Lafayette, We Come!: The Story of How a Young Frenchman Fought for Liberty in America and How America Now Fights for Liberty in France

In Short

This narrative biography chronicles the life of the Marquis de Lafayette, tracing his transformation from a restless French nobleman into a pivotal general in the American Revolutionary War. It details his unwavering dedication to liberty, his close mentorship under George Washington, and his tumultuous role in the subsequent French Revolution. Published during the final year of the First World War, the work serves as both a historical account and a patriotic bridge, framing the American entry into the Great War as the fulfillment of a long-standing debt to Lafayette’s legacy.

The Story

The narrative opens in 1775 at a dinner party in Metz, where the young Marquis de Lafayette overhears the Duke of Gloucester mocking King George III’s struggle against rebellious American colonists. Stirred by the idea of a people fighting for their freedom, the nineteen-year-old nobleman determines to offer his sword to the American cause. Despite the fierce opposition of his powerful father-in-law, the Duke d’Ayen, and the restrictive edicts of the French crown, Lafayette displays remarkable persistence. He evades his pursuers, disguises himself to cross the border into Spain, and secures passage to the New World on the ship Victory.

Upon arriving in America, Lafayette finds the Continental Army in a state of desperate neglect. He pledges to serve as a volunteer without pay, quickly winning the affection and trust of George Washington, who treats the young Frenchman with the warmth of a father. Throughout the ensuing campaigns, Lafayette proves his mettle, surviving hazardous reconnaissance missions and orchestrating a brilliant, bloodless retreat at Matson’s Ford that earns Washington’s high praise. As the war progresses, Lafayette acts as a crucial liaison, successfully lobbying the French court for the military and naval support that eventually forces the British surrender at Yorktown.

With the American Revolution secured, Lafayette returns to France, where he attempts to transplant the ideals of liberty he championed abroad. He becomes a central figure in the early days of the French Revolution, serving as commander of the National Guard and laboring to reconcile the monarchy with the demands of the people. However, as the political climate grows increasingly radical, he finds himself trapped between an intransigent King and a volatile, vengeful populace. His refusal to betray his principles leads to his arrest and a grueling five-year imprisonment in Austrian and Prussian dungeons, a trial that he survives through immense inner resolve and the eventual support of international allies like Washington.

After his release, Lafayette lives to see the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, maintaining a dignified distance from the Emperor’s autocratic ambitions. The story concludes with his triumphant return to the United States in the 1820s, where an aging, beloved hero is greeted by a grateful nation. The final chapters pivot from the past to the present, asserting that the spirit of the 1777 volunteer lives on in the American soldiers arriving in France in 1917. The book closes with a fervent declaration that the "debt of gratitude" is being repaid, solidifying Lafayette’s position as a symbol of the fraternal bond between the two republics.

How It Unfolds

The call to arms Lafayette hears of the American rebellion while dining with royalty and is instantly captivated by the prospect of fighting for human liberty. He views the struggle of the American farmers as a noble opportunity to prove his commitment to freedom rather than merely seeking military glory.

A perilous departure Determined to circumvent the French King’s prohibition, the young Marquis faces down family interference and governmental orders. He utilizes disguises and narrow escapes to reach his ship, demonstrating a stubborn resolve that remains a defining trait throughout his life.

Becoming a soldier of liberty Lafayette joins Washington’s ragtag army, immediately identifying with the plight of the under-equipped colonial soldiers. His tactical intelligence and bravery during early skirmishes solidify his status as a trusted general and an essential member of Washington’s inner circle.

The struggle for France Upon returning to his homeland, Lafayette applies his American experience to the French political crisis, striving for constitutional order. He eventually falls victim to the shifting winds of the Revolution, suffering years of solitary confinement as a consequence of his unwavering, moderate stance.

A legacy of gratitude The final stages of the book transition into a broader tribute to the historical relationship between the two nations. It connects Lafayette’s youthful zeal to the moral imperative of the First World War, framing the American intervention as a spiritual homecoming.

The People

Lafayette serves as the moral center of the narrative. Driven by an abstract love for "liberty," he is willing to sacrifice his fortune, his social standing, and his physical comfort to aid any cause he deems righteous. He evolves from an impulsive youth into a seasoned statesman who prioritizes principle over personal safety.

George Washington acts as the steady, fatherly anchor to Lafayette’s restless energy. He is depicted as a man of profound judgment who recognizes Lafayette’s sincerity immediately. Washington’s mentorship is the primary factor that transforms the young French aristocrat into a capable military leader, and he remains Lafayette’s most loyal advocate throughout the later political crises.

The Duke d’Ayen embodies the stagnant, aristocratic order of pre-revolutionary France. He views Lafayette’s quest as a reckless folly that threatens family reputation, acting as the primary obstacle to the Marquis’s early plans. His opposition highlights the deep divide between the old world of privilege and the new world of individual rights.

Louis XVI is portrayed as an amiable but hopelessly out-of-touch monarch. He is the tragic figure of the story, caught between his traditional upbringing and the rapid, unstoppable tide of change. His interactions with Lafayette reveal the inherent tension between a man bound by divine right and a man guided by the principles of the American Constitution.

In Its Own Voice

“I’m going to America to fight for freedom!”

This is the young Marquis’s defining declaration, shouted to his friends when he first resolves to join the Continental Army.

“I am here to learn and not to teach, Your Excellency.”

Lafayette offers this response to George Washington when the commander expresses concern about showing a French officer a poorly equipped American army.

“If you call the national insurrection of July, 1789, a riot, I lay claim to that one; but after that period I wanted no more.”

Lafayette makes this principled defense of his actions to Napoleon, distinguishing between a necessary struggle for liberty and the disorder of the mob.

What It's Really About

The book is an argument for the universality of liberty. It posits that the principles underlying the American Revolution and those of the French Revolution are essentially the same, rooted in the dignity of the common man. The text explores the tension between idealism and the messy, often violent realities of governance. It grapples with the question of how to maintain one's character when the political landscape shifts from idealism to extremism. At its heart, the book argues that liberty is not merely a political construct, but a moral imperative that requires constant, selfless defense—a "sacred principle" that binds nations together across time and geography.

Why Read It Today

Readers drawn to biographies of historical figures who were defined by a singular, all-consuming passion will find much to admire here. The writing is steeped in the patriotic fervor of 1918, which gives the book a sincere, almost urgent tone; it is less a detached academic study and more a heartfelt tribute. For those interested in the transatlantic history of the late eighteenth century, the descriptions of the logistical struggles of the American Revolution and the claustrophobic anxieties of the French Revolution are vivid and absorbing.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the book's specific perspective. It is clearly a product of its time, written with a strong, unabashedly pro-American bias and a sharp, condemnatory view of the "Huns" during the Great War. The language is grand, flowery, and occasionally didactic, reflecting the heroic, romanticized prose style typical of early twentieth-century historical narratives. Those seeking a nuanced or cynical modern analysis might find the moral binary—freedom versus tyranny—a bit simplistic. Yet, if you value a story that views history as a long, noble progression toward democracy, this book offers a classic, inspiring portrait of a man who truly believed that no cost was too high for the sake of freedom.