A Diplomatic Decision in 17981

G.W. Parke Custis was the grandson of Martha Washington, First Lady and wife of President George Washington. His father John was the stepson of George Washington. – Public domain image of G. W. Parke Custis from the National Portrait Library

G. Washington, Marechal de France…

An interesting bit of history was told me lately by a descendant of G. W. Parke Custis. It seems that when, in 1781, the United States sent to France a special Embassador some difficulty arose between him and the French government as to the command of the combined armies.

Colonel Laurens, the Embassador, stated very firmly that George Washington, our chief, must command, “for it is our cause, and the battle on our soil.” The etiquette of the foreign government, however, exclaimed: “C'est impossible!” for here was Count Rochambeau, an old lieutenant general, who could only be commanded by the King in person or a Marechal de France.

The American wit of Colonel Laureus flashed upon the situation a happy thought. He said: “Make our Washington a Marechal de France and the difficulty is at an end.” It was done. Mr. Custis continues that a friend of his heard General Washington spoken of as Monsieur le Marechal at the siege of Yorktown.

I have heard that in some southern home there is a treasure, held beyond price - even the antiquity hunter's price, and he who aspires to buy the bones of his ancestors - an ancient porcelain mug, on which is painted an effigy of of Washington on horseback, and underneath is this inscription: “George Washington, Esq.. General in Chief of the United States Army and Marshal of France.”- Wide Awake, 1892

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