shall's Life of Washington; Botta's History of the American Revolution; Thatcher's Journal; Lee's Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department; Life of Arthur Lee; Franklin's Works; Jefferson's do.; the Madison Papers; the Lives of Hamilton, Gerry, Patrick Henry, Paul Jones, &c. &c.; Crowe's History of France; Thier's French Revolution, Mignet's do.; Carlyle's do.; Scott's Napoleon; Recollections of Mirabeau; Dumas' Memoirs; Chastellux's Travels; Memoirs, Correspondence, and Manuscripts of Lafayette, published by his family; Sarran's Memoirs of Lafayette; and the Revolution of 1830; Holstein's Memoirs of Lafayette; Levasseur's Lafayette in America; Cloquet's Private Life of Lafayette; Carter's Letters from Europe; Lady Morgan's France; with many other biographical sketches, books of travel, historical essays, newspaper files, &c. &c.-comprising in all not less than one hundred volumes. From these numerous sources I have endeavored to cull the most interesting facts; to reconcile and correct their discrepancies and contradictions; and to weave from the materialsthus gathered, a faithful narrative of the life and character of LAFAYETTE, with a strict regard to truth and justice, and to correct chronological and historical order. To state in each instance to which author I may be indebted for an incident, a thought, or a narrative sentence, would be impracti cable. Where I am deserving of credit, for originality of arrangement, of diction or of sentiment, the reader will award it where I am not, that credit will be withheld, or awarded to others. I have no pride or ambition of authorship. I claim no merit for this volume, except that of a faithful compilation :-And what else is all History-all Biography? If this work shall be deemed worthy to rank with the useful publications of the day-if it shall contrib ute to elevate the taste and sentiments of the American people, and increase in them the desire of investigating the history and biography of their own country; and if it shall lead them justly to appreciate the services and merits of one to whom they are so much indebted for the privileges they enjoy-my object will be attained-I shall be amply rewarded. Ithaca, July, 1841. CONTENTS. Lafayette His ancestors-His father: death of, at Minden-Histori- cal discrepancies relative thereto-Lafayette's posthumous birth- Proud title and wealthy inheritance-Chevaniac, the place of his nativity-His infancy and childhood-Delicate constitution- Strong intellectual powers-His education-Death of his Mother and Grandfather-becomes a favorite at Court-Is appointed one of the queen's pages, and a commissioned officer in the king's regi ment-Marries at the age of sixteen-His wife's family-Her amia- ble and noble character-Lafayette's love of liberty, early and innate-A poor courtier-Refuses a place-Was prepared to espouse Commencement of the American Revolution-Its high character and objects-Lafayette among the first to espouse its cause-Origin of that intention-Resolves to go to America-Opposition of family and friends-Interview with Mr. Deane-Secret preparations—Mr. Deane's written stipulation-News of American disasters-their effects-Franklin and Deane dissuade Lafayette-His perseverance and confidence-Prepares to purchase and equip a vessel- Opposi. tion of the French government-Vigilance of the British envoy- evades it--Corresponds with Franklin and Deane-Visit to England -Distinguished reception-Openly avows his sentiments-Hastily returns to Paris-Prepares to depart for America-Government in terference-His arrest ordered-Trying crisis--Proceeds in dis. Sails for America-Voyage-Difficulties with the captain-Study and employment-Letters to Madame Lafayette-Prophetic sentiments -Arrives at Georgetown, S. C.-Lands on the American shore- Swears to conquer or perish in the cause-At the house of Major |