American Aurora
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Dined with the Marshall de Maillebois …
It is proper in this place to insert an Anecdote. Mr. Lee and I waited on the [French Foreign Minister] Count de Vergennes one day … [H]e said he would take a Walk with us … As We walked across the Court of the Castle of Versailles, We met the Marshall Maillebois. Mutual Bows were exchanged, as We passed, and Mr. Lee said to the Count de Vergennes, “That is a great general, sir.” “Ah!” said the Count de Vergennes, “I wish he had the Command with you!”…
My feelings, on this Occasion, were kept to myself, but my reflection was. “I will be buried in the Ocean, or in any other manner sacrificed, before I will voluntarily put on the Chains of France”…
After dinner We went to the [French] Academy of Sciences, and heard Mr. D’Alembert as Secretary perpetual, pronounce Eulogies on several of their Members lately deceased. Voltaire and Franklin were both present, and there presently arose a general Cry that Monsieur Voltaire and Monsieur Franklin should be introduced to each other. This was done and they bowed and spoke to each other. This was no Satisfaction. There must be something more. Neither of our Philosophers seemed to divine what was wished or expected. They however took each other by the hand … But this was not enough. The Clamour continued, untill the explanation came out “Il faut s’embrasser, a la françoise.” The two Aged-Actors upon this great Theatre of Philosophy and frivolity then embraced each other by hugging one another in their Arms and kissing each others cheeks, and then the tumult subsided. And the Cry immediately spread through the whole Kingdom and I suppose over all Europe Qu’il etoit charmant. Oh! il etoit enchantant, de voir Salon et Sophocle embrassans. How charming it was! Oh! it was enchanting to see Solon and Sophocles embracing!1079
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1778
The Pennsylvania Gazette
POSTSCRIPT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE OF MAY 2, 1778.
YORK-TOWN [Pennsylvania], May 4.
On Saturday last Simeon Dean, Esq. arrived at Congress, express from the American Plenipotentiaries at the Court of France, and delivered his Dispatches to his Honour, the President.— The Important Contents are, by a Correspondent, thus communicated …
[S]igned at Paris on the 6th of February, a Treaty of Alliance and Commerce between the Crown of France and the United States of America. almost in the very terms on which the American Plenipotentiaries had been instructed by Congress … [Terms set forth.] …
These important advices were brought over in Le Sensible, Mons. Marignie, Commander, a Royal Frigate of France, of all twelve-pounders and 300 men.
Sunday, May 3, 1778. Today, from Philadelphia, Virginia’s delegates to the Continental Congress write Virginia Governor Patrick Henry:
Having heard these Treaties [with France] read but once in Congress … we find that his most Christian Majesty has been governed by principles of Magnanimity and true generosity, taking no advantage of our circumstances, but acting as if we were in these plenitude of power and in the greatest security … We are shortly to receive considerable Stores from France … 1080
Monday, May 4, 1778. This afternoon, in the Continental Congress, the Journals report:
Congress resumed the consideration of the treaty of amity and commerce concluded at Paris on the 6th of February …
Resolved unanimously, That the same be and is hereby ratified.
Congress also took into consideration the treaty of Alliance, concluded at Paris on the 6th day of February …
Resolved unanimously, That the same be and is hereby ratified …
Resolved, That this Congress entertain the highest sense of the magnanimity and wisdom of his most Christian Majesty … and the commissioners, or any of them, representing these states at the court of France, are directed to present the grateful acknowledgment of this Congress to his most Christian Majesty for his truly magnanimous conduct … and to assure his Majesty, on the part of this Congress, it is sincerely wished that the friendship so happily commenced between France and these United States may be perpetual.1081
Tuesday, May 5, 1778. Today, George Washington orders a celebration of the French alliance:
It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the cause of the United American States, and finally by raising up a powerful friend among the princes of the Earth, to establish our Liberty and Independence upon a lasting foundation; it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine Goodness, and celebrating the event, which we owe to His benign interposition. The several Brigades are to be assembled at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning, when their Chaplains will communicate the intelligence contained in the Postscript of the [Pennsylvania] Gazette of 2nd inst … and offer up a thanksgiving, and deliver a discourse suitable to the occasion.1082
Wednesday, May 6, 1778. Today, Washington’s troops celebrate the French alliance. One eyewitness account:
The wine circulated in the most genial manner—to the King of France—the friendly European powers—the American States—the Honorable Congress, and other toasts of a similar nature, descriptive of the spirit of freemen.
The general [Washington] himself wore a countenance of uncommon delight and complacence … The [army], in particular never looked so well, nor in such good order, since the beginning of the war.1083
George Washington has good reason to celebrate. Tom Paine:
The capture of Burgoyne [at Saratoga] gave an éclat in Europe to the American arms, and facilitated the alliance with France. The éclat, however, was not kept up by anything on the part of General Washington. The same unfortunate languor that marked his entrance into the field, continued always. Discontent began to prevail strongly against him, and a party formed in Congress, while sitting at York Town, in Pennsylvania, for removing him from the command of the army. The hope, however, of better times, the news of the alliance with France, and the unwillingness of showing discontent dissipated the matter.1084
Franklin’s negotiations and the French alliance may have saved George Washington his command!
Friday, May 8, 1778. Today, in Paris, John Adams meets the King of France, Louis XVI. John Adams:
Dr. Franklin … went with me to Versailles to attend my Presentation to the King. We visited the [French Foreign Minister] Count de Vergennes at his Office, and at the hour of eleven, the Count conducted Us into the Kings Bed Chamber where his Majesty was dressing. One Officer putting on his Coat, another his Sword &c. The Count went up to the King and informed him that Mr. Adams was present to be presented to his Majesty, the King turned round and looked upon me and smiled. “Is that Mr. Adams,” said his Majesty? Being answered in the affirmative by the Count, he began to talk to me, and with such rapidity that I could not distinguish one Syllable nor understand one Word … The Count de Vergennes observing his Majestys Zeal … said, Mr. Adams will not answer your Majesty, for he neither speaks nor understands our Language as yet … “Pas un mot” [not a word?] said the King … The Count de Vergennes then conducted me to the Door of another Room, and desired me to stand there, which I did untill the King passed. After the usual Compliments of the King to the Ambassadors, his Majesty was preparing to retire when the Count de Vergennes again repeated to the King that I did not take upon me to speak french and the King repeated his question, does he not speak it at all? and passing by all the others in the Row made a full Stop before me, and evidently intended to observe and remember my Countenance and Person …1085
Saturday, May 16, 1778. Today, from the town of York, Pennsylvania (where the Continental Congress now meets), Tom Paine writes Ben Franklin:
I live in hopes of seeing and advising with you respecting the History of the American Revolution, as soon as a turn of affairs make it safe to take a passage for Europe … Mr. and Mrs. Bache are at Manheim near Lancaster; I heard they were well a few days ago … Miss Nancy Clifton … said the enemy had destroyed or sold a great part of your furniture …1086
Wednesday, May 27, 1778. Today, in Paris, John Adams writes in his diary:
I must now, in order to explain and justify my own Conduct give an Account of that of my Colleague Dr. Franklin … I found that the Business of our Commission would never be done unless I did it. My two Colleagues would agree in nothing. The Life of Dr. Franklin was a Scene of continual discipation. I could never obtain the favour of his Company in a Morning before Breakfast which would have been the most convenient time to read over the Letters and papers, deliberate on their contents, and decide upon the Substance of the Answers. It was late when he breakfasted, and as soon as Breakfast was over, a crowd of Carriages came to his Levee or, if you like the term better, to his Lodgings, with all Sorts of People; some Phylosophers, Academicians and Economists; some of his small tribe of humble friends in the litterary Way whom he employed to translate some of his ancient Compositions, such as his Bonhomme Richard [Poor Richard] and for what I know his Polly Baker &c.; but by far the greater part were Women and Children, come to have the honour to see the great Franklin, and to have the pleasure of telling Stories about his Simplicity, his bald head and scattering strait hairs, among their Acquaintances. These visitors occupied all the time, commonly, till it was time to dress to go to Dinner. He was invited to dine abroad every day and never declined unless when we had invited Company to dine with Us. I was always invited with him, till I found it necessary to send Apologies, that I might have some time to study the french Language and do the Business of the mission … It was the Custom in France to dine between one and two O Clock: so that when the time came to dress, it was time for the Voiture [carriage] to be ready to carry him to dinner … [W]e could rarely obtain the Company of Dr. Franklin for a few minutes, and often when I had drawn the Papers and had them fairly copied for Signature … I was frequently obliged to wait several days, before I could procure the Signature of Dr. Franklin to them. He went according to his Invitation to his Dinner and after that went sometimes to the Play, sometimes to the Philosophers but most commonly to visit those Ladies who were complaisant enough to depart from the custom of France so far as to procure Setts of Tea Geer as it is called and make Tea for him … After Tea the Evening was spent, in hearing the Ladies sing and play upon their Piano Fortes and other instruments of Musick, and in various Games as Cards, Chess, Backgammon, &c. &c. Mr. Franklin I believe however never play’d at any Thing but Chess or Checquers. In these Agreable and important Occupations and Amusements, the Afternoon and Evening was spent, and he came home at all hours from Nine to twelve 0 Clock at night … I should have been happy to have done all the Business or rather all the Drudgery if I could have been favoured with a few moments in a day to receive his Advice concerning the manner in which it ought to be done. But this condescention was not attainable …1087
Friday, May 29, 1778. Tonight, in Paris, John Adams writes in his diary:
The Disposition of the People of this Country for Amusements, and the Apparatus for them, was remarkable in this House, as indeed it was in every genteel House that I had seen in France. Every fashionable House had compleat Setts of Accommodations for Play, a Billiard Table, a Bacgammon Table, a Chesboard, a Chequer Board, Cards, and twenty other Sorts of Games, that I have forgotten. I often asked myself how this rage for Amusements of every kind, and this disinclination to serious Business, would answer in our republican Governments in America. It seemed to me that every Thing must run to ruin.1088
Saturday, May 30, 1778. John Adams is resentful. Of today, he writes:
Dr. Franklin, who had no Business to do or who at least would do none, and who had [a relative] … for his private Secretary without consulting his Colleagues and indeed without saying a Word to me who lived in the same house with him and had no private Secretary, though I had all the Business to do, thought fit to take into the Family a French private Secretary … For what reason or for what Purpose he was introduced I never knew. Whether it was to be a Spy upon me … I gave myself no trouble to enquire.1089
Tuesday, June 2, 1778. Of today, John Adams writes:
On the Road from Paris and from Passi to Versailles … stood a pallace … [T]his pallace had been built [by King Louis XV] … for Madame Pompadour, [his mistress] whom he visited here almost every night for twenty Years, leaving a worthy Woman his virtuous Queen alone at Versailles, with whom he had sworn never to sleep again … Here were made Judges and Councillors, Magistrates of all Sorts …
What havock, said I to myself, would these manners make in America? Our Governors, our Judges, our Senators, our Representatives and even our Ministers would be appointed by Harlots for Money, and their Judgments, Decrees and decisions be sold to repay themselves or perhaps to procure the smiles (and Embraces) of profligate Females.
The foundations of national Morality must be laid in private Families.1090
Thursday, June 18, 1778. Today, Virginia Governor Patrick Henry writes Virginia congressional delegate Richard Henry Lee:
Let not Congress rely on Virginia for soldiers. I tell you my opinion [that] they will not be got here until a different spirit prevails. I look at the past condition of America as at a dreadful precipice from which we have escaped by means of the generous French, to whom I will be everlastingly bound by most heartfelt gratitude … Surely, Congress will never recede from our French friends. Salvation depends upon our holding fast to our attachment to them …1091
Today, France liberates Philadelphia, as Britain withdraws its army to New York for fear of the coming French fleet. Just before noon, George Washington makes a report to the Continental Congress:
I have the pleasure to inform Congress that I was this minute advised … that the Enemy evacuated the City early this morning … [A]bout Three Thousand of the Troops embarked aboard Transports … I have put Six Brigades in motion, and the rest of the Army are preparing to follow with all possible dispatch. We shall proceed towards Jersey and govern ourselves according to circumstances …1092
British Commander in Chief for North America Sir Henry Clinton reports to British Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain:
My Lord, I have the honor to inform your lordship that pursuant to His Majesty’s instructions I evacuated Philadelphia on the 18th of June at 3 o’clock in the morning …1093
Sunday, June 28, 1778. As the British retreat from Philadelphia across New Jersey toward New York, George Washington attempts a pursuit, which he must abandon today following the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. George Washington:
[H]aving received intelligence that the Enemy were prosecuting their Rout towards Monmouth Court House [in New Jersey], I dispatched a thousand select men under Brigadier General [Anthony] Wayne and sent the Marquis de la Fayette to take command of the whole advanced Corps …
The Enemy … had changed their disposition and placed their best troops in the Rear … in consequence of which I detached Major General [Charles] Lee with two brigades to join the Marquis at English Town …
I determined to attack their Rear … and sent orders by one of my Aids to General [Charles] Lee to move on and attack them …
After marching about five Miles, to my great surprise and mortification, I met the whole advanced Corps retreating, and, as I was told, by General Lee’s orders, without having made any opposition, except one fire … I proceeded immediately to the Rear of the Corps … and gave directions …
[T]he Enemy had both their Flanks secured by thick Woods and Morasses, while their front could only be approached thro a narrow pass … [The Continental Troops advanced … b]ut the impediments in their way prevented their getting within reach before it was dark. They remained upon the Ground … during the Night … In the meantime the Enemy … about 12 OClock at Night marched away in such silence …
The peculiar Situation of General Lee at this time requires that I should say nothing of his Conduct. He is now in arrest.1094
Tuesday, June 30, 1778. Today, in a letter to George Washington, General Charles Lee expresses outrage at the tongue-lashing Washington delivered during the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse:
[N]othing but misinforma
tion of some very stupid, or misrepresentation of some very wicked, persons could have occasioned your making use of such very singular expressions as you did on my coming up to the ground where you had taken post: they imply’d that I was guilty of either disobedience of orders, of want of conduct, or want of courage …
I can boldly say that, had we remained on the first ground, or had we advanc’d, or had the retreat been conducted in a manner different from what it was, this whole army and the interest of America would have risk’d being sacrificed.1095
Historians (and a court-martial) will vindicate General Lee.1096
FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS (UNTIL THE FRENCH COMPEL HIM TO FIGHT AT YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA), GEORGE WASHINGTON WILL REFUSE TO FIGHT ANOTHER BATTLE WITH THE BRITISH ARMY!
Wednesday, August 12, 1778. Today, in Paris, Benny Bache turns nine years old. During weekend visits with his grandfather, Benny shares the household with John Adams, who now has living quarters there. Benny Bache sees John Quincy Adams even more frequently, as John Adams has enrolled his son at Le Coeur’s pension, where Benny boards and studies weekdays.1097
Monday, September 14, 1778. Now that France has fully recognized the independence of the United States of America, Congress decides to appoint a single Minister Plenipotentiary (ambassador) to France, thereby terminating the present arrangement of three commissioners. Today, in the Continental Congress, the Journals report:
Congress proceeded to the election of a minister plenipotentiary to the court of France, and the ballots being taken,
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was elected.
Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to present a letter of credence to his Most Christian Majesty, notifying the appointment of Dr. Franklin, minister plenipotentiary of these States at the court of France.1098