We first declared independence from Great Britain in 1776 and Americans have been enamored with the men who first started the revolution, aptly called our founding fathers. These men like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson have been lifted up as paragons of justice and liberty, but even Washington himself would deny full credit. Some of our founding fathers had no business fighting our war but were so enthralled with our mission of justice and personal liberty that they could not sit idly by. Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, known as the Marquis de Lafayette was a French man who freely volunteered to serve in the new American army and did so with distinction. The Marquis was born into a family of noble military lineage …show more content…
Upon return he knew that he was going to be in trouble with the court for leaving for the war without the permission of the king. Lafayette was subsequently exiled for eight days, not being able to leave the Hotel de Noailles in Paris. This proved to be very unfavorable to the public as they considered the punishment unjust and, once released he was greeted graciously by the King. He began right away to procure resources for the Americans and their cause, he did so with such fervor that the Count de Maurepas said in the royal council: "It is fortunate for the King, that Lafayette does not take it into his head to strip Versailles of its furniture, to send to his dear Americans; as his Majesty would be unable to refuse it.". With the Kings aid he was able to muster up sizeable ground and naval forces to send to the Americas, all of which would be under the command of Washington thanks to the Marquis influence. Upon return to the colonies Washington sent Lafayette south to Virginia to deal with the British's attempt to crush the revolt there. He found the Commander of the British forces, Charles Cornwallis, and his troops and began to route them into the town of Yorktown, Virginia, where Washington brilliantly had the French fleet placed to pin the British from the sea. This forced Cornwallis to surrender on October 19,