Lafayette_Courtier to Crown Fugitive, 1757-1777

by S. P. Grogan

  “On the conditions here explained I offer myself, and promise to depart when and how Mr. Deane shall judge proper, to serve the United States with all possible zeal, without any pension or particular allowance, reserving to myself the liberty of returning to Europe when my family or my king shall recall me.”

  La Fayette signed the backdated document to 7 December, 1776, and the codicil and de Kalb standing nearby leaned in to bear witness with his signature. Gilbert de la Fayette was now to receive the rank of Major General, if he could find a way to reach the American Congress for its formal approval.

  “When your plans are set,” said Deane, “I shall send to you letters for delivery to Congress. They cover various matters of our activities here. Among them, I will have a letter addressed to a Mr. Robert Morris of the Congress, who can help you establish banking relationships. I have also written a personal letter to the President of Congress explaining your great value to our cause. I will send that letter by your hand and a duplicate upon another ship so its import will not be waylaid upon the high seas.

  “Thank you, Mr. Deane. I will do my utmost to serve the cause. I am privileged and look forward to my active service upon arrival.”

  “Have you heard anything from this Lieutenant Dubois-Martin on his locating a ship?”

  “As we hear,” said de Kalb, representing his value to the organization, “Is that he has several possibilities he is investigating. That was a week ago. We expect news any day.”

  Deane looked to Gilbert. Sensitive but not so, as on the answer hung the fate of this new attempt to leave port.

  “And to the finance of such a purchase?”

  Americans were quite blunt and rude, thought Gilbert, something he would try to get use to.

  “I have checked with my accountant. And I have ready funds on hand.” He said no more expecting that if a wealthy man said he had the money then it must be so. He did not explain, though they might know French law , that he would not gain direct control over his estate until the age 25, so some sleight of hand was required from a faithful bookkeeper. Gilbert did not tell the assembled representatives, Deane and de Kalb, that he had scrounged up the funds making the claim to his accountant he required immediate funds to make a down payment on a house for he and his growing family. Adrienne finally had imparted the news that they were expecting their second child. Happiness came from Gilbert when he saw Adrienne beaming. At the announcement he gave her a brief wide-grin of joy, then his mind slipped back into deep thoughts of what might lay ahead...for him.

  “What are your present plans in preparation?”

  “My valet—,” He paused trying to recall Blasse’s alias. “Monsieur Camus is preparing my luggage. I have ordered a new uniform, less French or Prussian in design and color, but one of a dark blue wool, with golden fringe to collar and wrist cuffs. Blue being the opposite, in my thinking, of the color red.” He gained small chuckles from those in the room, those knowing red represented the ‘lobsterback’ color of a British infantryman’s uniform.

  “As to current plans, it is a matter of waiting, but to throw off any blackguards who seek to follow us, I intend to be in the thick of things during Carnival Week at the Court. And to my satisfaction, though I am not anxious to go, both myself and my cousin, Prince de Poix, have been invited by my uncle, Marquis de Noailles, the current ambassador to visit him in London.”

  Carmichael offered the surprise for Deane and de Kalb.

  “You are going to London, then to America?”

  “I think there is another conspiracy afoot by certain unknowns, family or government, for me to be shown the strength and grandeur of his royal majesty King George III and his armies and fleet, for me to quaver, and come back to warn all French officers that any impetuous behavior will be dealt with in extremes. I would rather go to Le Harve with Baron de Kalb and greet our list of officers, but I think this side trip has good value to lead those watching us to be misguided.”

  “In Le Harve, we must only sit and wait for a ship,” said Baron de Kalb, not yet formed of opinion if this new signatory to the American cause should beard the lion in his den by passing himself off as an innocent tourist.

  Once the meeting had disbanded and Deane had returned to his residence and to his suite of rooms, and his working office, shared with Franklin, though they were looking for larger accommodations in the suburb of Passy. The Commissioner drew from a hidden drawer in his desk his missive to Congress concerning his latest and perhaps his last appointment of a Major General.

  It was a well written letter he thought so himself, with salient points of argument, the two most important being: Having a marquis, from one of the most noble families of France, in support of their goals of independence would demonstrate favoritism by the court and hence the government to their cause; secondly, the Marquis sincerely believes in the ideals set forth by Congress and is most willing to put his life at risk to prove our validity. Deane wrote:

  “The desire which the Marquis de la Fayette shows of serving among the troops of the United States of North America, and the interest which he takes in the justice of their cause, make him wish to distinguish himself in this war, and to render himself as useful as he possibly can...His high birth, his alliances, the great dignities which his family hold at this court, his considerable estates in this realm, his personal merit, his reputation, his disinterestedness, and, above all, his zeal for the liberty of our provinces, are such as have only been able to engage me to promise him the rank of major-general in the name of the United States.”

  Where had this recent ‘zeal’ arisen in Gilbert to support the ‘liberty of provinces’? Prior to this his passion was to raise his sword and fight in glorious battle, regardless where, under whosoever’s banner, and in whatever country might give him a place to mark his achievements.

  The answer lay in his making the acquaintance of William Carmichael.

  Gilbert had met only two Americans since last November, Deane and Carmichael. Deane was too busy with far greater political matters of state to be bothered by a persistent and bothersome newly turned nineteen year old military officer on reserve, one without any command. Still, more than the other begging officers looking for ranks, Gilbert had come with pedigree and though naïve of what might be in store on a bloody battlefield, the boy exuded a clean freshness, almost a contagious feeling that America’s cause was the right cause because de la Fayette was going to be a part of it.

  Like De Broglie who had designs on Gilbert’s value to his plot, Deane saw having a wealthy and well-placed supporter at court as the young noble would be an endorsement of the Colonies’ cause. Deane assigned his secretary William Carmichael to ‘babysit’ the marquis, not to be an interference in the Commissioner’s day-to-day work, but to keep the charged-up ‘volunteer’ pleased that they working hard to gain his commission, and now, to support his purchasing a ship with supplies. Clandestine meetings between Gilbert and William became frequent, and yes, a very close friendship formed, because in their discussions, Carmichael gained from discussions with La Fayette great background color of the thinking in the French government and at the court. This Carmichael reported back to Deane. To the other’s need, Gilbert began to hear from an American on what America was really like, and he became entranced at all of Carmichael’s stories. Within these covert carriage-rides, or secret meetings at the Noailles mansion, Gilbert learned with fascination the details behind the ink filled newsprint which gave little life or flavor to the American countryside; what were the people like, the type of food eaten, the customs.

  And what were they really fighting for? He learned this historic background of the colonies complaints. Gilbert learned for the first time that not all Americans were fighting for independence that there was a strong number who wished to maintain their allegiance to the crown, the loyalists. Many still resided in Congress itself, seeking compromise and reconciliation. Carmichael called them traitors in derisive terms, for they fought against their own brethren to
maintain, what Carmichael sought to convey to the young noble that the Colonial battles as fights of slave against master.

  Said Carmichael, in one such ride, two hours in the coach, out past the city limits and back again. “Americans will never bend their knee again to a tyrant.” Gilbert listened and absorbed an intensity and definition of his purpose, a more pragmatic reason for his traveling this great distance. In his new thinking the childish outspoken ‘quest for military glory’ seemed less intelligent among the philosophers, followers of the ideals of human nature, than a more grown-up call ‘to help set people free’. By these secluded rides with Carmichael, Gilbert de la Fayette began picking up the words and phrases of the revolution’s language, the flowery phrases that he began to put into his speech and write into his letters.

  On one evening of sleet and wind howling, they met for the last time as La Fayette was in the middle of the Catholic festivals, and he had little time before those ended and he would be off to London by mid month, Carmichael, in this parting, gave him a small book, more a pamphlet.

  “We have just received several copies from a recent ship’s visit. It is said that this man’s writing is heating up the minds and giving backbone to patriot soldiers. His words I feel will give you thoughts on the type of government we seek throw off and the new one to embrace. But as you can see it is in English, and that is my great challenge to you. To succeed in an American war you may retain your French soul but you must try to understand us. Quickly learn English; use this book to practice on. Discuss it with any shipmates or sailors who speak English. Ask them to explain from their perspective. Freedom is more than an ideal, or spirit, it is visible within our people.”

  In parting, Carmichael, as was custom, gave Gilbert a warm and tender kiss to his cheek.

  Gilbert was moved, tears within his eyes, both upon his new friend’s departure and the gift given. He read the title as he could, but again could not fathom the English words so he did his best to recall what Carmichael had read from the cover and the few words on the gift giving,

  ‘Common Sense: Written to the Inhabitants of America...by an Englishman’*

  ‘The cause of America is, in a great measure, the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected, and in the event of which, their affections are interested. The laying a country desolate with fire and sword, declaring war against the natural rights of all mankind, and extirpating the defenders thereof from the face of the earth, is the concern of every man to whom nature hath given the power of feeling...’

  He thought if he had time he would go out to a bookseller and find a French translation as the cover stated it was published in early 1776, but for him it was as well he became too busy to make the attempt for there was no translated copy available.

  *[THE PAMPHLET BY THE Englishman, Thomas Paine, would not be available in French until translated by Antoine Gilbert Griffet de Labaume in 1790, timely it seemed; a new need for a new revolution.]

  53.

  GILBERT ABSORBED WITH all the talk of spies and purloined mail coming from those conspiracy associates of his new friends found himself somewhat paranoid to who might know what. This nervousness to protect his plans led into his own character the playing games of deception. And this included sleight of hand and action with his direct family and those friends of his at the court.

  Adrienne understood Gilbert had been caught up in the spirit of supporting the Americans. It was no secret among the close family that he along with his friends, Marc and Phillipe, had been rudely forbidden from considering such volunteerism, mostly spoken as ‘idiotic’. Gilbert said nothing to her about his rejection, but she knew he took it personally, that this was a punishment totally unwarranted to his abilities. For that she empathized and remained stoutly to his side, even against what her father had commanded. Her future lay with Gilbert, and their child, and the approaching second child.

  Besides, she became distracted herself, having an extremely enjoyable time with Gilbert during Carnival Week. There were balls and events every night, and then Gilbert would be gone for two or three weeks to see her uncle, the Marquis de Noailles, who served in London as Ambassador from the French court. She could stand her husband’s absence for a short period of time, but she would miss him so.

  What lifted the spirits for both Gilbert Motier de la Fayette and his wife, Adrienne de Noailles de la Fayette, was the good mood the court crowd found in Queen Marie Antoinette. Carnival Week would be filled with festival events begining prior to Lent, or from 3 February to Palm Sunday. Then following, her brother, Emperor Joseph II of Austria, seven years her senior, was coming in April to visit and pay a call upon the Queen and King, more so regards to his younger sister. She expected, from letters exchanged, that he might lecture her about her growing gambling debts or even suggests vague rude suggestions on the lack of coupling between the king and herself which had yet to produce a child after six years. But still he was coming, and she wrote her mother, Marie Theresa, in excitable words of this anticipation.

  The Queen, with new enthusiasm to her nature, held her own fetes, attended balls and operas every night, many in masque and costumes with the La Fayettes trailing along, a recognizable and integral part of the familiar entourage. Several times because of her condition, Adrienne did not attend. Still they were an attractive and pleasant couple, by social standing, always on the invitation lists.

  They went to a ball at the Palais-Royal, and masked balls of the Opera. Another ball held at the home of the Comtesse Diana de Polignac –she a patron of Phillipe de Segur’s career— where the dancing, ‘gossip and gallantries’ lasted from 11 o’clock at night until 11 a.m. The Queen brought her entire royal court and family, except for the Mesdames (the King’s sisters who did not favor her). All could not depart until the Queen did so and the Queen did enjoy a lively time.

  In the week period called the Feast of Fools the Queen went to the play, Dom Japhet d’Arménie, a five act comedy by Paul Sacarron. The next night at her private place, the Petit Trianon, she hosted mock jousting tournaments with pasteboard horses. During the quiet times in the daytime, of sobering and rest, there might be a spur of the moment picnics (fêtes-champetres) or the Queen would throw faro gambling parties. It was touted in the salons that at one of the Queen’s gambling tables the Duc de Chartres lost an estimated eight thousand louis.

  The only controversy during the carnival came when the Archbishop of Paris condemned as scandalous—indecent for Lent—the opera dancer’s ball, with featured dancer, Marie-Madeleine Guimar (sole ballerina since 1762). By the Church’s desire the Parisian police stopped and turned back the coaches of the Duc de Chartres, that of the Comte d’Artois, and another holding the Vicomte de Noailles and the Marquis de Lafayette – all out for a good time.

  Another evening, the royal group visited the Hotel de Noailles and took in a puppetry show based on the Song of Roland, a favorite theme of Gilbert’s, for he was a devoted fan of historical deeds of knights and ultimate sacrifice in battle. He, in fact, that evening stood in place, as host, of the Duc D’Ayen who had no love for flippant frivolity among the young, and much better loved a boiling beaker of chemistry.

  Gilbert bowing to the Queen’s exit that night found her leaning to him, with a query, in a devilish smile. “I have heard that a few within the Society of the Wooden Sword were wont of real steel and to go fight someone else’s battles?” As host, and the Queen being the first to initiate the conversation, he was not improper, and that night responded quick of thought: “Only battles where the French are seen predominant and at the forefront will there be success.”

  “Well said, Marquis, but sad that we must obey our sovereign and all his favorites must stay home like scolded children.”

  Was she privy to his plans? He did not know how to take that statement. Was she being coy, with her usual tease, or was there greater hidden meaning? She certa
inly was not a stay-in-the-palace type of Queen, and Gilbert admired her for that. To all, and to all unspoken, the king was a dullard, who did not enjoy any outing except if it was to the chase, and his personal notebook, it was said, only recorded his hunts and volume of kills, nothing scribbled of memorable significance to the great acts of state and of the times.

  Gilbert thought hard before speaking. “My Queen, we are thankful that to any command if disobeyed, the King would have a great heart to forgive our simple misdeeds.” Definitely he was thinking of his soon to-be travels, against the King’s wishes.

  The Queen might have heard the last but turned her head to one of her ladies-in-waiting who came to her side, seeing if there was a faux pas of custom, for the Queen did not address young single or even prominent married men for more than a few minutes or she risked the fright of malicious gossip and salacious ditties in the news sheets. It would be to the surprise of many these days of newsworthy titillation, but the Queen guarded her chastity with great perseverance, even with or because of the King’s lack of sexual mastery increased his disinterest towards the marital bed and any felt affection.

  The Queen turned back to him, her smile more formal.

  “Marquis, a wonderful evening. Please pass my compliments to the Marquise and the Duc and Duchess.”

  “I shall, your Majesty. You are most kind.” The Queen and her party departed and soon all guests bowed their way out. Gilbert held no doubt the Queen was off to find another soiree, better suited if it held gaming tables. The night for Her Majesty, as herself, was still young.