took the oath of fidelity to the American Congress and of renunciation to
the king and government of Great Britain, which had then been recently
required, before General LAFAYETTE; and which was administered by the
commanding officer in each separate Department. The original certificate of
this oath is said now to be in existence. It is a singular fact, that a
native American took this oath before a foreigner: or perhaps even then,
General LAFAYETTE had been declared by Congress to be entitled to all the
rights of a citizen of the United States.

In May 1778, while the British main army was in Philadelphia, and the
American troops at Valley Forge, he was detached with about two thousand
five hundred men under his command, to a position in advance of the
continental camp and near the city, for the purpose of watching the motions
of the enemy. The British endeavored to surround and surprise him: but he
had timely notice of their plan, and retired in safety to the vicinity of
WASHINGTON'S head-quarters. Had he been surprised in this situation, the
result would probably proved fatal to our cause. For the continental troops
under WASHINGTON were few in number and poorly clothed and armed. But the
Commander in Chief, doubtless, was fully aware of the important and
critical nature of the service, and entrusted it to one, in whose judgment
as well as bravery he had perfect confidence.

Soon after this, in the month of June, the British army left Philadelphia,
to return to New-York. It consisted of as large a number of well
disciplined troops, as they had in America at any one time; and though they
chose not to make a direct attack upon WASHINGTON, they seem to have had no
apprehensions of an attack from him. But he was resolved to avail of the
occasion of their march through the State of New Jersey, to attack and
annoy them. This he did on the memorable 28th of June, near Monmouth
court-house; and had his judicious plan been faithfully executed, or his