American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette, 27 November 1782
American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette
[Paris, 27 November 1782]
Sir
We have recd. the Letter you did us the Honor to write on the 25th. Inst.1
Our Country has had early & repeated Proofs both of your Readiness and abilities to do her Service— The Prospect of an inactive Campaign in America, induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful here than there—especially in Case the Negotiation for peace on the Part of France & England, should be (as there was Reason to hope) be committed to your managemt; ^for^ Your Knowledge of our affairs, & attachment to our Interests, might have been very advantageous to us on such an occasion. But as an opportunity now offers of your being instrumental in producing a Cooperation, which would probably put a glorious and speedy Termination to the War in america, we for our part, perfectly approve of your going with Count D’Estaing in the manner proposed— We have the Honor to be &ca.—2
Marqs. de la Fayette
Dft, in hand of JJ, NNC (EJ: 6758). Endorsed by JJ: “Dr. of joint Letter to / Marqs. Fayette. / Appd. verb” Cs, DLC: Franklin and MHi: Adams, listed in , 38: 360.
1. See Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 21 Nov., above. The letter had been sent to BF for his approval on 25 Nov. See , 38: 360.
2. JJ noted in his letter to Noailles de Lafayette of 28 Nov., below, that this letter had been sent to Lafayette on 27 Nov. On Lafayette’s activities in Spain, see “Lafayette, John Jay’s Self-Appointed ‘Political Aide-de-Camp,’ Takes on the Spanish” (editorial note) on pp. 318–22.