Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, known in the United States as Lafayette, was a French military officer and politician who volunteered to join the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, in the American Revolutionary War. Lafayette commanded Continental Army troops in the decisive siege of Yorktown in 1781, the Revolutionary War's final major battle, which secured American independence. After returning to France, Lafayette became a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830 and continues to be celebrated as a hero in both France and the United States.
Headquarters, 9 January 1778. RC (Adams Papers); printed : Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790 , ed. Stanley J. Idzerda and others, Ithaca,…
a Rhode Island ce 26. aoust 1778 J’ai recu votre lettre, 1 cher colonel, et j’y aurois repondu plutôt si l’absence de la flotte ne m’avoit pas mis hors d’etat…
A Yorktown 1 [Rhode Island] ce 1er Septembre 1778 Ne suis je pas bien malheureux, cher colonel, on me pousse pour aller à boston, on me chasse de Rhode island,…
[Boston, January 8, 1779] Mons. Nevile 2 allant en france, mon cher hamilton, j’espere que vous ne Negligeres pas cette occasion de m’ecrire. Le soin qu’on prendra de votre lettre…
[February 13–14, 1779] 3 Dear Sir, I hope my Letter will Reach your excellency soon enough as to prevent your going to versailles for our propos’d meeting— I will not…
Sunday Morning [February 21, 1779] 2 I had promis’d myself, my good friend, that I would have the pleasure of embracing You this Morning—but they Write me from Versailles that…
Sunday morning [March 7, 1779] 1 Dear Sir Inclos’d I have the honor to send a letter which I beg leave to Reccommend to your excellency that (if possible) Mr…
Monday Evening [December 6, 1779] 6 Dear Sir I told what you know as Coming from Myself, and the Answer has been that some thing would be done that way—being…
Paris 10he January 1780 Dear Sir From a Ministerial letter I just Receive from Versaïlles I Begin to hope that My little Negotiation 4 will take a Good turn, and…
Paris February 19th 1780 Dear Sir As I came but this morning from Versailles, it was not in my power sooner to answer to the letter you have honor’d me…
Versaïlles 24h february [1780] Dear Sir According to the letter your Grand son wrote me last Morning I have obtain’d from the Ministry that the four thousand Compleat Cloathes would…
on Board the hermione 20h March 1780 Dear Sir We are Again Going to Sail, 5 But no News about our cloathing— What is Become of it, I Cannot Guess,…
Marquis de Lafayette informs Alexander Hamilton about sending a Canadian officer with a letter to Gouvion and requests Hamilton's approval to dispatch it along with letters for General Heath to mislead the enemy. He urges Hamilton to discuss the release of two acquitted deserters and the transfer of the condemned one with the General. Lafayette emphasizes gathering intelligence from both sides by Monday night for comparison and insists on strict confidentiality.
Marquis de Lafayette writes to Alexander Hamilton sharing news of a successful capture of a convoy and a victorious expedition on the Spanish Main, expressing joy over the combined fleet's achievements. He urges Hamilton to read his previous letters from Rhode Island and inquires about any new developments that might lift his spirits. Lafayette also mentions hoping his letter to Gouvion reached Hamilton safely and notes Britain's declining fortunes.
Light Camp near Tottowa on the Passaic November 19th. 1780. 5 Dear Sir, Whatever might have been my sense of the Enemies particular aversion for truth in every thing that…
Marquis de Lafayette writes to Alexander Hamilton explaining delays in delivering a letter to General Washington due to changes in the General's location and unforeseen obstacles. Lafayette expresses frustration over Hamilton's insistence on written communication but reports taking direct action to ensure the message reaches Washington promptly. He emphasizes the urgency and importance of the matter while maintaining a friendly tone.
Philadelphia December 13th. 1780. Dear Sir, I did myself the honor of writing to you a letter from Camp, 8 wherein your Excellency will find an account of some late…
New Windsor february the 1st 1781 My dear Sir I Had Some Weeks Ago the Honor of Writing to You from Philadelphia, And Inform’d You that Congress were About dispatching…
Marquis de Lafayette writes to Alexander Hamilton in 1781 expressing disappointment that the French fleet did not support an attack on Arnold and explaining his orders to join the Southern Army, where he anticipates limited military action due to heat and reduced troop numbers. He conveys concern for Hamilton’s whereabouts and shares frustrations about the lack of planned offensives against New York.
Paris february 25th 1782 Mis. [Marquis] de Lafayette’s Most Respectfull Compliments Wait on Mr franklin and Has the Honor to Inform His Excellency that in Compliance with His directions He…
Marquis de Lafayette writes to Alexander Hamilton from Paris in 1782, recommending Count de Segur as a worthy acquaintance and discussing recent changes in the British ministry, which he views as unstable and untrustworthy. He expresses hope that Hamilton might be involved in diplomatic negotiations with France and America, emphasizing the importance of coordinated military and political efforts against the British.
Saturday Morning [June 15 or 22, 1782] 4 Will You Please, My dear sir, to let me Have a Copy of the Paper I gave to Major Ross, that I…
St Germain tuesday [June 25, 1782] My Dear Sir You Have Been Acquainted that Mr. de Castries’s Courier was to Go to Morrow Evening, 9 and I intend taking the…
Paris, July 9, 1782. I have the honour to inform you, my dear Sir, that Mr. Grenville’s express is arrived this morning by way of Ostend. 3 The gentleman is…