Memoirs of General Lafayette | Page 9

America, with
the grateful intelligence of the service he had rendered while in France,
to the country in whose cause his service had been first drawn. He
arrived at Boston in the month of April 1780, and hastened to Head
Quarters. He then proceeded to Congress with the information that the
King of France had consented to employ a large land and naval
armament in the United States, for the ensuing campaign. He was
received by WASHINGTON with joy and affection; and by Congress
with those marks of distinction and regard to which his constant and
indefatigable zeal in support of the American cause, as well as his
signal service, gave him such just pretnesions. The intelligence which
he brought gave new impulse both to Congress and to the State
Legislatures. The lethargic slumbers into which they seemed to be
sinking yielded to resolutions of the most vigorous
character."--Marshall.
The letters below, with the resolve of Congress, will show the sense
WASHINGTON had of the services of his "adopted son," the Marquis
Lafayette, and the personal attachment which he cherished for him, as
well as the high estimation; in which the disinterested zeal of that
devoted friend of liberty was held by the grand Legislature of America.
"_Head Quarters, Morristown, May_ 13, 1780.
"The Marquis Lafayette does me the honor to take charge of this note. I
am persuaded Congress will participate in the joy I feel at the return of
a gentleman who has so signally distinguished himself in the service of
this country; who has given so many and so decided proofs of his
attachment to its interests; and who ought to be dear to it by every

motive. The warm friendship I have for him conspires with
considerations of public utility to afford me a double satisfaction in his
return. During the time he has been in France he has uniformly
manifested the same zeal in our affairs, which animated his conduct
while he was among us; and has been, upon all occasions, an essential
friend to America. He merits, and I doubt not Congress will give him
every mark of consideration and regard in their power.
"I have the honour to be, &c.
"GEO. WASHINGTON."
To His Excellency the President of Congress."
"_Philadelphia, May_ 16, 1780.
"After so many favors, which, on every occasion and particularly at my
obtaining leave of absence, Congress were pleased most graciously to
bestow on me, I dare presume myself entitled to impart to them the
private feelings, which I now so happily experience.
"In an early epoch in our noble contest, I gloried in the name of an
American soldier; and heartily enjoyed the honor I have of serving the
United States; my satisfaction is at this long wished-for moment
entirely complete, when putting an end to my furlough, I have been
able again to join my colours, under which I hope for opportunities of
indulging the ardent zeal, the unbounded gratitude, the warm, and I
might say, the patriotic love, by which I am forever bound to America.
"I beg you, sir, to present Congress with a new assurance of my
profound respect and my grateful and affectionate sentiments.
"I have the honour to be, &c.
"LAFAYETTE"
In Congress, May 16, 1780. "Resolved, That Congress consider the
return of the Marquis LAFAYETTE to America, to resume his
command in the army, as a fresh proof of the distinguished zeal and
deserving attachment which have justly recommended him to the
public confidence and applause; and that they receive with pleasure, a

tender of further services of so gallant and meritorious an officer."
"Soon after his return to America the Marquis was entrusted with the
command of a select corps of the Light Infantry of the continental army.
This afforded him a new opportunity for the display of his munificence.
He presented each officer of the corps with an elegant sword; and the
soldiers were clothed in uniform, principally at his expense. He infused
into this corps a spirit of pride and emulation; viewing it as one formed
according to his own wishes and worthy of his entire confidence. They
were the pride of his heart, and he was the idol of their regard;
constantly panting for an opportunity of performing some signal
achievement worthy of his and their own character. The corps was
probably equal for discipline and bravery, to any in the world."
Early in the year 1781, LAFAYETTE was detached with about twelve
hundred troops to Virginia; with a view to co-operate with the French
fleet in checking the plundering expedition of General Arnold, who had
then recently landed there with a body of British troops from
New-York. The Marquis performed this long and difficult march with
great dispatch. Many of the soldiers under his command were deficient
in clothing: