Lafayette_Courtier to Crown Fugitive, 1757-1777

by S. P. Grogan

  I have the honor to inform you, M. le Comte, that I leave for the country you know, and for that adventure you counseled me not to risk. You will be astonished by my action, but it was impossible for me to do otherwise, and the proof of this truth is that I have not followed your advice. I have not even wished to discuss it with you again because, with the best will in the world, and despite myself, Fate has prevented me from following your counsel. You would have opposed my desires...

  De Broglie, in the coming weeks of this controversy, would make copies of this letter and circulate the contents to all of import to show he should receive no blame, for by the Marquis’s own words he had attempted to talk the young miscreant out of such ill conceived adventure. Lord Stormont would soon have a copy of this letter in his files. He easily saw through the subterfuge and would write to Lord Weymouth on 9 April: “There is great reason to believe that Comte Broglie encouraged this wild enterprise of La Fayette.”

  24th March

  Believing departure imminent, De Kalb wrote to American Commissioner Silas Deane, the letter to be mailed next day:

  Our Ship is already gone down the River, and this instant we will follow in a boat, as the weather Cleared up since yesterday, and the wind sitting fair we are in hopes of setting sail tomorrow. Every one of our Passengers are arrived...The Marquis I think has wrote to you to day or yesterday; his Letter must surprise you as much as his confidence of having take this step without advice from his Family, or consent from M. Le Duc d’Ayen his Father in Law, has surprised me when he first confessed it to me at his arrival here. I hope it will involve neither you nor me in any difficulties about it...

  25th March

  The ship was prepared and on the 24th moved out into the roadstead at Pauillac, but winds in from the sea had prevented their departure until this morning. Gilbert, full of anticipation, full of dread, made his way to the longboat which would take he and De Kalb to the ship, and they would be off.

  No, but wait. No sooner than the first oars struck for a long pull, a rider was seen racing down to the docks. He was a courier and the boat returns. It is the courier with de Cogny’s news of events. Gilbert tears open the envelope and reads the terse revelation.

  Your family is distraught and begs that you return home and all will be forgiven. Your father says you have blundered. He has gone to Maurepas and orders are being sent to you for your return. The King is not pleased. There is talk of a lettre de cachet being issued against you. Nothing here seems to bode well.

  Gilbert was devastated. He knew the Noailles family would be upset and he was prepared to weather that anger. But a letter de cachet, an arrest warrant only to be issued under the King’s signature, this was too much even for him. What must he do?

  He handed the letter to De Kalb.

  Said the Baron, himself quietly dejected, “You must not go on. You must return to Paris and quit this venture. Or at least gain your father-in-law’s approval.”

  The last sentence spoken had the opposite effect. Gilbert was going forth because he thought he required no one’s blessing or approval. His decision alone. Doubts were creeping in, but not yet overpowering.

  “This is Cogny’s first appraisal. I wish to know more. I have not yet heard from my family and believe a letter will soon follow. Whether it matters I don’t know. We cannot stay in port longer. Let us go down the coast into Spain, and be away from here. Too much intrigue might block our plans.”

  It was not the best answer but it was movement, and movement was what De Kalb sought, and giving Gilbert the role of decision-maker, he allowed that to stand. Back to the boat and to the ship.

  From the deck of La Victoire, Gilbert felt a sense of satisfaction that he had taken another bold step, but as he looked to the port, he saw another rider, a lathered horse come racing towards them, stopping short, the rider, screaming, his hands waving above his head, unheard from this distance, unable to deliver communications to the departed ship.

  The King’s command, one could believe the arrest warrant to be served, had arrived but too late, so far.

  69.

  ONE KNOWS HOW THE OCTOPUS spreads its disguise, from one source, spurted out through the water, spreading in inky tentacles until escape or victim is well covered. So, it must be said is the spread of gossip or better yet conveyed from the mouth of the sage Socrates: “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and weak minds discuss people.”

  So began the stories of the Marquis Gilbert de La Fayette and what he did, whatever tale one wishes to believe.

  More closely held by the Noailles family who had first received Gilbert’s letter, the word seeped out from the Noailles residence, from the top of the stairs to under the stairs through the servants quarters out into the world no later than the 17th of March; the Viacomtesse Noailles, who ran to her sister’s side on the 18th, so, in turn, that household knew by evening; Segur, as a wit, told the story at a social meeting of his Masonic Lodge, so that news spread back to the homes of all members in attendance; and the Viacomte de Noailles gave his version and his opinion at the Le Procopé coffee house.

  The government and throne could keep no secret. The offices of Vergennes and Maurepas and their staff were aware by the Duc d’Ayen’s alarmed visit on the 17th. By the 19th the King knew and although he did not converse in any great discourse with his wife, he mentioned what he had been told more to tease her for humor that one of her Court Club crowd had caused him great embarrassment. The Queen naturally, the font receiver of gossip from her ladies-in-waiting, was more than gleeful to relate to them all, that she was the one first privy of such delicious news.

  The spies were quick to rebound from not having details on Gilbert’s movements. The English agent Colonel Smith had picked up the news in a tavern. The American spy Bancroft had left England on the 26th of March for Paris and would know from Deane and Franklin where the Marquis had gone and so far accomplished, this by the 29th. Lord Stormont had most of the particulars by 2nd of April.

  And do not forget the Vicomte de Cogny who in the lower strata of the court nobles, nevertheless pleased on direct communication with Gilbert, had no problem extolling his own involvement and immediately proceeded to tell everyone he met the evening of the 26th at Madame du Derrand’s Salon, and such being the news gathering social world of Paris, the electrifying story spread by word of mouth as grape shot cannon fire that by the 31st Mme du Derrand could write the raw gossip about it to her correspondence friend, literary-politician Horace Walpole in England.

  “The Marquis de la Fayette, a charming noble, a friend to the Queen, has run off to fight in the Colonies. He is to be a Major General, they say. But the King has issued a warrant for his arrest. Many here are applauding his daring and wish him well to escape the royal law.”

  La Victorie, with fifteen French officers aboard, dropped anchor in the hidden cove at the harbor of Los Pasajes, near San Sebastian in Spain on 28 March, just miles beyond the French border, and a ship gathering port for outward bound sailing at the edge of the Bay of Biscay.

  News traveled across France, even by fast dispatch rider, and in some set of circumstances slow tidings delivers the wrong effect. By the first week in April, throughout Paris, Gilbert La Fayette, had achieved what he most desired but coming to him unexpected: fame, and not on the battlefield as he sought, but in the streets and salons of public opinion. But he would not know the winds of feelings were changing to his benefit, because the first bit of news he received was a courier from Minister Maurepas.

  31st of March

  They had held for three days awaiting what Gilbert knew was coming. And on this day, the King’s courier finally arrived. Gilbert had been easily tracked down by the Bordeaux port commander.

  The news could not have been worse for Gilbert’s hope for a gloried future.

  Under the King’s signature [of course written by Maurepas] was the command to cease his activities and to meet up with his relatives, the Duc and Duchess D’Ayen, and
an eccentric aunt, Comtesse de Tessé, to begin a previously planned tour of Italy. He was to travel from Bordeaux to Marseille to await their arrival.

  Baron de Kalb, frustrated himself, believed the venture was over and suggested Gilbert sell the ship take a forfeit loss, recoup what he could and go to Marseille. With such news Gilbert hit a low ebb, and his optimism waned but he was not defeated.

  “I will go to Bordeaux, but only to learn more. I will write letters from there and try to convince Maurepas and the King to support my cause. Baron, do not sell the ship or set sail until you hear from me.”

  Baron de Kalb seeing this project coming to an end, agreed, after all La Fayette owned the vessel and he could do nothing anyway. He would convince the others to be patient that the Marquis was waiting for further orders from the Ministries, something they would accept for the delay. In the Baron’s own mind, if the venture had failed, and perchance Gilbert must unload the ship at cut-rate value, then the Baron might strike a deal with the previous owner, Peter Basemarin, and he would then have a ship for America. So, he was willing to paint a glum picture to Gilbert and suggest at Bordeaux the end result would be meeting his father-in-law in Marseille.

  Again, the Baron failed to grasp what mention of Gilbert’s in-law had in polarizing Gilbert to act in opposition.

  1 April

  As in Romeo’s hard ride to find his Juliet, to miss the news from the plodding good friar on the road about Juliet’s private scheme to take a potion that feigned death, maybe not so fatal to his account, but here Gilbert rode back to Bordeaux believing his world had been crushed. Not so, when at the same time his new friends in Paris, the city itself were praising his bold move.

  The ride took three days along the post road, he talked to no one accept a casual hurried conversation as in St. Jean-de-Luz with the daughter of the postmaster and tavern owner as he watered his horse during a brief respite. His servant called now Camus rode with him, but Gilbert paid him little attention and his thoughts reflective were deep and disturbing.

  I have tried all and have failed. I wanted to fight the Beast of Gevaudan, hand-to-hand, but another saw it slain; the ancient stories told by my grand-mere of my ancestor de La Fayette fighting at the battlements alongside of Jean d’Arc were just that, stories. I did not live them. And what of the Vicomte de Noailles, how I so wanted to be like him; and I should have been what my father-in-law wanted me to be. Where have all my dreams gone?

  Even his marriage directed and orchestrated, out of his hands, gave him consternation, though he did not hold Adrienne at fault. The thought of her gave him pause but greater sorrow. I will return to her what the world believes I am: a weak, bumbling clown.

  So quickly this could lead to the end of such an adventure, but it is the growth of Gilbert’s character that few saw in transition during this last year. He now bore a health and controlled ego, a belief in self that gave him stubbornness and a backbone; his great enthusiasm and blind dedication to a cause that could sustain forward movement. His only flaw, and he had yet to see this as a fault, was his rash acceptance that all men senior to him had greater wisdom and he had turned to those, almost religiously, naively seeking the father he never knew, but sadly, as he learned through experience, many were not up to the ideal that in his mind he had created. His subconscious search was ever on-going—with the Vicomte, his father-in-law, Carmichael, and De Broglie, all in whom he placed trust, hoping for a god-send, not to be. How about Baron de Kalb?

  The good Baron had seen his dream ended. He held a good opinion of Gilbert but still wrote to his wife on 1 April, he now beached, awaiting orders he usually was the one to give. In part his letter:

  “His [La Fayette’s] course was silly from the moment he could not make up his mind quietly to execute his project, undisturbed by threats. Had he told me in Paris all that he has admitted since, I would have remonstrated most earnestly against the whole scheme...yet, if it be said that he has done a foolish thing it may be answered that he acted from the most honorable motives, and that he can hold up his head before all high-minded men.”

  Even with these well said comments, DeKalb schemed to buy La Victoire without telling Gilbert and sail away. He even wrote to Commissioner Deane seeking another boat to continue his journey. All this perhaps rose from his frustrated boredom but in the end he did not act and waited to hear word on what the end was to it.

  3 April

  Was there a Noailles in ever port, haunting him? Such was the case. One of Adrienne’s great uncles, Marshal de Mouchy, was the lieutenant-governor of the Basse-Guyenne Province with his residence in Bordeaux. When Gilbert had arrived on 19 March, he had stayed at the governor’s residence and received as he should be as family. Upon his return on this day, he stood before his uncle in audience with M. de Fumel, the port commandant, who read out his instructions.

  Gilbert begged as he could. “I wish to go to Paris for two weeks to visit my wife and child.”

  “That is not possible, said Fumel in his authoritative sternness, “My instructions are to have a escort guard convey you to Marseille to await upon your relatives. And be there no later than 15 April. When Fumel had departed, his uncle Governor Mouchy gave him a rough family lecture on responsibility and how disappointed everyone was. Not knowing that only the senior men of the Noailles clan seem to be a minority of the Marquis’s flight to fight.

  Gilbert bit his lip and sought a sober response: “I have hurt no one and what I seek, or rather sought; to do was for my personal satisfaction. I had entered into a contract with the American authorities. I intended to honor that.”

  Now came the fatherly voice of the uncle. “Perhaps that might be so, but I know the higher workings of our government and what you were doing was undermining a policy that the Ministers and the King have to handle deftly with velvet gloves, or it may mean a new war.”

  “I am but one soldier seeking a command to distinguish myself.”

  “You are a Noailles and have great responsibilities, a heritage that must remain pure to virtue.”

  It was the wrong thing to say. The ‘Noailles’ word. And ‘virtue’, a word Gilbert had just stripped that from his own heraldry coat of arms.

  “I shall write to Minister Maurepas and seek his indulgence to understand my position.”

  “I am sure there will be no change in the King’s position. This inconvenient matter will end here.” And the Governor walked out, without civility.

  7-11th April

  The Marquis de Motier de La Fayette saga stumbled to an inglorious end, or so the world of Europe presumed.

  Minister Maurepas read the Marquis de La Fayette’s letter, saw it as a young boy seeking forgiveness even if he sought to argue reasons that he had justified cause in mind. He let Lord Stormont know of the letter, who then wrote to Lord Weymouth, “Lafayette’s expedition was a short one indeed” and later stated that the boy had bowed to the wishes of his king

  Vergennes took the political steps and notified the Marquis de Noailles, the ambassador to England. The Ambassador had been greatly embarrassed by Gilbert’s sudden rush in mid-March to fight against the people the Ambassador saw every day, as if suggesting the Ambassador was behind some sort of scheme of recruitment. Vergennes wrote there was no recriminations and that the king still held the Noailles family and the Ambassador himself in high regard. Wrote Vergennes, the Marquis would soon be with his family and go on tour in Italy.

  9 April

  Gilbert wrote a letter to Adrienne, explaining he was in Bordeaux and may return to Paris to see her. The Duc d’Ayen had already met with the shipping company owner which sold Gilbert the ship and gave him a dressing down (after all the Duc looked at Gilbert’s funds as being part of the Noailles strong chest). Adrienne had been present and was brought to tears on the treatment of the merchant. Adrienne had read a letter her father had addressed to Commissioner Deane demanding that he communicate with General Washington and refuse any command to his ‘son’ and send him home. How hurt
would Gilbert be, if he knew of what was being used to forestall him? And now, he had been thwarted by the King himself. How could her husband stand against the King, the court, and the government? She had mixed feelings. She did not believe anyone really understand her husband’s willfulness. In the next several weeks, and months, oh, how her heart would soar and crash at each of his letters, desperate to open, fearful of some calamitous news. Her family awaited his return to Paris or his compliance to the King’s command to go to Marseille. Adrienne told her mother, “If Gilbert comes to me, he will be greatly changed, and I think not to the good.”

  De Broglie saw his plans stymied. He had a few days earlier received the covering letter from the Marquis and knew something was wrong. Correspondence soon followed from DeKalb identifying the reasons that de la Fayette had a ‘fit of uncertainty’ and that he was contemplating on returning to Bordeaux and would either return to Paris or by royal order join his family in Marseille. De Broglie could not sit still. The longer he waited in getting DeKalb to America the less chance his assumption to gain command would be at risk. He sent out his servants for news sheets, leaned on his friends for salon gossip, and even made a call on Vergennes to gain insight on what the government policy might now be.

  Vergennes considered the La Fayette incident a non starter. Still, he was surprised when De Broglie informed him that the Marquis had purchased the ship with his own money. That fact impressed him. De Broglie delivered the Marquis’s letter absolving him of any blame in Gilbert’s actions. Vergennes thanked him and cordially said he accepted its contents as further evidence of the end to this minor complication. He told DeBroglie that he felt the Duc d’Ayen would be appeased that the government had used its resources to bring back the delinquent son.