He entered the army, sailed for America in 1777 to aid the
        colonists, and by Washington was given a division. He was home for a 
        few months in 1779, crossed the Atlantic again, was charged with the
        defence of Virginia, and shared in the battle of Yorktown. On a third
        visit to America, in 1784, he had an enthusiastic reception.
               Now a pronounced reformer, he was called to the Assembly of
        Notables in 1787, sat in the States-General, and in the National
        Assembly of 1789. He laid on its table a declaration of rights based
        on the American Declaration of Independence and, appointed to command
        the armed citizens, formed the National Guard.
              He struggled incessantly for order and humanity, but the
        Jacobins hated his moderation, the court abhorred his reforming zeal.
        He supported the abolition of title and all class privileges. He won
        the first victories at Philippeville, Maubeuge and Florennes, but the
        hatred of the Jacobins increased, and at length he rode over the
        frontier to Liege and was imprisoned by the Austrians till Bonaparte
        obtained his liberation in 1797.
              He sat in the Chamber of Deputies in 1818-1824 as one of the
        extreme Left, and in 1825-1830 was again a leader of the Opposition.
        In 1824 he revisited America, by invitation of Congress, who voted him
        200,000 dollars and a township. In 1830 he took part in the
        Revolution, and commanded the National Guards.
 
 

Source: Chambers's Biographical Dictionary.