declared his political opinions. Lafayette on this occasion retired with sixty of his colleagues, and signed a protest which declared, that the public taxes having become illegal by the violation of the liberty of the representatives, their payment was not obligatory.

At a previous session, in vindicating the beneficial results, of the revolution, Lafayette had said: "The revolution was the emancipation and developement of the human faculties, and the restoration of nations. This is so true, that the friends of liberty have always been and still are hated by the adversaries of the revolution, in proportion to the efforts they have made to prevent it being sullied by crimes and successes, The truth of this latter declaration had formerly been, and was again to be, verified in his own case. The independence of his course as a deputy, the boldness with which he had denounced usurpations and abuses, and appealed to the patriotism and energy of the people, brought upon him the displeasure of the government, and furnished pretexts for formal accusations. In 1823, a positive accusation of treasonable designs was brought by the procureur du roi, (Manguin) who pretended to have proof against Lafayette, and who, in the excess of his monarchical zeal, exclaimed: "Ah! were I but his judge!" The colleagues of Lafayette, who were implicated with him, having demanded justice against the calumny, Lafayette mounted the tribune, and without deigning to deny the fact, spoke as follows:

"In spite of my habitual indifference to party accusations and an. imosities, I still think myself bound to add a few words to what has fallen from my honorable friend. During the whole course of a life en. tirely devoted to the cause of liberty, I have constantly been an object of attack to the enemies of that cause, under whatever form, depotic, aristocratic, anarchic, they have endeavored to combat it. I do not complain, then, because I observe some affectation in the use of the word proved, which the procurer-general has employed against me.— But I join my honored friends in demanding a public inquiry, within the walls of the chamber, and in the face of the nation; there I and my adversaries to whatever rank they belong, may declare without reserve all that we have mutually had to reproach each other with, for the last thirty years."

Before this challenge the adversaries of Lafayette recoiled, and the accusation was pursued no further. Through intrigues and election frauds, however, the ministry succeeded the same year (1823) in defeating his election to the septennial chamber of deputies.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Lafayette determines to visit America-His departure and voyage— Arrives at New York-Is received with enthusiasm-Journey to and reception at Boston-Returns to New York-Brilliant fete at Castle Garden-Voyage up the Hudson-Return-Goes south-Reception at Philadelphia-Visit of Lafayette to the tomb of WashingtonCelebration at Yorktown-Honors and Hospitalities in VirginiaReturns to Washington-Reception by Congress Address of Mr. Clay-Lafayette's answer--1 r--Munificent act of Congress-How received and accepted by Lafayette-Rapid tour through the Southern and Western States-Sketch of the route and some of the incidents of his journey-Arrives in Boston-Universal astonishment at the journey performed- The anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill— Lafayette assists in laying the corner stone of the monument--Returns to Washington-Farewell visit to the Ex-presidents in Virginia--Celebration of Lafayette's birthday-Close of his tour--Its incidents and character--Farewell address of President Adams-Lafayette's reply-Embarks on board the frigate Brandywine-Bids a final adieu to America.

LEFT once more to pursue his private inclinations, Lafayette determined to gratify the wish he had long entertained, of revisiting America-America, the scene of his youthful glory, and the long-cherished object of his affectionate remembrance. His intention soon became known in the United States, and created a deep sensation among the public authorities and all classes of the people. Mr. Monroe, then president, promptly wrote to Lafayette, offering to send a frigate to any part of France, to convey him to the United States, at such time as he should appoint. Congress, in February, passed a resolution repeating the offer of a frigate, and expressed to Lafayette the sincere attachment of the whole nation, with the ardent desire to see him among them. This resolution was communicated officially to Lafayette by President Monroe, under date of February 24th, 1824. The munincipal authorities of Boston, New York, and other cities of the Union, also wrote to Lafayette, tendering to him in advance, the hospitality of their respective cities.

Lafayette declined, with respectful acknowledgments, the

offer of a frigate. Accompanied only by his son, and M. Levasseur, his secretary, he repaired to Havre, on the 12th July, having engaged a passage in an American merchant ship, the Cadmus. The citizens of Havre had prepared to manifest their respect for Lafayette on his arrival among them; but the interference of the police, the creatures of a government verging towards despotism or dissolution, prevented the public manifestations which had been arranged. When he embarked, however, the next day, July 13, a large concourse of people assembled to witness his departure, and in despite of the minions of power, gave a spontaneous mani. festation of their feelings. Lafayette was received on board the Cadmus with three hearty cheers, which were re-echoed by the crews of the vessels in port, and the immense crowds which thronged the shore. The sails were soon after spread to a favorable breeze, and the vessel proceeded on its me. morable voyage.

On the first of August, while the vessel was becalmed, and Lafayette was seated upon deck with other passengers, enjoying the quiet scene of an unruffled ocean, a small boat approached, filled with persons in uniform. They proved to be British officers from a vessel on its way to Halifax, which was also becalmed within sight of the Cadmus. The officers came on board, and exhibited at first no little arre gance of manners. In reply to their questions as to the character and destination of his vessel, Capt. Allyn, of the Cadmus, named and pointed out to them General Lafayette. The manner of the officers immediately changed. They took off their hats, and received the proffered hand of the general with cordiality and respect. They partook of refreshments with him, conversed for half an hour, and took leave in the most respectful manner. It was a tribute paid to the valor and virtue of the man, and not to Lafayette, as one of the conquering heroes of the American revolution.

The Cadmus arrived within Sandy Hook on the morning of the 15th of August. The artillery of fort Lafayette announced to the city of New York the approach of the "Nation's Guest." It being Sunday, Lafayette accepted the invitation of Vice-President Tompkins, to land on Staten Island, and remain at his hospitable mansion until the next day.

The reception of Lafayette by the authorities and people

of the city of New York, was cordial and splendid beyond precedent or description. Early on the morning of the 16th, the city poured forth its aquatic hosts, anxious to have the first glimpse of a man to whom the whole nation was prepared to give so warm and well-merited a welcome. The spacious bay was soon covered with water craft of every size and description, from the fragile skiff to the most spacious and splendid steamer, decorated with flags and banners, and filled with excited multitudes of both sexes and all class

es of citizens. Amidst this scene Lafayette embarked from Staten Island on board the steam-boat Chancellor Livingston, which had been designated to convey him up the bay. On board of this boat, to receive and escort him, were the various deputations of the city, the generals and officers of the militia, the army and navy; a detachment of infantry, and more than two hundred of the principal citizens of New York. Among these Lafayette soon recognized several of his old fellow-soldiers, who rushed into his arms, overjoyed to behold him once more in the land he had contributed to make free and prosperous, after an absence of forty years, during which he had undergone so many dangers and sufferings for the cause of liberty in other lands. A general greeting followed. While these scenes of gratitude and joy were passing, a band of music struck up the favorite French air, "Ou peut-on etre mieux qu'au sein de sa famille” -Where can one be better than in the bosom of his family? The immense flotilla, splendid and imposing beyond the power of language to describe, moved forward; and at two o'clock Lafayette landed at the Battery, "amidst the acclamations of two hundred thousand voices, which hailed him with blessing and welcome." He was met by the Lafayette Guards, who wore badges upon their breasts with the portrait of Lafayette, and escorted in front of a long line of militia, drawn up to receive him, and who were all decorated with a similar badge. At the end of this line, amidst the roar of cannon from the forts and the shores, Lafayette entered an open barouche, drawn by four white horses, and, amidst an immense procession, was escorted to the city hall, where the munincipal authorities, headed by the mayor, awaited to receive him in an appropriate manner. Every street through which the procession passed, was decorated with scrolls and flags. From the crowded windows wreaths of flowers were

showered by fair hands upon the venerable head of the general; and the words "Welcome Lafayette!" were displayed upon thousands of banners, and echoed and re-echoed from thousands of tongues. In the great saloon of the city hall, Lafayette for two hours received the enthusiastic greetings of the people. From thence he was conducted to lodgings which had been prepared for him at the City Hotel, at that time the largest and most popular public house in the city, where a splendid dinner, at which all the civil and military authorities were present, closed the proceedings of the day.

"The

For four days Lafayette remained in New York, receiving the congratulations of numerous public bodies, of his old friends and the citizens generally. On the 20th of August, accompanied by a numerous escort, he commenced his route to Boston. From every hamlet and village on the way, the people poured forth to pay him honors and to bid him welcome. Five days and five nights, for they travelled until midnight, and started again at five o'clock in the morning, were occupied in this journey. But amidst the numerous displays of a nation's gratitude, these night marches were not the least pleasing or imposing. long file of carriages (says Levasseur) escorted by horsemen bearing torches; the fires lighted from place to place upon the tops of the hills, and around which were grouped families whom the desire of beholding their guest had kept watching; the somewhat wild sound of the trumpet of our escort, repeated several times by our woodland echoes, the sight of the sea, which occasionally came into view on our right, and the distant and decreasing peal of the bells which had announced our passage, all formed around us a picturesque and enchanting scene. In this manner we passed through Fairfield, New Haven and New London, in Connecticut; Providence, in Rhode Island, and finally the route from Rhode Island to Boston."

On the frontier of Massachusetts, Lafayette was met by the aids of Governor Eustis, and a fresh escort. They arrived by torch light at the village of Roxbury, the residence of Governor Eustis, two miles from Boston. There they remained for the night.

The next morning Lafayette entered Boston, accompanied by a numerous escort and a large concourse of citizens who came out to meet him. His reception by the