The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-06-16
THE DEBT AMERICA OWES TO FRANCE

OF Congress, but that the vessels of al
nations were free to enter French
ports. Only the carrying of contra
band goods and the enlistment of sol
diers were prohibited.
After the Declaration of Independ
ence, the Able sent a report to his
Government which was of special in
terest, as it dealt with the public opin
ion in the Netherlands, regarding the
independence of America and the ex
pectations of the Dutch being connect
ed with it. England was anxious to
secure the aid of the Dutch Republic
against Americans by closing its ports
against American ships. France, on
the other hand, sought and obtained
its neutrality, but promised secretly to
assist the Americans. In October,
1776, the Able reported to Vergennes
that the Dutch Republic had refused,
at the urging of Ambassador York, to
close its ports in all parts of the
world to American vessels" Thus did
the much despised Catholic priest, a
member of that religion that Congress
had denounced, bring the first relief to
the Colonists, the first aid of France
When the French alliance was made,
the King of France and his Ministry
sent four fleets to America to aid the
battling Colonists. They were, the
fleet under Count D'Estaing, the feet
successfully commanded by Ternay,
Destouches and Barras, the feet of
Count de Guichen, and the fleet of
Count de Grasse. Several of the ves-
sells of the fleet of Count de Guichen
of the Antilles were sent to reinforce
the feet of Count de Grasse, so that
we may we'll count four French fleets
as directly aiding to win American in
dependence. The vessels of Count de
Guichen not sent to De Grasse did
effective services where stationed,
which was helpful to the movements
of the naval forces operating in Amer.
lean waters.
French Fleet Sails.
Five weeks after signing the Treaty
of Friendship between the United
States and France, Admiral D'Estaing
on April 8, 1778, left Toulon with a
fleet of twelve vessels ana four frig.
ates. On July he arrived off Della.
ware Bay, but the British being in
possession of Philadelphia and several
men-of-war being in the Bay, Admiral
D'Estaing sailed northward and forced
the passage to Newport Harbor, R. L.
where the English, surprised, burned
five of their frigates and two corvettes
AS Admiral Howe advanced to the sup
port of the English forces, D'Estaing
prepared for battle, but violent temp
est separated the fleets. D'Estaing
was obliged to retire to Boston. The
Americans evacuated Rhode Island
This first effort of the French obliged
the English to act on the defensive
D'Estaing, having repaired his vessels
sailed on November 4, 1T7S, for the
Antilles to watch the English feet un
der Byron. Though not strong enough
to force him to fight, he was joined by
the squadron of Chevalier de la Motto
Piquet, and found himself, July 5
1879, at the head of twenty-five yes
sells of the line. He attacked the Eng
lish in Grenada waters and did 81
much damage to eight of their ships
that they beat a retreat. On July 2;
he again offered to renew the com
bat, but the English fleet having an
chored, broadsides on, in the harbo
of Basse-Terre, he made sail for tht
coast of Georgia.
Savannah had been strongly forti
fed by the English. The forces dit
not time well their attack. The Amer
leans and French rivaled each other il
ardor and bravery. The Americans re
tired to South Carolina, with the los
of 400, the French to their ships, los
ing 700. Count D'Estaing being anon;
the wounded. Though defeated, tn
unexpected arrival of the French nava
forces stopped the proposed offensiv
movements Of the English against tn
Southern States. General Clinto
caused Rhode Island. to be evacuate
with so much haste that the garriso
at Newport abandoned all it's heav
| pieces and a large quantity of mum
tions OF war on October 27, 1779.
| To the Admiral De Grasse, niue
| credit must be given for the part
took with the naval forces. 1t was D
Grasse who chose the Chesapeake, a
the point of concentration with th
armies of Washington and Rochan
beau BY forced march of 220 mile
in eleven days they reached Whit
Plains, and then by accomplishin
marches of sixty miles day joine
De Grasse at Williamsburg. Thel
they found Lafayette, who had resis
ed the attacks of Arnold and Cor
wallis with his own troops, and tt
i 3,400 under Count Saint Simon whit
4 De Grasse had brought from the A
titles. During their operations Il
English squadrons of Admirals Hoo
and Graves joined at New York al
on August 81, set sail for the Ches
| peake.
Battle Of Yorktown.
4 De Grasse, on September 5, sight'
the enemy and gave orders to prepa
for hattie, Action began at A o'clo,
4 and lasted until night. For the 70
n dave follow;r,o4 No Grassa pn6paynr,