Order of Cincinnatus

American Independence was advanced with the assistance of brave French Officers who departed from their motherland, sacrificed their luxuries, and rejected their tranquility to fight along side a newly declared People and cause for Liberty. Many tombs remain throughout our Republic, with fading inscriptions, memorializing their lives and scarifies; which will never cease to exist in the conscience of the American People.

Among these Frenchmen was M. le Marquis de Lafayette, a brave young solider with a burning hatred for injustice and tyranny, inspired by a newly established People seeking to break the shackles of British rule. Through the course of the American Revolution, Lafayette claimed fame by his battle victories, spirit and willingness to fight for the American Republic. His motives were generous and sincere, not reinforced by the advancement of his own sovereign Nation or his riches and luxuries, but to the American People themselves. From time to time on this earth, the destiny of two Men intertwine and become one, and of these none were greater than Washington and Lafayette.

Through the course of American Independence, a great respect and friendship had been conjured between Washington and Lafayette. After the Revolution, Lafayette was charged by Washington and Congress to decide which French Soliders received the Order of Cincinnatus, which recognized those French Officers who won special distinctions in the Revolution and assisted the efforts of Independence. Some of these French Officers created what was known as the Society of Cincinnati; today known as Cincinnati.

Among the words of Washington, these will forever live in the hearts of the sons and daughters of Ohio;

“I wish to see the young people of this world at peace, all busy and happy in fulfilling the first and great commandment: Increase and Multiply. As encouragement, we have opened the fertile plains of Ohio to the poor, the unfortunate, the oppressed of the earth. All those who are overladen, broken down, seeking a soil to cultivate, may come and find the promised land flowing with milk and honey. I am content! America is assured of her Independence. Mankind has won its cause; Liberty is no longer homeless on the Earth.”

Letter to Lafayette from Washington