From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 176<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n replied, "I am glad of it; that is as it ought <strong>to</strong> be; but as I was not quite sure of <strong>the</strong> fact, I thought I<br />
would ascertain it from yourself, as I propose <strong>to</strong> join with you on that occasion. Though I am a member of <strong>the</strong><br />
Church of England, I have no exclusive partialities."<br />
He encamped at Middlebrook, ten miles from Brunswick; <strong>the</strong>nce advanced <strong>to</strong> Coryell Ferry, thirty miles from<br />
Philadelphia, where he learned that a British fleet of two hundred and twenty-eight sail had appeared off <strong>the</strong><br />
capes of Delaware. He marched at once <strong>to</strong> German<strong>to</strong>wn, six miles from Philadelphia. Here he could<br />
personally superintend <strong>the</strong> defences of <strong>the</strong> city by daily visits thi<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
One day he dined with several members of Congress, and was introduced <strong>to</strong> a French nobleman, <strong>the</strong> Marquis<br />
de Lafayette. The latter had heard of <strong>the</strong> American struggle for liberty, led by <strong>the</strong> heroic Washing<strong>to</strong>n, and, in<br />
common with <strong>the</strong> lovers of freedom in every land, he was charmed by <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ry. He had an interview with<br />
Silas Deane, who was in Paris with Dr. Franklin and Arthur Lee, as commissioners, <strong>to</strong> consummate alliance<br />
with <strong>the</strong> French, <strong>the</strong> result of which was his coming <strong>to</strong> this country.<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n welcomed Lafayette with genuine cordiality, and on that day commenced a life-long friendship<br />
with him.<br />
"We ought <strong>to</strong> feel embarrassed in presenting ourselves before an officer just from <strong>the</strong> French army," he said.<br />
"It is <strong>to</strong> learn, and not <strong>to</strong> instruct, that I came here," was Lafayette's polite and modest reply.<br />
Lafayette addressed a communication <strong>to</strong> Congress, in which he said:<br />
"After many sacrifices I have a right <strong>to</strong> ask two favors: one is <strong>to</strong> serve at my own expense; <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>to</strong><br />
commence serving as a volunteer."<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n was attracted <strong>to</strong> Lafayette from <strong>the</strong> first, and he invited him immediately <strong>to</strong> a place on his staff.<br />
Lafayette was a remarkable character. He was left an orphan at thirteen years of age, with a large fortune.<br />
Being a favorite in <strong>the</strong> court of Louis, he received a commission in <strong>the</strong> army at fifteen years of age. He was<br />
married at sixteen, and two years later resolved <strong>to</strong> remove <strong>to</strong> America and join in fighting <strong>the</strong> battle of liberty.<br />
His purpose becoming known, <strong>the</strong> government prevented his securing a passage. Determined not <strong>to</strong> be<br />
frustrated in his purpose, he purchased a vessel, and prepared <strong>to</strong> sail. His arrest being ordered, he escaped <strong>to</strong><br />
Passage, where he boarded a vessel bound for <strong>the</strong> West Indies. When fairly under way, fearing that <strong>the</strong><br />
English colonists in <strong>the</strong> West Indies might arrest him, he hired <strong>the</strong> captain <strong>to</strong> proceed direct <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> American<br />
coast. Congress commissioned him major-general soon after he joined <strong>the</strong> American army, <strong>the</strong> youngest<br />
major-general ever known in America, if not in <strong>the</strong> world. His intimate relations and aid <strong>to</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>n make<br />
this brief notice necessary.<br />
XXI.<br />
DEFEAT AND VICTORY.<br />
The plan of <strong>the</strong> British for 1777 was, for General Howe, with twenty thousand men, <strong>to</strong> land at <strong>the</strong> head of Elk<br />
River, and march north through Philadelphia; while General Burgoyne, starting from Canada with ten<br />
thousand men, should march south <strong>to</strong> meet Howe, rallying both Tories and Indians <strong>to</strong> his standard.<br />
The militia of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Virginia were called out <strong>to</strong> defend Philadelphia; and<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n advanced <strong>to</strong> Wilming<strong>to</strong>n. In order <strong>to</strong> impress <strong>the</strong> Tories of Philadelphia, he marched through <strong>the</strong><br />
city at <strong>the</strong> head of his column, with Lafayette at his side, making an imposing display that captivated <strong>the</strong><br />
friends of liberty, and awed <strong>the</strong> Tories.