Delaware journal., 1828-11-28
From the Richmond Enquirer
INTERESTING MEMOIR

We have the pleasure Of laying before our readers
this morning Narrative of the gallant and generous
times of the Revalutiun--which may refresh our
readers after the dark and turbd scenes which have
80 recently transpired. We indebted for this me
moir to Judge Johnson, of the General Court who
was friend and fellow soldier OF the gallant Lau-
rens Laurens was the son of the distinguished
American, who was thrown into the tower OF Lon
don. The son was worthy of the sire. ne is de-
scribed, by those who were bestacquainted with him
as realizing the beau ideal of the character OF the
Chevaer Bayard--asa man srithoaa fear and 'oifh-
out reproach
In the sixth year of the war of independence. the
events of the campaign had been very adverse to the
American arms and, at the close OF 1880, the re-
sources of the Uuitel States were in extreme de-
preston, General Lincoln, who commanded IN the
Southern department, after brave and protracted
defence of Charleston against the army and fleet un-
der Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot. was
comoeled to capitulate, and surrender his gallant
garrison prisoners of war By this success, and the
subsequent defeat of General Gates. at Camden the
British forces gained control in the South, whIch
threatened the most extreme and disastrous conse'
ouences. The main army under General wash
ineton, reduced by detachments Tor he Southern
States, was badly coathed, irregularly provs'oned,
and without pay. The magazines were empty the
treasury exhausted, and the public credit OF no avail
In this alarming crisis Of the national AFFAIRS Zen
eral Washington convened council OF his most con
6dential officers faithful and minute representa-
ton was submitted to Congress, and it was respect
fully suggested as the most immediate means OF re
lief that special minister should be sent to France
to solicit loan of money and supplies OF cloathlnt
and military stores with request, that naval supe
riority might rendezvous on the American coast
4 an appointed time, to enable the Commander II
Chief to undertake offensive operations against TN
dispersed posts of the enemy. Congress acceded t.
the opinions of this interesting communication, ant
referred the nomination of the Minister to Genera
Washington, whose selection Of the {" "a-accom
plished Iaurens" justified the confidence OF Govern
ment, and secured the completion OF this importan
trust. As Aid dc Camp of General Washington
Col. Laurens was fully informed of every circum
stance that could give urtherance to the negotiation
and writing and speaking the French language witt
classical purity, he possessed, in an eminent desre
the power of illustrating all its objects. BY the par
alty of his gallant friend, the writer of this mcmoi
was appointed Secretary Of the mission.
On the 9th Of February, 1881, we sailed iron
Boston. in the frigate Alliance, Captain Barry AM
arrived at LOrent in twenty days. Pursuing with
I out delay his route to Paris Col. Laurens met tn
Marshal de Castries, minister of marine, then on
visit to the seaports, at Hennebona, and, having an
nounced himself to the Marshal, he very politely
It dered relays Of horses, to expedite our journey