Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette by Lafayette

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We are happy in the repeated assurances and proofs of the friendship of
our great and good ally, whom we hope and trust, ere this, may be
congratulated on the birth of a prince, and on the joy which the nation
must derive from an instance of royal felicity. We also flatter
ourselves, that before this period the kings of Spain and the two
Sicilies may be greeted as allies of the United States; and we are not
a little pleased to find, from good authority, that the solicitations
and offers of the Court of Great Britain to the Empress of Russia have
been rejected; nor are we to be displeased, that overtures from the
city of Amsterdam, for entering into a commercial connexion with us,
have been made in such open and pointed terms. Such favourable
sentiments, in so many powerful princes and states, cannot but be
considered in a very honourable, interesting, and pleasing point of
view, by all those who have struggled with difficulties and misfortunes
to maintain the rights, and secure the liberties, of their country.
But, notwithstanding these flattering appearances, the British King and
his ministers continue to threaten us with war and desolation. A few
months, however, must decide whether these or peace is to take place.
For both we will prepare; and, should the former be continued, I shall
not despair of sharing fresh toils and dangers with you in America; but
if the latter succeeds, I can entertain little hopes, that the rural
amusements of an infant world, or the contracted stage of an American
theatre, can withdraw your attention and services from the gaieties of
a court, and the active part you will more than probably be called upon
to share in the administration of your government. The soldier will
then be transformed into the statesman, and your employment in this new
walk of life will afford you no time to revisit this continent, or
think of friends who lament your absence.

The American troops are again in huts; but in a more agreeable and
fertile country, than they were in last winter at Valley Forge; and
they are better clad and more healthy, than they have ever been since
the formation of the army. Mrs. Washington is now with me, and makes a
cordial tender of her regards to you; and if those of strangers can be
offered with propriety, and will be acceptable, we respectively wish to
have them conveyed to your amiable lady. We hope and trust, that your
passage has been short, agreeable, and safe, and that you are as happy
as the smiles of a gracious Prince, beloved wife, warm friends, and
high expectations, can make you. I have now complied with your request
in writing you a long letter, and I shall only add, that, with the
purest sentiments of attachment, and the warmest friendship and regard,
I am, my dear Marquis, your most affectionate and obliged, &c.

P. S. Harrison and Meade are in Virginia. All the other officers of my
staff unite most cordially in offering you their sincere compliments.

10th March, 1779.--I have this moment received the letters which were
in the hands of Major Nevill, accompanying yours of the 7th and 11th of
January. The Major himself has not yet arrived at head quarters, being,
as I am told, very sick. I must again thank you, my dear friend, for
the numerous sentiments of affection which breathe so conspicuously in
your last farewell, and to assure you that I shall always retain a warm
and grateful remembrance of it. Major Nevill shall have my consent to
repair to France, if his health permits it, and if the sanction of
congress can be obtained, to whom all applications of officers for
leave to go out of the United States are referred.

Footnote:

1. We believe this letter never reached M. de Lafayette.

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Paris, April 1st, 1779.

Sir,--From what M. de Sartine said to me, I requested M. de Chaumont
yesterday to send for Captain Jones, and although the place of his
present residence be unknown, our messenger will do all that can be
done to bring him immediately to us. I gave him an urgent letter for
Jones, and as Dr. Franklin was not at home, I left one also for him, in
which I expressed our desire to see the captain, rather as if to
consult him, than as if we had formed any definite project. The time I
passed with M. de Chaumont enabled me to discover what I shall now have
the honour of relating to you.~[1]

The armament of the _Bonhomme Richard_ (the vessel of fifty guns) goes
on as slowly as possible. The refusal to supply what is wanted,
especially guns, from the king's magazines, will retard the expedition
for a whole month, because it will be the same for all the other ships.
The only way to obviate this delay, would be to charge one man with the
whole armament, and to send him to the ports with orders to get all
that was necessary.

I have discovered that Jones had a little plan for an enterprise formed
under the direction of M. Garnier, and in which M. de Chaumont has
taken part. The manner in which M. de Sartine brought him to us, was by
making M. de Chaumont a half confidant, (the most dangerous of all
things, because it gives information without binding to secrecy,) and I
think it would be now better to communicate the secret of the armament
without betraying that of the expedition, and desire him to employ all
his activity in completing it. The other person need not, in that case,
take any part in it, and according to the orders received from M. de
Sartine, it appeared to me, from what M. de Chaumont said, that the
_Bonhomme Richard_, and other vessels, if required, might be in
readiness before the expiration of three weeks.

I intend to have the honour of paying my respects to you after dinner
on Saturday. If you approve of my idea, M. de Chaumont, or any other
person you may prefer, might be summoned at the same time; for by the
ordinary method this business will never be achieved. I hope that, in,
consequence of my aversion to delays in military affairs, you will
pardon the importunity which my confidence in you has inspired, in
favour of a project of which you feel the importance.

I have the honour to be, with the most sincere respect and affection,
&c.

Permit me to confide to you, also, under the same secrecy, my fears
that orders have not yet been sent to all the ports.

Footnote:

1. In the previous recital a few words have been said relating to this
armament. Two frigates, bearing the American colours, were to have been
placed under the orders of Paul Jones, and M. de Lafayette was to
command the small army intended to descend unexpectedly upon the
western coast of England, and to ransack Bristol, Liverpool, and other
commercial towns, for the advantage of the American finances. But this
expedition was soon considered below the position in which M. de
Lafayette was placed, and was abandoned for the plan of a descent on
England, which was to be executed by the combined forces of France and
Spain. The slowness of the latter power occasioned, at a later period,
the failure of the project; and the only result it produced was Paul
Jones's expedition, and the conflict between the _Bonhomme Richard_ and
the _Serapis_. See farther on the first letters to congress and to
Washington. In a collection of Franklin's private letters, there is
also found a letter relating to this affair, and the note written by M.
de Lafayette to Paul Jones when the expedition was abandoned. (_A
Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers_ of B.
Franklin, Boston, 1833. Washington's writings, Vol. vi., Appendix
viii.)

TO M. DE VERGENNES.

Paris, April 26th, 1779.

Sir,--Allow me the honour of proposing to you a plan, the success of
which, uncertain as it now is, will depend perhaps upon your
approbation. As your means of attack or defence depend on our maritime
force, would it not be doing a service to the common cause to increase
for a time that of our allies? To purchase vessels would be too
expensive for a nation so destitute of money; it would answer all
purposes to hire them, and would enable, us to make such diversions, or
to undertake such operations, as might be deemed necessary.

Do you not think, sir, if the King of Sweden would lend to America four
ships of the line, with the half of their crews, and the United States
would engage to return them within a year upon certain conditions, that
the step would be advantageous for us? The vessels might come to us
under the Swedish flag. France need not be implicated at all. We could
supply them in part, provide them with officers in blue, and send them
out under the American flag. It would only be necessary to know,
whether France would engage to be responsible for the sum requisite for
the hire, and would help to complete the equipment. Even if the first
part should meet with obstacles, the government might pledge itself
only in case it should exceed my fortune.

I have not as yet spoken to Dr. Franklin about the scheme, but I have
sounded the Swedish ambassador on the subject, much to my satisfaction;
he asked me for a letter, directed to him, which might be sent to his
king; and since I saw that this important project might result in
something advantageous, I was constrained to confide it to you, and ask
your opinion. The Swedish ambassador states that the vessels may be
here in two months and a half; consequently, including the rest of the
fleet, the whole might be at sea in the month of August; and arrive at
Rhode Island, Bermuda, or somewhere else in America, in the month of
October, which would be a good season.

It will be necessary for Dr. Franklin to send a trustworthy man, or,
what would be better, for you to send one, upon whom he might depend.
The proposed engagement requires some promise, and especially some
hopes, of commerce, that would diminish the expense which must be
incurred. Inform me, sir, I pray you, whether this little romantic
scheme offers any difficulties, and whether I am to prosecute or resign
my proposition.

I am, &c.

If, whilst we are arranging the negotiation with Sweden, the
contributions of England should yield us anything, I might then recal
to your attention a favourite project of mine.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

(ORIGINAL.)

St. Jean d'Angely, near Rochfort, June 12, 1779.

Sir,--How happy I shall think myself whenever a safe opportunity of
writing to congress is offered, I cannot in any way better express than
in reminding them of that unbounded affection and gratitude which I
shall ever feel for them. So deeply are those sentiments engraven on my
heart, that I every day lament the distance which separates me from
them, and that nothing was ever so warmly and passionately wished for,
as to return again to that country of which I shall ever consider
myself as a citizen; there is no pleasure to be enjoyed which could
equal this, of finding myself among that free and liberal nation, by
whose affection and confidence I am so highly honoured; to fight again
with those brother soldiers of mine to whom I am so much indebted. But
congress knows that former plans have been altered by themselves, that
others have been thought impossible, as they were asked too late in the
year.~[1]

I will therefore make use of the leave of absence they were pleased to
grant me, and serve the common cause among my countrymen, their allies,
until happy circumstances may conduct me to the American shores, in
such a way as would make that return more useful to the United States.
The affairs of America I shall ever look upon as any first business
whilst I am in Europe. Any confidence from the king and ministers, any
popularity I may have among my own countrymen, any means in my power,
shall be, to the best of my skill, and till the end of my life, exerted
in behalf of an interest I have so much at heart. What I have hitherto
done or said relating to America, I think needless to mention, as my
ardent zeal for her is, I hope, well known to congress; but I wish to
let them know that if, in my proposals, and in my repeated urgent
representation for getting ships, money, and support of any kind, I
have not always found the ministry so much in earnest as I was myself,
they only opposed to me _natural fears_ of inconveniences which might
arise to both countries, or the conviction that such a thing was
impossible for the present; but I never could question their good will
towards America. If congress believe that my influence may serve them,
in any way, I beg they will direct such orders to me, that I may the
more certainly and properly employ the knowledge I have of this court
and country for obtaining a success in which my heart is so much
interested.

His excellency, Doctor Franklin, will, no doubt, inform you, sir, of
the situation of Europe, and the respective state of our affairs. The
Chevalier de la Luzerne will also add thereto the intelligence which
will be intrusted to him at the time of his departure. By the doctor
you will learn what has been said or thought on account of finances.
Germany, Prussia, Turkey, and Russia, have made such a peace as the
French have desired. All the northern kingdoms, the Dutch themselves,
seem rather disgusted with English pride and vexations; they put
themselves in a situation to protect their trade of every kind with
France. Irish intelligence you will be fully and particularly
acquainted of. What concerns Spain will also be laid before you; so
that I have nothing to add but to tell you that our affairs seem going
very fast towards a speedy and honourable end. England is now making
her last effort, and I hope that a great stroke will, before long,
abate their fantastic, swollen appearance, and shew the narrow bounds
of their actual power.

Since we have taken Senegal I don't know of any military event which I
can mention. There has been a privateering expedition against Jersey
Island, which has been stopped by the difficulty of getting ashore.
That little attempt, made by some few private volunteers, England
honoured with the name of a public French expedition, and very unwisely
employed there Admiral Arbuthnot, which will interpose a great delay to
his reported departure. Congress will hear of an expedition against our
friends of Liverpool and other parts of the English coast; to show
there French troops under American colours, which on account of raising
contributions, my concern for American finances had at length brought
into my head. But the plan was afterwards reduced to so small a scale
that they thought the command would not suit me, and the expedition
itself has been delayed until more important operations take place.
There I hope to be employed, and if anything important should be the
matter, I shall, as a faithful American officer, give an accurate
account thereof to congress and General Washington.

The so flattering affection which congress and the American nation are
pleased to honour me with, makes me very desirous of letting them know,
if I dare speak so friendly, how I enjoyed my private situation. Happy,
in the sight of my friends and family, after I was, by your attentive
goodness, safely brought again to my native shore, I met there with
such an honourable reception, with such kind sentiments, as by far
exceeded any wishes I durst have conceived; I am indebted for that
inexpressible satisfaction which the good will of my countrymen towards
me affords to my heart, to their ardent love for America, to the cause
of freedom and its defenders, their new allies, and to the idea they
entertain that I have had the happiness to serve the United States. To
these motives, sir, and to the letter congress was pleased to write on
my account, I owe the many favours the king has conferred upon me;
there was no time lost in appointing me to the command of his own
regiment of dragoons, and every thing he could have done, every thing I
could have wished, I have received on account of your kind
recommendations.

I have been some days in this small town, near Rochefort harbour, where
I have joined the king's regiment, and where other troops are stationed
which I for the moment command; but I hope to leave this place before
long, in order to play a more active part and come nearer the common
enemy. Before my departure from Paris I sent to the minister of foreign
affairs, (who, by the bye; is one of our best friends,) intelligence
concerning a loan in Holland, which I want France to make or answer for
in behalf of America; but I have not yet heard any thing on that head.
M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne will give you more explicit and fresher
news, as he is particularly ordered to do so, and he sets out directly
from Versailles. That new minister plenipotentiary I beg leave to
recommend most earnestly to congress, not only as a public man, but
also as a private gentleman. From the acquaintance I have made with
him, I conceive he is a sensible, modest, well-meaning man; a man truly
worthy of enjoying the spectacle of American freedom. I hope that by
his good qualities and his talents, he will obtain both public
confidence and private friendship.

Wherever the interests of beloved friends are seriously concerned,
candid and warm affection knows not how to calculate, and throws away
all considerations. I will frankly tell you, sir, that nothing can more
effectually hurt our interests, consequence, and reputation, in Europe,
than to hear of disputes or divisions between the whigs. Nothing could
urge my touching upon this delicate matter but the unhappy experience
of every day on that head, since I can hear, myself, what is said on
this side of the Atlantic, and the arguments I have to combat with.

Let me, sir, finish this long letter, by begging you will present once
more to the congress of the United States, the tribute of an unbounded
zeal and affection, of the highest respect and most sincere gratitude,
with which I shall be animated, till the last moment of my life.

With the most, &c.

Footnote:

1. This relates to the project of an expedition to Canada, and other
plans of the same kind.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

St. Jean d'Angely, near Rochefort harbour, June 12,1779.

My Dear General,--Here is at length a safe opportunity of writing to
you, and I may tell you what sincere concern I feel at our separation.
There never was a friend, my dear general, so much, so tenderly
beloved, as I love and respect you: happy in our union, in the pleasure
of living near to you, in the pleasing satisfaction of partaking every
sentiment of your heart, every event of your life, I have taken such a
habit of being inseparable from you, that I cannot now accustom myself
to your absence, and I am more and more afflicted at that enormous
distance which keeps me so far from my dearest friend. I am the more
concerned at this particular time, my dear general, as I think the
campaign is opened, you are in the field, and I ardently wish I might
be near you; and, if possible, contribute to your success and glory.
Forgive me for what I am going to say, but I cannot help reminding you
that a commander-in-chief should never expose himself too much; that in
case General Washington was killed, nay, even seriously wounded, there
is no officer in the army who could fill his place, every battle would
most certainly be lost, and the American army, the American cause
itself, would, perhaps, be entirely ruined.

Inclosed I send your excellency a copy of my letter to congress, in
which you will find such intelligence as I was able to give them. The
Chevalier de la Luzerne intends going to congress by passing through
head quarters. I promised I would introduce him to your excellency, and
I have requested him to let you know of any news he may have been
entrusted with. Such a conversation will better acquaint you than the
longest letter. The ministry told me they would let him know the true
state of affairs before his departure. By what you will hear, my dear
general, you will see that our affairs take a good turn, and I hope
England will receive a good stroke before the end of the campaign.
Besides the good dispositions of Spain, Ireland is a good deal tired of
English tyranny. I, _in confidence_, tell you that the scheme of my
heart would be to make her as free and independent as America. I have
formed some private relations there. God grant that we may succeed, and
the era of freedom at length arrive for the happiness of mankind. I
shall know more about Ireland in a few weeks, and then I will
immediately communicate with your excellency. As to congress, my dear
general, it is too numerous a body for one safely to unbosom oneself,
as with one's best friend.

In referring you to M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne, for what concerns
the public news of this time, the present situation of affairs, and the
designs of our ministry, I will only speak to your excellency about
that great article, money. It gave me much trouble, and I insisted upon
it so much, that the director of finances looks upon me as a devil.
France has met great expenses lately; those Spaniards will not give
their dollars easily. However, Dr. Franklin has got some money to pay
the bills of congress, and I hope I shall determine them to greater
sacrifices. Serving America, my dear general, is to my heart an
inexpressible happiness.

There is another point for which you should employ all your influence
and popularity. For God's sake prevent their loudly disputing together.
Nothing hurts so much the interest and reputation of America, as to
hear of their intestine quarrels. On the other hand there are two
parties in France: MM. Adams and Lee on one part, Doctor Franklin and
his friends on the other. So great is the concern which these divisions
give me, that I cannot wait on these, gentlemen as much as I could
wish, for fear of occasioning disputes and bringing them to a greater
collision. That, my dear general, I intrust to your friendship, but I
could not help touching upon that string in my letter to congress.
Since I left America, my dear General, not a single line has arrived
from you;~[1] this I attribute to winds, accidents, and deficiency of
opportunities
for I dare flatter myself General Washington would not lose that of
making his friend happy. In the name of that very friendship, my dear
general, never miss any opportunity of letting me know how you do. I
cannot express to you how uneasy I feel on account of your health, and
the dangers you are, perhaps at this moment, exposing yourself to.
These you may possibly laugh at, and call womanlike considerations; but
so, my dear friend, I feel, and I never could conceal the sentiments of
my heart.

I don't know what has become of Colonel Nevill and the Chevalier de la
Colombe. I beg you will make some inquiries respecting them, and do
every thing in your power for their speedy exchange, in case they have
been taken. Inclosed I send you a small note for Mr. Nevill. Give me
leave to recommend to your excellency our new plenipotentiary minister,
who seems to me extremely well calculated for deserving general esteem
and affection.

I know, my dear general, you wish to hear something about my private
affairs: these I give an account of to congress, and shall only add
that I am here as happy as possible. My family, my friends, my
countrymen, made me such a reception, and shewed me every day such an
affection, as I should not have dared to hope. I have been for some
days in this place, where there is the king's own regiment of dragoons,
which I command, and some regiments of infantry, which are, for the
present, under my orders; but I hope soon to begin a more active life,
and in consequence thereof my return to Paris is, I believe, very near
at hand; from thence I shall get employed in whatever may be done
against the common enemy. What I wish, my dear general, what would make
me the happiest of men, is to join again American colours, or to put
under your orders a division of four or five thousand countrymen of
mine. In case any such co-operation or private expedition should be
desired, I think (if peace is not settled this winter) that an _early_
demand might be complied with for the next campaign.

Our ministry is rather slow in their operations, and have a great
propensity for peace, provided it be an honourable one, so that I think
America must shew herself in good earnest for war till such conditions
are obtained. American independence is a certain, undoubted point, but
I wish to see that independence acknowledged with advantageous
conditions. This, my dear general, is between us; as for what concerns
the good will of the king, of the ministers, of the public, towards
America, I, an American citizen, am fully satisfied with it; and I am
sure the alliance and friendship between both nations will be
established in such a way as will last for ever.

Be so kind, my dear general, as to present my best respects to your
lady, and tell her how happy I should feel to present them myself to
her at her own house. I have a wife, my dear general, who is in love
with you, and her affection for you seems to me to be so well justified
that I cannot oppose myself to that sentiment of hers. She begs you
will receive her compliments and make them acceptable to Mrs.
Washington. I hope, my dear general, you will come to see us in Europe,
and most certainly I give you my word that if I am not happy enough to
be sent to America before the peace, I shall by all means go there as
soon as I can escape. I must not forget to tell you, my dear friend,
that I have the hope of being soon once more a father.

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