Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette by Lafayette

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I am very happy to find that the standards of France and America are
likely to be united under your command, at Rhode Island. I am
persuaded, that the supporters of each will be emulous to acquire
honour, and promote your glory upon this occasion. The courier to Count
d'Estaing is waiting. I have only time, therefore, to assure you, that,
with most perfect esteem, and exalted regard, I have the honour to be,
my dear marquis, your obedient and affectionate servant.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.~[1]

(ORIGINAL.)

Camp before Newport, 25th August, 1778.

MY DEAR GENERAL,--I had expected in answering your first letter that
something interesting would have happened that I might communicate to
your excellency. Every day was going to terminate our uncertainties;
nay, every day was going to bring the hope of a success which I did
promise myself to acquaint you of. Such was the reason of my deferring
what my duty and inclination did urge me to do much sooner. I am now
indebted for two favours of yours, which I beg leave to offer here my
thanks for. The first letter reached me in the time we expected to hear
again from the French fleet; the second I have just received. My reason
for not writing the same day the French fleet went to Boston was, that
I did not choose to trouble your friendship with the sentiments of an
afflicted, injured heart, and injured by that very people I came from
so far to love and support. Don't be surprised, my dear general; the
generosity of your honest mind would be offended at the shocking sight
I have under my eyes.

So far am I from a critical disposition that I will not give you the
journal of our operations, neither of several instances during our
staying here, which, however, might occupy some room in this letter. I
will not even say to you, how contracted was the French fleet when they
wanted to come in at their arrival; which, according to the report of
the advertors, would have had the greatest effect. How surprised was
the admiral, when, after a formal and agreed convention, one hour after
the American general had given a new written assurance, our troops made
the landing a day before it was expected. How mortified the French
officers were to find out that there was not a gun left in these very
forts to whose protection they were recommended. All these things, and
many others, I would not take notice of, if they were not at this
moment the supposed ground upon which, it is said, that the Count
d'Estaing is gone on to Boston. Believe me, my dear sir, upon my
honour, the admirals, though a little astonished by some instances of
conduct on our part, did consider them in the same light as you and
myself would have done, and if he is gone off, it is because he thought
himself obliged by necessity.

Let us consider, my dear general, the motions of that fleet since it
was proposed by the Count d'Estaing himself, and granted by the king in
behalf of the United States. I will not go so far up as to remember
other instances of the affection the French nation have for the
Americans. The news of that fleet have occasioned the evacuation of
Philadelphia. Its arrival has opened all the harbours, secured all the
coasts, obliged the British navy to be together. Six of those frigates,
two of them I have seen, sufficient for terrifying all the trading
people of the two Carolinas, are taken or burnt. The Count d'Estaing
went to offer battle, and act as a check to the British navy for a long
time. At New York, it was agreed he should go to Rhode Island, and
there he went. They prevented him from going in at first; afterwards,
he was desired to come in, and so he did. The same day we landed
without his knowledge; an English fleet appears in sight. His being
divided into three parts by _our directions_, for, though he is a
_lieutenant-general_, he never availed himself of that title, made him
uneasy about his situation. But finding the next morning that the wind
was northerly, being also convinced that it was his duty to prevent any
reinforcement at Newport, he goes out under the hottest fire of the
British land batteries, he puts the British navy to flight, and pursues
them, and they were all in his hands when that horrid storm arrives to
ruin all our hopes. Both fleets are divided, scattered; the Caesar, a
74 gun ship, is lost; the Marseillais, of the same size, loses her
masts, and after that accident is obliged to send back an enemy's ship
of 64; the Languedoc having lost her masts, unable to be governed and
make any motions, separated from the others, is attacked by a ship of
the line against which she could only bring six guns.

When the storm was over, they met again in a shattered condition, and
the Caesar was not to be found. All the captains represented to their
general that, after a so long navigation, in such a want of victuals,
water, &c., which they had not been yet supplied with, after the
intelligence given by General Sullivan that there was a British fleet
coming, they should go to Boston; but the Count d'Estaing had promised
to come here again, and so he did at all events. The news of his
arrival and situation came by the _Senegal_, a frigate taken from the
enemy. General Greene and myself went on board. The count expressed to
me not so much as to the envoy from General Sullivan, than as to his
friend, the unhappy circumstances he was in. Bound by express orders
from the King to go to Boston in case of an accident or a superior
fleet, engaged by the common sentiment of all the officers, _even of
some American pilots_, that he would ruin all his squadron in deferring
his going to Boston, he called a new council of war, and finding every
body of the same opinion, he did not think himself justifiable in
staying here any longer, and took leave of me with true affliction not
being able to assist America for some days, which has been rewarded
with the most horrid ungratefulness; but no matter. I am only speaking
of facts. The count said to me these last words: after many months of
sufferings, my men will rest some days; I will man my ships, and, if I
am assisted in getting masts, &c., three weeks after my arrival I shall
go out again, and then we shall fight for the glory of the French name,
and the interests of America.

The day _the count_ went off, the general American officers drew a
protestation, which, as _I had been very strangely called there_, I
refused to sign, but I wrote a letter to the admiral. The protestation
and the letter did not arrive in time.

Now, my dear general, I am going to hurt your generous feelings by an
imperfect picture of what I am forced to see. Forgive me for it; it is
not to the commander-in-chief, it is to my most dearest friend, General
Washington, that I am speaking. I want to lament with him the
ungenerous sentiments I have been forced to see in many American
breasts.

Could you believe, that forgetting any national obligation, forgetting
what they were owing to that same fleet, what they were yet to expect
from them, and instead of resenting their accidents as these, of allies
and brothers, the people turned mad at their departure, and wishing
them all the evils in the world, did treat them as a generous one would
be ashamed to treat the most inveterate enemies. You cannot have any
idea of the horrors which were to be heard in that occasion. Many
leaders themselves finding they were disappointed, abandoned their
minds to illiberality and ungratefulness. Frenchmen of the highest
character have been exposed to the most disagreeable circumstances, and
yet, myself, the friend of America--the friend of General Washington. I
am more upon a warlike footing in the American lines, than when I come
near the British lines at Newport.

Such is, my dear general, the true state of matters. I am sure it will
infinitely displease and hurt your feelings. I am also sure you will
approve the part I have taken in it, which was to stay much at home
with all the French gentlemen who are here, and declare, at the same
time, that anything thrown before me against my nation I would take as
the most particular affront.

Inclosed I send you the general orders of the 24th, upon which I
thought I was obliged to pay a visit to General Sullivan, who has
agreed to alter them in the following manner. Remember, my dear
general, that I don't speak to the commander-in-chief, but to my
friend, that I am far from complaining of anybody. I have no complaints
at all to make you against any one; but I lament with you that I have
had an occasion of seeing so ungenerous sentiments in American hearts.

I will tell you the true reason. The leaders of the expedition are,
most of them, ashamed to return after having spoken of their Rhode
Island success in proud terms before their family, their friends, their
internal enemies. The others, regardless of the expense France has been
put to by that fleet, of the tedious, tiresome voyage, which so many
men have had for their service, though they are angry that the fleet
takes three weeks, upon the whole campaign, to refit themselves, they
cannot bear the idea of being brought to a small expense, to the loss
of a little time, to the fatigue of staying some few days more in a
camp at some few miles off their houses; for I am very far from looking
upon the expedition as having miscarried, and there I see even a
certainty of success.

If, as soon as the fleet is repaired, which (in case they are treated
as one is in a country one is not at war with,) would be done in three
weeks from this time, the Count d'Estaing was to come around, the
expedition seems to offer a very good prospect. If the enemy evacuates
New York, we have the whole continental army, if not, we might perhaps
have some more men, what number, however, I cannot pretend to judge.
All that I know is, that I shall be very happy to see the fleet
cooperating with General Washington himself.

I think I shall be forced, by the board of general officers, to go soon
to Boston. That I will do as soon as required, though with reluctance,
for I do not believe that _our position on this part of the island is
without danger_; but my principle is to do everything which is thought
good for the service. I have very often rode express to the fleet, to
the frigates, and that, I assure you, with the greatest pleasure; on
the other hand, I may perhaps be useful to the fleet. Perhaps, too, it
will be in the power of the count to do something which might satisfy
them. I wish, my dear general, you could know as well as myself, how
desirous the Count d'Estaing is to forward the public good, to help
your success, and to serve the cause of America.

I earnestly beg you will recommend to the several chief persons of
Boston to do everything they can to put the French fleet in a situation
for sailing soon. Give me leave to add, that I wish many people, by the
declaration of your sentiments in that affair, could learn how to
regulate theirs, and blush at the sight of your generosity.

You will find my letter immense. I began it one day and finished it the
next, as my time was swallowed up by those eternal councils of war. I
shall have the pleasure of writing you from Boston. I am afraid the
Count d'Estaing will have felt to the quick the behaviour of the people
on this occasion. You cannot conceive how distressed he was to be
prevented from serving this country for some time. I do assure you his
circumstances were very critical and distressing.

For my part, my sentiments are known to the world. My tender affection
for General Washington is added to them; therefore I want no apologies
for writing upon what has afflicted me both as an American and as a
Frenchman.

I am much obliged to you for the care you are so kind as to take of
that poor horse of mine; had he not found such a good stable as this at
headquarters, he would have cut a pitiful figure at the end of his
travels, and I should have been too happy if there had remained so much
of the horse as the bones, the skin, and the four shoes.

Farewell, my dear general; whenever I quit you, I meet with some
disappointment and misfortune. I did not need it to desire seeing you
as much as possible. With the most tender affection and high regard, I
have the honour to be, &c.

Dear General,--I must add to my letter, that I have received one from
General Greene, very different, from the expressions I have to complain
of, he seems there very sensible of what I feel. I am very happy when
placed in a situation to do justice to any one.

Footnote:

1. The circumstances which gave rise to this letter are mentioned in
the memoirs. The following details will still further explain them:--

When the storm had dispersed his fleet, M. de Estaing wrote a very
remarkable letter to General Sullivan, in which he explained to him the
impossibility of remaining in sight of Rhode Island without danger, and
without disobeying the precise orders of the king. He expressed his
regret that the landing of the Americans in the island, which had been
effected one day before the day agreed upon, should not have been
protected by the vessels; and he rejected strongly the imputation of
having blamed him under these circumstances for having operated so
early, and with only two thousand men. To his great regret, his
situation obliged him to answer the proposal of a combined attack, by a
refusal. This answer excited much dissatisfaction amongst the
Americans. Their officers signed a protestation, which appears to have
been considered by some of them as the means of seconding the secret
inclination of the admiral by forcing him to fight. The report was
spread, in truth, that a cabal in the naval force alone obliged him to
make a retreat, from a feeling of jealousy of the glory which he might
have acquired, as he had belonged formerly to the land forces. This
protestation was carried to him by Colonel Laurens; after a
recapitulation of all the arguments which might be used against the
departure of the fleet, it terminated by the solemn declaration that
that measure was _derogatory to the honour of France_, contrary to the
intentions of his V. C. Majesty, and to the interests of the American
nation, &c. When this protestation was submitted to congress, they
immediately ordered that it should be kept secret, and that M. Gerard
should be informed of this order, which General Washington was charged
with executing by every means in his power.

General Sullivan issued the following order at the same time:--

"It having been supposed, by some persons, that by the orders of the
21st instant, the commander-in-chief meant to insinuate that the
departure of the French fleet was owing to a fixed determination not to
assist in the present enterprise, and that, as the general did not wish
to give the least colour to ungenerous and illiberal minds to make such
an unfair interpretation, he thinks it necessary to say, that as he
could not possibly be acquainted with the orders of the French admiral,
he could not determine whether the removal of the fleet was absolutely
necessary or not; and, therefore, did not mean to censure an act which
those orders might render absolutely necessary." These details,
borrowed from the edition of the writings of Washington, will explain
some passages of this letter, and the sense of the following letters.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

(ORIGINAL.)

White Plains, September 1778.

MY DEAR MARQUIS,--I have been honoured with your favour of the 25th
ultimo by Monsieur Pontgibaud, and I wish my time, which at present is
taken up by a committee at congress, would permit me to go fully into
the contents of it; this, however, it is not in my power to do; but in
one word let me say, I feel everything that hurts the sensibility of a
gentleman, and consequently, upon the present occasion, I feel for you
and for our good and great allies the French. I feel myself hurt, also,
at every illiberal and unthinking reflection which may have been cast
upon the Count d'Estaing, or the conduct of the fleet under his
command; and, lastly, I feel for my country. Let me entreat you,
therefore, my dear marquis, to take no exception at unmeaning
expressions, uttered, perhaps, without consideration, and in the first
transport of disappointed hope. Every body, sir, who reasons, will
acknowledge the advantages which we have derived from the French fleet,
and the zeal of the commander of it; but, in a free and republican
government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man
will speak as he thinks, or, more properly, without thinking, and
consequently will judge at effects without attending to the causes. The
censures which have been levelled at the officers of the French fleet
would, more than probably, have fallen in a much higher degree upon a
fleet of our own if we had one in the same situation. It is the nature
of man to be displeased with everything that disappoints a favourite
hope or flattering project; and it is the folly of too many of them to
condemn without investigating circumstances.

Let me beseech you, therefore, my good sir, to afford a healing hand to
the wound that, unintentionally, has been made. America esteems your
virtues and your services, and admires the principles upon which you
act; your countrymen, in our army, look up to you as their patron; the
count and his officers consider you as a man high in rank, and high in
estimation here and also in France; and I, your friend, have no doubt
but you will use your utmost endeavours to restore harmony, that the
honour, the glory, and mutual interest of the two nations maybe
promoted and cemented in the firmest manner. I would say more on the
subject, but am restrained for the want of time, and therefore shall
only add, that with every sentiment of esteem and regard, I am, my dear
marquis, &c.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL SULLIVAN.

(ORIGINAL.)

Head Quarters, White Plains, 1st September, 1778.

Dear Sir,--The disagreement between the army under your command and the
fleet, has given me very singular uneasiness: the continent at large is
concerned in our cordiality, and it should be kept up, by all possible
means, consistent with our honour and policy. First impressions, you
know, are generally longest remembered, and will serve to fix, in a
great degree, our national character among the French. In our conduct
towards them we should remember that they are people old in war, very
strict in military etiquette, and apt to take fire, where others
scarcely seem warmed. Permit me to recommend, in the most particular
manner, the cultivation of harmony and good agreement, and your
endeavours to destroy that ill-humour which may have got into the
officers. It is of the greatest importance, also, that the soldiers and
the people should know nothing of the misunderstanding, or, if it has
reached them, that ways may be used to stop its progress and prevent
its effects.

I have received from congress the enclosed, by which you will perceive
their opinion with regard to keeping secret the protest of the general
officers: I need add nothing on this head. I have one thing, however,
more to say: I make no doubt but you will do all in your power to
forward the repair of the count's fleet, and render it fit for service,
by your recommendations for that purpose to those who can be
immediately instrumental.

I am, dear Sir, &c.

FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE.

(ORIGINAL.)

Head-quarters, White Plains, 1st September, 1778.

DEAR SIR,--I have had the pleasure of receiving your several letters,
the last of which was of the 22nd of August. I have not now time to
take notice of the arguments that were made use of for and against the
count's quitting the harbour of Newport and sailing for Boston: right
or wrong, it will probably disappoint our sanguine expectations of
success; and, what I esteem a still worse consequence, I fear it will
sow the seeds of dissension and distrust between us and our new allies,
unless the most prudent measures are taken to suppress the feuds and
jealousies that have already arisen. I depend much upon your aid and
influence to conciliate that animosity which I plainly perceive, by a
letter from the marquis, subsists between the American officers and the
French in our service; this, you may depend, will extend itself to the
count, and to the officers and men of his whole fleet, should they
return to Rhode Island, unless, upon their arrival there, they find a
reconciliation has taken place. The marquis speaks kindly of a letter
from you to him on the subject; he will therefore take any advice
coming from you in a friendly light; and, if he can be pacified, the
other French gentlemen will of course be satisfied, as they look up to
him as their head. The marquis grounds his complaint upon a general
order of the 24th of August, the latter part of which is certainly very
impolitic, especially considering the universal clamour that prevailed
against the French nation.

I beg you will take every measure to keep the protest entered into by
the general officers from being made public. The congress, sensible of
the ill consequences that will flow from the world's knowing our
differences, have passed a resolve to that purpose. Upon the whole, my
dear sir, you can conceive my meaning better than I can express it; and
I therefore fully depend upon your exerting yourself to heal all
private animosities between our principal officers and the French, and
to prevent all illiberal expressions and reflections that may fall from
the army at large.

I have this moment received a letter from General Sullivan of the 29th
of August, in which he barely informs me of an action upon that day, in
which he says we had the better, but does not mention particulars.

I am, &c.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Tyvertown, 1st September, 1778.

MY DEAR GENERAL,--That there has been an action fought where I could
have been, and where I was not, is a thing which will seem as
extraordinary to you as it seems so to myself. After along journey and
a longer stay from home, (I mean from head-quarters,) the only
satisfactory day I have, finds me in the middle of a town. There I had
been sent, pushed, hurried, by the board of general officers, and
principally by Generals Sullivan and Greene, who thought I should be of
great use to the common cause, and to whom I foretold the disagreeable
event which would happen to me; I felt, on that occasion, the
impression of that bad star which, some days ago, has influenced the
French undertakings, and which, I hope, will soon be removed. People
say that I don't want an action; but if it is not necessary to my
reputation as a tolerable private soldier, it would at least add to my
satisfaction and pleasure. However, I was happy enough to arrive before
the second retreat: it was not attended with such trouble and danger as
it would have been had not the enemy been so sleepy, I was thus once
more deprived of my fighting expectations.

From what I have heard from sensible and _candid_ French gentlemen, the
action does great honour to General Sullivan: he retreated in good
order; he opposed, very properly, every effort of the enemy; he never
sent troops but well supported, and displayed great coolness during the
whole day. The evacuation I have seen extremely well performed, and _my
private opinion_ is, that if both events are satisfactory to us, they
are very shameful to the British generals and troops; they had, indeed,
so many fine chances to cut us to pieces; but they are very good
people.

Now, my dear general, I must give you an account of that journey for
which I have paid so dear. The Count d'Estaing arrived the day before
in Boston. I found him much displeased at a protest of which you have
heard, and many other circumstances which I have reported to you: I did
what I could on the occasion; but I must do the admiral the justice to
say that it has not at all diminished his warm desire of serving
America. We waited together on the council, General Heath, General
Hancock, and were very well satisfied with them; the last one
distinguished himself very much by his zeal on the occasion. Some
people in Boston were rather dissatisfied; but when they saw the
behaviour of the council, Generals Heath and Hancock, they, I hope,
will do the same; I, therefore, fear nothing but delays. The marts are
very far off, provisions difficult to be provided. The Count d'Estaing
was ready to come with his land forces and put himself under General
Sullivan's orders, though dissatisfied with the latter; but our new
circumstances will alter that design.

I beg you will pardon me once more, my dear general, for having
troubled and afflicted you with the account of what I had seen after
the departure of the French fleet. My confidence in you is such, that I
could not feel so warmly upon this point without communicating it to
your excellency. I have now the pleasure to inform you that the
discontent does not appear so great. The French hospital is arrived at
Boston, though under difficulties, which, however, I think I have
diminished a good deal by sending part of my family, with orders to
some persons, and entreaties to others, to give them all the assistance
in their power. Now, everything will be right provided the Count
d'Estaing is enabled to sail soon. Every exertion, I think, ought to be
employed for that purpose in all the several parts of the continent:
marts, biscuit, water, and provisions are his wants. I long to see that
we have again the command, or at least an equal force, upon the
American seas.

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