French soldier and diplomatist, born in Paris in 1741; entered the army and distinguished himself during the Seven Years’ War, in which he reached the rank of major-general in 1762, and was placed in command of the Royal Grenadiers. He entered diplomatic service as French minister, first to Bavaria, and in 1779 to the United States. In the latter capacity he spent four years in Philadelphia and never failed to show his sympathy for the young Republic. He even guaranteed a personal loan, much needed to furnish food for the troops in 1780; and in return he obtained, in 1782, the agreement that Congress should not ratify the treaty of peace with Great Britain until peace should be agreed upon between France and Great Britain. He returned to Europe in 1783, the bearer of many public testimonials of esteem. In 1789, the first Secretary of State of the Federal government was instructed by Washington to write to the Chevalier a letter of official thanks for services rendered. He was ambassador to the Court of St. James’s, where he died on the 14th of September 1791.
