Washington made no delay, but on the fifth of September started for the “Head of the Elk.” He had but just passed Chester, when he met a courier from Lafayette, with announcement of the arrival of the Count de Grasse. Riding back to Chester, Washington advised Rochambeau of the welcome tidings, and then pushed forward, arriving at the Head of Elk the next morning. The previous day had been one of peculiar excitement in the city of Philadelphia. A formal review and rigid inspection of the entire French army took place, and the President of the American Congress received the honors of the occasion. During the evening, the French officers gave a grand banquet in honor of Chevalier Lauzun. The despatch to Washington was read amid cheers. A half hour later, a second despatch, announcing “the landing of Count de Simon and his junction with Lafayette,” was read; and read a _second_ time, “all standing” in its honor. On this memorable date, September 6th, other events of interest are to be noticed. It was Lafayette’s twenty-fourth birthday. In a letter to his wife, still preserved by the family, he poured forth from an overflowing soul, his “love for his great Captain”; “for the American cause”; appreciation of his “enviable lot, as victory is drawing nigh,” and his “longing to tell her, face to face, of thrilling adventures, which had never been interrupted by night or day.” September 6th, also, Clinton wrote to Cornwallis: As I find by your letters, that Count de Grasse has got into the Chesapeake, and I have no doubt that Washington is moving with at least six thousand French and rebel troops against you, I think the best way to relieve you, is, to join you, as soon as possible, with all the force that can be spared from here, which is about four thousand men. They are already embarked, and will proceed, the instant I receive information from the admiral that we may venture; or that from other intelligence, the commodore and I should judge sufficient to move upon. By accounts from Europe we have every reason to expect Admiral Digby hourly upon the coast.