1778-02-06 -- History of the U.S.-French Treaty of Amity and Commerce
and Treaty of Alliance
After months of negotiations in Paris representatives of the King of France and of the United States signed these two treaties. When news of the signing reached the Valley Forge camp of the Continental Army in early May, 1778, General George Washington issued the following General Order: It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the course of the United States, and finally raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our Liberty and Independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine goodness, and celebrating the important event which we owe to His Divine interposition. |
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March 30, 2012, was the Third Anniversary of the
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2012-04-14 (Saturday) : Princeton NJ: Nineth Annual Meeting of the W3R®-US
Annual Membership Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting at the Nassau Club. Minutes of the meeting are now available. |
2012-06-10 (Sunday) Hale-Byrnes House in Christiana DE
The public is cordially Invited from 3:00 - 5:00 PM to attend a presentation by Dobbs Ferry author Richard Borkow on his new book, George Washington's Westchester Gamble: The Encampment on the Hudson and the Trapping of Cornwallis. Books will be on hand for sale and autographing Well-behaved children always welcomed. Cost: $5 at the door; includes coffee & dessert. Sponsored by American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware and the W3R® of Delaware (W3R®-DE) ![]() |
2012-07-04 to 05 (Friday and Saturday) Pensacola FL:
The Sons of the American Revolution will dedicate a monument to the veterans of all wars at the site of the Siege and Battle of Pensacola. |
NPS Inaugurates Its Website for the W3R®-NHT![]() ![]() The NPS logo is used here with permission Read the ![]() Many (untitled) photos of commemorative events along the trail may be viewed at ![]() |
2012-09-08 (Saturday) Virginia Beach VA:
The Battle off the Virginia Capes may soon have a new commemorative marker. The Norfolk Chapter of the VIrginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution hosted a lecture and an open forum. Honorary French Consul Emerita (and W3R®-US Board member), Nicole G. Yancey presented a lecture on "The Trapping of Cornwallis", and attendees participated in a forum on placing an Interpretive marker for the Battle off the Virginia Capes. |
2012-09-08 (Saturday) in Newark DE from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Celebration of Lafayette's 255th Birthday at the Hale-Byrnes House, where young General Lafayette celebrated his 20th birthday in 1777. Enjoy a colonial militia encampment and demonstrations, music, food, and historic house tours. Benjamin Goldman of Philadelphia portrayed the young General Lafayette. ![]() Portraying Lafayette at his 20th birthday party [Photo courtesy of CEM Photography] ![]() Left to right: Veronica Eid (W3R®-US & President, Alliance Francaise de Wilmington); Chuck Schwam (Treasurer, American Friends of Lafayette); Benjamen Goldman (American Historical Theatre); Kim Burdick (Former Chair, W3R®-US and Curator, Hale Byrnes House); Bill Conley (W3R®-US and Pencader Heritage); and John Foskey (1st Delaware Regiment) [Photo courtesy of CEM Photography] Context: The week of September 3 - September 11, 1777 was a hectic and frightening time for the residents of Northern New Castle County. The area was full of American soldiers and their opponents, the British, Hessian, and Scottish Highland Regiments, whose goal was to capture the rebel capitol of Philadelphia. On September 3 the sharp skirmish near Cooch's Bridge was fought, with about 30 killed on each side. On September 4 the British raided historic Christiana and captured a stand of flags, one of which was purchassed form the descendants of its captor and is now the property of the Historical Society of Delaware. On September 6, a Council of War was held by George Washington at the home of Quaker pacifist Daniel Byrnes, near Stanton. That meeting was attended by Generals Knox, Greene, and Sullivan, as well as Gen. Washington's young aide-de-camp, Major General Lafayette, who turned 20 that day. The Marquis de Lafayette was a young French captain when he came to the Unites States in 1776 to offer his services to the United States in its War for Independence. He was married (to the daughter of the the Treasurer of France) and had two children when he left France to fight in America. On September 7, Clement Biddle commandeered from Daniel Byrnes' mills 40 wagon loads of wheat and flour as well as 8 large wheels of cheese. On September 8 the American and the British soldiers headed north to Chadds Ford. A brilliant aurora borealis was seen in the sky that evening, causing many to wonder what it might portend. On September 11, 1777, the Americans were routed from the field at the Battle of the Brandywine . On September 12, 1777 Wilmington was occupied by British troops; they stayed in control of that city until October 19-20. |
2012-09-15 (Saturday) Pencader (DE) Heritage Museum
6th Annual Commemoration of the Cooch's Bridge Battle of 1777, when the Continental Light Infantry, assisted by the Delaware militia delayed the advance of General Cornwallis' Division of the invading British Army in a sharp exchange of fire with the advance units of Hessian Jaeger elements. The First Delaware Regiment re-enactment group honored the French flag and presented a wreath in honor of the French troops who marched through this battlefield with their Continental Army allies in September 1781 on the way to the siege and victory at Yorktown VA. The French marched through the battlefield again on their return north in the summer of 1782, receiving widespread welcomes from the citizens along the route. ![]() left to right: Dick Niecamp, Chris Mlynarczyk (President of the First Delaware Regiment) Alex Nardone, David Nardone (W3R®-US Director), Ann Cooper, Bill Conley (W3R®-US Director, and President , Pencader Heritage Area Association) [Photo courtesy of David Nardone] |
2012-09-29 (Saturday) Louisville KY
Dr. Robert A Selig spoke at the Fall Leadership meeting of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He told 200 National Trustees, State Presidents, and others about Louisville, Yorktown, Philadelphia, and the Founding of the United States of America, 1763-1791, linking the western frontier of the American colonies with French aid to the infant United States. This aid was embodied by both a velvet glove -- diplomacy provided in Philadelphia by French ambassadors Gérard and Lucerne -- and an iron fist -- military assistance provided at Yorktown by General Rochambeau and by Admiral de Grasse.
After the presentation SAR President General Stephen Leishman honored
Dr. Selig with the Distinguished Patriot Award
We members of the W3R®-US are very happy to see our good friend (and fellow member) so prominently recognized for his labors and intriguing presentations during more than a decade. The successful development from the concept of an historical trail to memorialize French aid during the American Revolution to its present status of activities and signage all along the 680-mile route is in large part due to the historical foundation that Bob has built from documents in several languages scattered through archives in Paris, London, and many cities and towns within the U.S.A. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! | ![]()
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2012-09-29 (Saturday) in Princeton NJ from 10:0 AM to 4:00 PM.
Community Event at the Princeton Battlefield ![]() Context: On their way to Yorktown VA in late August of 1781 several divisions of the allied US-French armies camped along the Assunpink Creek, several hundred yards south of the Princeton Battlefield. Continental troops under Col. Lamb camped here, followed the next day by the First Division of the French army under General Rochambeau. |
Help Save a Battlefield: How often do you have a chance to preserve for posterity
land that has lain undeveloped since the Revolutionary War? Twenty-two acres
of the Princeton Battlefield are under private ownership, and the owner is applying for permits
to convert the land to a housing development.
![]() View a ![]() Historical Context: The Battle of Princeton was fought on 1777 January 3. American troops under General George Washington surprised and defeated a force of British Regulars. General Cornwallis and a larger force had camped here only two days previous to this. The allied French and Continental Army forces both marched right past this battlefield on the way to Yorktown VA, allowing General Washington to reflect on the loss of his good friend, General Hugh Mercer, in this battle and General Rochambeau to instruct his senior officers on the tactical points of this battle as it unfolded four and a half years previously. |
2012-10-13 Saturday 10 AM in Pennypack Park, Philadelphia PA
Dedication of an historical marker for Pennypack Creek Bridge -- America's Oldest Roadway. This massive stone bridge was constructed in 1697 and was used by the allied Continental and French armies as they traveled to Yorktown VA in August 1781 and then back north again after the siege and victory at Yorktown VA. This bridge was a witness to that march and much else in its 315-year history. ![]() ![]() |
2012-10-13 (Saturday) in Stanton DE at 7:30 PM
India and the American Revolution???? Who knew that the British took revenge on India in retaliation for French aid to the American colonies? Jack Gardner, Ph.D. described this little-known aspect of the global war that was started by the American Revolution. Sponsored by the American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware. the talk was hosted by the historic Hale Byrnes House near Stanton DE (just off Exit 4B of I-95). ![]() Context: Although preliminary Articles of Peace were signed in January 1783, word of the cease-fire did not reach military units around the globe until months later. Meanwhile in India Adm. Suffren's French fleet participated in the capture of Voloze, Bednor (May 3), Onor, and besieged Mangalore (May 6 to July) and fought Vice-Adm. Hughes' British fleet off Cuddelore, preventing its capture by the British. When Adm. Suffren learned of the Peace Treaty his fleet returned to France. What did the British do? This presentation told it all. |
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October 19, 2012, is the 231st Anniversary of the |
Surrender of the British at Yorktown to |
Generals Washington and Rochambeau. |
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Dr. Selig honored One of the major events during Yorktown Day occurred at the French monument when French Consul General Olivier Serot-Almeras presented the medal for the Order of the Academic Palms to Dr. Robert A. Selig for his scholarly research for more than a decade on the documentation that is the basis for our understanding of the path of the W3R® and its history. Wikipedia notes that The Ordre des Palmes Academiques (Order of Academic Palms) is an Order of Chivalry of France for academics and cultural and educational figures. Originally a decoration founded by Emperor Napoleon to honour eminent members of the University of Paris, it was changed into its current form as an order on 4 October 1955 by President René Coty. Decisions on nominations and promotions are decided by the Minister of Education | ![]() [photo courtesy of Galina Chernikova]
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2012-10-20 (Saturday) in Yorktown VA
The Fall Board meeting of the W3R® -US in Jamestown VA -- the day after Yorktown Day. Minutes of the meeting are now available. |
!!! Congratulations Samantha !!! |
2012-10-22 Monday, at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma WA
Celebration of the Life of Damon Rodanc Family and friends gathered for the one year anniversary Celebration of Life and the scattering of Damon's ashes. Read about Damon's contributions to history education and to the W3R®-NHT |
2012-10-23 (Tuesday) at the Historic Belmont Museum, Philadelphia PA
Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: Philadelphia and Judge Peters Greet an Old Friend, by Alan Hoffman, president of the American Friends of Lafayette. The Belmont Mansion was the former home of Judge Richard Peters, who was the secretary of the Board of War during the American Revolution. The event was sponsored by the W3R®-PA, the American Women's Heritage Society, and the National Park Service in partnership with the Fairmount Park Council for Historic Sites.
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2012-12-03 to 09 (Monday to Sunday) Providence to Boston
230th Anniversary March to Boston ![]() The Marchers (Michael Fitzgerald, David Holloway, David Fagerberg, and Richard Swartwout) marched a path close to the route and schedule of the French Expeditionary Force, whose 4,000 troops marched from Providence RI to Boston MA in December of 1782. Historical Context:The French Expeditionary Force, led by General Rochambeau, completed a series of movements (marches) that added up to some two million steps taken in the United States by each French soldier as he
Activities of the Marchers in 2012 Dec.3: 11:00 AM -- Honor the French soldiers buried at North Ground Cemetery (North Providence), then march 0.5 miles to a reception at the Jeremiah Dexter Homestead. March 2 miles more to the Slater Mill Museum. Dinner at the Joy Homestead in Cranston and sleep over at the Gen. Nathanael Greene Homestead in Cranston NOTE: Photos below are courtesy of Robert Reyes ![]() Trail Artist David R. Wagner in Scotland CT with the new National Park Service trail logo sign for marking the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. The NPS signs will supplement the current W3R-US logo signs. ![]() Dec 2 - Relaxing around the cannon at the Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry RI ![]() Dinner at the Joy Homestead in Cranston RI ![]() The Dec 3 march ended at Slater's Mill in Providence RI Dec 4: March from Slater Mill Museum to Congregational Church in North Attleborough for a potluck dinner and a 7:00 PM talk there Dec 5: March about ten miles from North Attleborough to the 53rd French Camp in Wrentham MA. Dinner with the Wrentham Historical Society, and at 7:30 PM speak at the Fisk / Wrentham Library. Dec 6: March from Wrentham to Walpole MA. Accommodations arranged by the Friends of the Library. At 7:00 PM speak at the Walpole Library. Dec 7: March from Walpole to 54th and final French Camp in Dedham MA. Accommodations at St. Pau;'s Episcopal Church were arranged by the local Daughters of the American Revolution and the Reverend Hodges. Dec 8: March from Dedham to the Boston Massacre site. Dinner at the Oyster House. Dec 9: 1:00 PM Photos at the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument. Reception and several speeches at the theater across from the Bunker Hill Monument For the blog of the march see
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