left Philadelphia on the 14th, and arrived at Mount Vernon on the 17th of August. Washington and Lafayette were once more together. It was a meeting, hallowed by earth and heaven. The purest of patriots, the sincerest of friends, the bravest and most successful of military commanders, mingled their congratulations upon the successful termination of their toils, and the establishment of a nation's free dom.

After enjoying for fourteen days the hospitalities of Mount Vernon, Lafayette returned to the north. While sojourning a few days in Philadelphia, he added to the numerous acts of private liberality, most of which, amounting in the ag gregate to a large sum, must ever remain among the hidden treasures of time, one that has recently been made publick. Matthew Carey, since well known as an eminent bookseller and able writer, persecuted in Ireland for his political opinions, had just arrived in Philadelphia, poor and nearly penniless. Lafayette being accidentally informed of the fact, invited Mr. Carey to call upon him; received him with kindness; encouraged him in the project he contemplated of establishing a newspaper in Philadelphia, and a few days after sent him as a free gift, the liberal sum of four hundred dollars. For this act of sympathy and generosity, Lafay. ette never wished or expected to receive payment; but Mr. Carey, who became a wealthy, as well as highly respectable and useful citizen, subsequently repaid him the full amount.

From New York Lafayette ascended the Hudson River, and accompanied the commissioners to negotiate a treaty with the Indians at Fort Schuyler. His influence here was highly beneficial, as it had ever been in treating with the savage tribes. He made to the chiefs many presents; and his name is still remembered among the Indians of the west. From thence he passed through the states of Connecticutt, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, to Boston; and everywhere he was greeted by the people and by the publick authorities, with every proof of welcome, affection, and respect, and of gratitude for the im. mense services he had rendered to the country. At Boston, particularly, he was entertained by a numerous body of the Society of Cincinnati, comprising many of his companions in arms, who had contended for and established with him, the Independence of America. From Boston he proceeded

by water, in the French frigate Nymphe, to the Chesapeake Bay. He landed at Yorktown, and passed over the scenes of his late military exploits, to Williamsburg and to Rich mond. Here, on the 17th of November, he met with Gen. Washington, who had arrived two days previous. The Legislature of Virginia was then in session. Gen. Washington had been congratulated by them on his arrival; and immediately on learning the arrival of Lafayette, the House of Delegates adopted the following resolution :

"The house being informed of the arrival, this morning, of the Marquis de Lafayette in this city, Resolved, nemine contradicente, that a committee of five be appointed, to present to him the affectionate respects of this house, to signify to him their sensibility to the pleasing proof given by this visit to the United States, and to this state in particular, that the benevolent and honourable sentiments which originally prompted him to embark in the hazardous fortunes of America, still render the prosperity of its affairs an object of his attention and regard; and to assure him, that they cannot review the scenes of blood and danger through which we have arrived at the blessings of peace, without being touched, in the most lively manner, with the recollection, not only of the invaluable services for which the United States at large are so much indebted to him, but of that conspicuous display of cool intrepidity and wise conduct, during his command in the campaign of 1781, which, by having so essen tially served this state in particular, have given him so just a title to its particular acknowledgments. That, impressed as they thus are with the distinguished lustre of his character, they cannot form a wish more suitable, than that the lesson it affords may inspire all those whose noble minds may emulate his glory, to pursue it by means equally auspicious to the interests of humanity.

"And a committee was appointed of Mr. Henry, Mr. Madison, Mr. Jones, (of King George,) Mr. Mathews, and Mr. Brent."

To this address, Lafayette made the following polite and feeling answer :—

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Gentlemen,-With the most respectful thanks to your honourable body, permit me to acknowledge, not only the flattering favour they are now pleased to confer, but also the constant partiality, and unbounded confidence of this state, which in trying times, I have so happily experienced. Through the continent, gentlemen, it is most pleasing for me to join with my friends in mutual congratulations; and I need not add what my sentiments must be in Virginia, where step by step have I so keenly felt for her distress, so eagerly enjoyed her recovery. Our armed force was obliged to retreat, but your pa triotick hearts stood unshaken and while either at that period, or in our better hours, my obligations to you are numberless; I am happy in this opportunity to observe, that the excellent services of your mi litia were continued with unparalleled steadiness. Impressed with

the necessity of federal union, I was the more pleased in the com. mand of an army so peculiarly federal; as Virginia herself freely bled in defence of her sister states.

"In my wishes to this commonwealth, gentlemen, I will persevere with the same zeal, that once and for ever has devoted me to her.May her fertile soil rapidly increase her wealth-may all the waters which so luxuriently flow within her limits, be happy channels of the most extensive trade-and may she in her wisdom and the enjoyment of prosperity, continue to give the world unquestionable proofs of her philanthropy and her regard for the liberties of all mankind. "LAFAYETTE."

From Richmond, Lafayette returned with Gen. Washington to Mount Vernon, where he remained about a week. From thence, Washington accompanied him to Annapolis, where publick honours were conferred upon him by the Legislature of Maryland, and he and his heirs male were de clared citizens of the state; the same privileges of citizenship were granted in Virginia, and in several other states of the Union. Here the two hero-friends parted, on the 30th of November, never to meet again this side of the grave. Lafayette proceeded to Trenton, where Congress was then in session. A committee, consisting of one member from each state, was appointed by that body, to receive, and to take leave of, Lafayette, in the name of Congress. The committee was instructed to assure him, that Congress continued to entertain the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, both here and in Eu rope, which they had frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his atten tion to their commercial and other interests had perfectly confirmed: "That, as his uniform and unceasing attachment to this country has resembled that of a patriotick citizen, the United States regard him with particular affection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honour and prosperity, and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him." It was further resolved, "that a letter be written to his most Christian Majesty, to be signed by the President of Congress, expressive of the high sense which the United States, in Congress assembled, entertain of the zeal, talents, and meritorious services of the Marquis de Lafayette, and recommending him to the favour and patronage of his majesty."

The next day, (December 10th,) the purport of these res

olutions was communicated to Lafayette, in the Hall of Congress, with an appropriate address, by John Jay, Chairman of the Committee. The reply of Lafayette, fervid and eloquent, breathing a spirit of devotion to the best interests of America, concluded as follows: "May this immense temple of freedom ever stand as a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights of mankind! and may these happy United States attain that complete splendour and prosperity which will illustrate the blessings of their government, and for ages to come rejoice the departed souls of their founders! Never can Congress oblige me so much as when they put it in my power, in every part of the world, to the latest day of my life, to gratify the attachment which will ever rank me among the most zealous and respectful servants of the United States."

About the time that he thus took a solemn leave of Congress, Lafayette received the following affectionate and deeply impressive farewell letter from Gen. Washington: "Mount Vernon, 8 December, 1784.

"MY DEAR MARQUIS- The peregrination of the day in which I parted from you ended at Marlborough. The next day, bad as it was, I got home before dinner.

"In the moment of our separation, upon the road as I travelled, and every hour since, I have felt all that love, respect and attachment for you, with which length of years, close connexion, and your mer its have inspired me. I often asked myself, as our carriages separated, whether that was the last sight I should ever have of you? And though I wished to say No, my fears answered Yes. I called to mind the days of my youth, and found they had long since fled to return no more; thit I was now descending the hill I had been fiftytwo years climbing, and that, though I was blest with a good constitution, I was of a short-lived family, and might soon expect to be entombed in the mansion of my fathers. These thoughts darkened the shades, and gave a gloom to the picture, and consequently to my prospect of seeing you again. But I will not repine; I have had my day.

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"It is unnecessary, I persuade myself, to repeat to you, my dear Marquis, the sincerity of my regards and friendship; nor have I words which could express my affection for you, were I to attempt it. My fervent prayers are offered for your safe and pleasant passage, happy meeting with Madame de Lafayette and family, and the completion of every wish of your heart; in all which Mrs. Washington joins me; as she does in compliments to Captain Grandecheau, and the Chevalier, of whom little Washington often speaks. With every sentiment, which is propitious and endearing, I am, &c."

With these honours and benedictions, and reciprocating

in his heart every act and expression of kindness which had been bestowed upon him, Lafayette for the third time took leave of America. He embarked at New York, amidst a primitive national salute of thirteen guns, on board the Nymphe frigate, Dec. 25th, and arrived safely in Paris, on the 25th of January, 1785.

CHAPTER XXI.

Lafayette's official connexion with America terminates-He enters upon another field of action-Continues to serve America-Visits the courts of Germany-Reception by the Emperour Joseph and Frederick the Great-His liberal principles confirmed Plans for emancipating the blacks from slavery-Purchases an estate at Cayenne for that purpose-His views approved by Gen. Washington-Their nature and extent-For gradual, not sudden, emancipation-Favours the French Protestants-The bust of Lafayette, presented by the State of Virginia, through Mr. Jefferson, to the municipality of Paris-Is placed, with imposing ceremonies, in the Hotel de Ville.

HERE closed the official connexion of Lafayette with America. We are now to trace his progress upon another -a more broad, and not less interesting and important, field of action. But although labouring as a Frenchman, to establish free institutions, and the rational liberties of the people in France, Lafayette was not the less devoted to the interests of the young republick of the west, to the foundation of which he had so essentially contributed. After his return from the United States, he immediately exerted his influence to establish the commercial intercourse of the two countries upon reciprocal principles. He endeavoured especially to secure for the Americans a favourable market in France for what were at that time important items of their commerce, namely, whale oil, the production of the eastern fisheries, and tobacco, the growth of the southern states. These ser

vices were acknowledged warmly and promptly, by Gen. Washington. In a letter to Lafayette, September 1, 1785, he said: "Your constant attention, and unwearied endeav. ours to serve the interests of the United States, cannot fail to keep alive in them a grateful sensibility, and the affectionate regard of all their citizens for you.'