Lafayette_Courtier to Crown Fugitive, 1757-1777

by S. P. Grogan

  So, Deane agreed to send a letter to the Committee prosecuting the war, outlining what the French government was seeking. De Broglie smiled benignly but with inside satisfaction. He had achieved his high water mark of scheming. All matters considered, success was near at hand.

  One detail, made in passing, to be expected in this great strategy toward victory, was that Baron de Kalb should be commissioned into the Continental Army as a Major General. When Deane nodded affirmatively, the Baron then passed the Commissioner a named list of twenty-five French officers, setting forth their expected rank for their own commissions and the matching payment structure. These officers would accompany soon-to-be Major General de Kalb to the New World and to presumed new commands over American soldiers.

  Of interest, furloughed Captain Gilbert de la Fayette’s name was not on that list.

  First American Commissioner to France, Deane will go home to discover himself charged by Congress with financial irregularities. For the rest of his life he will defend his service and seek recompense. He will die penniless in 1789, and only in 1841 will Congress settle their accounts with his family.

  47.

  THOUGH HIS MIND DANCED with all the future of what America and its war might bring, Gilbert lived a daily life of family, court, socials, including as much as possible to the close friendships he maintained with his brother-in-law, who he openly admired. Marc Noailles was what a successful bon vivant courtier should be, a criteria Gilbert had come to accept that he did not possess, nor could ever match, as he had tried the last three years with no success. As to Philippe Segur, Gilbert, held amazement at the man’s intelligence, his ability to speak in several languages, write and speak Latin far better than even Gilbert’s past schooling had demonstrated his own competency.

  Gilbert and Philippe this day in November, a light coolness to the air, where falling leaves died to the cobblestone streets had just departed the dedication of La Loge des Neuf Sœurs (The Nine Sisters), a new Masonic society gathering spot which had sprung out of an affiliation with the Académie Royale des Sciences. Its name derived from the nine Muses, daughters of the mythological Mnemosyne, personification of memory, the muse of the patrons of the arts and sciences.

  To Philippe, the event gave him time to socialize with intellectuals he considered equal to his own stature, though he kept his mind open to learn wherever the discussions were of consequence. Gilbert had attended, as usual encouraged to come along by Segur, because he had heard this Masonic lodge would be strong in those members favoring a pro-American stance and would hold the latest information coming from the Colonies.

  Yes, Gilbert found much in listening to the debate over the contents of this Declaration that the Congress had formally signed back in July but he cared little for the small points of those in argument. To him, that news was a month old. More interesting, were the rumors that the British had landed near the New York harbor and a major battle for the City would shortly probably settle the war itself. He did not see how one fight could determine the fragmented war zone stretched over 1,000 miles of coastline, a true battlefield that included great expanse of scattered villages across the thirteen colonies. Each day, the Parisian news sheets were reporting small skirmishes up and down the colonies. No, Gilbert accepted any portending battle might instead bring positive news, that General Washington could easily defend the city, since he commanded the heights surrounding the Manhattan island.

  What had both Gilbert and Philippe agitated as they walked the streets, their servants respectfully behind them in step, was the shocking news that there existed three separate military groups in play to travel to America. Within the Lodge a lively discussion had arisen between two military officer cliques who were openly boasting of soon making the sea voyage to fight for the insurgents. It was positive to hear that none of those young men spoke for the de Broglie contingent, and that secret remained.

  La Fayette and Segur had never heard the name of Thomas Conway, a Franco-Irish officer. Indeed they knew of Coudray, who had been only several months earlier been appointed chef de brigade, and formerly had been a military instructor to the comte d’Artois and a technical advisor to the Secretary of War, St. Germain. He was not ‘in’ the court clique, but definitely a favorite of the government if he were being encouraged to lend his support to the Americans. Gilbert for some reason of jealousy felt his future at risk from these new competitors on the scene.

  Gilbert sputtered, “They (those boasting officers) said both these men had signed this week contracts as Major Generals with Agent Deane. We know General de Broglie’s other aide, Mauroy, signed only last week with Deane as a Major General. Is the entire French Army to be American Major Generals?”

  “Well, we must get our family permissions in place or we won’t be leaving at the end of this year.”

  “I don’t understand what is Baumarchais’s or Minister Verginess’s strategy in sending three groups of us over at the same time? Would not that only confuse the Americans? And if Baron de Kalb does not reach the Continental Army first he may not be in a position to put forth our credentials.”

  “And what are our credentials?”

  “Well, we must be officers to be respected. I do not know Conway, and Coudray is a staff advisor, as I recall, but they do not have—“Here,” Gilbert paused not to think himself too boastful – “lineage, proper members of the Court. Americans need to see France sends her best.”

  “I would accept that as a certainty, and I now believe we must act quickly or we shall be forestalled. Whatever proper decorum we have been following must be replaced with haste. Why don’t you or Marc kindly push de Broglie to have his man, Baron de Kalb, act for us with Commissioner Deane.”

  “I have to admit I have been lax in pushing Marc to make that acquaintance. It was my opinion that with all those lower officers approaching the American agent, he would soon tire of a stream of ineptitude. Now, I am not so sure, with Major Generals sprouting like a poppy field.”

  Segur smiled at this thought. “Why, all of us could be appointed Major Generals, even you Gilbert.”

  As they walked along, Gilbert did not return an answer in mirth, for he was absorbed in a serious epiphany, and only answered, “Why not?”

  IN DECEMBER, ALL PLANS were laid askew.

  The newspapers cried throughout Paris of the Continental Army’s major defeats in New York, with thousands of American patriots slain, where General Washington escaped into New Jersey with a decimated army. The colonial war seemed to be ending by all news reports and opinions. Depression and defeatism quickly invaded the minds of those who had been supporters the month before, those willing to rush to the call of throwing off the yoke of British subjugation and injustices.

  American Commissioner Deane cut back on carte blanche military appointments. If they were willing he would send those already allocated to the ships in the harbor in Le Harve. Beaumarchais left to coordinate the three ships he had ready to sail with supplies and officers.

  Minister Vergennes sought to hedge his bet and slow down his support for the Americans, believing he had sent enough equipment. And if the French officers now dispatched to Le Harve for embarkation could not reverse the course, then all was lost, and he must seek new ventures to humble his erstwhile Enemy, particularly one troublesome nettle, Lord Stormont.

  The English Ambassador could be heard, whenever he found a forum or audience, crowing on the major defeat of the American from British strength, and that surrender by the ragtag colonials would be news coming on the next packet ship.

  All this, cries of the American defeat, happened one week after Baron de Kalb had signed his commission as a Major General to fight with the Continental forces. The de Broglie plan was still in effect, and would be so after the defeatism, for General de Broglie believed the opportunity had presented itself to supply a French hero to reverse the American setbacks. The theme of the small group of de Broglie officers, including Gilbert among them, was ‘all is not lost’. Collectively,
the agreed: The sooner we get there the better circumstances of woe will change to victories, under French auspices.

  The meeting of commission signing between Deane and now Major General de Kalb took place on December 1st (all of Deane’s commission were not valid until ratified by Congress and there would lay the rub to many who took Deane’s signed papers with them). At this time de Kalb adroitly mentioned that he had a gentleman of the court who he felt would greatly aid the American cause, primarily because he was a son of the most powerful family next to the Orleans and Bourbon line of royalty. Further, de Kalb offered, that the young officer was quite wealthy and his fortune might find use in the cause. Commissioner Deane agreed to meet this Captain La Fayette.

  A week later on the 7th, newly minted Major General Jean de Kalb brought Gilbert to the rooms of Deane. Introductions were made, including that to William Carmichael, a 37 year old Marylander, who had studied in Scotland, and recently had come to Paris to act as personal secretary to Silas Deane. In truth in early 1776, Congress had appointed him as a Secret Agent and he became Deane’s de facto surrogate manipulator and go-between in various clandestine meetings to promote the American cause. Then too, Carmichael speaking fluent French was of great help.

  De Kalb had two objectives of this meeting. With the news of America’s disaster, and knowing the low times felt by the American legation led by Deane only, the Prussian Baron felt they should hear the youthful enthusiasm of a young French officer whose fervor to go and fight for their freedom would put them in a better mood.

  Once the niceties were put aside, and as if on cue, Gilbert launched into a boisterous and excited narrative on how he was best suited to be part of the forces going to America, many of the points made of dubious exaggeration, but heart-felt nevertheless. It was part optimism and part intensity, with a dash of what Gilbert thought the Americans to have liked to have heard.

  Said he, “It is my history to be a soldier of great note. My family has been all military, my ancestors fought alongside Joan d’Arc; my uncle died in the Fight of the Austrian Succession; my own father murdered by British cannon on the plains of Minden, and to that I have sworn revenge which you cannot deny me.”

  At this point, he highlighted his military education, though somewhat light, he embellished his service as a Black Musketeer, and that after that he had risen in the ranks by achievement (not true) and that he had for three seasons been under the guidance of military training under General de Broglie.

  Both Deane and the spy Carmichael were impressed at the vigor of the young man’s desires to fight, though Deane saw before him a very young boy, still bony within his dragoon uniform, not worn since last June’s furlough.

  But Gilbert had two additional points to his worth.

  “I have studied closely the issues of what the Colonies seek in their quest for freedom from British rule. I am wholehearted in the republican cause of the need of unsatisfied governments to throw off chains of slavery. God’s directed right to do so.”

  He went on for a few more moments of flowery language of how a great country like France embraced a small future country in their quest for independence. And before becoming repetitive hit them with what he thought was his finest offering.

  “I note from all the other commissions of officers that I hear of, and they may be meritorious, but it seems to me to give great weight to the purse of a country that needs to marshal its resources to buy the weapons most needed. Since I am a man of substance I can therefore support myself without putting any financial burden on your army or the Congress.”

  Carmichael had to translate the marquis’s words twice before Deane understood their import, a rarity and a fresh surprise: a soldier who would fight without billing them or asking for a salary. Deane was impressed. DeKalb nodded what a true treasure he had brought to them: a high noble who spoke well the cause of freedom and wealthy enough not to seek remuneration.

  “We would very much like to find you service with our army,” said Deane, still hesitant to signing up such a young officer. “Let me discuss with my secretary, Mr. Carmichael, and let us consider a document that might meet both of our expectations.”

  “I would be honored to serve on mutual satisfactory terms,” said Gilbert holding back his joy, smart enough not to look more eager than he already had displayed. Leaving the word ‘negotiations’ left unsaid, he felt he could lean on his new friend de Kalb to give advice on what must come next. De Kalb had expertise in such commission fiddling.

  De Kalb’s next bit of news, he strategized to let Gilbert know, after he was on a high cliff of elation, hopefully that he would not come crashing down.

  “The General [de Broglie],” explained de Kalb, as they road in their carriage, windows closed, hoping no one would have seen them leave Deane’s accommodations [not so—Stormont’s spy that day made a notation of the visit—‘unknown boy officer with the Marquis Ruffec’s aide’]—“The General wanted me to inform you that you would not be coming on our sailing at month end.” Gilbert started a look, but de Kalb hurried on, “but he wants you to know that he is planning on having you attend upon him as a personal aide, when he comes to America, sometime in the fall of next year.”

  Gilbert’s hopes did look dashed. De Kalb tried his best to buck him up.

  “Our first voyage has to be exploratory. With these British victories we don’t know what to expect. And please understand that the General has set his thoughts upon you as a dear son, that he could not bear to see you wounded or worse, since he was by your father’s side when he was killed [not so true]. He wants you and he to be together in this future adventure.”

  Not happy but not unhappy, somewhat mollified, as de Kalb had found the right words, ‘as a dear son’ and ‘future adventure’. All was not lost, just postponed, and he had a patron in General de Broglie, who would champion his cause. Then, Gilbert had a bad thought.

  “What of the comte de Noailles and the comte de Segur?”

  “If they have their parents’ blessings and release from their duties as active officers, we will try to see if they can accompany us.”

  Gilbert’s expression turned dour and tart.

  “They do have such permissions?”

  “Yes.” This was quite untrue but actions were in motion by Marc Noailles that should gain a positive response from the Duc d’Ayen then the French government. A simple matter of asking, thought Gilbert.

  47.

  “ABSOLUTELY NOT,” SHOUTED the Duc D’Ayen, a firm voice, not yelling, yet. He was exclaiming his dissent to his son-in-law, comte de Noailles. Marc had made a good argument based primarily on the need for French army officers to recapture their glory and lost lands. He was appealing to the jingoistic nature of the duke. It did not work, and went to loud shouting, when Gilbert, standing quietly over in a corner, meekly threw out, “I would like to join Marc and go to America, also.”

  The Duke turned on him and shouted, “No, never. You have family with a child!”

  Gilbert tried again, trying to give himself timbre in his own voice but it came out hesitantly, “But I am doing nothing here.”

  “As well as you should for you are turning down all the opportunities your position could bring to you. And what do you do but act irresponsible with a bad crowd.” He was inferring Gilbert’s membership in the Queen’s clique, and her antics, but could not say it aloud for he knew he would have to condemn his other son-in-law, the Duc’s favorite.

  With stomping anger, the Duc d’Ayen left the room.

  Marc Noailles shrugged his shoulders.

  “That went well.”

  “I should have let you talk to him without my presence. We don’t seem to have a relationship any more, as much as I have tried.”

  “He wants to see a boy baby; that is our obligation to the head of this family. In his mind, his daughter did not bring him one, but he can’t yell at her. And in my case”—and Marc looked devilish—“I have been trying, wholeheartedly.”

  “Well
, what do we do now,” Gilbert began his slide towards a dejected slump.

  “I will write to Maurepas [Minister of State]. His wife is a friend of Beaumarchais, there is a connection. If we gain his support our father-in-law must accept that support as the government’s blessing on our project.”

  “I hope you are right, but we have been invited to a soiree at de Broglie’s home, and the General’s officers who are embarking at Le Harve will be there with Agent Deane. We must put on a good face.” Gilbert bore no pleasure in his own countenance at this moment.

  “Agreed, but have courage, Gilbert. We shall prevail.”

  The gathering at General de Broglie’s Paris Mansion was more a staid affair, of those officers lucky enough to be chosen to accompany de Kalb to America. They talked mostly amongst themselves. Marc Noailles amiably made his way in and out of the various discussions, treated with deference. Segur discussed the intricacies of the French government, in English, to Deane, who seemed sincere to learn the nuances as none have given him guidance to this date, six months since his arrival.

  Gilbert knew no English and his desire was to lead American troops. In this setting, with all new pseudo American commissions of high rank, he was looked upon for what he was, a reserve Captain. He accepted his shortcomings, once again retreating into his cave of silence.

  For awhile, Gilbert found himself somewhat alone until the Commissioner’s secretary, Carmichael, drew him out and started inquiry a little more into his life, his family. Gilbert found himself more animated, being conscious that the Secretary might have sway with Commissioner Deane. To that end, Gilbert again professed his love for seeing the honest and hard-working Americans winning their right to be left alone, dealing with their own affairs.