#inthishousewestandspiderpunk

[nordleuchten]

So to be clear...Lafayette did *not* drop sick beats about how he is takin' this horse by the reins makin’ Redcoats redder with bloodstains? And was he really America's favourite fighting Frenchman?

Dear @inthishousewestanspiderpunk,

well, “dropping sick beats” is a very modern way of putting it, so no – La Fayette did not drop sick beats. However, he could be quite sarcastic, witty and funny both in situations as well as in his letters.

As to the “America’s favourite fighting Frenchman” part – you could actually say he was. Nobody would have put it this way in his lifetime and La Fayette was by far not the only fighting Frenchman. There were many Frenchmen who came to America to fight, some came by themselves, some travelled with La Fayette and the bulk arrived with the French troops. French aid and French soldiers played a very vital role in the War of Independence. A number of these soldiers decided to stay in America and many of the, mostly higher-ranking soldiers and officers, befriended and were in contact with the same people that La Fayette was friends with. Still, La Fayette had a very special place in the hearts of America. 2024/25 marks the Bicentennial of La Fayette’s American Tour in 1824/25 and this tour was more or less a 16 month long standing ovation from America – you had hundreds of thousands of people participating one way or another, you had merchandise and souvenirs, you had very generous gifts, you had towns, cities, counties and military units renaming themselves in honour of La Fayette – it was called his Triumphant Tour for a reason. There was really no other person, at least no other Frenchmen, who received even a similar treatment at any point in the history of the United States.

Therefor in short, I think the term “America’s favourite fighting Frenchmen”, albeit modern, is accurate.

I hope you have/had a lovely day!