Born to one of the most illustrious families in France and the only surviving member by age twelve, Lafayette became one of the nation’s wealthiest noblemen, whose annual income amassed to 120,000 livres, a fortune bolstered by his marriage to Adrienne Noailles, the second daughter of a family of equal prosperity and prestige among the royal court, if not more. Coming from a lineage of legendary warriors, it should come as no surprise that Lafayette too entered the military, though he was initially stationed at the passive town of Metz with no real combat to attend to. It was here, invited by the mayor to dine with the Duke of Gloucester, that Lafayette became infused with the American cause. Though the brother of King George III, the Duke
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Appointed chief of American foreign affairs by Washington after the commander-in-chief was forced to enter politics, Lafayette wrote to every authoritative figure he knew of in Versailles and Paris, requesting their support for America. In letters to his father-in-law, Lafayette encouraged the duc d’Ayen, who held considerable favor in the French court, to influence French leaders to provide official aid to America. Considering the close relationships Lafayette also entertained with American leaders such as Washington and Greene, notably the “best military general[s] in the Continental army”, and the popularity he gained in both nations, these demands were not matters to be taken lightly. Along with the continued lobbying for French support by American dignitary Benjamin Franklin, France was persuaded to reconsider its foreign policy and, in February of 1778, France signed treaties of trade, friendship, and offensive and defensive alliance with the United States of
Appointed chief of American foreign affairs by Washington after the commander-in-chief was forced to enter politics, Lafayette wrote to every authoritative figure he knew of in Versailles and Paris, requesting their support for America. In letters to his father-in-law, Lafayette encouraged the duc d’Ayen, who held considerable favor in the French court, to influence French leaders to provide official aid to America. Considering the close relationships Lafayette also entertained with American leaders such as Washington and Greene, notably the “best military general[s] in the Continental army”, and the popularity he gained in both nations, these demands were not matters to be taken lightly. Along with the continued lobbying for French support by American dignitary Benjamin Franklin, France was persuaded to reconsider its foreign policy and, in February of 1778, France signed treaties of trade, friendship, and offensive and defensive alliance with the United States of