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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 Excerpt:...to decide the matter in the light of the fullest information that he could obtain from France as to the probability of immediate succor. Everything now depended on substantial aid from that country. The British easily dominated the naval situation, while the army, through lack of funds and consequent lack of food and clothing, was reduced to its lowest efficiency--with rapidly dwindling ranks and little hope of recruits. The uniforms and supplies which La Fayette had arranged for, were still at the mercy of the British fleet blockading Brest, and although public spirited men and women worked diligently to supply the deficiency, the suffering was but slightly relieved. On the occasion of the raising of a fund in Philadelphia for this purpose, La Fayette contributed one hundred guineas in the name of his wife, and accompanied the gift with a letter assuring the ladies having the matter in charge that the Marquise would, were she present, most heartily enter into the work. While at Philadelphia he frequently wrote to Comte de Vergennes and others of the Ministry urging speedy assistance, and to M. de Vergennes and to Madame de La Fayette recommending Colonel Laurens, the special envoy, to the highest social favors. He gave up his idea of joining the southern army and early in January, 1781, he returned to the headquarters at New Windsor to pass the rest of the winter with General Washington with whom he hoped to visit his countrymen at Newport. While he thus renounced his desire for southern service the movements of the British were soon to bring about in a more gratifying way than La Fayette had expected, his participation in the campaign in that section. Confined to New York in the North, General Clinton had long since transferred aggressive operations to th...