The year 1776 had seen delicate negotiations between American agents in Paris, including Silas Deane, and Louis XVI and his foreign minister, Comte Charles de Vergennes.

The king and his minister hope that by supplying the Americans with arms and officers, they might restore French influence in North America, and exact revenge against Britain for the loss in the Seven Years' War.

When the young Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, heard that French officers were being sent to America, he had demanded to be among them.

He met Deane, and gained inclusion despite his youth.

On December 7, 1776, Deane had enlisted Lafayette as a major general.

The plan to send French officers (as well as other aid) to America comes to nothing when the British hear of it and threatened war.

Lafayette's father-in-law, de Noailles, had scolded the young man and told him to go to London and visit the Marquis de Noailles, the ambassador to Britain and Lafayette's uncle by marriage, which he did in February 1777.

In the interim, he did not abandon his plans to go to America.

Lafayette had been presented to George III, and spent three weeks in London society.

On his return to France, he goes into hiding from his father-in-law (and superior officer), writing to him that he is planning to go to America.

De Noailles is furious, and persuades Louis to issue a decree forbidding French officers from serving in America, specifically naming Lafayette.

Vergennes may have persuaded the king to order Lafayette's arrest, though this is uncertain.