Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette by Lafayette

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Footnote:

1. The Prince de Poix, colonel of the regiment de Noailles, in which M.
de Lafayette was captain.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Hemingtown, the 9th February, 1778.

Dear General,--I cannot let go my guide without taking this opportunity
of writing to your excellency, though I have not yet public business to
speak of. I go on very slowly; sometimes drenched by rain, sometimes
covered by snow, and not entertaining many handsome thoughts about the
projected incursion into Canada; if successes were to be had, it would
surprise me in a most agreeable manner by that very reason that I don't
expect any shining ones. Lake Champlain is too cold for producing the
least bit of laurel, and if I am not starved I shall be as proud as if
I had gained three battles.

Mr. Duer had given to me a rendezvous at a tavern, but nobody was to be
found there. I fancy that he will be with Mr. Conway sooner than he has
told me; they will perhaps conquer Canada before my arrival, and I
expect to meet them at the governor's house in Quebec.

Could I believe, for one single instant, that this pompous command _of
a northern army_ will let your excellency forget a little us absent
friends, then, I would send the project to the place it comes from. But
I dare hope that you will remember me sometimes. I wish you, very
heartily, the greatest public and private happiness and successes. It
is a very melancholy idea for me that I cannot follow your fortunes as
near your person as I could wish; but my heart will take, very
sincerely, its part of everything which can happen to you, and I am
already thinking of the agreeable moment when I may come down to assure
your excellency of the most tender affection and highest respect. I
have the honour to be, &c.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Albany, the 19th February, 1778.

Dear General,--Why am I so far from you and what business had the board
of war to hurry me through the ice and snow without knowing what I
should do, neither what they were doing themselves? You have thought,
perhaps, that their project would be attended with some difficulty,
that some means had been neglected, that I could not obtain all the
success and the immensity of laurels which they had promised to me; but
I defy your excellency to conceive any idea of what I have seen since I
left the place where I was quiet and near my friends, to run myself
through all the blunders of madness or treachery (God knows what). Let
me begin the journal of my fine and glorious campaign.

According to Lord Stirling's advice, I went by Corich-ferry to Ringo's
tavern, where Mr. Duer had given me a rendezvous; but there no Duer was
to be found, and they did never hear from him.

From thence I proceeded by the State of New York, and had the pleasure
of seeing the friends of America, as warm in their love for the
commander-in-chief as his best friend could wish. I spoke to Governor
Clinton, and was much satisfied with that gentleman. At length I met
Albany, the 17th, though I was not expected before the 25th. General
Conway had been here only three days before me, and I must confess I
found him very active and looking as if he had good intentions; but we
know a great deal upon that subject. His first word has been that the
expedition is quite impossible. I was at first very diffident of this
report, but have found that he was right. Such is, at least, the idea I
can form of this ill-concerted operation within these two days.

General Schuyler, General Lincoln, General Arnold, had written, before
my arrival, to General Conway, in the most expressive terms, that, in
our present circumstances, there was no possibility to begin, now, an
enterprise into Canada. Hay, deputy quarter-master-general; Cuyler,
deputy commissary-general; Mearsin, deputy clothier-general, in what
they call the northern department, are entirely of the same opinion.
Colonel Hazen, who has been appointed to a place which interferes with
the three others above mentioned, was the most desirous of going there.
The reasons of such an order I think I may attribute to other motives.
The same Hazen confesses we are not strong enough to think of the
expedition in this moment. As to the troops, they are disgusted, and
(if you except some Hazen's Canadians) reluctant, to the utmost degree,
to begin a winter incursion in a so cold country. I have consulted
everybody, and everybody answers me that it would be madness to
undertake this operation.

I have been deceived by the board of war; they have, by the strongest
expressions, promised to me one thousand, and (what is more to be
depended upon) they have assured to me in writing, _two thou-sand and
five hundred combatants, at a low estimate_. Now, Sir, I do not believe
I can find, _in all_, twelve hundred fit for duty, and most part of
those very men are naked, even for a summer's campaign. I was to find
General Stark with a large body, and indeed General Gates had told to
me, _General Stark will have burnt the fleet before your arrival_.
Well, the first letter I receive in Albany is from General Stark, who
wishes to know _what number of men, from whence, for what time, for
what rendezvous, I desire him to raise_. Colonel Biveld, who was to
rise too, would have done something _had he received money_. One asks,
what encouragement his people will have, the other has no clothes; not
one of them has received a dollar of what was due to them. I have
applied to every body, I have begged at every door I could these two
days, and I see that I could do something were the expedition to be
begun in five weeks. But you know we have not an hour to lose, and
indeed it is now rather too late, had we every thing in readiness.

There is a spirit of dissatisfaction prevailing among the soldiers, and
even the officers, which is owing to their not being paid for some time
since. This department is much indebted, and as near as I can
ascertain, for so short a time, I have already discovered near eight
hundred thousand dollars due to the continental troops, some militia,
the quartermaster's department, &c. &c. &c. It was with four hundred
thousand dollars, only the half of which is arrived to day, that I was
to undertake the operation, and satisfy the men under my commands. I
send to congress the account of those debts. Some clothes, by Colonel
Hazen's activity, are arrived from Boston, but not enough by far, and
the greatest part is cut off.

We have had intelligence from a deserter, who makes the enemy stronger
than I thought. There is no such thing _as straw on board the vessels
to burn them_. I have sent to congress a full account of the matter; I
hope it will open their eyes. What they will resolve upon I do not
know, but I think I must wait here for their answer. I have inclosed to
the president, copies of the most important letters I had received. It
would be tedious for your excellency, were I to undertake the minutest
detail of everything; it will be sufficient to say that the want of
men, clothes, money, and the want of time, deprives me of all hopes as
to this excursion. If it may begin again in the month of June, by the
east, I cannot venture to assure; but for the present moment such is
the idea I conceive of the famous incursion, as far as I may be
informed, in a so short time.

Your excellency may judge that I am very distressed by this
disappointment. My being appointed to the command of the expedition is
known through the continent, it will be soon known in Europe, as I have
been desired, by members of congress, to write to my friends; my being
at the head of an army, people will be in great expectations, and what
shall I answer?

I am afraid it will reflect on my reputation, and I shall be laughed
at. My fears upon that subject are so strong, that I would choose to
become again only a volunteer, unless congress offers the means of
mending this ugly business by some glorious operation; but I am very
far from giving to them the least notice upon that matter. General
Arnold seems very fond of a diversion against New York, and he is too
sick to take the field before four or five months. I should be happy if
something was proposed to me in that way, but I will never ask, nor
even seem desirous, of anything directly from congress; for you, dear
general, I know very well, that you will do everything to procure me
the only thing I am ambitious of--glory.

I think your excellency will approve of my staying here till further
orders, and of my taking the liberty of sending my despatches to
congress by a very quick occasion, without going through the hands of
my general; but I was desirous to acquaint them early of my
disagreeable and ridiculous situation.

With the greatest affection and respect, I have the honour to be, &c.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON

(ORIGINAL)

The 23rd February, 1778.

DEAR GENERAL,--I have an opportunity of writing to your excellency
which I will not miss by any means, even should I be afraid of becoming
tedious and troublesome; but if they have sent me far from you, I don't
know for what purpose, at least I must make some little use of my pen,
to prevent all communication from being cut off between your excellency
and myself. I have written lately to you my distressing, ridiculous,
foolish, and, indeed, nameless situation. I am sent, with a great
noise, at the head of an army for doing great things; the whole
continent, France and Europe herself, and what is the worse, the
British army, are in great expectations. How far they will be deceived,
how far we shall be ridiculed, you may judge by the candid account you
have got of the state of our affairs.

There are things, I dare say, in which I am deceived--a certain colonel
is not here for nothing: one other gentleman became very popular before
I went to this place; Arnold himself is very fond of him. Every part on
which I turn to look I am sure a cloud is drawn before my eyes;
however, there are points I cannot be deceived upon. The want of money,
the dissatisfaction among the soldiers, the disinclination of every one
(except the Canadians, who mean to stay at home) for this expedition,
are as conspicuous as possible; however, I am sure I will become very
ridiculous, and laughed at. _My expedition_ will be as famous as the
_secret expedition_ against Rhode Island. I confess, my dear general,
that I find myself of very quick feelings whenever my reputation and
glory are concerned in anything. It is very hard indeed that such a
part of my happiness, without which I cannot live, should depend upon
schemes which I never knew of but when there was no time to put them
into execution. I assure you, my most dear and respected friend, that I
am more unhappy than I ever was.

My desire of doing something was such, that I have thought of doing it
by surprise with a detachment, but it seems to me rash and quite
impossible. I should be very happy if you were here to give me some
advice; but I have nobody to consult with. They have sent to me more
than twenty French officers; I do not know what to do with them; I beg
you will acquaint me the line of conduct you advise me to follow on
every point. I am at a loss how to act, and indeed I do not know what I
am here for myself. However, as being the eldest officer, (after
General Arnold has desired me to take the command,) I think it is my
duty to mind the business of this part of America as well as I can.
General Gates holds yet the title and power of commander-in-chief of
the Northern department; but, as two hundred thousand dollars are
arrived, I have taken upon myself to pay the most necessary part of the
debts we are involved in. I am about sending provisions to Fort
Schuyller: I will go to see the fort. I will try to get some clothes
for the troops, to buy some articles for the next campaign. I have
directed some money to be borrowed upon my credit to satisfy the
troops, who are much discontented. In all, I endeavour to do for the
best, though I have no particular authority or instructions; and I will
come as near as I can to General Gates's intentions, but I want much to
get an answer to my letters.

I fancy (between us) that the actual scheme is to have me out of this
part of the continent, and General Conway in chief, under the immediate
direction of General Gates. How they will bring it up I do not know,
but you may be sure something of that kind will appear. You are nearer
than myself, and every honest man in congress is your friend; therefore
you may foresee and prevent, if possible, the evil a hundred times
better than I can: I would only give that idea to your excellency.

After having written in Europe (by the desire of the members of
congress) so many fine things about my commanding an army, I shall be
ashamed if nothing can be done by me in that way. I am told General
Putnam is recalled; but your excellency knows better than I do what
would be convenient, therefore I don't want to mind these things
myself.

Will you be so good as to present my respects to your lady. With the
most tender affection and highest respect, I have the honour to be,

LAFAYETTE.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL.)

Head Quarters, 10th March, 1778.

MY DEAR MARQUIS,--I have had the pleasure of receiving your two favours
of the 19th and 23rd of February, and hasten to dispel those fears
respecting your reputation, which are excited only by an uncommon
degree of sensibility. You seem to apprehend that censure, proportioned
to the disappointed expectations of the world, will fall on you in
consequence of the failure of the Canadian expedition. But, in the
first place, it will be no disadvantage to you to have it known in
Europe that you had received so manifest a proof of the good opinion
and confidence of congress as an important detached command; and I am
persuaded that every one will applaud your prudence in renouncing a
project, in pursuing which you would vainly have attempted physical
impossibilities; indeed, unless you can be chargeable with the
invariable effects of natural causes, and be arraigned for not
suspending the course of the seasons, to accommodate your march over
the lake, the most prompt to slander can have nothing to found blame
upon.

However sensibly your ardour for glory may make you feel this
disappointment, you may be assured that your character stands as fair
as ever it did, and that no new enterprise is necessary to wipe off
this imaginary stain. The expedition which you hint at I think
unadvisable in our present circumstances. Anything in the way of a
formal attack, which would necessarily be announced to the enemy by
preparatory measures, would not be likely to succeed. If a stroke is
meditated in that quarter, it must be effected by troops stationed at a
proper distance for availing themselves of the first favourable
opportunity offered by the enemy, and success would principally depend
upon the suddenness of the attempt. This, therefore, must rather be the
effect of time and chance than premeditation. You undoubtedly have
determined judiciously in waiting the further orders of congress.
Whether they allow me the pleasure of seeing you shortly, or destine
you to a longer absence, you may assure yourself of the sincere good
wishes of,

Dear Sir, &c.

P. S. Your directing payment of such debts as appear to be most
pressing is certainly right. There is not money enough to answer every
demand; and I wish your supplies of clothing had been better. Your
ordering a large supply of provisions into Fort Schuyler was a very
judicious measure, and I thank you for it.

TO BARON DE STEUBEN.

(ORIGINAL--A FRAGMENT.)

Albany, March 12th.

Permit me to express my satisfaction at your having seen General
Washington. No enemies to that great man can be found except among the
enemies to his country; nor is it possible for any man of a noble
spirit to refrain from loving the excellent qualities of his heart. I
think I know him as well as any person, and such is the idea which I
have formed of him; his honesty, his frankness, his sensibility, his
virtue, to the full extent in which this word can be understood, are
above all praise. It is not for me to judge of his military talents;
but, according to my imperfect knowledge of these matters, his advice
in council has always appeared to me the best, although his modesty
prevents him sometimes from sustaining it; and his predictions have
generally been fulfilled. I am the more happy in giving you this
opinion of my friend with all the sincerity which I feel, because some
persons may perhaps attempt to deceive you on this point.

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

(ORIGINAL.)

Albany, 20th March, 1778.

... His Excellency General Washington will, I believe, mention to
congress that, at the request of the commissioners of Indian affairs, I
send Colonel Gouvion, and have given proper directions for the building
of a small fort, which they and myself have thought very necessary to
be granted to the Oneydas. The love of the French blood, mixed with the
love of some French _Louis d'or_, have engaged those Indians to promise
they would come with me.~[1]

As I am very certain the Congress of the United States will not propose
anything to me but consistent with my feelings and the sentiment I
flatter myself to have obtained from them, I can assure them, by
advance, that any post they will give, any disposition they will make,
with such manners, will be cheerfully received and complied to by me
with acknowledgment. However, I will beg leave to say, that any
command, whatever honourable it may be, where I would not be so near
the danger or occasions of doing something, I shall always look upon as
not suited to me.

I never mentioned to congress a long letter I have written, four months
ago, to France, about a project for the East Indies, to which I expect
the answer. Was I to succeed in my expectation, it would bring, soon,
that so much desired French war, in spite of some peaceful men, and be
of some use to the noble cause of freedom, without bringing the
continent in any expense.

With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, &c.

Footnote:

1. M. de Lafayette, during this journey, some curious relations with
the Indian, in a letter of the 27th of February, to General Washington,
which, being void of interest in other respects, has been suppressed.
It appears that he was solicited by General Schuyler to be present at a
numerous meeting of Indians, convoked for a treaty. The traces of those
communications will be found further.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Albany, 25th March, 1778.

Dear General,--How happy I have been in receiving your excellency's
favour of the tenth present; I hope you will be convinced by the
knowledge of my tender affection for you. I am very sensible of that
goodness which tries to dissipate my fears about that ridiculous
Canadian expedition. At the present time we know which was the aim of
the honourable board, and for which project three or four men have
rushed the country into a great expense, and risked the reputation of
our arms, and the life of many hundred men, had the general, your
deceived friend, been as rash and foolish as they seem to have
expected. O, American freedom, what shall become of you if you are in
such hands?

I have received a letter from the board and a resolve of congress,~[1]
by which you are directed to recall me and the Baron de Kalb, whose
presence is deemed absolutely necessary to your army. I believe this of
General Conway is _absolutely necessary_ to Albany, and he has received
orders to stay there, which I have no objection to, as nothing,
perhaps, will be done in this quarter but some disputes of Indians and
tories. However, you know I have wrote to congress, and as soon as
their leave will come, I shall let Conway have the command of these few
regiments, and I shall immediately join my respectable friend; but till
I have received instructions for leaving that place from yourself, I
shall stay, as powerful commander-in-chief, as if congress had never
resolved my presence absolutely necessary for the great army.

Since your last letter, I have given up the idea of New York, and my
only desire is to join you. The only favour I have asked of your
commissioners in France, has been, not to be under any orders but those
of General Washington. I seem to have had an anticipation of our future
friendship, and what I have done out of esteem and respect for your
excellency's name and reputation, I should do now out of mere love for
General Washington himself. I am glad to hear General Greene is
quarter-master-general; it is very interesting to have there an honest
man and a friend of yours. But I feel the greatest pain not to hear
anything about reinforcements. What can you do with a handful of men,--
and my poor division, whom I was so desirous of instructing, clothing,
managing myself in the winter, whom, I was told, I should find six
thousand strong at the opening of the campaign? Don't your excellency
think that I could recruit a little in General Greene's division now
that he is quarter-master-general? By that promotion I find myself very
proud to be the third officer of your army.

With the utmost respect and affection, I have the honour to be, &c.

Footnote:

1. That congress entertain a high sense of his prudence, activity, and
zeal, and that they are fully persuaded nothing has or would have been
wanting on his part, or on the part of his officers who accompanied
him, to give the expedition the utmost possible effect.--(Secret
Journal, March 2.)

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Valley Forge Camp, in Pennsylvania, April 14th, 1778.

If thirty opportunities were to present themselves at once, my dearest
love, you may rest assured that I would write thirty letters; and that,
if you do not receive any news from me, I have nothing, at least, to
reproach myself with. This letter will be accompanied by others, saying
nearly the same things, and having nearly the same date; but accidents
are unfortunately very common, and by this means, some letters may
reach you safely. Respecting your own, my love, I prefer accusing fate,
the waves, Lord Howe, and the devil, to suspecting you for one moment
of negligence. I am convinced that you will not allow a single
opportunity to escape of writing to me; but I should feel, if possible,
still more so, if I could only hope that you knew the degree of
happiness your letters give me. I love you more ardently than ever, and
repeated assurances of your affection are absolutely necessary to my
repose, and to that species of felicity which I can enjoy whilst
separated from all I love most fondly--if, however, the word _felicity_
can be applied to my melancholy, exiled state. Endeavour to afford me
some consolation, and neglect no opportunity of writing to me. Millions
of ages have elapsed since I have received a line from any one. This
complete ignorance of the situation of all those who are most dear to
me, is, indeed, a dreadful calamity: I have, however, some reason to
believe that it cannot last for ever; the scene will soon become
interesting; France must take some decisive part, and vessels will then
arrive with letters. I can give you no news at present; we are all in a
state of repose, and are waiting with impatience for the opening
campaign to awaken us from our stupor. In my other letters, I mentioned
my journey to Albany, and my visit to an assembly of savages. I am
expecting some good Iroquois who have promised to rejoin me here.
Either after, or before receiving this letter, Madame d'Ayen, the
viscountess, and my grandfather,~[1] will receive letters by an
opportunity which, I believe, is more secure than the one I am now
writing by; I have written a longer letter to you also at the same
time. I write an immense number of epistles; God grant that they may
arrive! Present my affectionate respects to your mother, and my
grandfather; embrace a thousand times the viscountess and my sisters;
recall me to the remembrance of the Countess Auguste, Madame de
Fronsac, and all your and my friends. Embrace a thousand times our
dearest family. When shall I be able to assure you, my dearest life,
that I love you better than any other person in the world, and that I
shall love you as long as I live? Adieu; I only look upon this letter
as a note.

Present my respects to the Marshal de Noailles, and tell him that I
have sent him some trees from Albany; but I will send him others also
at various times, that I may feel certain of his receiving a few of
them. When you present my compliments to my acquaintance, do not forget
the Chevalier de Chastellux.

Footnote:

1. The Count de la Riviere, (Charles-Ives-Thibault), lieutenant-captain
of the black musketeers, was grandfather of the mother of M. de
Lafayette of whom he had been appointed guardian.

TO MADAME DE LAFAYETTE.

Germantown, April 28th, 1778.

I write to you, my dearest love, by a very strange opportunity, since
it is an English officer who has taken charge of my letter. But your
wonder will cease, when you hear that that officer is my friend
Fitz-Patrick.~[1] He is returning to England, and I could not resist my
wish of embracing him before his departure. It was the first time we
had met unarmed in America, and that manner of meeting suits us both
much better than the hostile appearance which we had, until now,
thought proper to affect. It is long since I have received any news
from France, and I am very impatiently expecting letters. Write
frequently, my love, I need the consolation of hearing often from you
during this painful separation. There is no important news; neither
would it be proper for Mr. Fitz-Patrick to carry political news from a
hand at present engaged in fighting with his army. I am in perfect
health; my wound is completely healed, but my heart is far from being
tranquil, for I am far from all those I love; and my anxiety about
them, as well as my impatience to behold them, increase every hour. Say
a thousand things for me to all my friends; present my respects to
Madame d'Ayen, and to the Marshal de Noailles. Embrace, above all, our
children, my dearest love, and be convinced yourself that every moment
that separates me from you and them appears to me an age. Adieu; I must
quit you, for the hour is far advanced, and to-morrow will not be an
idle day. Adieu, Adieu!

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