head-quarters had been fixed. I was to
disembark with the grenadiers forming the vanguard, and am, therefore,
one of the first who will land on the English shore. The king's own
regiment of dragoons, which he gave me on my return, was to embark at
Brest, and join us a few days after the landing. From Count d'Estaing's
expedition on the American coasts, the nation raises great expectations,
and very impatiently waits for intelligence. How unhappy I am to find
myself so far from you on such an occasion you will easily conceive. The
impression of sorrow such a thought gives me cannot be alleviated but by
the sense I have that the general opinion of the turn warlike operations
will take this campaign, the ties of my duty towards my own country,
where my services had been employed for the expedition against England,
and the hope I entertained of being here more useful to the United
States, had not left me the choice of the part I should take for this
campaign. I hope, my dear sir, you will agree in opinion with me.
Whatever may be Count d'Estaing's success in America, it will bring on
new projects and operations. My ideas I laid before your excellency at
Fishkill; but permit me to tell you again how earnestly I wish to join
you. Nothing could make me so delighted as the happiness of finishing
the war under your orders. That, I think, if asked by you, will be
granted to congress and your excellency. But be certain, my dear
general, that in any situation, in any case, let me act as a French or
as an American officer, my first wish, my first pleasure, will be to
serve again with you. However happy I am in France, however well treated
by my country and king, I have taken such a habit of being with you, I
am tied to you, to America, to my fellow soldiers by such an affection,
that the moment when I shall sail for your country will be one of the
most wished for and the happiest in my life.
From an American newspaper I find that a certain English intelligence
had been propagated through the United States, that, at the head of
fifteen hundred officers or non-commissioned officers, I was going to
embark for America, and that, with soldiers of your army embodied under
them, I wanted to teach military discipline throughout the _American
army_. However remote I am from thinking of teaching my own masters, and
however distant from such views was that command in France, whose end
you very well know, I could not help taking it as a reflection on the
_American army_. The English troops may remember that on some particular
occasions I have not had to lament the want of discipline and spirit
in the troops which I had the honour to command. Whilst we have but
the same British army to fight with, we need not be looking out for any
other improvement than the same qualities which have often enabled my
fellow American soldiers to give, instead of receiving, pretty good
lessons to an enemy, whose justly-reputed courage added a new reputation
to American bravery and military conduct.
The above article, my dear general, I beg you will have _printed in the
several newspapers_.
As there is but a little time to write before the sailing of the vessel,
I cannot call to mind all the friends I have in the army, unless your
excellency is pleased to make them a thousand compliments from one
who heartily loves them, and whose first wish is to be again in their
company.
I congratulate you, my dear general, on the spirited expedition of Stony
Point,~[2] and am glad it has added, a new lustre to our arms.
Be so kind, my dear friend, as to present my best respects to your lady.
Mine begs leave to be kindly remembered to you and to her. Thousand
assurances of friendship wait from me on your family.
Oh! my dear general, how happy I should be to embrace you again!
With such affection as is above all expressions any language may
furnish, I have the honour to be, very respectfully, &c.
Footnotes:
1. To this letter was joined a long letter to the president of congress,
which contained nearly the same things, expressed in a different manner.
2. A brilliant exploit of General Wayne, who, on the 15th of July,
took by assault the fort of Stony Point, and forced five hundred and
fifty-four English to capitulate.
TO M. DE VERGENNES.
Versailles, February 2d, 1780.
You approved, sir, of my putting down in writing, before conversing with
you upon the subject of the expedition, some of the measures necessary
to be taken in either of the following cases: first, if I should command
the French detachment; and secondly, if I should resume an American
division.~[1]
I must begin by observing that this commission is not only a military
and political, but also a social affair: and from the circumstances
under which I am now placed, I assure you, on my honour, that I believe
the first measure would be most favourable to the public service, and
the interest of France as regards her allies.
As I must immediately begin my preparations, I should wish to be
informed of the decision in sufficient time to select some officers of
proper age, experience, and talents, with whom I can become acquainted
before I take charge of the corps; and on this account it is necessary
to arrange matters immediately with the Prince de Montbarrey. Two old
experienced lieutenant-colonels should command the infantry under me:
in distant expeditions, it is necessary that officers should suit each
other, and I am particularly fond of old officers.
In regard to myself, sir, I ask for nothing,--and as during the course
of a war I may hope to acquire rank, you might either give me one of
those commissions of M. de Sartine, which are only of use in America,
or one that would not prevent my seniors from resuming afterwards their
rank, or else letters of service, to enable me simply to command in the
capacity of an American general officer.
There are three methods of concealing the real aim of the expedition:
1st, to set out together for Lorient, under pretence of taking an
island, and operating in Carolina in the autumn;--2nd, to pretend to
send troops to M. de Bouillé; there need be no commander, and I
should have the title of _maréchal-des-logis;_--3d, for me to set out
immediately with the grenadiers and dragoons for America, and that the
four battalions, commanded by the two ancient officers, should join me
at Rhode Island.
If I should have the command, you may act with perfect security, because
the Americans know me too well to feel the slightest anxiety. I will
bind myself, if it be desired, to ask for neither rank nor titles, and,
to put the ministry quite at their ease, I will even promise to refuse
them should they be offered me.
In the second case, sir, it would be necessary to prevent, beforehand,
in America, the bad effects that the arrival of another commander would
excite: that I am not to lead that detachment is the last idea that
could ever occur in that country; I will say, therefore, that for myself
I prefer having an American division.
I must be in the secret to prepare the various measures, and inform
General Washington of the transaction. A secret with which I was not
acquainted would appear very suspicious at Philadelphia.
Three merchant frigates and a transport ship would be procured at
Lorient. We have, it is said, an American crew; the fifteen thousand
suits of clothes, and fifteen thousand guns, &c. might be embarked; at
the end of the month it would be necessary to set out for the continent.
On arriving at a port, I should endeavour to commence my operations with
General Washington; I should take a division in the army, and, with M.
de la Luzerne's aid, prepare everything for the arrival of the French.
To increase the number of my division,--to serve as an example to
them,--to change the ideas entertained respecting us,--and to shew
in what perfect good intelligence French and Americans may live
together,--I should request to take with me, at once, a battalion of six
hundred grenadiers, three hundred dragoons, and one hundred hussars.
Two or three officers, whom I should bring back with me, must obtain the
same rank in France which they had in America, and I should say that I
have refused that rank myself from motives which are purely social. This
attention is necessary to flatter the self-love of the Americans. We may
stop at Bermuda on our way, and establish there the party for liberty.
I shall set out on Wednesday for Nantes, where the clothes are making;
I shall also attend to the selection of the arms; I shall see the king's
regiment at Angers, to form a detachment from it; I shall repair to
Lorient to hasten the arrangement of the frigates, and to see the
battalion of grenadiers; I shall only be here the 20th, and as my
departure must be public, I shall take leave the 25th, in an American
uniform, and if the wind be favourable, I shall sail the 1st of March.
As it is physically impossible that a detachment commanded by a
foreigner should amalgamate together well, I believe it would be
necessary to increase it by a battalion, which would raise the number to
about three thousand six hundred, and the grenadiers would remain more
particularly attached to me during the campaign.
If that little corps be given to an old field-marshal, we should
certainly displease all the American chiefs. Gates, Sullivan, and
Saint Clair, would not like to be under the orders of others, and their
opinion in the council would be opposed to combined expeditions. I
think it necessary, very necessary, to select a brigadier, and name him
field-marshal, which he would look upon as a promotion. The corps must
consider itself as a division of our army; its commander must abjure all
pretensions, think himself an American major-general, and execute, in
all respects, the orders of General Washington. The naval commander may
have more power placed in his hands.
Conclusion. 1st, I think it would be best to give me the corps.--2d,
If it be not given to me, I must instantly set out with the powers I
demand. In either case, it is, unfortunately, necessary to reveal to me
the secret, and set me immediately to work.
I shall have the honour, sir, of paying my respects to you during the
procession.
Footnote:
1. This letter contains the basis of the plan which was finally adopted.
We have been obliged to retrench several letters which relate to
projects analogous to those presented at various periods by M. de
Lafayette. It was at length determined to send an auxiliary corps even
stronger than he had hoped to obtain. As to himself, he was to precede
it to America, whither he repaired with political instructions from
the French cabinet, and to resume a command in the army of the United
States. His instructions are dated the 5th of March; his departure took
place the 19th.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.~[1]
(ORIGINAL.)
At the entrance of Boston harbour, April 27, 1780.
Here I am, my dear general, and, in the midst of the joy I feel in
finding myself again one of your loving soldiers, I take but the time to
tell you that I came from France on board a frigate which the king
gave me for my passage. I have affairs of the utmost importance which
I should at first communicate to you alone. In case my letter finds you
anywhere this side of Philadelphia, I beg you will wait for me, and do
assure you a great public good may be derived from it.
To-morrow we go up to the town, and the day after I shall set off in my
usual way to joined my beloved and respected friend and general.
Adieu, my dear general; you will easily know the hand of your young
soldier.
My compliments to the family.
Footnote:
1. The second of the measures discussed in the preceding letter was the
one preferred, and M. de Lafayette embarked alone at the island of Aix.
TO M. DE VERGENNES.
Waterburg, on the Boston road,
From the Camp, May 6th, 1780.
I have already had the honour of writing to you, sir, and of announcing
to you the news of my arrival; but I place so much confidence in the
kindness you express for me, that I do not hesitate to repeat the
contents of my former letter. It was the 28th of April, after a voyage
of thirty-eight days, and after having experienced both calms and
contrary winds, that the _Hermione_ entered the Boston harbour. I
cannot sufficiently express my admiration of the frigate herself, and my
gratitude to her commanding officers.
I can neither give you any certain information, sir, nor promise you any
degree of accuracy respecting numbers and dates. General Washington can
alone inform me of the truth; but this does appear to me certain;--
Our army is not numerous; the eastern states are occupied in recruiting
it. Paper has been regulated by congress at forty for one: these are
very high taxes, and they hope to be able to raise the finances a
little, which are in a very low state; but, at present, I cannot give
you any settled ideas upon this point.
The scarcity of horses, their price, and the want of provisions, have
very much increased during my absence; but I assure you, sir, that, in a
moral point of view, I continue to see a most favourable prospect for my
American friends.
General Clinton has besieged Charlestown, and as he has eight or ten
thousand men, and the report is spread that his vessels have crossed
the bar, it is impossible not to fear for that place, unless Spanish or
French vessels should come from the islands to its succour. Some troops
from the army of General Washington have proceeded thither.
New York has only six or seven thousand garrisoned men; such is, at
least, the public report, and I do not believe that the hostile forces
are much more numerous at present. They say, at Boston, that there are
only four thousand men; but I repeat, sir, that my gazettes cannot be at
all accurate at present.
The English have but few vessels at Charlestown; at most they have only,
I think, one or two at New York. It is said here, and every one seems
to believe it, that if some French forces were to arrive at this moment,
they might strike some decisive blows.
Be pleased, sir, to accept the assurance of the warm and respectful
affection with which I have the honour to be, &c.
P.S. Some American officers, just come from New York, assure me that
a frigate has, arrived with important despatches from the English
government. Don Juan de Miralles, who has been long established at
Philadelphia, and who knows M. d'Aranda, died at Morristown; he was
buried with much honour.
FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Morristown, May, 1783.
My dear Marquis,--Your welcome favour of the 27th of April came to
my hands yesterday. I received it with all the joy that the sincerest
friendship would dictate, and with that impatience which an ardent
desire to see you could not fail to inspire. I am sorry I do not know
your route through the State of New York, that I might with certainty
send a small party of horse, all I have at this place, to meet and
escort you safely through the Tory settlements, between this place and
the North River. At all events, Major Gibbs will go as far as Compton,
where the roads unite, to meet you and will proceed from thence, as
circumstances may direct, either towards King's Ferry or New Windsor.
I most sincerely congratulate you on your safe arrival in America, and
shall embrace you with all the warmth of an affectionate friend, when
you come to head-quarters, where a bed is prepared for you. Adieu till
we meet. Yours, &c.~[1]
Footnote:
1. General Washington expressed, in several letters, the pleasure he
felt at M. de Lafayette's return. (See his letters of the 13th and 14th
of May.) The 16th of May, the congress declared, by a public resolution,
that "they consider his return as a fresh proof of the disinterested
zeal and persevering attachment which have justly recommended him to the
public confidence and applause, and that they receive with pleasure
a tender of the further services of so gallant and meritorious an
officer."--(Journal of Congress, May 20th.)
It was afterwards resolved that the commander-in-chief, after having
received the communications M. de Lafayette had to make to him, was to
take the proper measures which were most likely to forward the success
of the plan they had in view. The communications related to the expected
arrival of a French squadron and land forces. The plan in contemplation
was to make some attacks, especially on New York.
TO THE COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU.
Philadelphia, 19th May, 1780.
Sir,--This letter will be handed to you by M. de Galvan, a French
officer in the service of the United States, and you may receive with
confidence the various accounts which he will have the honour to give
you. I have appointed him to await your arrival at Cape Henry, and you
will see that my instructions to this officer are in conformity with
those which I have received from the Count de Vergennes.~[1]
I reached Boston on the 26th of April. On the morning of the 10th of
May, I was at head-quarters, and after passing four days with General
Washington, I went to meet the Chevalier de la Luzerne. The military
preparations and the political measures which it was necessary for us
to attend to, have delayed M. de Galvan up to the present moment. I now
hasten to despatch him to his destination, and shall keep him informed
of whatever news may be interesting to you, continuing to add the ideas
of the general, with regard to the best means of improving present
circumstances.
Immediately upon my arrival, confidential persons were sent out to
procure plans and details upon the different points which become
interesting for the operations of this campaign. As to other matters,
the Chevalier de la Luzerne has had the goodness to enable me, as far as
possible, to fulfil my instructions, and he has taken the first measures
requisite to procure a supply of food and other necessaries for the
land and naval forces. Although the scarcity of all things is infinitely
greater than when I left America, the precautions taken before-hand by
the Chevalier de la Luzerne, and the measures we are now taking here,
render it certain that the French will not be in want, either of flour
or of fresh meat.