The Van Buren press., 1898-08-20
WHEN AMERICANS WAITED.
Revolutionary Patriots AnxiOusIy
Watched for Succor from
Foreign Country.

While the Cuban patriots were
anXiously awaiting the arrival of the
American fleet carrying the army of
liberation, for which they had been
for weeks eagerly looking, the fact
was recalled that there was time
when American patriots we're as
anXiously watching for similar sue
cor from a foreign country. The cap
ture of Burgoyne's army on October
II, 1177. was followed a few months
later, on February 6, ITS, by treaty
of alliance and commerce between
France and the United States. Pur-
suant to the stipulations of that
treaty French squadron for the as
sistance of the American patriots was
fitted out at Toulon, consisting of 12
ships of the line and four frigates of
superior size. Count d'Estaing, a
brave and successful naval officer. was
appointed to the command, and on
April 10, ITS, the fleet sailed for
thousand troops. The American pa
triots had been at this time carrying
on single-handed for nearly three
years their struggle for independence.
All their important seaports. except
Boston, were at this time in the pos
session of the British.
The surrender of Burgoyne had, of
course, greatly encouraged the Amer
leans, but after three years conflict
they were apparently not much nearer
driving the British from their country
and achieving independence than were
the Cubans few months ago, after
similar period of struggle, before the
United States decided to come to their
assistance.
Some idea of the eagerness with
which the Americans 120 years ago
looked for the arrival of the French
fleet and army can be gathered from
the longing felt by the Cuban patriots
of the present day for tie appearance
Of the United States troops upon their
shores. On May 5, ITS, Gen. Washing
ton ordered special thanksgiving to
be offered by the chaplains at Valley
Forge for the completion of the
French alliance and the whole army to
make an enthusiastic celebration of
the event. News travelled slowly in
those days and the treaty was nearly
three months old when this celebra-
ton took place. Finally, on July s,
177S, it appeared off the Capes of the
De1aypora and ooromunino ad itS prao
ence to congress. 1t was unfortunate
ly just a little too late to capture the
English feet which had escaped and
taken refuge in New York harbor,
whittier d'Estaing followed. The
French fleet had ships too large to get
over the bar which then existed at
Sandy Hook and the British were safe
behind il and near the forts of the har-
Dor. The French admiral then sailed
to aid the American troops under Gen.
Sullivan besiege Newport, II. l., held by
British troops and naval forces. The
enterprise failed because the French
fleet sailed off to engage British one
without first landing any troops to re-
enforce Sullivan. Thus the high hopes
built upon the coming of the French
were at first doomed to severe disap-
pointment, for d'Estaing then sailed
to the West Indies.
Another disappointment followed
the next year, when, in September,
1879, d'Estaing appeared off the coast
of Georgia with 20 ships of the line and
II frigates, bearing about 5000 SOL
diers. In cooperation with the Amer
lean army under Gen. Lincoln, the
siege of Savannah was undertaken,
but IL also failed. and the French again
returned to the West Indies. In June,
1880, third French feet and an army
under Count de Roehambeau arrived
in America. This force was increased
and finally, after much delay, proved
the decisive factor in securing the cap
ture OF the army of Cornwallis at
Yorktown on October II, 1881. But for
the fact that the French feet under
Count de Grasse was strong enough to
prevent the British from sending re-
endorsements by water to CORVALLIS,
and that one-half of the land forces
under Washington were French, the
victory which practically ended the
revolutionary war and insured Amer
lean independence would not have
been possible.-Pittsburgh Times.