took him into his
family as a supernumerary Aid-de-camp. In this capacity he was at the
battles of Germantown and Monmouth. He soon afterwards attached
himself to the army on Rhode Island, where he had the command of a
small body of light troops, and displayed so much bravery and good
conduct, that Congress, on the 5th of November, 1778, resolved, "that
John Laurens, Aid-de-camp to General Washington, be presented with a
continental commission of lieutenant-colonel, in testimony of the
sense, which Congress entertain of his patriotic and spirited services
as a volunteer in the American army; and of his brave conduct in
several actions, particularly in that of Rhode Island on the 29th of
August last; and that General Washington be directed, whenever an
opportunity shall offer, to give Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens a command
agreeable to his rank." The next year he repaired to the southern
army, was present at the unsuccessful attack on Savannah, and was
among the prisoners at the capitulation of Charleston. He was soon
after exchanged and reinstated in the army. On the 28th of September,
1779, he was chosen by Congress Secretary to the Minister
Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Court of Versailles, but
he did not accept the appointment.

In the year following, Congress became so much pressed for the want of
means in money and military supplies, that they resolved to send a
special Minister to France for the purpose of representing, in a
strong and just light, the extreme necessities of the United States,
and soliciting new aid from the French Court. It was supposed, that a
person going directly from the scene of action and suffering, and with
a full knowledge of all the particulars from personal observation,
would be more likely to succeed in such an application than the
resident Minister Plenipotentiary, who could only speak from his
general instructions. As the assistance was chiefly wanted for the
relief of the army, it was moreover considered that this messenger
should be selected from that body. The choice fell on Colonel Laurens,
who, on the 23d of December, 1780, was appointed a special Minister to
the Court of Versailles for the above purpose. He was then only
twentyfive years old. He sailed from Boston in February, and arrived
in Paris on the 19th of March, and immediately applied himself with
great assiduity to the objects of his mission. His success, though not
to the extent of his wishes, or the ho