The capture of Burgoyne in October, 1777, delighted France. The clock of liberty had struck; it only needed the aid of France to give independence to the Americans.
Lafayette became more restless. He had married into a noble family, but the companionship of a beautiful and true woman could not stifle this patriotic restlessness. He saw that he might be an influence in bringing France to the aid of America. To do this became his life.
The Queen espoused the cause of America; let us ever remember this, notwithstanding that there are so many unpleasant things about her to remember. Then the American cause seemed to fail in the Jerseys and France to lose her interest in it.
Young Lafayette’s heart was true to America in these dark hours. He knew that France could be aroused to action. He espoused the cause of America in her darkness, and doubtless dreamed of being able to convey to Washington a secret, that few other men so clearly saw. France would espouse the cause of America when events should open the way.
Never such a secret crossed the sea as young Lafayette bore in his bosom to Washington. It came, as it were, out of Auvergne; it was borne against every allurement of luxury and self; it was an inborn imperative. When a new world was to be revealed, Columbus had to sail; when liberty was to be established among men, Lafayette, the child of destiny, had to face the west; where was there another race of liberty-loving men like those of the Connecticut farmers? In Auvergne. Who of all men could represent this spirit of liberty in America? Lafayette.
He won the heart of America; even the British respected him. His true sympathy was the cause of his great popularity; his heart won all hearts.
In the terrible winter of 1778 the American army with Washington and Lafayette were at Valley Forge; the British were in Philadelphia, spending a gay winter reveling.
No pen can describe the destitution and suffering of the 5,000 or more patriots at Valley Forge. The white snows of that winter in the wilderness were stained with the blood of naked feet. Famine came with the cold.
The men were “hutted” in log cabins. “The general’s apartment is very small,” wrote Mrs. Washington; “he has a log cabin built to dine in, which has made our quarters much more tolerable than they were at first.”