Anne-César de La Luzerne

Anne-César de La Luzerne (1741–1791) began in the French Guards and served as envoy to the elector of Bavaria before succeeding Conrad-Alexandre Gérard in America. He traveled from Boston to Philadelphia with his secretary, François Barbé-Marbois, and presented his credentials to Congress on 17 November 1779. ¹

He intervened in the dispute over ratification of the Articles of Confederation. When Maryland sought French naval protection against British raids in the Chesapeake, La Luzerne urged the state to ratify. His intervention formed part of a wider settlement: Virginia's willingness to relinquish western land claims also helped remove Maryland's objections. Maryland's accession in 1781 finally enabled the Articles to take effect. ²

On 23 March 1781, La Luzerne confidentially informed Governor Thomas Sim Lee that another French squadron was expected, asked Lee to encourage public confidence without disclosing the nature of the reinforcement, and urged immediate preparations for the coming campaign. He also warned that Britain sought a Chesapeake base from which to attack commerce and coastal communities. ^{3, 4}

La Luzerne also used public celebration to sustain the alliance. In 1782 he commissioned Pierre Charles L'Enfant to design an Philadelphia pavilion in the open air for festivities marking the birth of the French dauphin. Charles Willson Peale painted his portrait during the mission. ⁵

He remained in America until 1784, received the title of marquis in 1785, and became ambassador to Great Britain in 1788. He held that final appointment until his death in 1791. ¹