From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 181
Previously a distinguished Pole, Thaddeus Kosciusko, who was educated in the military school at Warsaw,
had come to him with a letter from Dr. Franklin.
"And what do you seek here?" inquired Washington.
"To fight for American independence," replied Kosciusko.
"What can you do?"
"Try me."
Washington welcomed him heartily, and throughout the Revolution he proved to be an able and faithful ally.
Count Pulaski, another famous general of Poland, had joined the American army at the solicitation of Dr.
Franklin, who introduced him by letter to Washington.
Washington had corresponded with the British general respecting an exchange of General Lee and Ethan
Allen, but he was unable to effect an exchange until this winter of his trials at Valley Forge. General Prescott,
who captured Allen in Canada, ironed him, and sent him to England, was himself captured in the summer of
1777; and Washington proposed to exchange him for General Lee, and Colonel Campbell for Colonel Allen.
It was not, however, until near the close of the long dreary winter at Valley Forge that his proposition was
accepted. Lee rejoined the army, but Allen returned to his home in Vermont, where he hung up his sword and
retired to private life.
In the spring of 1778, the glad news came that an alliance with France was accomplished, and henceforth the
struggling Colonies might expect assistance from that country. At the same time a war between France and
England was imminent, a calamity that would prove favorable to the patriots of America, since the British
Government could not keep its army in Philadelphia and wage a war with France.
Lafayette was instrumental in consummating the alliance with France. For this purpose he left the United
States in 1779, and returned in March, 1780. His own country received him with open arms, and honored him
by appointing him to one of the highest positions in their army.
In the month of May there were some indications that the enemy were about to evacuate Philadelphia. The
news that a French fleet under Count D'Estaing was about to sail to this country, to aid the Colonies in their
fight for independence, caused Sir Henry Clinton, who had succeeded Howe in the command of the British
army, to fear that he might be blockaded in the Delaware.
"Shall we allow the enemy to leave the city without attacking them?" inquired Washington at the council of
war.
"Yes," promptly answered General Lee, just restored to his command. "If they will go, let them go. This army
is too weak to attack the British in their stronghold."
"The two armies are now nearly equal in numbers," said Washington, "and experience has so far shown that
the British have had nothing to boast whenever they have come in conflict with an equal number of
Americans."
"Very true," responded Lee; "but let them evacuate if they will. The risk of a battle is too great to run. I would
build a bridge of gold for them if they would retreat over it."
Washington, Lafayette, Wayne, and Cadwalader were the only members of the council who favored an