had received the afflicting domestick intelligence of the death of Henriette, his eldest, and at the time he left France, his only, daughter. On this occasion he wrote to Madame Lafayette, (June 16, 1778 :) "What a dreadful thing is absence! I never experienced before all the horrours of separation. My own deep sorrow is aggravated by the feeling that I am not able to share, and sympathise in your anguish. The length of time that had elapsed before I heard of this event, had also increased my misery. Consider, my love, what a dreadful thing it must be to weep for what I have lost, and tremble for what remains. The distance between Europe and America appears to me more enormous than ever. The loss of our poor child is almost constantly in my thoughts; this sad news followed immediately that of the treaty, and while my heart was torn by grief, I was obliged to receive, and take part in expressions of publick joy.' * * * * * * "If the unfortunate news had reached me sooner, I should have set out immedi. ately to rejoin you; but the account of the treaty, which we received the first of May, prevented my leaving this country. The opening campaign does not allow me to re tire. I have always been perfectly convinced, that by serving the cause of humanity, and that of America, I serve also the interest of France."

The above and similar extracts from the correspondence of Lafayette, we trust will not be deemed incompatible with the legitimate purposes of biography. We present him, and such is our desire, as one among the few examples of publick and private virtues, of goodness and greatness, united in the same person; and as an illustration of the truth, that the stern exhibitions of valour in the tented field are not incompatible with the tender and cherished affections of domestick life. These attributes combined, form the most perfect character-whose examples are most beneficial to mankind, and whose name is most worthy to be cherished and perpetuated upon the records of history. Talk of liberty! How can liberty exist without virtue? And where is virtue to be found-where is it germinated-where does it bud and blossom, and bear fruit, if it is not around the domestick fire-side and in the social circle?

CHAPTER IX.

The British army evacuates Philadelphia-Pursuit by the Americans -Lee and a majority of officers oppose an attack-Lafayette con. curs with Washington, Greene, and others, in favour of it-Lee declines the command of the advanced corps-Conferred on Lafayette His instructions-Yields to Lee's solicitations-Vacillating conduct of Lee-Battle of Monmouth-Arrival of the French fleet, under Count D'Estaing—It repairs to Newport-Gratification of Lafayette-Is appointed to co-operate with his countrymenGen. Greene sent to participate in the command-Correspondence of Washington and Lafayette on the occasion.

Ar length, on the morning of the 18th of June, the British army evacuated Philadelphia. It crossed the Delaware, and commenced its cumbrous march, through New Jersey, for the city of New York. Gen. Washington immediately sent out several detachments, to watch and harass the enemy. The principal bridges had been previously destroyed, and the roads obstructed with trees, &c. by the Americans. The whole army followed, and on the 22d of June passed into New Jersey, at Coryell's Ferry, and encamped at Hope. well, about five miles from Princeton. In the mean time, (June 24,) the British army had encamped at Hopetown, Sir Henry Clinton being for some days at a loss what course to take from thence. A council of war had been held by Gen. Washington, while the British were crossing the Delaware, at which the propriety of risking a general engagement with the enemy, should an opportunity present, or merely harassing them on their march, and avoiding an engagement, was discussed. General Lee was decidedly against an engagement, and a majority of the officers concurred with him. Washington himself, with Lafayette, Greene and Wayne, were of a different opinion. In a council at Hopewell, the question was again discussed. Lee persisted in his opinion, and that it was most prudent to pass to the Hudson, without hazarding a partial or general attack. Lafayette corresponded in his views, as he uniformly did, with Gen. Washington. He was about the last to

speak, and contended that it would be disgraceful to the officers and humiliating for the troops, to allow the enemy to traverse the Jerseys unmolested; that without running an imprudent risk, the rear-guard at least of the British might be attacked; that it was best to follow the enemy, manœuvre with prudence, and take advantage of circumstances, even to the hazard of a general battle. These views were concurred in by Duportail, chief of the engi neers, and an excellent officer, and by Generals Greene, Steuben, Wayne, and Patterson. Other officers soon yield. ed their assent. Gen. Washington had uniformly been induced to seek an engagement; and, although embarrassed by the divided views of his officers, had, with a decision of character that always distinguished him, formed his plans accordingly. He detached Morgan with his lighthorse to harrass the right flank of the enemy, while Maxwell and Dickinson annoyed them on the left, and Gen. Cadwallader in the rear: the main body of the army moved forward to Kingston. Sir Henry Clinton, having decided upon the route to pursue, commenced his march, on the 25th, on the road to Monmouth Court-House. Apprised of this, Washington detached Gen. Wayne with one thousand select men, to join and co-operate with the corps under Cadwallader, Dickinson, and Morgan. These corps now amounting to about four thousand men, he resolved, for the purpose of simultaneous and important action, to place them under the command of a major-general. As the senior officer, next in rank to the Commander-in-chief, Gen. Lee was entitled to command these advanced detachments. But, disapproving the plans of the Commander-in-chief, and believing and having predicted, their failure, he consented that the command should be given to Lafayette, who was willing and anxious to accept it. He therefore proceeded under the following instructions, from General Washington:

"You are immediately to proceed with the detachment commanded by General Poor, and form a junction as expeditiously as possible with that under the command of General Scott. You are to use the most effectual means for gaining the enemy's left flank and rear, and giving them every means of annoyance. All continental parties, that are already on the lines, will be under your command, and you will take such measures, in concert with General Dickinson, as will cause the enemy the greatest impediment and loss in their march.

For these purposes you will attack them as occasion may require by detachment, and, if a proper opening should be given, by operating against them with the whole force of your command. You will naturally take such precautions as will secure you against surprise, and maintain your communication with this army. Given at Kingston, this 25th day of June, 1778."

In the mean time, Lee had repented of having declined the command. He solicited Lafayette to relinquish it; then yielded, and again solicited. "It is my fortune and honour," said he to Lafayette, "that are placed in your hands: you are too generous to cause the loss of both." Ever noble and generous, Lafayette the next day wrote to Gen. Washington from Icetown, to which he had advanced, and was making vigilant preparations for an attack upon the enemy: "I want to repeat to you in writing what I have told to you, which is, that if you believe it, or if it is believed necessary or useful to the good of the service and the honour of General Lee, to send him down with a couple of thousand men, or any greater force, I will cheerfully obey and serve him, not only out of duty, but out of what I owe to that gentleman's character." On the receipt of this let. ter, (June 26,) Gen. Washington wrote to Gen. Lee. "Your uneasiness on account of the command of yesterday's detachment fills me with concern, as it is not in my power fully to remove it without wounding the feelings of the Marquis de Lafayette." As an expedient, however, which might in some measure meet the views of both, he proposed that Lee should march towards the marquis with two additional brigades; give him notice that he was advancing to support him, and was, as the senior officer, to have command of the whole advanced body, &c. He wrote also to Lafayette: "General Lee's uneasiness on account of yesterday's transaction, rather increasing than abating, and your politeness in wishing to ease him of it, have induced me to detach him from this army with a part of it, to reinforce, or at least cover the several detachments at present under your command. At the same time that I felt for General Lee's dis. tress of mind, I have had an eye to your wishes, and the delicacy of your situation; and have therefore obtained a promise from him, that, when he gives you notice of his approach and command, he will request you to prosecute any plan you may have already concerted for the purpose of attacking, or otherwise annoying the enemy. This is the

only expedient I could think of to answer the views of both. General Lee seems satisfied with the measure, and I wish it may prove agreeable to you, as I am with the warmest wishes for your honour and glory, and with the sincerest esteem and affection, yours, &c."

To this arrangement Lafayette yielded cheerfully. The British army had encamped upon the high grounds, about Monmouth Court-House, in a strong position, secured on nearly all sides by woods and marshy ground. On ascer. taining their position, Washington moved forward with his whole army; and sent orders to Lee, who was at Englishtown, with the advance, lately commanded by Lafayette, to move on and attack the enemy, "unless there should be very powerful reasons to the contrary." The British army set forward on the morning of the 28th. The baggage was placed under the care of Gen. Knyphausen, while the strength and flower of the army, entirely unincumbered, formed the rear division, under the particular command of Lord Cornwallis, who was accompanied by Sir Henry Clin ton himself. Gen. Lee appeared on the Heights of Freetown, soon after Cornwallis had left them; followed the enemy into the plain, and made dispositions for attack. But he seems to have vacillated in his plans, as much as he had done in reference to taking the command of the detachment. He directed Lafayette to cross the plain, and attack the left flank of the enemy, by which he was exposed to the fire of the English artillery; and Lee then sent him word to fall back into the village in which were placed the rest of the troops. Lafayette behaved with the greatest presence of mind and bravery. A party of British troops having mov. ed towards Lee's right flank, and so placed itself that Lafayette thought there was a fair opportunity for cutting it off, he rode quickly up to Lee and suggested to him that an advantageous attack might be made in that quarter. "Sir," replied Lee," you do not know British soldiers; we cannot stand against them; we shall certainly be driven back at first, and we must be cautious." Lafayette answered, that "it might be so, but British soldiers had been beaten, and it was to be presumed they might be beaten again, and at any rate he was for making the trial."

After some slight skirmishing, Lee began to give way,