Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834 to Richard K. Meade

GLC03647

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GLC#
GLC03647
Type
Letters
Date
December 29, 1780
Author/Creator
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Title
to Richard K. Meade
Place Written
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pagination
4 p. : Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 33 cm
Language
English
Primary time period
American Revolution, 1763-1783
Sub-Era
The War for Independence

Lafayette discusses selection of an American envoy being sent to France. Congress had decided to send an envoy extraordinary to France to secure a loan and improve supply shipments. Lafayette tried to help Alexander Hamilton attain this post, but failed. Says that all admitted Hamilton was the "best calculated for this mission," but "he is not very popular" and not a "Southern Man" so he was not chosen by the Congress. Instead John Laurens was selected. Inform his "very good friend" that a French officer will soon be arriving to meet Meade. He is happy to hear from Martha Bland that Meade will be in camp. Details the kind of horses that he would like Meade to purchase for him. Hamilton and Laurens were best friends, and both served as aide-de-camp for George Washington.

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