The Washington times., 1914-02-01
LAY ERECT STATUE
TO FRENCH ADMIRAL
ionS of the Revolution Start
Movement to Honor Fran
co.'s de GraSse.

movement has gained momentum
b' he erection in this city of a mOnu-
be II to Admiral Francois Joseph Paul
Grasse. the last remaining of the
p nch heroes who assisted the Amer
a n cause during the Revolution, for
D m no memorial has been provided.
: subject is under discussion by the
u rict of Columbia Society of the Sons
me Revolution. This organization
DOa the initiative in obtaining a me-
ho ial to Pulaski, acting upon a sug-
es on by Barry BuIk.ey made during
Speech at Mount Vernon. The sub
PC. recently was presented by Frank
n d. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of
he Navy, who addressed the society on
TIE important services of Admiral sc
5ra sse and the French feet under his
ommand, to the cause of the Revolu-
.iol."
Ar. Roosevelt said that in March, 17S1,
b response to representations made by
General Washington, to the French
overnment, Admiral de Grasse sailed
rom Brest, and after various indecisive
h nuevers against Rodney in the West
.ndies, anchored at Cape Haytien July
1881. Here he received dispatches
rom Washington and Rochambeau, re-
posting his immediate cooperation, in a
|oncentrated sea and land campaign
lgetnst the British forces.
His Forces Weakened.
lie Grasse there determined upon a
curse that shaped events and created
|Onditions that later eliminated in the
Eur~ender of CORVALLIS, at Yorktown.
on nwallis had successfully operated
lgainst the colonists through the Caro-
nas. His forces were gradually weak
Im Ig, due to the casualties of long
'BerGtions in war. In this condition he
le' Ided to advance into Virginia rather
IA n to fall back on Charleston. S. c.,
O. IN Virginia his object was ultimate
IN n with the British forces from New
c \. '-.-"s.
g." Grasse had been asked by WASH
ms on and ROchambeau to come North /
~ ms Meet at once, that a decisive
u might be delieverd against the
81 tish either at New York or in Vir-
in a. The duty devolYng upon de
, sse and his feet was to successfully
MAINTAIN such a control of the sea as
q lla prevent the juncture of these
3 .tSh forces
'ie decided to move into the Chesa-
1take ano isolate CORVALLIS. with
7 e-y available ship, with $500 troops on
.''rd Tor Rochambeau, he sailed at
D e, making his movement north nv
% sage through the Bahama channel.
+ aneht red in Lynnhaven Roads Au-
81 SC, lIA- Three days before,
ieller French squadron at Newport
lnder de Barras, Mad sailed for This
,an,e Ienoevous. making a wide circuit
OH new York to avoid the British
''.- under General Graves, then ex-
'ectsd 1" sail South from there,
When Graves arrived at the Chesa-
IKE ne round de Grasse, who imme- |
> giish with him. De GFasse, expecting |
lie Barras, remained outside five davs'
leeplng the English feet at bay, with |
'ut coming to action. Then he returned /
Q port, and found de Barras at anchor |
mo erected 1uncture with him.
Went Back to New York. |
n this situation, confronted now with
sStiy superior forces, Graves went |
ack TO New York. With him disap- |
Do lied the last hope of succor that
sht have aladdened CORVALLIS eyes. /
'e Grasse was left in control of the |
aters about the Chesapeake; Corn /
Ills forces were isolated from the
ltlsh forces at New York Clinton in !
ew York was unabel to send him helm |
7e-enforcements, and the final blow of |
p long war logically followed in the |
render at Yorktown of Lord Corn
Ills forces to Washington on Octo-
Mr.. Roosevelt logically demonstrated
at without the French feet Washing
IA s operations against Cornwaliis
"uld have been futile. Had it not been |
r De Grasse, the results of the long
ugg.es Of our forefathers might have |
a different end
W hile the American people are famil-
with the services rendered by La |
ayette, Rochambeau. Kosciusko. Pu-
ski. Won Steuben and other distin-
uished European soldiers who battIed
" shore with the armies of Washing
~. their knowledge, unfortunately,
IS not extend to the Importance of
= services of those who fought on
seas.
The memory of Admiral de Grasse
q his important labors for the cause
our forefathers deserves now to be
.ungly recognized by the American
.ople. 1t would seem proper" Mr.
UOseveu said, that a statue to him be
ected in our midst, that his memory
d his services be kept constantly be-
e the eyes of those whose freedom he
a de possible