Sold – In France to Secure War Aid, Layafette Writes of His “Ardent Love” for America and Washington

A 19 year old Frenchman inspired to serve the American cause, Lafayette signed on as a major-general in the American army and arrived on June 13, 1777. He met George Washington a month later, and it was the start of a famous and long-lasting friendship, almost a relationship of father to son. Lafayette first saw combat in operations against the British that ended in American defeat at Brandywine in September 1777. He was wounded there, but his conduct attracted favorable attention. After more action, he received command of the Virginia division of the Continental Army, with which he participated at Whitemarsh and spent a portion of the winter at Valley Forge under miserable conditions. In 1778 Lafayette took part in battles at Barren Hill and Monmouth Court House and served with the Continental detachment in Rhode Island. At the beginning of 1779, he returned to a France that was now officially an ally of the United States, and was there for the birth of his son, George Washington Lafayette. While there, he persuaded the French government to increase its aid to America. He was treated as a hero in France, causing Benjamin Franklin to famously remark, "The Marquis de La Fayette is infinitely esteemed and beloved here, and I am persuaded he will do everything in his power to merit a continuance of the same affection in America." Lafayette’s heart lay in America, by April 1780 he returned and received command of the Light Division. In February 1781, Lafayette led a detachment against troops led by the traitor Benedict Arnold. Later that year he commanded forces against Cornwallis in the decisive campaign of the American war which ended at Yorktown. When Lafayette returned to France in 1782, he had earned glory for himself as well as liberty for the American colonies.

At the onset of the Revolution, Dr. John Cochrane planned the organization of the army medical department. He became Surgeon General of the Continental Army and was the  personal physician of George Washington, who called him "Dr. Bones." When Lafayette was wounded at Brandywine, Washington asked Cochran to “take care of him as if he were his own son." Cochran did so, giving his entire attention to Lafayette and returning him to health.

Autograph Letter Signed, 3 pages, St. Jean L’Angely near Rochefort, France, June 19, 1779, in English, to Dr. John Cochran (whom he addresses as “Doctor Bones”), expressing his affection for the American cause, George Washington, his comrades in arms, and his conviction that victory is assured. “I feel very happy, my dear doctor, in finding an occasion to tell you how sincerely I lament our separation – it is indeed highly pleasing for me to be under so many obligations to you, because there is no gratitude in the world which can exceed the bounds of my affection for the good doctor Bones – that name that I ever give you, and I sincerely wish, I ever earnestly hope, you will before long hear from my own mouth the ardent love I entertain for America, the respect and affection which bind me to our great general, and the present situation of affairs give me some happy notions of my seeing soon the American shores – that happiness I most ardently wish for. My health, dear doctor, that very health you have almost brought back from the other world, has been since as strong and healthy as possible – from everyone of my countrymen from the first to the last, thousand flattering marks of affection have been conferred upon me.  I have left Versailles and Paris some days ago, and am for the present with the King’s own regiment of dragoons, which he gave me after my arrival, and some regiments of infantry – that station I shall perhaps have before long for beginning a more active life, and coming nearer our Red friends [the Redcoats]. As during my fit of illness the watch I had then was of great use to you for feeling the pulse, I thought such a one might be convenient, which I have instructed to the chevalier de la Luzanne and I beg leave to present you with. I did fancy that adorning it with my heroic friend’s [Washington’s] picture would make it acceptable. Be so kind, my dear sir, as to present my respects to your lady, and my best compliments to your brother doctors, and my brother officers of the army. Tell them how sincerely I love them, how much I desire to join them again. I was in hopes Hble. Steward and Parker had a design to visit France, but I don’t hear from them. If any such friend of mine comes to this country, I hope their first step will be to renew our acquaintance. There is no interesting news for the moment but a general peace in Germany. England makes its last efforts. Spain will, I think, soon join, and poor old England will get a bad shake this campaign. Farewell my dear doctor, whenever I meet with carousing, hollering, and drinking, I call again to my mind the happy days you have past in Boston – I hope will begin again before long…”

Important war date letters of Lafayette have virtually disappeared from the market.