by S. P. Grogan
After much back and forth, Deane and De Kalb agreed that Captain de la Fayette would be given a commission as Major General subject to ratification by Congress (Deane thought that would never happen; De Kalb saw it, if such rank was made good, that de Broglie would gain a Masonic ardent who would die for him). The details of the agreement would also include La Fayette’s own boast he would need no compensation to such a rank. To Deane’s point the Commission document would be backdated to December 7th, 1776, the day before Franklin’s arrival in France, so as to be seen as a previously approved act. De Kalb accepted that date for it was one week after his own commission, and thus giving him seniority, under which he could keep the supposed youngest Major General in the Continental forces under easy control.
Deane directed his secretary Carmichael to begin drafting the commission and to do so with La Fayette’s input, once he had agreed to purchase the ship.
Upon hearing what had so far transpired, Duboismartin thus went in search of La Fayette and brought him to the Hotel d’ Enghein, where Lieutenant Francois Dubois-Martin presented his plan, and Gilbert’s eyes widened as all was now clear toward the days ahead. It was only money, after all.
50.
THEIR FIRST MEETING gave re-birth to the conspiracy. Secrecy was the foremost of thoughts. They were going to go against the King so Beaumarchais was not invited. They were going to smuggle themselves out of France.
De Broglie’s plot was alive once more. The conspirators were meeting at De Broglie’s mansion. They had come by several different routes, using a variety of conveyances. No one was to wear a military uniform. If asked by any stranger, they were to suggest it was a Masonic rite ceremony. They were not accosted, none asked of the occasion. Duboismarten had noted with the shutdown of the ports and the halt of support to the Americans, the British bought spies had somewhat pulled back their surveillance, as had Parisian police surveillance.
So, they gathered. De Broglie, his secretary Duboismarten, the secretary’s brother, Francois Dubois-Marten. Baron de Kalb. Mauroy, another of de Broglie’s aides [and aware of the General’s goals]. William Carmichael representing Silas Deane. And Gilbert de La Fayette. Commissioners Franklin and Lee were not apprised of these events.
It was the atmosphere of the meeting, to Gilbert, which was most surprising. His mentor, the general, who he held in the highest esteem, deferred to him. By suggestion, and not outright order, had put Gilbert in command of this new mission, this new venture to take French officers to the Thirteen Colonies.
Gilbert could have quickly surmised that it was the decision that he purchase the ship that had changed how everyone looked at him. He with the money is the power, but Gilbert was too caught up in the agenda of the meeting and its importance to quickly accomplish goals.
“I have selected Lieutenant Dubois-Martin to return to Le Harve and search out a ship that will suit our needs,” said Gilbert, with the self-confidence knowing the Lieutenant had agreed to do so, with de la Fayette funds paying not only his expenses but granting a small commission to locate and negotiate for the purchase of the ship required.
Carmichael and de Kalb agreed that they would review the list of officers that would come over on this voyage. Several officers had previously bowed out in frustration. They did not tell Gilbert all these choices would be closely vetted as to be de Broglie men in support to the General’s wishes. Gilbert still did not know the ultimate plan of making de Broglie generalissimo, but he supported the public feeling that de Broglie would come over when his role with the Continentals was directly negotiated by Baron de Kalb with Congress. Gilbert welcomed that and was only very glad he was going at this time and not waiting a year or so when the General might make his grand entrance onto the world stage.
Carmichael made the comment that his writing of the Marquis’s contract for his Major General commission was almost complete, awaiting Deane’s review, and that then de la Fayette would sign, and Gilbert would be honored if de Kalb would be witness on behalf of General de Broglie. Both men nodded as if silent thanks for such a gesture.
Carmichael then allowed that all three Commissioners were more interested in drafting a formal Memorandum of Amenity to Minister Vergennes, than so concerned about the sailing of a small ship against the French King’s or the British King’s wishes. Regardless of Vergennes entreaties that he had curtailed all illegal activities to aid the American colonists and that might offend the British, the English went ahead and threw up a sea blockade around French ports seeking to stop and capture American ‘privateers’.
General de Broglie made a short speech detailing the virtues of the great cause he was sending them out upon, giving special notice of gratitude to the sacrifice made by one of the court’s favorites [Gilbert]. As they all begin to depart, de Kalb stressed that all secrecy must be followed. This time any failure might result in prison and iron shackles.
Gilbert had taken on a hired carriage and instructed the driver to drop him off a few blocks from the Hôtel de Noailles to give the appearance that he was out for an evening stroll, somewhat implausible, giving that the air smelled of an approaching downpour. He had barely made it a block in the darkness when ahead of him, from nowhere, a body fell to the pavement.
He drew his rapier, his dress ceremonial, hardly effective if he were about to be rushed by some desperate gang of ruffians. The body stayed inert, though he heard a groan from under a dark cloak that covered the man’s face. Another figure stepped from the shadows.
Before Gilbert could raise his sword, a familiar voice, whispered,
“My Lord, you must remember to take me along when you become mysterious.”
It was, to his relief, Blasse.
“What goes on here?” He used the blade to point at the unconscious man before sheathing his sword. Always around Blasse there was the sense of protection.
“I feel this man here was directed to keep close watch on the comings and goings on your residence. It has been so active lately that they must believe another plot is under way.”
“And who are ‘they’?
“There were two of them. The other is across the street likewise sleeping as a baby though with a bump on the head. My view, if you permit me to say, Master Gilbert, is that one was spying on the other, and the other looking to spy on you. And I could not tell if one is in the payment of French Police or the British Spy service. Who knows these days?”
“Spying on me?”
“On your planned journey across the sea.”
“What?” Gilbert was surprised that the secret was out and so quickly. He had been diligent at speaking to no one of his new plans. “Who told you such?” He did not deny.
“Why it is common knowledge of those within the household staff. Very observant, they are, and as curious to what the master might do. They do love you and your wife, sire, and wish you both only the best. They have sensed of recent her worry for you.”
Gilbert was caught off guard. All his great expectations and not once did he think how his wife might wonder and even care about him. He must, he decided, keep her spirits positive, let her try to understand that it is fate guiding him, but towards a good purpose. But he must not tell her what he is setting out to do. He has just heard how gossipy the servants are likely to be.
Blasse rolled the man on the ground into a doorway, and he and his master started the short walk home, both wary, though nothing obvious in Blasse’s face as to concern.
Gilbert felt he needed to explain to his servant, who had been with him these last five plus years. “Adrienne is my wife and I would do nothing to give her despair,” Gilbert stated but wondered now if that was true. Had he caused her anxiety?
“Why, if you say so, then it must be correct, must it not, sir?”
Gilbert felt his valet might be mocking him but could not tell by his voice. Blasse made a comment about the chill of the evening, for this time in February, that the rain certainly would become snow before morning.
“I wonder i
f it is the same cold where we will be going, my lord?”
“We?”
“Off on a great adventure, and what, you think you will pack and unpack the luggage, find the right blouse to wear in the morning, or scrape the mud off your boots, or to reload the last charge to your musket when we are surrounded by heathen savages? No, sire, I do think you must take assistance, perhaps even two men for the job. A groom like Moreau is required to handle all transportation, and what of any charger you might purchase and to the cost of forage, not to be cheated. And I seem to be the one delegated to protect you from cutpurses and assassins along the road.”
“Assassins?”
“Do you think the British are just going to pat your bottom and send you home if they get a hold of you? If it is a 74 ship of the line or an army brigade on land that claps you into irons, then it is off to the London Tower. But what if you are out of reach, and pose a threat, and you are that indeed, sire? You might not realize it but are you not the ‘visage of his Majesty’s court’ when before the enemy? To show the claw of the royal lion can reach out everywhere, then you shall be their favorite target. If a bullet or knife thrust, from distance or arms length, can remove such a glittering obstacle as yourself then certain one must be there to protect your noble back, and noble backside.”
“And that would be you, Blasse?”
“No better man knows deviousness than I. But I ask only one boon favor in joining you, that I might be able to change my name. For if it is ever asked of or must be writ down there are some captains upon the high seas, and in judiciaries in certain ports, where the name Blasse might likewise become a target of retribution.”
Gilbert saw humor in this. “Shall it then be a debate, if an assassin comes, we will first have to discern in a polite query, ‘Who do you come for: de La Fayette or Blasse?’”
‘Yes, that is true, sire. Perhaps. But no better man that I can make sure that such an assassin does not go back to report success.”
“I sense I need you and worse this undertaking might not be as easy as I first hoped. So, under what alias must I try to remember?”
“Camus, I think, suits me right.”
Newly named Blasse-Camus pushed open the heavy door to the Noailles mansion and stepped back as his master entered. Within the vestibule and hallway, Adrienne was there to meet him, as if she had been waiting from the side parlor, listening, awaiting his return. He returned her tight hug and asked Blasse-Camus to have a Noailles servant bring he and his wife something warm to drink for as they had returned the first snowflakes fell and to a dropping temperature the large stone keep called home was not yet warmed to the coming storm.
51.
ADRIENNE SAW THE CHANGES in her husband, felt new changes in her.
The New Year brought the swirl of parties within the court and around the Queen. The Hôtel de Noailles was presently one of the centers of the salon winter season, with the Duchess D’Ayen firm at the helm, while her daughters, married or not, as hostesses-in-training, were to one and all commented for their charm and grace.
Festivities were everywhere and everyone seem to be enjoying themselves, all except as she noted her husband Gilbert whose moods danced with great swings of heights and depths.
To her he was always the consummate gentleman, and the appreciative lover. He respected her, treated her in public with the most courtesy, and from her perspective, she sensed he was very fond of her. At home, when not shut up in his room studying news sheets or maps, he showed great felicitation to both her and their daughter.
If only she could open her heart to show how much she loved him. Her time for him had found its own limitations. Her many officiating duties to her mother, the call to take care of her sickly daughter who required motherly not servant care, and being prepared as the calendar dictated to dress in fashion to attend all the events called upon by her station in life, and finally, find time in her marriage to a marquis, a man of complexity.
But over the last many months, her husband had been visibly distracted. Gilbert could act strange without explanation. Last spring it was his rudeness to the Comte de Provence. Totally unusual for him which she did not understand, uncertain if to ask him on the matter. His slight to the brother of the king had prevented his elevation to a royal posting; wherein she herself probably would have been destined to be chosen to privilege as a royal lady-in-waiting to the Queen. She sensed he had acted for his own benefit and had never considered consequences to her. Yet, for that loss, if it would have been, she was grateful for she constantly berated herself as being too shy and not mature enough to be in that inner circle of the Queen’s with the older more experienced noble ladies. And still there was that silent chasm in court; she was a mother, the Queen was not.
Adrienne adored her daughter too much to be taken far away as into the Queen’s favor. Henrietta required close watching, even with their nanny, as the child had a fault to often catch the sniffles.
It was this latest distraction of Gilbert’s which bothered her most. Since they had first met she accepted that he would be a soldier, handsome as he was in uniform, and she had steeled herself to his absences like the two summers of military training at Metz, even the month long journeys without her to his estates around Auvergne or to tour his late grandfather’s lands around Keroflais in Brittany, accompanied only by his servant Blasse and at that time Gerard the lawyer.
It was his going off to war she feared most. The war in the British colonies had grown to be a fire within a French soldier’s breast, but in Gilbert it seemed to be a conflagration of passion, that many times in discourse or his actions, consumed his mind. He had gone from wishing for British defeats to extolling in flowery terms the freedom and liberties that men must fight for to reclaim their personal rights. Language and thoughts she had not heard before and was unsure where they had come from.
In the last six months, there had been a silence on the subject within the household, the reasons seemed obvious. Gilbert extolled the insurgent’s revolution, her father had belittled his notions, and told him to think of his duties to family and crown.
Adrienne knew more than her father. She had access to the newspapers that Gilbert collected and sought to follow what might also interest her husband. She knew her sister, married into the Mouchy clan to Marc Noailles, like to chatterbox in gossip, and from her was shocked to learn that Marc, Philippe Segur, and Gilbert were seeking to volunteer to go fight with these—she wanted to call them peasants, but knew with Gilbert’s new fervor these were seen as hard-working, independent merchants and farmers fighting against the crushing wall of British dominance. Her thoughts within the last year, more to loyalty than understanding geopolitics, she had slowly molded herself to accept her husband’s spoken utterances.
The thought of losing her husband in a far-off war gave her this trepidation and when near him, and the moment appropriate, she clung to him, more so. She knew she had to deal with this possibility of losing him. She prayed harder seeking solace and strength from her Catholic beliefs. Adrienne, like most in the French nobility, held the basic understanding that the French aristocracy survived in whole being dependent on fealty to the crown, in turn the nobles pledged their swords to defend such sacred honor. But what did this have to do with far-off America? She could not fathom.
Came now more confusion for from her sister she had been told her husband Marc had said he was no longer volunteering, his plans foiled. Then arrived the news of defeats in America and soon after the king’s edict against supporting the insurgents. When she thought her husband would be at a low point, his countenance glowed brighter. So when they attended balls he enjoyed them, even seeking to improve his dancing skills. His laugh was refreshing and honest. And then she noticed his secrets. No secret rendezvous with a mistress. That would have troubled her, hurt her, but if he was so satisfied by another woman, she must find Christian toleration. No, it was the meetings, some secret, some held in the mansion’s library, other instances off to attend meet
ings where he, carefully stared out from behind the curtains, seeing if there were strangers in the street before hurrying off in the family carriage. Different times, two men, separately or with her husband all three together. One man, militaristic in bearing, who spoke rough French, his accent Germanic, like the Queen’s, and the other man, a gentleman, spoke French with an strange accent, and several times spoke to her in English before catching himself. An American, she came to discover. What was going on?
And when would be the best moment to un-distract her husband and tell him I am pregnant once more?
52.
WITH THE FEAR OF DISCOVERY to this bold new adventure, the participants in the revised de Broglie plot began to meet in places far away from the most obvious locations. Commissioner Silas Deane on his part did not want his past decisions, the upward promotions of French officers, to become knowledge around the rooms where all Commissioners resided that he took it upon himself to use his secretary William Carmichael’s rooms at the Htoel d’Hambourg on the Rue Jacob as a discreet meeting place. Here in early February occurred a historic occasion but was lost on those present as just being the shuffling of paperwork.
Commissioner Silas Deane laid before de la Fayette his enlistment papers to become a Major General in the American forces, subject to the ratification of Congress. Gilbert dressed in civilian clothes as this did not smack of some formal ceremony, read through the document for probably the tenth time. Personally, the paper in hand was touched with reverence. He paid particular attention to the addendum, a caveat to protect both Deane extending an elevated rank to such a young boy as well as to give Gilbert an escape clause, not to be too tightly bound and risk desertion if this war was not his cup of coffee. It read as such: