51To John Jay from Lafayette, 28 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I take the Opportunity of a Spanish Courier’s going to Madrid to let You know that S t . Kitts Has Been taken by the french— The Intelligence Has Been Received Yesterday, and it is the More pleasing as British Accounts Had Rendered us Very Uneasy Upon the fate of the Expedition. Your letter of the 1 st Having Come to Hand I Made What Communications I thought to Be Serviceable but will Be More...
52To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 27 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Beg You will Accept My Best thanks for the two letters You Have Been pleased to write Giving the Particulars of Your Situation in Holland, and favouring me with Your Opinion Upon the Operations of Next Campaign. I am Happy to find You Are likely to Get the Better of British Cabals, and Hope our independance will Be Soon Aknowledged throughout the United Provinces. Such a Measure from a...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 5 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Mis. [Marquis] de la fayette Has the Honor to Present His Respectfull Compliments to Mr. franklin and informs Him that the frigat Hermione is Arrived in 23 days from America— Mr. franklin’s dispatches Will No Doubt Be sent By Count de Vergennes—The Marquis Had two letters that Say Very little on public Business, and Will to Morrow After noon do Himself...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 28 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le marquis de Lafayette prie Monsieur de francklin de lui faire dire si Sera chés lui a midy et demie Il seroit bien aise de le voir. Notation: De La Fayette Mr. le ms. 28. Fevr. 1782.
55To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 25 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mis. [Marquis] de Lafayette’s Most Respectfull Compliments Wait on Mr franklin and Has the Honor to Inform His Excellency that in Compliance with His directions He Had Last Evening a Conference with Count de Vergennes— The Minister Said He Wished to Make Himself the Communication to Mr. franklin, when Asked for it By Him, So that the Sum will Be immediately...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Harvard University Library I Had the Night Before Last the pleasure to See Mr. franklin and Gave Him some Account of the Situation our Affair Was in at that time. I Can for the Present be More Particular, and will Relate What Has Past Respecting the letter of Mr. de Veymerange and the Several Articles a list of which Has Been put into My Hands....
57To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Having Landed Some days Ago at L’orient, I Had the Pleasure to inform you of My Safe Arrivall, and Hope the Letter will Have a prosperous passage—You Easely imagine, My dear General, that no time was Lost in posting off to Paris, where I found My family and friends in perfect Health—My daughter and Your George are Grown up so Much that I find Myself great deal older than I Aprehended—the Short...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [28 January 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library I am very Sorry it was not in My power to wait on Your Excellency This Morning but I was oblig’d to Ride with The Queen at a partie of pleasure in the Bois de Boulogne— I saw yesterday the first and other Ministers and Spoke to them about The Necessity of Giving you Monney for fulfilling the Engagements taken in Bills of Exchange— That they Became pretty...
59To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 22 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le marquis de Lafayette Scachant que Monsieur de francklain est un peut Incommodé le marquis de Lafayette n’aura pas lhonneur de le voir ce Soir, Il prie Monsieur de francklain de lui mander si le poura voir demain a midy il Sy rendra sans manquer. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur de francklain / Ministre des Provinces unies / De Lamerique / a Passy Notation:...
60To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 18 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I Thank My Stars there is a good Opportunity to let You know that After an Happy Voyage of 23 days I am Safely Arrived in L’orient, and that, My Family and friends are In a Very Good Health, Which Circumstance, My Dear General, I am sure will Afford You some Satisfaction. We Are Arrived Last Night, and are Setting out this Morning in Great Speed For Versailles and Paris, so that I Have But the...
61To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 December 1781 to 23 … (Washington Papers)
I am Sorry to think We are not yet Gone, and there Still Remain Some doubts of our Going to Morrow—This delay I Lament not So Much on private Accounts as I do it on the Account of our Next Campaign in the planning of Which Your Opinion as I will deliver it Must Be of Great Use to the Common Cause—As to the departement of foreign affairs I will Be Happy to justify the Confidence of Congress By...
62To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
We are Going to Sail, My dear friend, and the last Account I Hear from the shore, the first one I Am to Give in Europe is a New success of General Grene—fort Anne and 300 men taken, the Ennemy litteraly Reduced to Charlestown and Savahna Will Make a pretty Paragraph in the French Gazette—I Will Make it My Business to Work about the Thing You Must Naturally Wish—God Grant I May Have Soon the...
63To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed You will find some Numbers a Copy of Which I Have kept and Which Contain some Names that May probably Occur in our Correspondance. I Need Not telling you, My dear General, that I will Be Happy in Giving You Every Intelligence in My power, and Reminding You of the Most Affectionate friend You Can Ever Have. The Goodness You Had to take upon Yourself the Communicating to the Virginia...
64From Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette to Alexandre-François-Auguste de … (Washington Papers)
Monsieur le Comte de Grasse seroit heureux de pouvoir faire l’expedition de Charlestown dont il sent tous les Avantages; mais les ordres de La Cour, les projets ulterieurs, et les engagements avec les espagnols Rendent impossible de passer ici le tems necessaire à cette operation; son desir de servir les etats unis est tel qu’il desire entrer dans des arrangements pour une Cooperation pendant...
65To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 16 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having personally seen our dispositions, I shall only give an account of what passed in the execution. Colonel Gimat’s batallion led the van, and was followed by that of Colonel Hamilton’s, who commanded the whole advanced corps, at the same time a party of eighty men, under Col. Laurens, turned the redoubt. I beg leave to refer your Excellency to the report I have received...
66To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
You Have So often Been pleased to Ask I Would Give My opinion upon Any subject that May occur, that I will this day take the Liberty to Mention a few Articles. I am far from Laughing at the idea of the Ennemy’s Making a Retreat—it is not very probable—But it is not impossible. Indeed they Have no other way to escape—and Since We Cannot get ships above York I would be still more Afraid of a...
67To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The letter that accompagnies this being relative to matters of public utility, I shall write also this confidential one where none but my private interests are concerned. Owing to your partiality and friendship for me, I have during the Campaign acted the Most Agreable part—I commanded the Army in Virginia, I was opposed to Lord Cornwallis, and the troops you entrusted to me had the greatest...
68To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Gouvion is just Arrived—He says you may be on your way—We hasten to send to the Commanding Naval officer in the Bay—Hitherto I had no way to write to you by water—But Count de Grasse Being at sea we request the officer he has left to have every precaution taken for the safety of navigation—It is probable they are taken, but I would be too uneasy had I not added this measure to those that have...
69To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to write you lately giving an account of every thing that came within my knowledge, I was evry hour expecting I might be more particular but if you new how slow things go on in this Country, that still I have done the best in my power, I have written and received twenty letters a day from Government and every department whatever. the Governor does what He can the Wheels of His...
70To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d 7ber is just come to Hand. Mine of Yesterday Mentionned that the ships in York River Had gone down. Inclosed is the Account I Receive of an engagement off the Capes. What disposition has been made for the internal protection of the Bay I do not know. Iames River is still guarded but We Have not as Yet Rreceived any letter from Count De Grass relative to His last...
71To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the Bottom of My Heart I Congratulate you upon the Arrival of the French Fleet—Some Rumors Had Been spread, and spy accounts sent out—But no Certainty untill the Admiral’s dispatches Came to Hand—Inclosed I send you His letter and that of Mis. de St Simon Both of whom I Request you will Have translated By Tilmangh or Gouvion alone as there are parts of them personal which I do not choose...
72To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am Happy to inform Your Excellency that Count de Grasse’s Fleet is lastly arrived in this Bay—it Consists of 28 ships of the Line with Several frigats, and convoys a Considerable Body of troops Under Marquis de st Simon—Previous to their Arrival Such positions Had Been taken By our Army as to prevent the Ennemy’s Retreating towards Carolina. In Consequence of Your Excellency’s orders I Had...
73To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 25 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Independant of the Answer to Your letter of the 15th, I Have Been Very Particular in a Second letter Instrusted to Clel Moriss. But at this Moment Wish to Send you Minuted and Repeated Accounts of Every thing that Passes in this Quarter. The Ennemy Have Evacuated their forts at Ivy, Kemp’s Landing, Great Bridge and Portsmouth. Their Vessels with troops and Baggage went Round to York. Some...
74To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be Handed By cll Morris who waits upon Your Excellency with Gal Greene’s Sentiments upon the different ways to Improve Count de Grasses assistance. I Have Been desired to Add my Accounts But the last letter I Had the Honor to write Has Anticipated the Informations Which Gral Greene wanted me to give. The Light Infantry are 850—the Pennsylvania 600—Virginia exchanged soldiers...
75To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 15th Has safely come to Hand—I am going to give you an Account of matters in this Quarter. The greatest part of the Ennemy are at York which they do not as yet fortify But are Very Busy upon Gloster Neck where they have a pretty large corps Under Clel Dundass—they Have at York a 44 guns ship—frigats and Vessels are scattered lower down—There is still a small garrison at...
76To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Public and Private letters of the 30h july Have Safely Come to Hand for which I Return you My warmest thanks. Be Sure, My dear General, that the Pleasure of Being with You will Make me Happy in Any Command You will think proper to Give—But for the present Am with You of opinion I Had Better Remain in Virginia—the More So as Lord Cornwallis does not chuse to live us, and...
77To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Embarkation Which I thought and I do Still think to Have Been destined to Newyork Was Reported to Have Sailed up the Bay, and to Be Bound to Baltimore—in Consequence of which I write to Your Excellency, and as I Had not Indulged Myself too Near portsmouth I was able to Cut Across towards Frederiksburg—But instead of Continuing His Voyage up the Bay My Lord Entered York River and Landed at...
78To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the report which has been made me this morning from Commodore Barron, of the fleets having sailed, and of its destination being Baltimore. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s most ob. ser. I beg leave to mention Majr Macpherson to your Excellency for his very distinguished zeal and services in this quarter. DLC :...
79To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 31 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
A Correspondant of Mine Servant to Lord Cornwallis writes on the 26th july at Portsmouth, and Says His Master, Tarleton, and Simcoe are Still in town But Expect to Move—the Greatest Part of the Army is Embarked—There is in Hampton Road one 50 guns ship, and two Six and thirty Guns frigats &c. 18 Sloops loaded with Horses—There Remain But Nine vessels in Portsmouth who Appear to Be getting...
80To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th is just Come to Hand. The Moment a perfect Intelligence Can Be Got, Major Mcpherson will be Dispatched— But Some Expressions in Your last favor will, if possible, Augment My Vigilance in keeping You well Apprised of the Ennemy’s Movements. There are in Hampton Road Thirty Transport Ships full of troops—Most of them Red Coats— There are eight or ten Brigs which Have...