Fascinating LS in French, signed “Frederic,” one page, 7.5 x 9.25, July 1785. Untranslated letter of invitation sent to the Marquis de Lafayette to attend an exhibition of the military maneuvers of the Prussian Army. Invitations like this were also dispatched to other European military leaders including General Cornwallis. In fine condition.
Throughout the reign of Frederick II ‘the Great’ of Prussia, the Prussian army conducted parade ground reviews in the summer and realistic combat training exercises in the autumn, with ‘Old Fritz’ often maneuvering between 30-45,000 men during these mock battles and campaigns. In 1785, French, British, and American officers were invited to observe the Silesian review and maneuvers, which occurred in August and September. Many of the leading military figures of the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence were present. The Marquis de Lafayette attended, as did General Charles Cornwallis and a number of more minor military figures, such as the Duke of York and Albany (the second son of George III), Prince Frederick William of Prussia, British Colonels Abercromby, David Dundas, and Thomas Musgrave, French Generals Duportail and Gouvion, and American Colonel Williams Stephens Smith.
Lafayette traveled through Cassel on his way to attend the 1785 review and, in a letter to General George Washington, he recalled meeting with his ‘Hessian friends’ and portrayed the meeting as cordial: ‘I told them they were very fine fellows; they returned thanks and compliments. Ancient foes can meet with pleasure; which, however, I think, must be greater on the side that fought a successful cause.’
By contrast, Lafayette's former foe, Charles Cornwallis, was reportedly downcast throughout the proceedings in Prussia. Cornwallis, perhaps still prickling from Yorktown, recalled: ‘My reception in Silesia was not flattering; there was a most market preference for La Fayette; whether it proceeded from the King's knowing more of France, and liking better to talk about it, I know not.’
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