To George Washington from Brigadier General La Rochefermoy, 17 March 1778
From Brigadier General La Rochefermoy
Baltimore march the 17th 1778
Dear General
I have had the honnour to write Several times to your Excellency, to Beg the favour of Being Employ’d under his orders.1 I can’t Determine my Self to Leave the army in the Begining of a Campaing; tho I think an injustice is made to me in Not Giving me the Commission of a major General, which I think I do Deserve by my Services.2
Give me Leave to Lay before your Exellency that I have been in this Continental Service these two years, and do’nt believe any Body may Say any thing Contrary, But I always did Exactly my duty. I hope all Kinds things from your Excellency having the honnour to be with Respect of your’s Excellency the most humble and obedient servant
derochefermoy b.g.
LS, DLC:GW. On the same date La Rochefermoy wrote another letter to GW, which reads: “the Zeal that I have for your Glory, and for the Support of your Continent, put me in mind to take the Liberty of advising you, that it is now the Very time for you to attack General Howe in philadelphia, Before the troops which are at present in New York could have the time to Join him. I do warant his Excellency, that if he will accept of me to help him, in that Enterprise he Shall Succeed to it. having taken the most Serviceable instruction for So doing” (LS PHi: Gratz Collection the Sprague transcript of that letter in DLC:GW is misdated 7 March).
1. No previous letters from La Rochefermoy soliciting a position under GW have been identified.
2. In late December 1777 La Rochefermoy wrote Congress requesting a promotion to major general. Congress read the letter on 30 Dec. and resolved “That Brigadier de Roche Fermoy be informed that Congress do not think it expedient to promote him to the rank he solicits” (, 9:1069). On 31 Jan., in response to subsequent letters from La Rochefermoy, Congress resolved “That Brigadier General de Roche Fermoy have leave to resign his commission in the service of these states, and liberty to depart for France” (, 10:105, 97, 101).