Memoirs of General Lafayette | Page 4

to have increased
his zeal and devotion to the interests of America. "Hitherto, said he, I
have only cherished your cause; I now go to serve it personally." He
believed our cause to be just. He considered it the cause of civil liberty;
and gloomy as was the prospect, hazardous as was the enterprize, he
was determined to support it at the risk of life itself. In his situation, the
privations and sacrifices to be made and endured were incalculably
great. It is indeed a singular instance of an heroic enterprize for the
good of mankind.
We cannot more justly describe his sentiments and views, than by
quoting his own language used at a subsequent period, in a letter to the
President of the Continental Congress--"The moment I heard of
America, I loved her; the moment I knew she was fighting for liberty, I
burnt with a desire to bleed for her." The sacrifices he made cannot be
so well otherwise estimated as by reflecting that he left an affectionate
wife, in whom he was most happy; and who, he was obliged to assure,
that he would speedily return, before she would consent to the
enterprize.
When LAFAYETTE made known his purpose to embark for America,
under all the appalling circumstances of our country, our Envoys were
still unable to furnish a passage for him. They had no vessels at
command; and they were not then in a situation to purchase one. Loans
were the object of their mission; but as yet they had not succeeded in
obtaining them. And as the French court had not acknowledged our

independence, or openly espoused our cause, it would have been
improper for them to furnish a vessel for such purpose. What was then
done for America must be effected in secret; and at most, only
connived at by the French government. But the ardour of young
LAFAYETTE was not to be checked by any such considerations. He
took council rather of his feelings, than of that prudence by which
ordinary minds are governed. He therefore immediately engaged a
vessel at his own charges, and sailed for the United States, where he
arrived in the month of January. He landed at Charleston, S.C. and soon
entered, as a volunteer, in the American army. Soon after his arrival, he
purchased clothing and arms for the troops under General MOULTRIE
in that quarter. He also early made an advance to General
WASHINGTON of 60,000 francs, for the public service.
For several months, he continued to serve in this capacity. His zeal and
services were early appreciated by Congress; and in July, 1777, he was
created a Major-General. But he did not, at once, act under that
commission. In the battle of Brandywine, in September of the same
year, although he distinguished himself by his activity and undaunted
bravery, it does not appear that he acted as Major-General. He received
a wound in his leg, in this engagement, and his services were highly
applauded. He remained in the field till the close of the battle, inspiring
the men by his presence and active courage. The wound was severe and
required attention; but before it was entirely healed, he joined the army
again under WASHINGTON. In November, at the head of some Jersey
militia, he attacked a body of 300 Hessians and defeated them. General
GREENE was engaged in the same affair, a part of the time; and said of
young LAFAYETTE, "that he seemed to search for danger." Soon after
this period, he had command of a division in the Continental army; and
frequently was appointed the chief officer in separate departments of
great importance and responsibility.
General WASHINGTON became greatly attached to him. He was an
intelligent judge of character; and was never known to bestow his
confidence upon those who were not worthy of it. He was so
distinguished by the regard of the Commander in Chief, that it became
usual to call him "his adopted son." WASHINGTON loved him for his
goodness, and honored him for his bravery and military talents. In the
early part of 1778, when it was proposed to make an attack upon

Canada, and to endeavor to connect it with the thirteen United States,
Gen. LAFAYETTE was appointed to command the troops collecting
for that purpose at Albany. This plan originated in Congress, and was
said to be much favored by the French Ambassador; but
WASHINGTON ever doubted the propriety, or the feasibility of the
scheme, and eventually gave his opinion decidedly against it; and it
was not prosecuted. It was at this time, probably, that Brigadier General
STARK took the oath of fidelity to the American Congress and of
renunciation to the king and government of Great Britain, which had
then been recently required, before General LAFAYETTE; and which
was