How the French Saved America

by Tom Shachtman

  No stomach for the fighting. J. to H. Laurens, June 9, 1778, W. Simms, 102, “Supernumerary,” letter of Dec. 3, 1777, ibid., 93.

  7. “If ever destruction was complete, it was here.”

  Rochambeau’s men prevailed. Mention, Saint-Germain, 208.

  “We are very fond here.” Kościuszko to Gates, May 18, 1777, Alex Storozynski, The Peasant Prince (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2009), 26.

  Occupied that strategic high point. Ron Morgan, “Arthur St. Clair’s Decision to Abandon Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence,” Journal of the American Revolution, May 2016.

  “Manner of taking up the ground.” Burgoyne, ibid.

  “Not within the Compass.” Washington to Schuyler, July 15, 1777.

  “One can only speculate.” Don Higginbotham, “The War for Independence, to

  Saratoga,” Blackwell, 296.

  “Little effect upon the strength.” Burgoyne to Germain, Aug. 20, 1777,Commager, 577.

  Did have to ration ammunition. Snow, 1777: Saratoga, 142.

  “Like Robinson Crusoe.” Du Bouchet.

  “You know my poverty.” Clinton to Burgoyne, Michael Pearson, The Revolutionary War: An Unbiased Account (New York: Capricorn, 1972), 276.

  Distributed twelve barrels of rum. Ketchum, Saratoga, 389.

  Conferred with Arnold in the field. Stephen Williams, “Letters change view of Benedict Arnold, Gen. Gates,” Saratoga Daily Gazette, Mar. 26, 2016. A newly discovered letter, written two days after the battle, alters prior conceptions of Gates as having stayed in a fortified headquarters and Arnold as having seized command on the field without Gates’s permission. See also, Snow, 1777, 158–171.

  “It will be as unfortunate a measure.” Washington to R. H. Lee, Oct. 16, 1777.

  “Heaven has been determind.” Conway to Gates, in Washington to Conway, Nov. 5, 1777.

  “I believe I can attest that the expression.” Conway to Washington, Nov. 5, 1777.

  “The perplexity of his style.” J. to H. Laurens, Jan. 3, 1778, W. Simms, 102.

  “Have thrown the army.” Washington to H. Laurens, Nov. 17–18, 1777.

  “Re-entrant salient angle.” Closen, 122.

  “He possesses a degree of modesty.” Washington to H. Laurens, Jan. 13, 1778.

  “Wants no Retreat.” Fleury to Hamilton, Oct.16, 1777, Walker, 160.

  “Our batteries were nothing more.” Martin, Private Yankee Doodle, 84–95.

  “Had the reinforcements arrived.” Washington to John Augustine Washington, Nov. 26, 1777.

  “Cost us two of the most precious months.” Sir James Murray, Jeffrey M. Dorwart, Fort Mifflin of Philadelphia (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1998), 53–54.

  “To attack the Enemy in their Lines.” Duportail to Washington, Nov. 24, 1777. Kite, 37–38.

  Compared Washington’s strategies to Fabius’s. Osman, 86.

  “You cannot employ [Duportail] too much.” Washington to Lincoln, Mar. 30, 1780.

  “There is a hundred times more enthusiasm.” Duportail to Saint-Germain, Nov. 12, 1777, Arthur P. Watts, “A Newly Discovered Letter of Brigadier-General Duportail,” Pennsylvania History 1 (1934): 101–106.

  “Consider, if you please.” Lafayette to Washington, Oct. 14, 1777.

  “Hung on the rear of the enemy.” De Kalb to de Broglie, Dec. 12 and 25, 1777, Zucker, 154–55.

  “I cannot but observe.” De Kalb to H. Laurens, Jan. 7, 1778, Kapp, 145.

  8. “France and Spain should strike before England can secure the advantage.”

  “The Ministers of France still continue.” American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, Sept. 8, 1777. Stevens, no. 262.

  Used the term “peace.” Noailles to Vergennes, November 21, 1777, in Chris Tudda, “‘A Messiah that Will Never Come’: A New Look at Saratoga, Independence, and Revolutionary War Diplomacy,” Diplomatic History 12, no. 5 (Nov. 2008): 779–810.

  “I have lost the fruits.” Beaumarchais to Vergennes, Jan. 1, 1778, Doniol, vol. 2, 686.

  “Sir, is Philadelphia taken?” Franklin, in William Temple Franklin, ed. Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin (London, Henry Colburn, 1818), vol. 2, 56 (underscoring in original); see also Schiff, Grand Improvisation, 109–112.

  “Total reduction of the forces.” American Commissioners to Vergennes, Dec. 4, 1777, É-U, vol. 2, no. 279.

  “An offensive on the part of France.” De Broglie, plan of Dec. 18, 1777, Sudipta Das, De Broglie’s Armada: A Plan for the Invasion of England, 1765–1777 (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2009), 18.

  “To make it last as long as.” Vergennes, Diary of A. Lee, Commager, 680–681.

  “Fifty thousand troops have not.” Public Ledger, MPs, and Evening Post, Lutnick, 106–109; see also Brendan Simms, Three Victories and a Defeat: The Rise and Fall of the British Empire (New York: Basic Books, 2009), 608–612.

  “A gentleman who has a slender.” Wentworth to Deane, Dec. 12, 1777, Stevens, no. 719; see also Schaeper, Bancroft, 107–112.

  “General Ideas for the Preliminaries.” Wentworth, Dec. 12, 1777, Stevens, no.719.

  “It was manifestly in the Interest.” American Commissioners to Committee for Foreign Affairs, Dec. 18, 1777, Giunta, Documents, 50–51.

  “The destruction of the army.” Louis to Carlos III, Jan. 8, 1778, Doniol, vol. 2, 714.

  “These dispatches contain the resolution.” Wentworth to Eden, Jan. 6, 1778, Stevens, no. 332.

  “To a perpetual and everlasting.” Franklin, Schiff, 119.

  “I observe much eagerness.” Chaumont to Vergennes, Jan. 7, 1778. Stevens, no. 772.

  “Provided it would completely occupy.” North. Simms, Three Victories, 624.

  “Given the distrust.” Gérard, Report of a Conference with the American Commissioners, Jan. 9, 1778, Giunta, Documents, 52–58.

  “The immediate conclusion of a treaty.” Ibid.

  “If France were mad enough.” Forth diary entry, Ward, 52.

  “Lost the esteem.” Franklin to Hutton, Feb. 1, 1778, John W. Jordan, “Some account of James Hutton’s Visit to Franklin in France, in Dec. 1777,” Penna. Magazine of History and Biography 32 (1908): 228–256.

  “I abominate with you all Murder.” Franklin to Hutton, Feb. 12, 1778, ibid.

  “Deputy Plenipotentiary for France and Spain.” A. Lee, Potts, 193.

  “To give it a little revenge.” Franklin, Richard Meade Bache, “Franklin’s Ceremonial Coat,” Penna. Magazine of History and Biography 23 (1899): 444–452.

  “Amity and Commerce.” Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to the President of Congress, Feb. 8, 1778, Giunta, Documents, 59–60.

  9. “When an Enemy think a design against them improbable they can always be Surprised.”

  “They will laugh in France.” Lafayette to Washington, Jan. 20, 1778.

  “Wise … good officer.” Lafayette to J. Laurens, Jan. 26, 1778, Zucker, 255.

  “Within two days.” Lafayette to H. Laurens, Fleming, Washington’s Secret, 172.

  Lists of those officers. See for example É-U, no. 1, 132.

  “Mr. Dana—Congress does not trust me.” Fleming, 175.

  “With more warmth and obstinacy.” De Kalb to de Broglie, Zucker, 175.

  “I believe that of General Conway.” Lafayette to Washington, Mar. 25, 1778.

  “No Treaty would be entered.” Franklin to Vergennes, Feb. 22, 1778, É-U, no. 285.

  “It was near Nine at night.” Franklin and Deane to A. Lee, Feb. 26, 1778.

  The supposed affair with Mme. Chaumont. Gallo, John Paul Jones, treats the affair as accepted fact; Schaeper, Chaumont, believes it is only conjecture.

  “When an enemy thinks the design.” Jones to American Commissioners, Feb.1778, Dennis M. Conrad, “John Paul Jones,” Sea Raiders, 60.

  “Proceed with … in the manner you shall.” American Commissioners to J. P. Jones, Gallo, 40.

  Salute was the first officially given. Tuchman, The First Salute, 5�
��17.

  “If you shall find it impracticable.” Germain to Clinton, Mar. 8, 1778, Stevens, no. 360.

  “WAR WITH FRANCE.” Gazeteer, Mar. 19, 1778, Lutnick, 130.

  “Filled with a true spirit.” Morning Post, Mar. 21, 1778, ibid.,137.

  “There is a Stile in some of your letters.” Franklin to Lee, three letters, drafts never sent, Apr. 1–4, 1778.

  “We are sailing with neither watch muster.” Bougainville, Dunmore, 234.

  “Warm, close, and obstinate.” Jones to the American Commissioners, May 17, 1778, Commager, 945.

  “Benevolent neutrality,” Chávez, Spain and the Independence of the United States, 121.

  “For herself, Spain has no other.” Floridablanca to Aranda, Jan. 13, 1778, Chávez, 76–77.

  10. “To hinder the enemy from rendering himself master.”

  “With an Air and Manner.” Steuben diary, Lockhart, Drillmaster, 41.

  “Nearly every statement.” Ibid., 45.

  “The Object of my Greatest Ambition.” Steuben to Washington, Dec. 6, 1777.

  “With him I had lisped.” Du Ponceau, “The Autobiography of Pierre de Ponceau,” Penna. Magazine of History and Biography 63, no. 1(Apr. 1939): 204.

  Du Ponceau formed his closest friendship. Henry Ammon, James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1990), 18.

  “Soldier, Sailors, Deserters from any Troops.” Mottin de la Balme advertisement, 1778, Magnin, 271.

  “The repeated cavils of some officers.” J. to H. Laurens, Mar. 9, 1778, W. Simms, 135.

  “Considering the few Moments.” Gates to Steuben, Mar. 25, 1778, Lockhart, 109.

  “Remaining quiet in a secure.” Washington to General Officers, Apr. 20, 1778.

  “We were beaten at Brandywine.” Duportail memo, Apr. 23, 1778, Kite, 60–73.

  “On the front seat of each pavilion.” John André, “Description of the Mischianza.” Benjamin J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution, vol. 2 (New York: Harper & Bros., 1859–1860).

  “Nauseous … dancing at a funeral.” Weintraub, 155.

  “We trust that the inhabitants of North-America.” Carlisle Commission to Congress, June 9, 1778, and response, June 17, 1778, http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/response-to-british-peace-proposals/.

  “Nothing but an earnest desire.” Laurens to Washington, June 17, 1778.

  Secret instructions, which empowered the commissioners. Mackesy, 189.

  Louis objected only to language. Soulavie, vol. 3, 396–397.

  11. “Concerting my operations with a general of Your Excellency’s repute.”

  “Has been of a greater use.” Lafayette to H. Laurens, June 7, 1778, Idzerda, vol. 2, 71.

  “I place my honor and fortune,” Lee to Lafayette, in Memoir of 1779, Idzerda, vol. 2, 10.

  “Nothing but the misinformation.” Charles Lee to Washington, June 30, 1778.

  “I find my self just able.” Conway to Washington, July 23, 1778.

  “The arrival of this fleet.” Lord to Lady Carlisle, July 21, 1778, Commager, 701.

  “Concerter mes opérations.” D’Estaing to Washington, July 8, 1778, Calmon-Maison, L’Admiral d’Estaing, 202 (English translation in Founders Online).

  “Shall then move down.” Washington to d’Estaing, July 14, 1778.

  “I have the honor to be as much related.” Lafayette to d’Estaing, July 14, 1778, Idzerda, vol. 2, 102.

  “Disaffected inhabitants.” J. to H. Laurens, July 18, 1778, W. Simms, 207–208.

  “Actif et aimable.” D’Estaing to Vergennes, July 19, 1778. AE-CP-É-U Supplement, 1777–1787, no. 40.

  “It has given me, much Grief.” Adams to R. H. Lee, Aug. 5, 1778.

  “There never was before I came.” Adams Diary, vol. 2, Apr. 21, 1778.

  “This is an ugly situation for me.” Adams to S. Adams, Aug. 7, 1778.

  “Cultivate a harmony.” Adams to A. Lee, McCullough, John Adams. 207.

  “The more I consider our Affairs.” Adams to James Warren, Aug. 4, 1778.

  “Taking eleven of the finest ships.” Keppel to Sandwich, Simms, Three Victories, 613.

  “England, too long accustomed.” Ségur, 180.

  “Do not my dear General Sullivan.” Washington to Sullivan, Mar. 15, 1777.

  “Where there was even a Probability.” Sullivan to Washington, Whittemore, Sullivan, 80.

  “A certain Northern heroe.” Greene to Sullivan, July 23, 1778, ibid., 85.

  “Admitted to be temperamental.” Stephens, Neither the Charm, 84.

  “Was as sudden as a change.” Laurens to H. Laurens, Aug. 4, 1778, W. Simms, 210.

  “Revealed difficulties, stemming as much from.” Blancpain, L’Amiral d’Estaing, 91.

  “Were the most favorable ones.” D’Estaing, Mémoires, in Doniol, vol. 3, 337.

  “Comedic … grand spectacle.” Lafayette to d’Estaing, Aug. 5, 1778, Calmon-Maison, 210.

  “Withdrew his attention wholly.” Laurens to H. Laurens, Aug. 22, 1778, W. Simms, 218.

  “I dare hope that Your Excellency.” D’Estaing to Sullivan, Aug. 7, 1778, in Whittemore, 94.

  “Much umbrage.” Laurens to H. Laurens, Aug. 22, 1778, W. Simms, 220.

  “Sensed the gravity of the situation.” Fleury, Calmon-Maison, 213.

  “I had the pleasure of seeing.” Sullivan to Washington, Aug. 10, 1778.

  “The British admiral maneuvered.” Edward Lengel, “Aspects Tactiques de la Coopération Franco-Américaine,” in Chaline, La France, 173.

  “To combat all those difficulties.” Sullivan to Washington, Aug. 13, 1778.

  “Imagine the cruel situation.” J. to H. Laurens, Aug. 22, 1778. W. Simms, 221.

  “The express orders I have from the King.” D’Estaing to Sullivan, Aug. 21, 1778, (in French) enclosed in Sullivan to Washington, Aug. 23, 1778.

  “It Seems That the Captains.” Sullivan to Washington, Aug. 23, 1778.

  “Victim of the state.” Blancpain.

  “The least act of feebleness.” D’Estaing to Gérard, Doniol, vol. 3, 239.

  “Derogatory to the honor of France.” Sullivan and American officers to d’Estaing, Aug. 22, 1778. Stephens, Sullivan, 89.

  “Would you believe … they dared to summon.” Lafayette to d’Estaing, Aug. 22, 1778. Idzerda, vol. 2, 139.

  “Need not mean falling out.” Lafayette to d’Estaing, Aug. 24, 1778. Idzerda, vol 2, 143.

  “I feel myself hurt also.” Washington to Lafayette, Sep. 1, 1778.

  “May any comparable efforts.” Inscription, in Dunmore, 234. The monument was approved in 1778 but not built until 1917.

  “It having been supposed.” Sullivan, General Orders for Aug. 26, 1778. Whittemore, 103.

  “Become a colonel of infantry.” D’Estaing, report to Ministry of the Marine, Sep. 9, 1778. Doniol, vol. 3, 363.

  “America has declared herself independent.” Steuben to Gérard, Sep. 25, 1778. 40 CP É-U, 1777–1787, supplement vol. 1, No. 171.

  12. “Take a bit of courage, have a bit of patience, and all will go well.”

  “Prenez un peu de courage.” Floridablanca to Montmorin, Doniol, vol. 3, 492.

  “My Children the Savages of Canada.” Lafayette, Dec. 18, 1778, Idzerda, vol. 2, 213–215.

  “You were born French.” D’Estaing proclamation, Oct. 28, 1778, AAE MD, É-U, I, No. 216.

  “Should be, to gain the love.” Steuben “Blue Book,” Lockhart, 195.

  “Un esprit de parti.” Gérard to Vergennes, July 16, 1778, Meng, Despatches, 157.

  “Neglected nothing.” Gérard to Vergennes, Nov. 1, 1778, ibid., 240.

  A public explanation. Deane, “Address to the Free and Virtuous Citizens of America,” http://connecticuthistoryillustrated.org/islandora/object/40002%3A3793#page/1/mode/2up.

  “The stores which Silas Deane.” Paine, Keane, 175.

  “My full opinion is.” Paine to Gérard, Jan. 1779. 40 CP É-U, 1777–1787, Supplement vo
l. 1., 247.

  “These United States will not conclude.” Congressional Resolution, Jan. 7, 1779, excerpted in letter to Gérard, ibid., 254.

  “Why was not Gen Washington.” Carlisle, notes of questions, July 1778, Stevens, no. 81.

  “The French interference.” Carlisle to North government, Sept. 29, 1778, ibid., no. 529.

  “What comfort our indecision.” Bougainville diary, Dunmore, 235.

  “Only an hour before the plot.” Lafayette, Mémoire of 1779, Idzerda, vol. 2, 225.

  “Confines of the Hôtel.” Ibid.

  “Very humble and very obedient.” Lafayette to Louis XVI, Feb. 19, 1779. Idzerda, vol. 2, 232–33.

  “I will not dissimulate.” Vergennes to Louis XVI, Dec. 5, 1778. Murphy, 267.

  “Point of honor.” Montmorin to Floridablanca. Doniol, III, 521.

  “Useless … out of place.” Floridablanca, in Montmorin to Vergennes, Feb. 22, 1779. Murphy, 270.

  “If we succeed only.” Vergennes to Montmorin, Feb. 12, 1779, Patterson, 31.

  “They may be won with the bait.” Ibid.

  “He will recognize the independence.” Proposed Article 12, Doniol, vol. 3, 810.

  “All the possible advantages.” Renaut, 289.

  “Fortunately, England … has cut through.” Montmorin to Vergennes, May 17, 1779, Murphy, 276.

  “I do not think a Storm practicable.” Wayne to Washington, July 3, 1779.

  “The fort’s our own.” Fleury, Edward G. Lengel, “Bayonets at Midnight: The Battle of Stony Point,” Military History 26, no. 5 (Jan. 2010).

  “I would rather have included your tales.” Raynal, in footnote to “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker,” Apr. 15, 1747 (Founders Online).

  “A mine is prepared under the foundations.” Raynal, 1779 ed., Geneva.

  13. “What a wonderful opportunity is slipping from our grasp.”

  “Ninety-five Holes.” Newspaper account, O’Shaughnessy, Empire Divided, 170.

  “If we only go to Savannah.” D’Estaing to Sartine. Perkins, 273–274.

  “There is every reason to believe.” Washington to Gérard, May 1, 1779.

  “It is necessary to defend.” Marquis de Brétigny to d’Estaing, Alexander A. Lawrence, Storm over Savannah (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1951), 19.