Kovats and Pulaski

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The following letter was written to Benjamin Franklin in Latin as it was the only common language that was intelligible between the two men corresponding. The opening line is personally an underrated piece of American literature.

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Most Illustrious Sir:

Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold.

I, who have the honor to present this letter to your Excellency, am also following the call of the Fathers of the Land, as the pioneers of freedom always did. I am a free man and a Hungarian. As to my military status I was trained in the Royal Prussian Army and raised from the lowest rank to the dignity of a Captain of the Hussars, not so much by luck and the mercy of chance than by most diligent self discipline and the virtue of my arms. The dangers and the bloodshed of a great many campaigns taught me how to mold a soldier, and, when made, how to arm him and let him defend the dearest of the lands with his best ability under any conditions and developments of the war.

I now am here of my own free will, having taken all the horrible hardships and bothers of this journey, and I am willing to sacrifice myself wholly and faithfully as it is expected of an honest soldier facing the hazards and great dangers of the war, to the detriment of Joseph and as well for the freedom of your great Congress. Through the cooperation and loyal assistance of Mr. Faedevill, a merchant of this city and a kind sympathizer of the Colonies and their just cause, I have obtained passage on a ship called "Catharina Froam Darmouth ", whose master is a Captain Whippy. I beg your Excellency, to grant me a passport and a letter of recommendation to the most benevolent Congress. I am expecting companions who have not yet reached here. Your Excellency would be promoting the common cause by giving Mr. Faedevill authorization to expedite their passage to the Colonies once they have arrived here.

At last, awaiting your gracious answer, I have no wish greater than to leave forthwith, to be where I am needed most, to serve and die in everlasting obedience to Your Excellency and the Congress.

Most faithful unto death,

Bordeaux, January 13th, 1777. Michael Kovats de Fabricy

P. S: As yet I am unable to write, fluently in French or English and had only the choice of writing either in German or Latin; for this I apologize to your Excellency.

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Colonel Kovats served with Colonel Casimir Pulaski in helping develop the Continental Army's Cavalry forces. One was Hungarian nobleman the other a Polish Nobleman. Both were attracted to the cause of freedom and liberty of the American revolution. Both paid the ultimate price, one in Savannah, one in Charleston. We are indebted to their expertise and prowess as hussars and light cavalry on the eastern European battlefields. They are just two of the many immigrants and foreign officers who equipped, financed their own voyages, and gave all for a cause they believe in that wasn't their own.

Let's remember them and all the others this independence day. Happy 4th of July.


Kazimierz Pułaski.PNG

Colonel Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski

Kováts Mihály.jpg

Colonel Michael Kovats de Fabriczy 

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