native, and the influence he will have with the people, put it in his power to be particularly useful in the expedition against that place, as well in providing necessaries for carrying it on, as in assisting to form and execute a plan of operations proper for the occasion. The honor and interest of the common cause are so deeply concerned in the success of this enterprise, that it appears to me of the greatest importance to omit no step which may conduce to it; and General Greene, on seve. ral accounts, will be able to render very essential service.

"These considerations have determined me to send him on the expedition, in which, as he could not with propriety act, nor be equally useful merely in his official capacity as quartermaster-general, I have concluded to give him a command in the troops to be employed in the descent. I have, therefore, directed General Sullivan to throw all the American troops, both continental, state, and militia, into two divisions, making an equal distribution of each, to be under the immediate command of General Greene and yourself. The continental troops being divided in this manner, with the militia, will serve to give them confidence, and probably make them act better than they would alone. Though this arrangement will diminish the number of continental troops under you, yet this diminution will be more than compensated by the addition of militia; and I persuade myself your command will not be less agreeable, or less honorable, from this change in the disposition. I am, with great esteem and affection, dear Marquis, your most obedient servant."

The answer of Lafayette was consistent with the generous feelings, the disinterested and patriotic principles, by which he was ever actuated.

"I have received your excellency's favor by General Greene, and have been much pleased with the arrival of a gentleman who, not only on account of his merit and the justness of his views, but also by his knowledge of the country and his popularity in this state, may be very serviceable to the expedition. I willingly part with the half of my detachment, though I had a great dependance upon them, as you find it convenient to the good of the service. Any thing, my dear general, you will order, or even wish, shall always be infinitely agreeable to me; and I will always feel happy in doing any thing which may please you, or forward the public good. I am of the same opinion as your excellency, that dividing our continental troops among the militia, will have a better effect than if we were to keep them together in one wing."

In the same letter, he informs Gen. Washington, that he had been on board of the admiral's ship, (the French squadron having arrived off Newport a few days previous;) that the soldiers and sailors on board the fleet were impatient for action, and that he hoped they would soon be gratified. "The admiral (he says,) wants me to join the French troops to these I command, as soon as possible. I confess I feel very happy to think of my co-operating with them, and, had I

contrived in my own mind a beautiful dream, I could not have wished a more pleasing event than my joining my countrymen, with my brothers of America, under my command, and the same standards. When I left Europe, I was very far from hoping such an agreeable turn of affairs in the glorious American revolution."

In his reply to this letter, (August 10th,) Gen. Washington said:

"The common cause, of which you have been a zealous supporter, would, I know, be benefited by General Greene's presence at Rhode Island, as he is a native of that state, has an interest with the people, and a thorough knowledge of the country, and, therefore, I accepted his proffered services; but I was a little uneasy, lest you should conceive that it was intended to lessen your command. General Greene did not incline to act in a detached part of the army, merely as quartermaster-general; nor was it to be expected. It became necessary, therefore, to give him a detached command, and consequently to divide the continental troops. Your cheerful acquiescence in the measure, after being appointed to the command of the brigades which marched from this army, obviated every difficulty, and gave me singular pleasure.

"I am very happy to find that the standards of France and America are likely to be united under your command, at Rhode Island. I am persuaded, that the supporters of each will be emulous to acquire honor, and promote your glory, upon this occasion."

CHAPTER X.

Operations at Newport--Plans disconcerted-Displeasure of Count D'Estaing-British fleet appears--Engagement between the French and English fleets-Separated by a storm-The French fleet returns to Boston-Indignation and misunderstanding occasioned thereby-Lafayette acts as mediator-Repairs to Boston-Harmony restored-Action at Newport--Lafayette's hasty return to participate in it-The "Retreat of Rhode Island"-Lafayette's services on the occasion appreciated--Resolution of Congress--Approbatory letter of Washington.

BUT the anticipations of Washington and Lafayette, and the American Congress and people, of immediate advantages to their arms from the co-operation of the French fleet, were to be disappointed. Count D'Estaing had arrived before Newport several days before the troops from Gen. Washington's army, and other forces destined for the projected attack, reached that place, and had concerted with General

Sullivan the plan of operations. This delay in the arrival of the land forces, disconcerted the admiral's plans, and with other causes, led to misunderstandings and the failure of the expedition. But it was agreed that the French and American forces should land at the same time, the 10th of August, on the northern extremity of Rhode Island. Four thousand French troops were to be landed. On the 8th, preparatory to the attack, Count D'Estaing, entered the harbor through the middle channel, with his fleet, without sustaining injury from the British batteries which played upon him from the shore. The preparations for the attack being perceived by the enemy, the British troops under Gen. Pigot, stationed on the north end of the island, were withdrawn on the night of the 8th, into the lines at Newport. On discovering this the next morning, Gen. Sullivan deemed it expedient to avail himself of it, and to take immediate possession of the works which had been abandoned. He therefore crossed the east passage with his whole army, and landed on the north end of the island. Admiral D'Estaing, according to the authority of Marshall and Lafayette, was displeased at this movement, deeming it disrespectful that Sullivan should thus land, without consulting him, before the time agreed upon for the joint attack. The next day, (the 10th,) Sullivan, Lafayette, and Greene, looked anxiously for the landing of the French troops, but in vain. A British squadron, under Lord Howe, having come from New York for the relief of Newport, unexpectedly appeared off the harbor. The wind, on the 10th, being fair, the French Admiral immediately stood out to sea, with his whole fleet, with the intention of giving battle. In the mean time he sent word to Gen. Sullivan, promising to cooperate with him in the land attack on his return. Howe, to prevent the French getting the weathergage, also weighed anchor, and stood out to sea, followed by the French fleet, and both fleets were soon out of sight. The two fleets had manœuvred for two days without coming to action; but were on the point of engaging, when a severe storm arose, which dispersed both fleets, and they retired in a very shattered condition, the British to New York, and the French again to Newport.

Lord

In the mean while, in expectation of the return of the French fleet, the American army marched forward on

the fifteenth, took post within two miles of the enemy's lines at Newport, commenced the erection of batteries, and in a short time opened a cannonade against the British works. The British, on their part, were not idle in counter defence. The American army had suffered much from the severity of the late storm; and the reappearance of the French fleet on the evening of the 19th, inspired joy and hope. But these new expectations were soon disappointed. Count D'Estaing advised Gen. Sullivan of his intention to retire with his fleet to Boston, to repair. This communication created much excitement in the American camp; for without the co-operation of the French fleet, it was believed the army would be compelled to retire without effecting its object. By direction of General Sullivan, Greene and Lafayette repaired on board the admiral's ship, and used every argument to induce him to change his determination, and co-operate in an immediate attack, according to the previous plan, or any other that might be deemed expedient. But by the almost unanimous advice of his officers, and conceiving that his instructions which directed him to sail for Boston, should his fleet meet with any disaster, or should a superior British fleet appear on the coast, were imperative, he persisted in his determination. He offered, however, to place his two battalions of troops under the command of Lafayette; an offer which, for prudential reasons, the latter did not feel authorized to accept.

After the return of Lafayette and Greene, Gen. Sullivan, unwilling to yield a point which he deemed so important, wrote again to Count D'Estaing, to induce him to change his determination. His letter was accompanied by a protest, which was signed by all the American general officers on the island, with the exception of Lafayette. He refused to sign it on account of some expressions which he considered derogatory to his countrymen, and calculated to give offence to the French admiral. Such was the result of this ill-timed measure; and the admiral sailed for Boston without further delay.

The departure of the French fleet was the cause of deep disappointment to the American army. Under the impulse of feelings, thus excited, expressions of censure were indulged in, which served to increase the jealousies and dissen

sions that had unfortunately arisen; and which Count D' Estaing, in his vindicatory letters to Congress, proved to be as unjust, as they certainly were impolitic. Gen. Sullivan, participating in the feelings of the moment, in a general order which he issued, used an expression well calculated to aggravate the irritated feelings of the French officers-the purport of which was, that the Americans were abandoned by their allies.* The spirited remonstrances of Lafayette, and his own mature sense of justice, procured from Gen. Sullivan the following explanatory order:

"It having been supposed, by some persons, that by the orders of the 21st instant, the Commander-in-chief meant to insinuate that the departure of the fleet was owing to a fixed determination not to assist in the present enterprise, and that, as the general did not wish to give the least color to ungenerous and illiberal minds to make such an unfair interpretation, he thinks it necessary to say, that as he could not possibly be acquainted with the orders of the French admiral, he could not determine whether the removal of the fleet was absolutely necessary or not; and, therefore, did not mean to censure an act which those orders might render absolutely necessary.”

The feelings of dissatisfaction were no less strong at Boston, and it was apprehended that the reception of the French fleet in that harbor would be far from cordial, and that the necessary means of repairing and supplying it with provisions would be withheld. Governor Hancock, therefore, who was on Rhode Island with the Massachusett's militia, repaired to Boston, for the purpose of preventing all irritating causes, and securing to the fleet a friendly reception.

These difficulties and dissensions were highly painful to Lafayette. He felt naturally for the honor of his countrymen, and was anxious to preserve a friendly relation, and to bring about an efficient co-operation, between them and the American patriots. He addressed, (August 21st,) a long letter to Gen. Washington, detailing the circumstances which had occurred. He vindicates the course of Count D'Estaing, from the necessity, owing to his position at Newport between the British fleet and the land batteries, of seeking, in the open sea, an engagement with the ene

* The expression most offensive was this: "the general yet hopes the event will prove America able to procure that by her own arms, which her allies refuse to assist in obtaining." See Sparks Wri tings of Washington, Vol. 6, p. 46-7, &c.