### April 16 On April 16, 1778, I had the honor of being the only delegate, among six others, to sign the military commission of the Marquis de Lafayette. It was a distinguished occasion, with all the pomp and circumstance fitting of the time. Among the guests present were General George Washington, and my fellow fellow Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George C. Wythe. I recall that after the signing of the commission, General Washington and his entourage indulged in a celebratory toast. Of course I had to do the honors and volunteered to pour the drinks. But as I went about my duties, in a moment of clumsiness, I managed to drop the bottle on the floor breaking it into many pieces! I had never seen the general laugh so hard. Amid all the laughter, I made a joke which still holds true to this day: "I have not only broken the bottle, but the ice between us!" My friends said they'd never forget the sight of me, scrambling to clean up the mess, while the general looked on in amusement. All in all, it was an eventful day, and one that I always remember to this day.