-no slight temptation to a
stripling of nineteen! La Fayette was to be accompanied, or rather
attended, by the Baron de Kalb and eleven other officers of lower
rank, seeking service in America. He sent, in secret, an agent to
Bordeaux, there to purchase and prepare a vessel for their voyage.
Meanwhile he made an excursion of three weeks to London, where his
kinsman, the Marquis de Noailles, was ambassador. He was presented
to the King, and graciously received. He saw at the opera General
Clinton, who had come home on a winter leave of absence, and who
was next to meet him on a field of battle in America. But, mindful
of his own hostile designs, he deemed it proper to forbear from
prying into the military forces of the kingdom, and declined an
invitation to visit the naval armament at Portsmouth.

On his return to France, La Fayette bade farewell to his young
wife, leaving her four months gone with child, and set out for
Bordeaux. Thus far all had prospered according to his wishes. But
at Bordeaux he found that his preparations had been discovered and
complained of by Lord Stormont, and that a LETTRE DE CACHET for
his arrest was already issued. Nevertheless, he did not relinquish
his design. He crossed the Spanish frontier in the disguise of a
courier, found his vessel at Pasages, and there embarked with his
companions. Towards the middle of June he landed on the coast of
Carolina; and after a few days' rest, pursued his route to
Philadelphia. His reception by the Congress was not at first a
warm one; but La Fayette declared that he would accept no pay, and
was willing to serve as a volunteer; and under these
circumstances, the Assembly fulfilled the terms of the secret
agreement, and bestowed on him the rank of Major-General.

At Philadelphia La Fayette saw the American troops for the first
time, and, according to his own account, was struck with their
grotesque appearance--with green boughs fastened to their
hats--coarse hunting-shirts instead of uniforms--and muskets, many
wanting bayonets, and all of unequal make and size. But he soon
learnt to think more favorably of these raw levies, when,
notwithstanding all their disadvantages, he observed their conduct
in the field. With regard to their commander, his early
impressions never changed. It was also at Philadelphia, and at