Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette by Lafayette

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You will find, perhaps, this letter very useless, and even inopportune;
but I was desirous of having a pretty, long conversation with you upon
the present circumstances, to explain you what I think of this matter.
As a proper opportunity for it did not occur, I took the liberty of
laying down some of my ideas in this letter, because it is for my
satisfaction to be convinced that you, my dear general, who have been
indulgent enough to permit me to look on you as upon a friend, should
know the confession of my sentiments in a matter which I consider as a
very important one. I have the warmest love for my country and for
every good Frenchman; their success fills my heart with joy; but, sir,
besides, Conway is an Irishman, I want countrymen, who deserve, in
every point, to do honour to their country. That gentleman had engaged
me by entertaining my head with ideas of glory and shining projects,
and I must confess, to my shame, that it is a too certain way of
deceiving me.

I wished to join to the few theories about war I can have, and the few
dispositions nature gave, perhaps, to me, the experience of thirty
campaigns, in hope that I should be able to be the more useful in the
present circumstances. My desire of deserving your satisfaction is
stronger than ever, and everywhere you will employ me you can be
certain of my trying every exertion in my power to succeed. I am now
fixed to your fate, and I shall follow it and sustain it as well by my
sword as by all means in my power. You will pardon my importunity in
favour of the sentiment which dictated it. Youth and friendship make
me, perhaps, too warm, but I feel the greatest concern at all that has
happened for some time since.

With the most tender and profound respect, I have the honour to be, &c.

Footnote:

1. This letter was occasioned by the momentary success of an intrigue,
known in American history under the name of Conway's cabal. Conway, who
wished to oppose Gates to Washington, had written to the former a
letter, in which he attacked the general-in-chief. An aide-de-camp of
Lord Stirling gained knowledge of that letter, and communicated its
contents to Washington, who entered immediately into an explanation
with Conway, in consequence of which the latter sent in his
resignation, and announced the intention of re-entering the service
of France. The resignation was not accepted by congress, and Conway
was, on the contrary, named inspector-general of the army, with the
rank of major-general, and the formation of the war office in relation
to the mercenary troops. We see, by a letter from General Washington,
that M. de Lafayette was the only person to whom he shewed General
Conway's letter, transmitted by Lord Stirling's aide-de-camp.--(Letter
to Horatio Gates, of the 4th of January, 1778, written from Washington.
V. 1st, Appendix No. 6.)

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL)

Head-quarters, December 31st, 1777.

MY DEAR MARQUIS,--Your favour of yesterday conveyed to me fresh proof
of that friendship and attachment, which I have happily experienced
since the first of our acquaintance, and for which I entertain
sentiments of the purest affection. It will ever constitute part of my
happiness to know that I stand well in your opinion; because I am
satisfied that you can have no views to answer by throwing out false
colours, and that you possess a mind too exalted to condescend to low
arts and intrigues to acquire a reputation. Happy, thrice happy, would
it have been for this army and the cause we are embarked in, if the
same generous spirit had pervaded all the actors in it. But one
gentleman, whose name you have mentioned, had, I am confident, far
different views; his ambition and great desire of being puffed off, as
one of the first officers of the age, could only be equalled by the
means which he used to obtain them. But finding that I was determined
not to go beyond the line of my duty to indulge him in the first--nor
to exceed the strictest rules of propriety to gratify him in the
second--he became my inveterate enemy; and he has, I am persuaded,
practised every art to do me an injury, even at the expense of
reprobating a measure that did not succeed, that he himself advised to.
How far he may have accomplished his ends, I know not; and except for
considerations of a public nature, I care not; for, it is well known,
that neither ambitious nor lucrative motives, led me to accept my
present appointments, in the discharge of which, I have endeavoured to
observe one steady and uniform system of conduct, which I shall
invariably pursue, while I have the honour to command, regardless of
the tongue of slander, or the powers of detraction. The fatal tendency
of disunion is so obvious, that I have, in earnest terms, exhorted such
officers as have expressed their dissatisfaction at General Conway's
promotion, to be cool and dispassionate in their decision about the
matter; and I have hopes that they will not suffer any hasty
determination to injure the service. At the same time, it must be
acknowledged, that officers' feelings upon these occasions are not to
be restrained, although you may control their actions.

The other observations contained in your letter have too much truth in
them; and, it is much to be lamented, that things are not now as they
formerly were. But we must not, in so great a contest, expect to meet
with nothing but sunshine. I have no doubt that everything happens for
the best, that we shall triumph over all our misfortunes, and, in the
end, be happy; when, my dear marquis, if you will give me your company
in Virginia, we will laugh at our past difficulties and the folly of
others; and I will endeavour, by every civility in my power, to shew
you how much, and how sincerely, I am your affectionate and obedient
servant.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Valley Forge, December 31st, 1777.

My Dear General,--I should have much reproached myself the liberty I
took of writing to your excellency, if I had believed it could engage
you in the trouble of answering that letter. But now, as you have
written it, I must tell you that I received this favour with the
greatest satisfaction and pleasure. Every assurance and proof of your
affection fills my heart with joy, because that sentiment of yours is
extremely dear and precious to me. A tender and respectful attachment
for you, and an invariable frankness, will be found in my mind as you
know me better; but, after those merits, I must tell you, that very few
others are to be found. I never wished so heartily to be entrusted by
nature with an immensity of talents than on this occasion; I could be
then of some use to your glory and happiness, as well as to my own.

What man do not join the pure ambition of glory with this other
ambitious of advancement, rank, and fortune? As an ardent lover of
laurels, I cannot bear the idea that so noble a sentiment should be
mixed with any low one. In your preaching moderation to the brigadiers
upon such an occasion, I am not surprised to recognise your virtuous
character. As I hope my warm interest is known to your excellency, I
dare entertain the idea that you will be so indulgent as to let me know
everything concerning you, whenever you will not be under the law of
secrecy or particular circumstances.

With the most tender and affectionate friendship--with the most
profound respect--I have the honour to be, &c.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Camp, near Valley-Forge, January 6th, 1778.

What a date, my dearest love, and from what a region I am now writing,
in the month of January! It is in a camp, in the centre of woods,
fifteen hundred leagues from you, that I find myself enclosed in the
midst of winter. It is not very long since we were only separated from
the enemy by a small river; we are at present stationed seven leagues
from them, and it is on this spot that the American army will pass the
whole winter, in small barracks, which are scarcely more cheerful than
dungeons. I know not whether it will be agreeable to General Howe to
visit our new city, in which case we would endeavour to receive him
with all due honour. The bearer of this letter will describe to you the
pleasant residence which I choose in preference to the happiness of
being with you, with all my friends, in the midst of all possible
enjoyments; in truth, my love, do you not believe that powerful reasons
are requisite to induce a person to make such a sacrifice? Everything
combined to urge me to depart,--honour alone told me to remain; and
when you learn in detail the circumstances in which I am placed, those
in which the army, my friend, its commander, and the whole American
cause were placed, you will not only forgive me, but you will excuse,
and I may almost venture to say, applaud me. What a pleasure I shall
feel in explaining to you myself all the reasons of my conduct, and, in
asking, whilst embracing you, a pardon, which I am very certain I shall
then obtain! But do not condemn me before hearing my defence. In
addition to the reasons I have given you, there is one other reason
which I would not relate to every one, because it might appear like
affecting airs of ridiculous importance. My presence is more necessary
at this moment to the American cause, than you can possibly conceive;
many foreigners, who have been refused employment, or whose ambitious
views have been frustrated, have raised up some powerful cabals; they
have endeavoured, by every sort of artifice, to make me discontented
with this revolution, and with him who is its chief; they have spread
as widely as they could, the report that I was quitting the continent.
The English have proclaimed also, loudly, the same intention on my
side. I cannot in conscience appear to justify the malice of these
people. If I were to depart, many Frenchmen who are useful here would
follow my example. General Washington would feel very unhappy if I were
to speak of quitting him; his confidence in me is greater than I dare
acknowledge, on account of my youth. In the place he occupies, he is
liable to be surrounded by flatterers or secret enemies; he finds in me
a secure friend, in whose bosom he may always confide his most secret
thoughts, and who will always speak the truth. Not one day passes
without his holding long conversations with me, writing me long
letters, and he has the kindness to consult me on the most important
matters. A peculiar circumstance is occurring at this moment which
renders my presence of some use to him: this is not the time to speak
of my departure. I am also at present engaged in an interesting
correspondence with the president of congress. The desire to debase
England, to promote the advantage of my own country, and the happiness
of humanity, which is strongly interested in the existence of one
perfectly free nation, all induces me not to depart at the moment when
my absence might prove injurious to the cause I have embraced. The
General, also, after a slight success in Jersey, requested me, with the
unanimous consent of congress, to accept a division in the army, and to
form it according to my own judgment, as well as my feeble resources
might permit; I ought not to have replied to such a mark of confidence,
by asking what were his commissions for Europe. These are some of the
reasons, which I confide to you, with an injunction of secrecy. I will
repeat to you many more in person, which I dare not hazard in a letter.
This letter will be given you by a good Frenchman, who has come a
hundred miles to ask me for my commissions. I wrote to you a few days
ago by the celebrated Mr. Adams; he will facilitate your sending me
letters. You must have received those I sent you as soon as I heard of
your confinement. How very happy that event has rendered me, my dearest
love! I delight in speaking of it in all my letters, because I delight
in occupying myself with it at every moment of my life! What a pleasure
it will give me to embrace my two poor little girls, and make them
request their mother to forgive me! You do not believe me so hard
hearted, and at the same time so ridiculous, as to suppose that the sex
of our new infant can have diminished in any degree my joy at its
birth. Our age is not so far advanced, that we may not expect to have
another child, without a miracle from Heaven. The next one must
absolutely be a boy. However, if it be on account of the name that we
are to regret not having a son, I declare that I have formed the
project of living long enough to bear it many years myself, before I
yield it to any other person. I am indebted to the Marshal de Noailles
for the joyful news. I am anxiously expecting a letter from you. I
received the other day one from Desplaces, who mentioned having sent a
preceding one; but the caprice of the winds, without speaking of
English ships, often deranges the order of my correspondence. I was for
some days very uneasy about the Viscount de Coigny, who, some of my
letters announced, was in a precarious state of health. But that letter
from Desplaces, who told me all were well, without mentioning the
viscount's name, has quite reassured me. I have also received some
other letters which do not speak of his health. When you write, I
entreat you to send me many details of all the people whom I love, and
even of all my acquaintance. It is very extraordinary that I have not
heard of Madame de Fronsac's confinement. Say a thousand tender and
respectful things from me to her, as well as to the Countess Auguste.
If those ladies do not enter into the reasons which force me to remain
here, they must indeed think me a most absurd being, more especially as
they have opportunities of seeing clearly what a charming wife I am
separated from; but even that may prove to them what powerful motives
must guide my conduct. Several general officers have brought their
wives to the camp; I envy them--not their wives--but the happiness they
enjoy in being able to see them. General Washington has also resolved
to send for his wife. As to the English, they have received a
reinforcement of three hundred young ladies from New York; and we have
captured a vessel filled with chaste officers' wives, who had come to
rejoin their husbands: they were in great fear of being kept for the
American army.

You will learn by the bearer of this letter that my health is very
good, that my wound is healed, and that the change of country has
produced no effect upon me. Do you not think that, at my return, we
shall be old enough to establish ourselves in our own house, live there
happily together, receive our friends, institute a delightful state of
freedom, and read foreign newspapers, without feeling any curiosity to
judge by ourselves of what may pass in foreign countries? I enjoy thus
building, in France, castles of felicity and pleasure: you always share
them with me, my dearest love, and when we are once united, nothing
shall again separate us, or prevent our experiencing together, and
through each other, the joy of mutual affection, and the sweetest and
most tranquil happiness. Adieu, my love; I only wish this project could
be executed on this present day. Would it not be agreeable to you also?
Present my tender respects to Madame d'Ayen: embrace a thousand times
the viscountess and my sisters. Adieu, adieu; continue to love me, and
forget not for a moment the unhappy exile who thinks incessantly of
thee with renewed ardour and tenderness.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

DEAR GENERAL,--I shall make use, in this particular instance, of the
liberty you gave me, of telling freely every idea of mine which could
strike me as not being useless to a better order of things.

There were two gentlemen, same rank, same duty to perform, and same
neglect of it, who have been arrested the same day by me. As I went in
the night around the picquets, I found them in fault, and I gave an
account of it the next day to your excellency. You answered, that I was
much in wrong not to have had them relieved and arrested immediately. I
objected that it was then very late for such a changement, and that I
did not know which was the rule in this army, but that the gentlemen
should be arrested in that very moment. The last answer of your
excellency has been, "they are to have a court-martial, and you must
give notice of it to the adjutant-general." Therefore, Major Nevil made
two letters in order to arrest them, _one for having been surprised in
his
post_, and the other, for the same cause, _and allowing his sentries to
have fires, which he could see in standing before the picquet_. I give
you my word of honour, that there was not any exaggeration.

Now I see in the orders, the less guilty punished in a manner much too
severe indeed, and dismissed from the service, (it is among all the
delicate minds deprived of his honour,) when he was only to be severely
reprimanded and kept for some time under arrest. But it can be
attributed to a very severe discipline.

What must I think of the same court, when they unanimously acquit (it
is to say that my accusation is not true) the officer who joins to the
same fault, entirely the same this, of allowing his sentries to have
fire in his own sight; for in every service _being surprised_ or being
found in the middle of his picquet without any challenging or stopping
sentry, as Major Nevil, riding before me, found him, is entirely the
same thing; and Major Nevil, riding before me, when I was busy to make
a sentry pull off his fire, can swear that such was the case with that
officer--he can do more than swearing, for he can give his word of
honour, and I think that idea _honour_ is the same in every country.

But the _prejuges_ are not the same thing; for giving publicly the best
of such a dispute (for here it becomes a trial for both parties) to an
officer of the last military stage against one of the first, should be
looked on as an affront to the rank, and acquitting a man, whom one
other man accuses, looked upon as an affront to the person. It is the
same in Poland, for Count de Pulaski was much affronted at the decision
of a court-martial entirely acquitting Colonel Molens. However, as I
know the English customs, I am nothing else but surprised to see such a
partiality in a court-martial.

Your excellency will certainly approve my not arresting any officer for
being brought before a court-martial for any neglect of duty; but when
they will be robbers or cowards, or when they will
assassinate--in all, when they will deserve being cashiered or put to
death.

Give me leave to tell your excellency how I am adverse to
court-martials. I know it is the English custom, and I believe it is a
very bad one. It comes from their love of lawyers, speakers, and of
that black apparatus of sentences and judgments; but such is not the
American temper, and I think this new army must pick up the good
institutions, and leave the bad ones wherever they may be. In France,
an officer is arrested by his superior, who gives notice of it to the
commanding officer, and then he is punished enough in being deprived of
going out of his room in time of peace--of going his duty in time of
war. Nobody knows of it but his comrades. When the fault is greater, he
is confined in a common room for prisoner officers, and this is much
more shameful. Notice of it is immediately given to the general officer
who commands there. That goes, too, to the king's minister, who is to
be replaced here by the commander-in-chief; in time of war, it goes to
the general-in-chief.

Soldiers are punished the same, or next day, by order of proper
officers, and the right of punishing is proportionate to their ranks.

But when both officers and soldiers have done something which deserves
a more severe punishment; when their honour, or their life, or their
liberty for more than a very short time, is concerned, then a
court-martial meets, and the sentence is known. How will you let an
unhappy soldier be confined several weeks with men who are to be
hanged, with spies, with the most horrid sort of people, and in the
same time be lost for the duty, when they deserve only some lashes.
There is no proportion in the punishments.

How is it possible to carry a gentleman before a parcel of dreadful
judges, at the same place where an officer of the same rank has been
just now cashiered, for a trifling neglect of his duty; for, I suppose,
speaking to his next neighbour, in a manoeuvre for going into a house
to speak to a pretty girl, when the army is on its march, and a
thousand other things? How is it possible to bring to the certainty of
being cashiered or dishonoured, a young lad who has made a considerable
fault because he had a light head, a too great vivacity, when that
young man would be, perhaps, in some years, the best officer of the
army, if he had been friendly reprimanded and arrested for some time,
without any dishonour?

The law is always severe; and brings with it an eternal shameful mark.
When the judges are partial, as on this occasion, it is much worse,
because they have the same inconvenience as law itself.

In court-martial, men are judged by their inferiors. How it is averse
to discipline, I don't want to say. The publication exposes men to be
despised by the least soldier. When men have been before a
court-martial, they should be or acquitted or dismissed. What do you
think can be produced by the half condemnation of a general officer?
What necessity for all the soldiers, all the officers, to know that
_General Maxwell has been prevented from doing his duty by his being
drunk?_ Where is the man who will not laugh at him, if he is told by
him, _you are a drunkard;_ and is it right to ridiculize a man,
respectable by his rank, because he drank two or three gills of rum?

These are my reasons against courts-martial, when there is not some
considerable fault to punish. According to my affair, I am sorry in
seeing the less guilty being _the only one punished_. However, I shall
send to courts-martial but for such crimes that there will be for the
judges no way of indulgence and partiality.

With the most tender respect, I am, &c.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

York, February 3rd, 1778.

I shall never have any cause to reproach myself, my dearest love, with
having allowed an opportunity to pass without writing to you, and I
have found one by M. du Bouchet, who has the happiness of embarking for
France. You must have already received several letters in which I speak
of the birth of our new infant, and of the pleasure this joyful event
has given me. If I thought that you could imagine the happiness I feel
at this event had been at all diminished because our Anastasia is only
a daughter, I should be so much displeased with you, that I should but
love you a very little for a few moments. O, my love! what an
enchanting pleasure it will be for me to embrace you all; what a
consolation to be able to weep with my other friends for the dear
friend whom I have lost!

I will not give you a long account of the proofs of confidence with
which I have been honoured by America. Suffice it to say that Canada is
oppressed by the English; the whole of that immense country is in the
power of the enemy, who are there in possession of troops, forts, and a
fleet. I am to repair thither with the title of General of the Northern
Army, at the head of three thousand men, to see if no evil can be done
to the English in that country. The idea of rendering the whole of New
France free, and of delivering her from a heavy yoke, is too glorious
for me to allow myself to dwell upon it. My army would, in that case,
increase at an immense rate, and would be increased also by the French.
I am undertaking a most difficult task, above all taking into account
the few resources I possess. As to those my own merit offers, they are
very trifling in comparison to the importance of the place; nor can a
man of twenty be fit to command an army, charged with the numerous
details to which a general must attend, and having under his direct
orders a vast extent of country.

The number of the troops I shall command would appear, I own, trifling
in Europe, but it is considerable for America. What gives me most
pleasure in all this is, that, under any circumstances, I shall be now
sooner able to rejoin you. How delightful it will be to hurry through
my affairs with the English there above! I am just setting out for
Albany, and from thence to another place, nearly a hundred and fifty
leagues from hence, where my labours will commence. I shall go part of
the way on sledges; having once reached that spot, I shall have only
ice to tread upon.

I do not write to any of my friends by this opportunity. I have an
immense deal of business to do; there is an infinite number of military
and political affairs to arrange; there are so many things to repair,
so many new obstacles to remove, that I should require, in truth, forty
years' experience, and very superior talents, to be able to conquer all
the difficulties I meet with. I will, at least, do the best I can, and
if I only succeed in occupying the enemy's attention in the north, even
if I do them no other injury, it would be rendering an important
service, and my little army would not be wholly useless. Be so kind as
to tell the prince~[1] that his youthful captain, although now a
general-in-chief, has not acquired more knowledge than he possessed at
Polygone, and that he knows not how, unless chance or his good angel
should direct him, to justify the confidence which has been placed in
him. A thousand tender respects to Madame d'Ayen. A thousand assurances
of my tender affection to the viscountess and all my sisters. Do not
forget me to your father, Madame de Tesse, and the Marshal de Noailles.
Adieu, adieu, my dearest love; embrace our dear children; I embrace a
million of times their beloved mother. When shall I find myself again
within her arms?

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