Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834 to Richard Meade
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03647 Author/Creator: Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 December 1780 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 33 cm. Order a Copy
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. 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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