Hungarian Heritage Review, 1990 (19. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1990-01-01 / 1. szám
The Broglie mission reported that it was only a matter of time before the colonies would revolt against the mother country. But Broglie was operating contrary to the interests of the French Foreign Ministry; this led to his banishment from Versailles. The regiments under his command, including the renowned Poloreczky Hussars, were disbanded. Restored to favor, however, Ferenc András accompanied Broglie’s nephew to America to observe the expected victory. László Poloreczky was designated to accompany Lauzun to convey the announcement of victory to Versailles. Ferenc cautioned his younger brother that there was considerable intrigue against Lauzun at the French Court. PARTING OF THE WAYS On his return to France, Janos László discovered that his brother’s estimation of the situation at the Court was correct. The French snubbed Lauzun; his powerful patron, M. de Maurepas, had died shortly before his arrival. Moreover, the great victory at Yorktown was overshadowed by the birth of an heir to the throne. Other Hungarians were leaving service to the French crown. Moritz Benyovsky had served in the Pulaski Legion until the death of its commander. He set out on one last expedition - leading a group of American would-be colonists to take over his beloved Madagascar. In a skirmish against his former French benefactors, Benyovsky was killed. His younger brother, Ferenc, returned to Hungary where he became involved in a lawsuit that extended well into the next century. Understandably, Janos László Poloreczky decided to part company with the French. In 1783, when peace was concluded, he resigned his commission in Philadelphia and made his way to New England. He was thus spared the trauma of the French Revolution. His elder brother attempted and failed to rescue the Royal family, and he fled to Hungary. The Duc de Lauzun, joining the Revolutionary cause, was condemned to death after losing a battle. He went to the guillotine with his usual sang-froid. When the executioner came to fetch him, Lauzun was dining on a final breakfast of oysters. He handed the executioner his wine glass, saying, “Take this. You must have need of courage in your profession.” And, at the foot of the guillotine, Lauzun said, “We are both Frenchman; we shall both do our duty.” Janos Laszio Poloreczky settled down in the town of Dresden, Maine, as town clerk. Now known as John Ladislaus Poloreczky, he petitioned Congress for a veteran’s pension as well as for the cost of the horse killed beneath him at White Plains, New York. His petition, constantly blocked by a jealous local politician, was finally granted by a special act of Congress in 1830, the year of Poloreczky’s death. While the Major did not live to collect his money, his petition became a precedent for the comprehensive package of benefits enjoyed by American veterans today. 24 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW JANUARY 1990
