#ralph izard

[my-deer-history]

Prussia?

I have always been curious about John Laurens' throwaway comment to his father that he was considering a stint in Prussia prior to his return to America:

If I could manage to spend the Winter as a Volunteer in Prussia, at little expence, I shd come out to you pretty well trained early in the Spring_ if the service to be learn'd in the time will not make it worth the while which matter I am just now consulting_ I shall take my Passage immediately for Carolina_

John Laurens to Henry Laurens, 26 October 1776

The Prussian army at the time was renowned for its military successes, discipline and training regimen, and did frequently accept foreign volunteers – so it wasn't a completely farfetched idea.

And it turns out that John did indeed ask around about this! He received some advice from fellow South Carolinian Ralph Izard:

You say nothing of your son. I heartily rejoice at his promotion. He must have informed you that he was very desirous of going into the Prussian army. I dissuaded him from it, and advised him if he was determined upon becoming a soldier, to take Marshal Saxe and the Chevalier Folard's Commentaries upon Polybius into his hands and go to America, where an ample field would be open to him. I am happy to find that he has had no cause to repent of having followed my advice.

Ralph Izard to Henry Laurens, 25 July 1778

In his 17 August 1777 letter to his father, John does indeed request Saxe's book. If the Folard book is the one I've linked above, then he may have been able to purchase it in London, as it was a recent publication.

[my-deer-friend]

Probably, Mr. John Laurens will—before this gets to your hands—be arrived in Charlestown. Should his father and Rutledge, be both absent, I dare say he will assist you, in rendering me any service. I beg you will offer my affectionate regards to him. I had the pleasure of seeing his wife and daughter, three or four days ago.

Ralph Izard to Ralph Izard Jr., 19 June 1777

I had almost forgot to tell Mrs. Izard, that I saw Mr. Temple the other day—and that Mrs. Temple is quite recovered. Mrs. Laurens desires to be remembered—as do all your friends—to you both.

"A relation" to Ralph Izard, 19 August 1777

[preblesboys]

The Izard Brothers

Ralph Izard (jr.) was in the U.S. Navy during the Barbary Wars. He was with Stephen Decatur during the burning of the USS Philadelphia but is unknown if he fought during the War of 1812. His brother George Izard meanwhile was in the army protecting the Lake Champlain area during the War of 1812.

Do you see the resemblance?

Yes obviously

Nope, not really

Voting ended onAug 30, 2025

[yr-obedt-cicero]

Will you permit me to congratulate with you upon the favorable appearances in our American concerns and particularly upon your safe arrival at Paris, and further to request you will forward in the best manner the times will afford, the two inclosed Letters, one to Ralph Izard Esquire and the other to my daughter in Law in London the latter if War is kindled between France and England must take a circuitous route by Holland or Flanders and under particular protection. Command me at any time to do ten times as much in return and be assured of my chearful obedience.

Source — Henry Laurens to John Adams, [May 19, 1778]

The letter to Izard may have concerned his affairs in South Carolina that Laurens had undertaken to oversee while Izard was absent in Europe. The “daughter in Law” is Martha Manning, sister-in-law of Benjamin Vaughn, and wife to John Laurens. She remained in England until in the spring of that 1781, where she then set out for France to join her husband - who had been appointed an American minister - but died before reaching him.

[john-laurens]

[Laurens’s] gallantry, in action, was highly characteristic of his love of fame.  The post of danger was his favourite station.  Some, indeed, may style his display of intrepidity, at every risk, the height of rashness.—Strictly speaking, it was so.  But, at the commencement of the war, when the British Officers were persuaded, or affected to believe, that every American was a coward, such total disregard of personal safety, on the part of Laurens, such display of chivalric intrepidity, that equally excited their surprise and admiration, was, essentially, beneficial to our cause.  To deny that his anxiety to meet the foe, led him too often into unnecessary peril, is impossible.  I had, too often, cause to see and to lament it.  Let one instance suffice to prove it.  A Centinel on the bank of Ashley River, opposite to Dorchester, perceiving a Red Coat moving through the brush wood on the other shore, gave the alarm that the enemy were without their lines.  This being communicated to Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, a troop of dragoons, and a company of infantry of the Legion, were ordered to cross the river and reconnoiter.  But, the rapidity of the stream determined Captain O’Neal, who commanded, to wait till a boat, which had been sent for, should arrive.  In the interim, Lieutenant Colonel Laurens gallopped up and demanded with warmth, “Why this halt, Captain—were not orders given to cross?”  “Yes, Colonel, but look to the current, and judge if it be practicable.”  “This is no time for argument,” rejoined Laurens.  “You, who are brave men, follow me.”  Saying this, he plunged into the river, but was instantaneously obliged to quit his horse, and with extreme difficulty reached the opposite shore.  O’Neal, than whom a braver man did not exist, indignant at the speech of Laurens, replied, “You shall see, sir, that there are men here as courageous as yourself,” and at the head of his troop, entered the river.  I cannot do justice to the scene that followed.  All was tumult and confusion; for, although no life was lost, several of the men were so nearly drowned, that it became necessary to use every means to make them disgorge the water they had swallowed; and all were so much exhausted, that a temporary halt was indispensably necessary.  The infantry, by the aid of plank, and large doors torn from a neighbouring ware-house, passed over with less difficulty.  In the mean time, Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, attended by Messrs. Ralph and Walter Izard, and Mr. Wainwright, who ever accompanied him as his Aids, hastened to the spot where the British regimental had been seen.  It then was found, that a military coat had been hung up in a tree, by a soldier who had been whipped and drummed out of the 64th Regiment, for drunkenness, and whose lacerated back would admit of no covering.

From Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War in America, with Sketches of Character of Persons the Most Distinguished, in the Southern States, for Civil and Military Services by Alexander Garden (of Lee's Partisan Legion; aid-de-camp to Major General Greene; and honorary member of the historical society of New-York)

[foundingfatherjohnlaurens]

This letter is from the day that John left Martha behind and started his journey home. Interesting that he encounters Benjamin Franklin so quickly. So much of John’s life feels fated to me.

[yr-obedt-cicero]

The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

On the 25th of September, in New York City, which was then the seat of government — The inaugural session of the first Congress was about to recess when, Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey rose to introduce a resolution;

“That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States, to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.”

(source — Founders Archive, check footnotes)

Boudinot's resolution sparked a large debate. But the House was not unanimous in its determination, Aedanus Burke of South Carolina objected that he “did not like this mimicking of European customs, where they made a mere mockery of thanksgivings.”

Thomas Tudor Tucker, also of South Carolina, thought;

“The House had no business to interfere in a matter which did not concern them. Why should the President direct the people to do what, perhaps, they have no mind to do? They may not be inclined to return thanks for a Constitution until they have experienced that it promotes their safety and happiness. We do not yet know but they may have reason to be dissatisfied with the effects it has already produced; but whether this be so or not, it is a business with which Congress have nothing to do; it is a religious matter, and, as such, is proscribed to us. If a day of thanksgiving must take place, let it be done by the authority of the several States”

(source — Founders Archive, check footnotes)

Although Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, praised Boudinot, citing biblical precedents. The proponents of a Thanksgiving celebration prevailed, and the House appointed a committee consisting of Boudinot, Sherman, and Peter Silvester to approach the president with the idea. The Senate agreed to the resolution on the 26th, and appointed William Samuel Johnson and Ralph Izard to the joint committee. On the 28th, the Senate committee confirmed that they had laid the resolution before the president.

Alexander Hamilton heard of the news and helped Washington draft the Thanksgiving Proclamation, which was released to the public on the 3rd of October, 1789;

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation would set the standard for Thanksgiving Proclamations by future presidents, a list that included; James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and then every president up to the present day.

Whatever reservations may have been held by some public officials, the day was successfully celebrated throughout the nation. The Virginia assembly, for example, resolved on the 19th of November;

“That the chaplain to this House, be accordingly requested to perform divine service, and to preach a sermon in the Capitol, before the General Assembly, suitable to the importance and solemnity of the occasion, on the said 26th day of November”

(source — Journal, by Virginia. General Assembly, House of Delegates)

Most newspapers printed the proclamation and announced plans for public functions in honor of the day. Many churches celebrated the occasions by soliciting donations for the poor. And although it isn't the same as the national holiday we celebrate today, many of the wealthy would still either donate to the poor or gather around for a family dinner.

But only in 1863, would Thanksgiving actually become an official holiday. President Abraham Lincoln encouraged Americans to recognize the last Thursday of November as “a day of Thanksgiving.” And a few years later in 1870, Congress followed suit by passing legislation making Thanksgiving.