friends and allies, and the affection of their citizens. We pray God to keep your majesty in his holy protection.

"Done at Philadelphia, the 22nd day of October, 1778, the Congress of the United States of North America, your good friends and allies. HENRY LAURENS, President." These testimonials of Congress were acknowledged by Lafayette in the most feeling manner.

'Nothing can make me happier (he says) than the reflection that my services have met with their approbation; the glorious testimonial of confidence and satisfaction repeatedly bestowed on me by the representatives of America, though superior to my merit, cannot exceed the grateful sentiments they have excited. I consider the noble present offered to me in the naine of the United States as the most flattering honor; it is my most fervent desire soon to employ that sword in their service against the common enemy of my country, and of their faithful and beloved allies.

"That liberty, safety, wealth, and concord, may ever extend to the United States, is the ardent wish of a heart glowing with a devoted zeal and unbounded love, and the highest regard and the most sincere affection for their representatives."

Equally honorable to Lafayette, was the testimonial of M. Gerard, the French minister in this country. Writing (October, 1778,) to Count de Vergennes, minister of foreign affairs in France, he said:

I ought not to terminate this long despatch, without rendering to the wisdom and dexterity of the Marquis de Lafayette, in the part he has taken in these discussions, the justice which is due to his merits. He has given most salutary counsels, authorized by his friendship and experience. The Americans have strongly solicited his return with the troops which the king may send. He has replied with a due sensibility, but with an entire resignation to the will of the king. I can. not forbear saying, that the conduct, equally prudent, courageous, and amiable, of the Marquis de Lafayette, has made him the idol of the Congress, the army, and the people of America. A high opinion is entertained of his military talents. You know how little I am inclined to adulation; but I should be wanting in justice, if I did not transmit to you these testimonials, which are here in the mouth of the whole world.”

Thus honored and respected, after an arduous and glorious service of fifteen months in the cause of America, Lafayette left Philadelphia on horseback for Boston. The Alliance, a fine frigate of thirty-six guns, had been assigned by Congress, to bear the adopted son of America to the land of his nativity. And how justly, in reference to this period, has Marshall remarked: "The partiality of America for Lafayette was well placed. Never did a foreigner,

whose primary attachments to his own country remained undiminished, feel more solicitude for the welfare of another, than was unceasingly manifested by this young nobleman, for the United States."

The fatiguing journeys and over-exertions that he had gone through, the painful excitement which he had experienced from the difficulties at Rhode Island and Boston, and the no less exciting, yet less painful, scenes at Philadelphia, of conferences in relation to military affairs, and the more important purposes of his return to France, together with the social festivities and public manifestations of respect, to which he was, in "killing kindness" subjected, had seriously impaired the health of Lafayette. Every where, in the progress of his journey, too, which he performed on horseback in an inclement and rainy season, feasts and entertainments were prepared for him by the inhabitants, in which he could not avoid participating. When, therefore, he reached Fishkill, about eight miles from Gen. Washington's camp, he was obliged to yield to the violence of an inflammatory fever. For three weeks he was confined here. His life for a time was despaired of. A report went abroad that he was actually dead, which occasioned great regret in the army, where he was called the soldier's friend. The people, too, every where manifested deep anxiety for the fate of The Marquis, the name by which he was in popular phrase designated. Lafayette, also, at one time thought himself dying. Speaking afterwards of his feelings on the occasion, he remarks, that "he regretted that he could not hope again to see his country and the dearest object of hist affections. Far from foreseeing the happy fate that awaited him, he would willingly have exchanged his future chance of life, although but one and twenty years of age, for the certainty of living but for three months, on condition of again seeing his friends, and witnessing the happy termination of the American war."

Gen. Washington, who, when Lafayette was wounded at Brandywine, had enjoined the surgeon to take care of him as if he were his own son, manifested during this illness the utmost kindness and paternal attention, calling daily to inquire about him. Doct. Cochrane, an eminent physician in the army, gave up his whole attention to Lafayette; and by his skill and assiduity the disease was conquered. At

this time, Doctor Thatcher paid a visit to Lafayette, which is thus described in his Journal, (November 27):- "Visited my friends at Fishkill, and by the request of Colonel Gibson, I waited on the Marquis de Lafayette. The Colonel furnished me with a letter of introduction, and his compliments, with inquiries respecting the Marquis' health. I was received by this noblemen in a polite and affable manner. He is just recovering from a fever, and was in his chair of convalescence. He is nearly six feet high, large but not corpulent, being not more than twenty-one years of age. He is not very elegant in his form, his shoulders being broad and high, nor is there a perfect symmetry in his features; his forehead is remarkably high, his nose large and long, eyebrows prominent and projecting over a fine anima. ted hazel eye. His countenance is interesting and impressive. He converses in broken English and displays the manners and address of an accomplished gentleman. Considering him a French nobleman of distinguished character, and a great favorite of General Washington, I feel myself highly honored by this interview."

When his health was sufficiently restored, Lafayette took an affectionate leave of Gen. Washington, and accompanied by Doctor Cochrane, resumed his journey on horseback. This last interview was deeply impressive, and has called forth from Lafayette one of the most eloquent and just tributes to the character of Washington, that we have ever met with. Speaking of the affection manifested for him by Washington, he says:

"And how is it possible that he (Washington,) should not have been warmly cherished by his disciple, (Lafayette,) he who, uniting all that is good to all that is great, is even more sublime from his virtues than from his talents? Had he been a common soldier, he would have been the bravest in the ranks; had he been an obscure citizen, all his neighbors would have respected him. With a heart and a mind equally correctly formed, he judged both of himself and circumstances with strict impartiality. Nature whilst creating him expressly for that revolution, conferred an honor upon herself; and to show her works to the greatest possible advantage, she constituted it in such a peculiar manner, that each distinct quality would have failed in producing the end required, had it not been sustained by all the others."

On arriving at Boston, (Dec. 11,) Lafayette found that the Alliance was not yet ready for sea. There was a difficulty in obtaining sailors; and it was at length concluded to make

up the required number, by accepting several English and - Irish deserters and prisoners, who had offered their services for the purpose. Count D'Estaing, whom Lafayette was desirous of meeting, had left Boston. A numerous British fleet under Admiral Byron, had in October sailed from New York for the purpose of attacking the French fleet in Boston harbor. A furious storm drove them to sea, and so damaged the British vessels as to compel them to put into Newport, to repair. Count D'Estaing took advantage of this circumstance, and sailed on the 3d of November, with his whole fleet, for the West Indies. Although he had thus failed in his plans of co-operation for the campaign of the year, the count was esteemed both by Washington and Lafayette, as a brave and skilful officer; and he left the country as he came to it, the firm friend of the American cause.

Lafayette, after being otherwise in readiness, was detained some days, in expectation of further communications from Congress. The proposed Canada expedition, had been under consideration, while he was at Philadelphia, and since he had left that city. At one time a plan, which had been sanctioned by Lafayette, for the combined operations against Canada of the United States and France, the ensu ing summer, had been agreed upon in Congress, and was to have been sent to Doctor Franklin, for the sanction of the French government. In the mean time it was submitted to Gen. Washington, whose disapproval of it led to a reconsideration of the subject. It was eventually decided to abandon the project for the present; and Gen. Washington and President Laurens were directed to communicate this decision to Lafayette. Their letters were delayed, and did not reach Lafayette until after his arrival in France.

At length, not having received the expected communications, Lafayette concluded to set sail, and announced that intention to Gen. Washington in a letter dated January 5th, 1779. In this letter he remarks: "My health is now in the best condition, and I would not remember I was ever sick, were it not for the marks of friendship you gave me on that occasion. My good doctor (Cochrane) has attended me with his usual care and tenderness. He will see me on board, and then return to Head Quarters; but the charge of your friend was entrusted to him till I was on board the frigate. I have met with the most kind hospitality in this

* *

*

city, and, drinking water excepted, the doctor has done every thing he could to live happy; he dances and sings at the assemblies most charmingly. Farewell, my beloved general; it is not without emotion I bid you this last adieu, before so long a separation. Don't forget an absent friend, and believe me, for ever and ever, with the highest respect and tenderest affection.'

He did not, however, sail until the 11th, and again took leave of Gen. Washington, as follows:

"On board the Alliance, off Boston, 11th Jan., 1779. "The sails are just going to be hoisted, my dear general, and I have but time to take my last leave of you. I may now be certain that Congress did not intend to send anything more by me. The navy board and Mr. Nevil write me this very morning from Boston, that the North River is passable; that a gentleman from camp says, he did not hear of any thing like an express for me. All agree for certain that Congress think I am gone, and that the sooner I go the better.

"Farewell, my dear general; I hope your French friend will ever be dear to you; I hope I shall soon see you again, and tell you myself with what emotion I now leave the coast you inhabit, and with what affection and respect I am for ever, my dear general, your re. spectful and sincere friend."

CHAPTER XII.

The voyage--Incidents and dangers-Storm-Vessel dismasted-→ Conspiracy of the crew-Its suppression-Arrival at Brest-Lafay ette's feelings-His cordial reception--At Versailles-Affected displeasure of the king-Ludicrous vindication of royal prerogativeLafayette in temporary exile-The queen's curiosity to see himHis liberation-Gracious reception at court-Becomes the lion of the day-Remembers the patriots of America-Patronised by the queen-Her admiration of Washington-Count de VergennesLafayette negotiates for aid to America-Proposed descent upon the English coast-Paul Jones-Correspondence with-Expedition abandoned Preparations for an invasion of England, by Spain and France-Lafayette advances money for America--Offers to pledge his fortune-Plans for hiring vessels--For a loan-Letter of Washington-To Franklin-Lafayette's correspondence with Gen. Washington and the President of Congress.

THE destinies of nations, as well as of individuals, are controlled by an overruling Providence. Infidelity, in its affected boldness, may deny it; but by the conscience of