The Toast to Save the Nation York PA

The Toast to Save the NationYork PA Statue of Marquis de Lafayette outside of the Gates House in York PA.

Fact or Fiction • In the winter of 1777-1778 the United States Congress met in York PA. While the congress was in York a famous event was rumored to have occurred known as “The Toast to Save the Nation”. Some historians believe that this event may have occurred and others believe that it is just a tall tale that did not occur at all. The only published account of the event was by Lafayette himself in his memoirs which were released 60 years after the event supposedly had taken place. Your group has been tasked with analyzing various primary sources from the time period and decide if there is evidence to support whether the event could have occurred.

Background of the Toast • By the winter of 1777-1778, some of the country’s leaders were rumored to secretly criticize George Washington as the Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War. There was actual a rumored plan to replace Washington known as the Conway Cabal. Lafayette was invited by congress to York PA to accept command of a military campaign to Canada as part of the war. After Lafayette met with congress, he was invited to attend a dinner with members of congress. It was customary at that time to toast one another before dinner. Lafayette was a friend of Washington and he was aware that some of Washington’s critics were present at the dinner, referring to them as “rascals”. When the toasting began and Washington had yet to be recognized, Lafayette toasted General Washington. The men knew that they had to support Lafayette’s toast or they might loose his support. Lafayette was the French military representative and if they lost his support, they would loose the support of France as well. This toast was rumored to save Washington’s job and force the men who opposed him to show support for him. Washington went on to victory in the Revolutionary War and that is why the toast “saved the nation”.

Task • Analyze the following primary sources (click on title of each slide) and complete a NARA worksheet for each • Look for clues that would support or dispute whether the toast could have happened • Look for clues that show how various people felt towards George Washington during this time period • Create a video to report your findings (see rubric)

Primary Source One • A letter from Henry Laurens (President of the Continental Congress) to Marquis de Lafayette • This letter is in response to a letter written by Lafayette to Laurens which indicates his displeasure with Thomas Conway

Primary Source Two • Letter from Lafayette to his wife Adrienne • This letter discusses his relationship with General George Washington

Primary Source Three • This painting depicts George Washington taking command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, MA in 1775.

Primary Source Four • This is a painting from 1866 that depicts George Washington and a congressional committee at Valley Forge in 1777.

Primary Source Five • Music and lyrics to the song Yankee Doodle • There is also a brief history of the song • There is said to be over 190 versus of the song that have been created over time. The last few versus were added about George Washington

Primary Source Six • Music titled “George Washington” from 1776 • The lyrics are not included • (If the music file does not open, copy the link from the title bar and paste it back into the title bar)

Primary Source Seven • Music and lyrics to a song about Major Andre • There is also a brief history of the song

Primary Source Eight • Map of some of General Washington’s battle engagements • There is also an abstract to the map

Primary Sources Used • 1: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/hlaw:@field(DOCID+@lit(dg008582)) • 2: http://www.clevelandmemory.org/Lafayette/documents/doc9.shtml#english • 3: http://www.archives.gov/research/american-revolution/pictures/images/revolutionary-war-016.jpg • 4: http://www.archives.gov/research/american-revolution/pictures/images/revolutionary-war-042.jpg • 5: http://www.contemplator.com/america/ydoodle.html • 6: http://www.earlyamerica.com/music/GenWashington.mid • 7: http://www.contemplator.com/america/andre.html • 8: http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/maps/map1/

The Toast to Save the Nation York PA