Class_^ Rnnk ^9^ / OUR FRENCH ALLIES EEVOLUTION AND OTHER ADDRESSES BY J. C. PU MPELLY, MORRISTOWN- - NEW JERSEY. " Here let there be what the earth waits for — exalted manhood. What America longs for is personalities — grand persons to counter- act its materialities. For it is the rnle of the universe that corn shall serve man and not man corn." — ilal})h Waldo Emerson. INTRODUCTION. The early history of a people is always its heroic period. In it material is always to be found upon which patriotism and loyalty best flourish. It is not so much a great accumulation of historical facts that we need as it is the vivid presentation of almost any incidents which will interest us in and acquaint us with the indomitable sj^irit of '7C. The writer, himself an enthusiastic and accurate student of the heroic period in American history, is entitled to our sincere and appreciative gratitude for refreshing our memories in so attrac- tive a way, as do the following monograms, of the great deeds and the greater men that underlie the splendid achievements of these United States. As Secretary of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the Revo- lution and with a picturesque style in comjjosition he has every equipment for selecting and publishing salient bits of the Revo- lutionary daj'S well adaj^ted to teach us and our children of that great love of human liberty which has made America, the world over, a synonym for human progress. "H." Morristown, N. J. Nov. 1889. ADDRESS DcUvcred al a meel'Dui of the Wasliinf/ton Association, at Morrisiown, on Febnianj 2'J, 188S, HY J. C. rUMrELLY. Mk. Pkesidbjst anj> Feli.ow Members of the WAsmxci- TON Association;— On December 30, 1790, just Ki (hiys after the deiitli of the "Father of his Country, Congress by Kesolution and the President by rroehunation designated tlie 22d of February as a day dedicated to ]iis memory, and thus it is that from the land of granite and ice, to tlie liome of the palmetto and the orange, in e\ery region of oju' broad country, the heart of patriotism waiins to-day to the nanu; of Washing- ton. With this feeling, we, too, have assembled ourselves, and standing here on ground sacred to the cause of liberty, and in the midst of mementoes permeated with the spirit and wisdom of a time Avhich tried men's souls we tronld jhuj our Irihnte of honor not only to the founder of a nation, but to the memory of those of our own blood who fought and suf- fered by his side. 6 The time and place are both replete with inspiring influ- ences, and by their aid I hope to be able to give jou, at least an outlined picture of the great Chieftain who, on that bleak first of December, 1779, entered these portals as the honored guest of Mrs. Theodosia Ford. Speaking of Washington as a strategist, General Car- rington, in his address before the New Jersey Historical Society, says, "The term retreat is a misnomer for Wash- ington's march to the Delaware. It was not a retreat but only the part of a great strategic plan." Ilemembering tln" necessities and perils of the situation in New York, and how impossible it was for Washington to do otherwise than he did, I cannot go thus far, but one thing is very sure, from the time the war took definite shape until the final stroke at Yorktown, New Jersey became the Head- quarters of American resistance — the strategic centre and the chief battle field of the Eevolutiou. Ever mindful of Howe's true policy and the value of New York to the British Crown, Washington conceived and wrought out a counter policy, and with unexcelled wisdom he concentrated all the possibilities of a successful resis- tance to the enemy Avithin a space so small, yet Avitli fast- nesses so unassailable, and a plan of obst^rvation so com- plete, that, as Botta the historian, says: "By an army al- most reduced to extremity PhilacMpMa was saved, Pennsyl- vania j^i'otcctecl, New Jersey recovered, and a victorious army laid under the necessity of (putting all thought of acting- offensively in order to defend itself." Such, in a few words, was Washington as a strategist, and it is the pride of every Jerse\nian that here, within a radius of hardly one hundred miles, was the arena upon which were enacted the cAents which were to change the whole future of a nature. "No nobler ligure," says (iladstone, speaking of the great commander, "ever stood in the fore- front of a nation's life," and it was in those days here in Morristown, the \'ery darkest before the dawn, Avhen the character of the man was most severely tried and his great attributes as a leader of men made manifest. At that date Washington was 47 years of age, in stat- ure over six feet, perfectly erect, of marked bearing and noUility of presence, and, as Jefferson says, "the best horse- man of his age." His eyes were gray, his hair hazel-brown, his complexion light and his countenance severe and thoughtful, while his person and whole deportment exhib- ited an unaii\}cted and indescribable dignity unmingled with haughtiness, of which all who approached him were sensible. In this connection Hie New Jersey Gazette of Dec. Gtli, 1779, contains the following, from an English cor- respondent: — "Washington is a tall, well made man, rather large boned, with features numly and bold, eyes of a bluish cast and very lively ; hair a deep brown, face long and marked with smallpox ; complexion sunburnt, and his countenance sensible, composed and thoughtful. There is a remarkable air of dignity about him, with a striking de- gree of gracefulness. He has an excellent understanding without nuich ([uickncss ; is strictly just, vigilant, gen- 8 erous ; an uftectioiiatc ImsbaDd, a faithful friend, a father to the deserving- soldier, gentle in his manners, but rather reserved. Is a total stranger to religious i)rejudices, but in bis morals irreproachable and was never known to ex- ceed the bounds of temperance. Candor, sincerity, affabil- ity and simplicity seem to be the striking features of his character, until an occasion offers of displaying the most determined bravery and independence of spirit." In his moral aspect he was no saint, and by no means, as one writer puts it, "well nigh sui)er-human," For while his integrity and virtue were tirmly based in a truly relig- ious faith, yet he was a man of very strong passions, and as Jefferson says: "showed himself on several occasions 'tremendous in his wrath.'" It has been circumstantially stated that when the militia, in New York, in the Fall of '7(5 turned and ran, and again at the time of Lee's disobedience at Monmouth, AVashing- ton was transported with passion and swore roundly. Possibly he did, for on the two occasions in (pio'stion, he was sorely tried. 9 No doubt niiich of that power in word and pen, which inspired those about him to enchire, and to do as they did in this terrible winter, sprang from his passionate, but usual- ly subjugated nature. In this respect he resembles most of (he great men wlio have moved and controlled their fellow men to the accomplishment of great deeds. One of those traits of character, which (next to unyield- ing lirmuess and a freedom from jealousy almost unknown in celebrated captains) peculiarly distinguished Washing- ton w-AHii 2)unetiUous exactness as to money matters, and nhnv sense of justice, where not alone his own but the rights of others were concerned. When he took up his residence in this Ikuisc, and accei)- ted the freely ottered hospitality of the widow, Theodosia Ford, he made an inventory of all articles which were a[>- l»ropriated to his use, and when about to dei)art in ,June 17S0, he in(iuired of his hostess whether everything had been returned to her. Her reply was, " Ali but one silver table-spoon." The General made due note of the loss, and not long afterwards she received from him a note, inclosing the identical spoon. Major Gibbs (the same, I sup[)ose, who was in command of the "Life Guards") was caterer to the General's house- hold for some years, and in Washington's personal book of account with the United States (a fac simUe of which is in our ^rorristoAvn Library) occurs the following entry • — "May lath- By Gash - - . l. Il,'J-J(j h." 10 and this foot-note : "This sum stands in my ac- count as a credit to the public, but 1 can tind no charge against me in any of the public offices. Where the mistake lies I know not, but I wish it could be ascertained, as I have no desire to injure or be injured." Without doubt this roof has sheltered more of the faui- ous men of the Eevolution than any other in our land. Generals, Statesmen, Foreign Envoys and members of the Continental Congress, all gathered here to meet the great rebel chief. Of the latter's own band of co-patriots, there was the requient Quaker but Naliant General, Xathaniel Greene; the able artillerist Knox, "Mad" Anthony Wayne the hero of Stony Point, the veteran disciplinarian Steu- ben, the polished Kosciuszko, thebrilliant Alexander Ham- ilton, the accomplished Stirling; also there was the hero of Bennington elohn Stark, and Washington's Chief of Engineers, the talented Chevalier Duportail — of the French Engineers — who was made a Major General for his services at the Siege of Yorktown. A group unparalleled in the world, and its grand central tigure was the man, the anni- versary of whose birth, we are here to commemorate to-day. Prof. Lieber says of him : "He appears to us the brave historic model of immaculate patriotism, a man not bril- liant, but sound to the inmost recess of his large heart." As an instance of this we can but recall the brave but kindly words in which Washington re[>rimanded the traitor, Arnold, whose Court Martial here at the Norris Tavern, was one of the most important events of that most distress- ing winter. 11 "Never," sajs one writer, "was the sword of justice more delicately tempered, and a smoother wound given to an irritable conscience, than when wielded by the hand of the Commander-in-Chief on this occasion." Washington has been wrongfully called by one of our late writers a cold and austere man. Certainly there was a certain dignity and majesty about him, which did not belong ordinarily to men, and then, too, as Professor Lie- ber says, no endearing names were bestowed upon him by his soldiers; and yet, while in this very house, so intense was his anxiety and sympathy for the sutferings of his brave troops, then encamped at Kimble Hill, he wrote to President Eeed, of Pennsylvania, entreating aid and sup- plies to keeiJ his army from disbanding, saying, "We have never experienced a like extremity at any period of the war." (Life of Eeed, II. 189.) Again he wrote, on Janu- ary 8th, "The troops, both otiicers and men, have been al- most perishing wdth want," yet feelingly he added, "they have borne their sufferings with a patience that merits the approbation and ought to excite the symi)athies of their countrymen." To Schuyler he wrote: "Sometimes the army has been live or six days together without bread; at other times as many days without meat, and once or twice two or three days without either. I hardly thought it possible at one period that we should be able to keep the army together, uor could it have been done, if not for the exertions of the magistrates of the sev^eral Counties of this State, on whom I was obliged to call." 12 It must be remeiiibeied too, that, though tlieso troops arrived December 14th, it was not until two months after- wards that the huts were completed, so that they could be in anyway sheltered. Of the money, Marshall in Vol. IV, of his Life of Washington, says: "The pay of a Major (Jeneral would not have compensated an express ri- der; that of a Captain would not have furnished the shoes in which he marched to lead his company against the enemy." It is needless to add that many of the [)0()i' soldiers had neither money nor shoes, and it was told to me by a former emi)loyee at these Headquarters, that Washington once— so Mrs. Ford informed him — noticed such a barefooted patriot passing the house and immediately went to his rooms and brought out a pair of shoes, having an excellent pair of buckles on them. Noticing these last, but not re- moving them, he gave the shoes to the grateful soldier with the one injunction, "Take them, my man, but do not sell the buckles for rum." The great Commander's unseltish thoughtfulness for others was marked by many incidents in the life here at Headciuarters, as his symi)athetic care for the young soldier Ford who was brought home wound- ed, and the careful way in which when an alarm was sounded and the Life Guards would prei)are to barricade the house, he would go into tlie rooms of Lady Washington and Airs. Ford, draw closer the curtains of their bed and cheer them by w ords of encouragement. Those indeed were bitter days, and yet amid them all 13 the great Commander never lost courage or faltered in bis faith. At that ink-stained desk in the office, or at the dis- patch table in the parlor, be sat and penned letters of ad- vice and encouragement to a hesitating Congress, and to vacillating Governors, which for depth of judgment and fervor of zeal have never been surpassed. And so it was, that more and more through these weeks of cold, fatigue, distress and starvation, the men he led learned how wholly his heart was with them, and in return gave him their devoted service. They knew that whatever else might freeze, there was nothing cold about their dig- nified and stately, but slightly excitable General. And, so lirin was his nature, intrigues could not destroy him, and every assailing force would shatter like earthen- ware as soon as it came into collision with the solid fabric of his character. The most interesting evidence of this dignity of charac- ter is in'obably found in the letters of those French officers (to whom we owe so much) and the reports of the French Diplomats. All of which go to show that he was really •more than a soldier, more than an ordinary man; also, that there was a certain majesty and power in his nature, which in God's providence assured the success of the Government from the moment he took it in hand. But this assurance might have been barren indeed, if it had not been for those indefatigable French Allies, among whom especially to be remembered is Vice- Admiral Comte d' Estaiug, who at the close of the Revolution commanded the combined land and 14 naval forces of France and Spain, and so threatened the safety of the West Indies, that George III and Lord North were constrained to acknowledge onr indepeidence. Like Lafayette, d' Estaing recognized that Washington was at all times planning for the nltiniate founding and creating, out of the thirteen disjointed Colonies, a nation which should hold in its hands the destiny of a great peo- ple, if not the destiny of the whole world. It is in this light I would have Washington always appear in the minds and hearts of every youth in this country; and to this end I would have every school in the land so thoroughly Ameri- canized that each one would become a nursery oi patriot- ism, and thus aid in eliminating from our midst those pes- tiferous ideas which have become so freely imported froni the heer cellars and socialistic conclaves of Europe. But so far the picture I have tried to outline for you has been unrelieved by one single humorous incident ; and yet there were lights, as well as shadows, in the life those heroes led here amid the snow clad hills of Morris. Would that we could in imagination look in upon the group of officers, as they gathered about their Chief, at "Orderly Hours" in the old log cabin headquarters, or sat around that old table in the dining-room. Possibly the following letter written about that time to "Smythe's Journal," in InTcw York, may help to lighten somewhat the sombreness of the scene: — " Thirteen is a number peculiarly belonging to the rebels. A party of naval prisoners, lately returned from Jersey, say 'That the rations among the rebels are thirteen dried 15 clams per day ; that the titular Lord Stirling takes thirteen glasses of grog every morning, has thirteen enormous rum- bunches on his nose, and that (when dulj' impregnated) he always makes thirteen attempts before he can walk ; that Mr. Washington has thirteen toes on his feet (the extra ones having grown since the Declaration of Independence,) and the same number of teeth in each jaw; that the Sachem Scuyler has a to])-knot of thirteen stiff hairs, which erect themselves on thi^ crown of his head when he grows mad ; that old Putnam had thirteen pounds of his posteriors bit off in an encounter with a Connecticut bear ('twas then he lost the balance of his mind;) that it takes thirteen Congress paper dollars to ('((uai one i)eiiny sterling; that Polly Wayne was Just thirteen hours in subduing Stony Point, and as many seconds in leaving it ; that a well or- ganized rebel household has thirteen children, all of whom expect to be Generals and members of the High and Mighty Congress of the 'Thirteen United States,' when they attain thirteen years; that Mrs, Washington has a mottled Tom cat (which she calls in a complimentary way 'Hamilton') with thirteen yellow rings around his tail, and that his flaunting it suggested to the Congress the adopting of the same number of stripes for the rebel flag.' " But my discourse, all insufficient as it is, has already been protracted unduly and I nuist close. Among all the conspicuous names which will be honored to-day let us remember with tender gratitude that (and I use the words of our favorite historian. President Tuttle,) each 16 old parish in our County has its heroes, and each old church was a shrine at which brave men and women bowed in Ciod's fear, consecrating- their all to their country." So, instead of referring our children to Greek and Ko- man patriots, we have but to call up for them the names of our own men and woman, who have here amid the hills of Morris wrought out for us this heritage, so much grander, so much nobler than they themselves ever dreamed. And whatever betide and in (^very ])eril h^t us remember WashuKjton. '* L^t his great example stand colossal seen of every land, And keep the soldier lirm, the statesman pure ; Till in all lands and through all human story The path of Duty be the way to Glory." Washington's Headquarters, Morristown, Feb, 22nd, 1888. Our French AllievS in the Revolution. J. C. PUMPELLY Read hefore the New Jersey Rlstorical Society, at Trenton, January 22, 1889. "I am proud of France," wrote Pere Hyacinthe to an American clergyman ; "I am proud of France, but I deem it as one of her most solid glories to have contributed to the independence of your noble country." This eloquent utterance voices the sentiment which Frenchman generally have entertained toward the United States. The love of freedom glowed alike in the heart of both peoples from the time of the first resistance in America to the tyrannous impositions of Great Britain. Indeed, the time was ripe for them to fraternize. But three days before the British troops had entered Boston to suppress the kindling spirit of liberty, the death of an unworthy king and the succession of another more excellent and de- serving had given heart to the friends of freedom in France and delivered their country from impending ruin. 17 3 18 The writings of French litterateurs had been preparingthe public mind for a new departure in religious, social and gov- ernmental aifairs. The men and women of culture and re- linement were eagerly contemplating the advent of a period when the hoary despotism of the Middle Ages should pass away, and be succeeded by the dawn and noonday of civil and spiritual freedom for mankind. Such men as our be- loved Marquis de La Fayette had caught the inspiration and were prompt to contribute both wealth and influence, and to unsheath their swords to help bring forward the coming epoch. To them the first clash of arms in New England was the signal for action, and they hastened to give their aid and personal service. Others more reflective and conscious of responsibility directed their endeavors toward the impelling of a reluctant government to take part in the great conflict, and co-operate with the Americans in their unequal struggle. The new theories which the sa- vants and ijublicists of France had inculcated, thus brought forth their fruit, thirty, sixty, and an hundred fold. These men indeed built wiser than they knew. The good understanding between France and America has ever since been regarded by far-seeing minds as of vital importance to both countries. Edmond About, in his passionate arraignment of the Emperor Napoleon III, breaks out into the following invective: "The great Amer- ican Republic was from the beginning the friend and ally of France. You constrained it to forget that it owes its existence to France." 19 In this declaration we have the exact statement of the sentiment which prevails among leading minds in that country. They are vividly awake to the urgent necessity of the most cordial relations between the two peoples, a sentiment which we should most fully reciprocate. At the same time our excellent friends do not hesitate to remind us very significantly of our indebtedness to them in the struggle for national independence. They love to echo the sentiment of Minister Genet to Secretary Jefferson: "But for France, Americans would now be vassals to England." We may plead in extenuation of this claim, that France had already shown herself unable to co[>c with Great Britain and her colonies upon this Continent. In the Seven Tears' War, which was ended with the Treaty of Paris, in 1763, she had been shorn of her vast possessions in Asia and America, and obliged to raze her fortifications at Dunkirk and submit to the indignity of a resident English Commis- sioner at that place, whose word was law. We may readily presume that her statesmen deeply resented these humili- ations, and were on the alert to foster any movement that would assure revenge upon their triumphant adversary. It is certain that Baron JohnDe Kalb traveled extensively in the British Colonies during the interval between the Treaty of Paris and the outbreak of the American Eevolu- tion. He made himself familiar with the prevailing public sentiment, and kept the French Ministry appraised of his observations. A change of Ministers for a time suspended his correspondence ; but we may be confident that France, 20 finding herself unable to maintain her foot-hold upon this Continent, was watching her opportunity to uproot the British Dominion in her turn. The irritation in the Colonies at the prohibition of the trade witli European coun- tries and the West Indies, and the arbitrary suppression of manufacturing industries, was now brought to a crisis by direct taxation and the introduction of soldiery into the Province of Massachusetts. Turgot, perhaps one of the most far-seeing of the French statesmen, and very similar in character to our own Wash- ington, was awake to the portents of the time. As early as April, 177G, he predicted to the Ministers of the French King the issue of the American conflict. "The supposi- tion of an absolute separation between Great Britain and her colonies," he declared, "seems to me infinitely probable, and the result of the conflict will be a total revolution be- tween Europe and America in political and commercial relations. There is no remedy but submission to the inev- itable, and obstinate resistance will involve great peril to the mother country." (Sch rodder. Life and Times of Wash- ington, Volume 1, p. 080.) Many other distinguished Frenchmen believed as Turgot. vSome of these, sympathizing enthusiastically with the colo- nists, and acting under the counsel of Count Yergennes, secretly furnished them with large amounts of arms and ammunition. This was done without any official sanction or approval of the Government, which ostensibly took the side of Great Britain. Tlio Spanish Court, also, through 21 the mercautilo house of lioderique Hostages and Co., ad- vanced a million livres ($185,000) and the French Court an equal sum, a loan to be paid in American products. In connection -svith these movements took place the deception of Arthur Lee, whicli put our government decidedly in the wrong and led to a controversy and litigation of fifty years. La Fayette himself, always foremost in ])romptness, raised a force of two thousand men, eipiipping and disciplining them and expending more than $100,000 of his own private fortune. The Treaty of Alliance, however, between the United States and France, was a later occurrence. Sentiment, sym- l)athy and policy had dictated the previous action, but statecraft and diplomacy required other grounds to justify open participation in the conflict. It must appear that the Americans were able to give active co-operation of a char- acter formidable to tlie British Government, and this was abundantly shown in thecaptureof Gen.Burgoyne in 1777. Hale, in his "Life of Washington," has indicated three great successes achieved by the Americans in the Revolu- tionary AVar: 1. The evacuation of Boston by Gen. Howe in 1775, when every British soldier was removed from New England. 2. The surrender of Burgoyne in 1777, which in- cluded an entire army. o. The surrender of Lord Cornwal- lis in 1781, which was the loss of another army. The num- ber of men, of course, would not bear comparison with those engaged in the wars of Frederic of Prussia and the Empress Maria Theresa. Nevertheless, the completeness 22 of the disaster, the critical period of its occurrence, and its dramatic character, greatly effected public opinion, both in England and all Europe. The evacuation of Boston had given our friends in France and elsewhere hope in the pos- sible success of our anus ; and the surrender at Saratoga confirmed this hope into conviction and removed hesitation on the part of the French Court. Accordingly, in the month of December the American Commissioners at Paris were secretly notified that Louis XVI was ready to ac- knowledge the independence of the Thirteen States and to make a treaty of alliance and commerce with the new nation. The history of the first French mission may deserve a brief mention. In November, 177G, a Frenchman appeared at Philadelphia and asked to be permitted to communicate with the Congress. He appeared totally unworthy of credit, but Messrs. Jefferson, Jay and Franklin had a con- ference with him at the Carpenters' Hall. He would not give his name or exhibit credentials, but assured them con- fidently that whatever they wanted of arms, ammunition, money or ships would be gladly supplied from France. Then making his conge, he departed and was never seen again. Forcibly impressed by his words the committee were able to induce the Congress to appoint a committee to correspond "with friends in Great Britain, Ireland and other parts of the world." A most discouraging delay now supervened. Summer was passed into Autumn when Dr. Franklin received a letter from M. Dubourg containing assurances of sympathy and help from France. On the 21st of September, Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee were appointed Commissioners to the French Court. A few weeks later took place the surrender of Bur- goyne. The news reached Paris on the 4th of December and the public cry demanded that the Covernment unite its fortunes with America. Negotiations were speedily begun, and on the sixth of February, 1778, two treaties were executed, one of friendship and commerce, and one of defensive alliance in case that Great Britain should declare war against France. The object being to assure commer- cial and political independence, it was pledged by both parties that no peace should be concluded till that end had been attained, and then only by mutual consent. In these treaties the King of France declared in these words, "his intention that the terms should l)e such as we might be willing to agree to just as if our State had been long es- tablished and in the fullness of strength ; that he would support our independence by every means in his power, and if he should get into war thereby he would expect no compensation from us on that a(;count ; also, tijat if he did engage in a war with England on our account we could make a separate peace for ourselves whenever good terms were ottered to us," the only condition being "that wc in no case if peace was made with l']ngland sliould give up our independence and return to obedience to that govern- ment." The treaties set forth further that we tshould be faithful allies, and that our commerce as well as our government 24 should be iudepeiideut. The Kiug " reuoiinced forever the possession of the Island of Bermuda as well as any i)art of the continent of Xorth America, heretofore called British Colonies." In the "Diary of the Revolution " the author says "The Treaty of Commerce is an act without parallel. In a word, the sentiments delivered on December 16th by Monsieur Gerard, by order of the King- of France are sen- timents rarely entertained by imnces, and which, together with these remarkable treaties, must rank him, not only among the greatest monarchs of France, but in history." On the loth of March the information of these treaties was communicated to the British Court. The English Ambassador was at once recalled from Paris, which was virtually a declaration of war. The French Treaties were ratified by the American Congress on the 5th of May. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. The hereditary hatred toward France Avhich had hitherto existed in America was changed to respect, gratitude and aftection. In the British Parliament the most virulent debates now took place. The Opposition w^ere decided in advocacy of acknowledging the independence of the Colonies. A protracted war with France as a i)arty to it, they declared, would involve great loss to British commerce. The Earl of Chatham, in the House of Lords, was protesting eloquently against the dis- memberment of the British Empire, when he fell in a faint- ing fit. xVlmost at the same time General Burgoyne, at home a prisoner on parole, coolly took his seat in the House ol Commons and vehemently denounced the inefficient conduct 25 of the war. It must be ackuowledged tlitit there was a dis- position exhibited at the first to discredit the French alli- ance. The Philadelphia Ledger oi)enly favored reconcila- tion Avith England, and denounced the French as an "ambitious and treacherous power," a i)eoi>le led by the worst elements of the Ivomish Ohurcli. At a later period the failures of D'Estaing and others to accomplish what had been expected wxre made the subject of unfriendly criticism. Another sentiment ruled in thc^ counsels of American patriots. The despondent and half-starved army at Valley Forge were elated at the news that a powerful champion had come to their aid, and made the welkin ring with their glad huzzas for France and Louis XVI, On the 5tli of May the Commander-in-Chief issued a (jeneral Order for the celebration of the event, beginning with these words : "It having pleased the Almighty Kuler of the L'niverse propitiously to defend the cause of the United American States and finally by raising up a powerful friend among the Princes of the Earth to establish our Liberty and Independence," etc. The ratification of the French treaties had rendered all plans for conciliation hopeless. Nevertheless commis- sioners were a])pointed to offer terms of com})romise to the insurgent (Jolonies. The French ^Ministry wtMv alarmed. To closer the breach between England and America would be fatal to her plans. Count Vergennes accordingly hastened to carry the treaties into effect. 26 Vice-Admiral Count D'Estaing- was sent to America with a powerful Heet openly as auxiliary to the Americans. The British Ministry immediately gave orders for the evacuation of Philadelphia, With Count D'Rstaing came M. Gerard de Rayneval, the French Envoy. A delegation from Congress, of which John Hancock was one, met the thig-ship at Chester, and going on board greeted M. Gerard in the warmest terms. The King of France was also eulo- gized as " the Protector of the Eights of Humanity," and afterward on every occasion of i)ul)lic demonstration that title was given him. M. Gerard proved an invaluabU* friend jind counsellor. Count D'Estaing had l)een charged with three missions which, as will be seen, were too onerous and difficult. He was instructed to blockade the British fleet in the Dela- ware, to promote revolt in Lower Canada, and to protect the French possessions in the West Indies and on the Continent. He had sailed directly to the Delaware in or- der to execute the tirst of these instructions, and M'as unsuccessful. The British Army acting under orders from home had (evacuated Philadel])hia and returned to Ncm" York, whither the fleet had already gone. On their way thither they were overtaken at JMoiimouth and defeated by those very men from Valley Forge whom they had befoie affected to despise. At this battle the young Marquis de La Fayette flattered himself, from his advanced position under General Lee, that he would win the flrst laurels of the day. Imagine his chagrin and mortification when that 27 officer commanded a retreat. Ever since his release from Britisli captivity, General Lee exhibited cokluess and more disaftection toward the American canse, if we refrain fi-om a more just bnt harsher term. To the earnest appeal of Gen. La Fayette he coldly replied: "You do not know British soldiers, we cannot stand against them." " British soldiers have been beaten and may be again," said the intrepid La Fayette, " at any rate I am disposeil to mala> the trial." Observing that Lee's actions were suspicious he promptly gave notice to the Commander-in Chief that his presence on that part of the tield was of the greatest importance. Lee's misconduct prevented the total rout of the British Army, but Washington rcaclKul the phi<'<> in time to save the fortunes of the day. I may mention just here that in the campaign of 1778 and 1779 in the Jerseys, La Fayette had with him in the service that distinguished Frenchman Armand Charles Tutin, Marquis de la Eourie, who fought at Ked Bank, Camden and Yorktown, and like the trusted Duportail was often with Washington at the headquarters in ^Morristown. Also another brave French otUcer, Count Duplessis, who fought nobly at Fort IMercer and Bed Bank, and of Avhom Washington says in a letter to Congress, " he possesses a degree of modesty not always found in men who ]>crlorm brilliant actions." After the battle of iNlonnumth a plan was agreed upon by Washington and D'Estaing for driving the British from Khode Island. Gen. Sullivan was placed in command to 28 co-operate with the Freuch forces. The camjiaigu opened finspiciously, but was destined to ch)se with bitter disap- pointment. Upon the arrival of the French iieet, July 29tli, the Brit- isli hastened to destroy ten of their vessels, lest they shonld become prizes to the victors, and two commanders next agreed to attack the enemy in his intrench- meuts, bnt on that \'ery day a British fleet of thirty-six vessels appeared and D'Estaing pnt fortli to meet them. A terrible storm arose, which discomhtcd Gen. Sullivan on shore and compelled the Admiral to desist from an engagement which he had begun with great enthusiasm and every hope of success. He sailed for Boston to repair, and at the very time when victory seemed in reach of the American forces, and the British army at Newport likely to meet the fate of Bur- goyne, he sailed for the West Indies to tight the enemy there. Necessary as this movement might have been to French interests, it was most unfortunate for the Ameri- cans. A victory in Rhode Island in 1770 would [)robably have terminated the war. Gen. Sullivan i)rotested in severe terms. At this the Admiral remonstrated, but was soothed by an explanation which may remind us of some of the oc- currences of our late Civil War. D'Estaing was a soldier, and his chief ofhcers on the French fleet resented the placing of a military oflicer in a naval connnand over them. They did not scruple to embarrass his movements in vari- ous ways and to prevent their success. They stand justly 29 chargeable, therefore, with the great faihire. " The Count himself wished to remain with us," Gen. Sullivan wrote to Washington, "hut was overruled in council by his captains." To have deviated from the advice of his council would have been attended with ill consequences to him in case of mis- fortune. Having captured St. Vincent and Granada, D'Estaing lost no time in returning to our shores. He co-operated with Gen. Lincoln in unsuccessful attack ui)on Savannah, and after the tinal repulse sailed again for the West Indies and returned at once to France. He had failed in all he had undertaken, yet his ser\'ices both to America and his own Government were of great imi)ortance. He captured a number of armed and transport shii)s, oi)ened the southern ports to trading vessels, and destroyed the prestige of the British navy on the sea. He was energetic, adventurous and indefatigable, and as ardent and enthusiastic as a youth. 1 1 must injustice be added that he made the ]5ritish project to detach Georgia and the Carolinas from the American Confed- eration imi)racticable. Sir Henry Clinton pronounced his operations highly disastrous to British interests, yet, even though tlu^ military and naval co-operation of the French did not realize that which had been hoped and expected, tlie other advantages from the alliance were most important. The influence upon the i)olitics and action of other Enropenn States was invaluable. Enssia never hesitated to express sympathy with the new nation. Spain adhered to the Eoyal Family Alliance, an.. r-^^^Z MORRISTOWN- NEW JERSEY. montahue & selvage, Steam Book and Job Printers, MoRRisTOWN, New Jersey. :i-*