The anniversary of America’s Alliance with France was celebrated on February 18, 1779, at Pluckemin, New Jersey, at a very elegant entertainment and display of fireworks given by General Knox and the officers of artillery. It was postponed to this late day on account of His Excellency General Washington’s absence from camp. General Washington, the principal officers of the Army: Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Greene — Mrs. Knox; the gentlemen and ladies for a large circuit around the camp, were in attendance. Besides these esteemed guests, there was a vast concourse of spectators from every part of the Jerseys. The artillery barracks are at a short distance from Pluckemin, on a rising piece of ground that shows them to great advantage. The entertainment and ball were held in the academy of the Park.
A description of the thirteen paintings exhibited at the first anniversary of the Franco-American Treaty of Alliance, celebrated at Pluckemin on February 18, 1779. About four o’clock in the afternoon, the celebration of the Alliance was celebrated by the discharge of thirteen cannon, when the company assembled in the academy, to a very elegant dinner. The room was spacious, and the tables very prettily disposed both as to prospect and convenience. Thee festivity was universal, and the toasts descriptive of the happy event, which had given certainty to our liberties, empire, and independence.
The New Jersey Gazette – Trenton, March 3, 1779
In the evening, a very fine set of fireworks was exhibited, conducted by Col. Stevens — arranged on the point of a Temple one hundred feet in length, and proportionally high. The Temple shewed THIRTEEN arches, each displaying an illuminated painting. The center arch was ornamental with a pediment, larger than any of the others; nd a colonnade f the Corinthian order supported the whole edifice.
The 13 Paintings at Pluckemin’s Grand Alliance Ball, February 13, 1779
The fireworks probably took place in a large pavilion or Temple. The Temple was 100 feet long, with 13 arches decorated with evergreens, each displaying illuminated paintings and mottos descriptive of American independence and liberty, all supported by Corinthian columns. The center arch was ornamented with a large pediment, larger than the others. The Temple was proportionately high for the exhibit and stood in front of the Pluckemin Academy.
Note: These paintings are recreations of what was described in detail in documents that Mr. Local History researchers reviewed during their analysis and are for reference to the story, built with the help of artificial intelligence.
The illuminated paintings were disposed in the following order:
| Order (Left to Right) | Painting Title | Description | Rendition (best efforts) |
| 1 | Peace with All Her Train of Blessings | Peace holding an olive branch with harvest honors at her feet and flourishing cities, ports, ships, and emblems of commerce in the background |  |
| 2 | The Fallen Heroes in Elysium | Brutus, Cato, and champions against tyranny received Warren Montgomery, Ash, and other fallen American heroines. |  |
| 3 | The Sea Fight off Ushant | Naval battle between Count d Orvilliers and Admiral Keppel |  |
| 4 | The Convention of Saratoga | British surrender agreement following the Saratoga campaign |  |
| 5 | The Battle near Saratoga | October 7, 1777, American victory over British forces | |
| 6 | The American Philosopher Extracting Lightning from the Clouds | Benjamin Franklin, drawing lightning from the clouds, symbolizing science and diplomacy |  |
| 7 | The Fathers in Congress | Continental Congress guiding the American cause Motto Nil desperandum republicae |  |
| 8 | France’s King Louis XVI | Ally and friend of the American people supporter of the American cause |  France’s King Louis XVI |
| 9 | America Represented as a Rising Empire | Fertile country, ships canal,s rising cities, es and a bright sun emerging on the horizon |  |
| 10 | Britain Represented as a Decaying Empire | Balandren l, and broken arches,ches fallen spires, ships le, having a gloomy setting sun. |  |
| 11 | The Separation of America from Britain | A magnificent arch broken in the center symbolizing the break with Britain |  |
| 12 | British Clemency | Burning of Cha,rlestown, Falmou,th Norfolk and Kingston |  |
| 13 | The Commencement of Hostilities at Lexington | Opening of the American Revolution at Lexington |  |
Renditions of the 13 paintings at the Pluckemin Pavilion celebrating the French Alliance in 1779.
When the fireworks were finished, the company returned to the academy and concluded the celebration with a very splendid ball, T. The whole was conducted in a style and manner that reflects great honor on the managers’ taste. The news, announced to Congress, from the Spanish branch of the house of BOURBON, arrived at the moment of celebration; nothing could have been more opportunely, increased
the good humor of the company, or added to those animated expressions of pleasure which arose on the occasion.
Original Post: December 2009
Updated: March 15, 2026
