The Washington times., 1902-08-31

tIT is with the most powerful
emotions of pleasure that
profit by the occasion which
is offered TO me TO express
TO the honorable assembly ali the
satisfaction that I have experienced
in receiving from the King. my au-
gust master the mission to carry
succor to his allies. those heroes
who. for several years, have strug-
gled, not without success, to the
end that they might gain ain indie
pendence which would he the foun-
dation of their future prosperity.
Il have now but single desire to
witness the hour when 1t will be
given TO me to partake with the
United States of the glorious benefits
which will be the fruit of war
against enemies who endcavor, but
in vain, TO subjugate them and de-
prive them CT that blessed liberty
whose sweet and precious advantages
they already taste"
Such were the sentiments expressed
nearly a century and a quarter ago by
Charles Louis d'Arsac de Ternay, Ad
miral of France, toward the then young
Republic of America, to which he
brought men and money at the bidding
OF his King to ai9in its struggle against
English oppression.
Admiral de Ternay did not live to see
the fruition of his hopes for liberty's
cause. but died within a short while
after his arrival in this country, and
his bones still lie buried here. The
grateful remembrance of the descendants
of those patriots whom he came to aid
is about TO erect a monument in the
city of Newport, where he landed, to
commemorate not only his memory, but
other incidents and other French he
roes connected with those stirring
events.
French Heroes Held in Memory.
Every patriotic American familiar
with the story of the struggle for indie
pendence in the war of the Revolution
remembers with gratitude the oppor-
tune aid lent to our disheartened and
half-clad patriots by France at mo-
ment when the deepest gloom had set
tied upon the cause of liberty and the
glorious fight for principle seemed a
forlorn hope.
The names of Rochambeau, whose
statue has recently been unveiled in this
city with imposing ceremonies. partici-
ad in nv %
French government; of Lafayette, whose
monument. erected some years ago, is
one of the most notable in Washington.
and stands in the same square with that
Of Rochambeau. and Of many other
Frenchmen who gave distinguished SER
vices in our war for freedom, are known
and honored at every American hearth
stone.
There is one name, however, not SO
we'll known to Americans, although
probably the very first French officer
of note to lose his life, by disease, and
not in conflict, although none the less in
the cause of the American Revolution.
This was Admiral de Ternay, comman-
der OF the French feet that brought to
this country Rochambeau, and the 5000
French troops. He is the only French
officer of note who died in this coun-
try. His remains now lie in the little
cemetery Of Trinity Church at Newport,
the spot marked with a simple slab.
Within the church is the historic de
Ternay tablet which formerly marked
his resting place. Its soft Egyptian
marble was found inadequate to with
stand the ravages of time and climate,
exposed TO the elements. and was re-
moved TO its present sheltered position.
Deeds of the Past.
1t is to this tablet that lie Marquis de
Noailles refers in a letter to NJ. lie
Senator Anthony.
THE government and the French peo-
pie should be fully sensible of such
testimonial OF sacred remembrance of
the deeds of times past, as that given to
the present generation.
while state but a fact. at the same |
time. 1 take great pleasure in making |
the observation that in the hearts of
if 1 am here permitted TO |
use metaphor, the remembrance of the |
aid given by the French to the young |
Republic has been more durable than |
the Egyptian marble which was placed |
A. the tomb of de Ternay."
The tablet was placed over the body /
OF Admiral de Ternay by direction OF the
King OF France in 1888, three years after