Fr 138247 HARVARD Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, by MACK, ANDRUS, & WOODRUFF, in the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New York. PREFACE. IN reading and reflecting upon the history of the past, and contemplating the lives of those illustrious men to whom this country is indebted for its freedom, it has occurred to me, that the services and character of LAFAYETTE are not fully appreciated by the American people. But how should they be appreciated, unless they are known? The name of LAFAYETTE is familiar, and is cherished in popular tradition, as honourably connected with our revolutionary struggle. The materials for a more intimate knowledge of him are scattered through many voluminous collections of publick documents, and works of History and Biography. He has been incidentally and favourably no. ticed by several American, French, and English authors. Memoirs and sketches of his life have been compiled and published-most of them hastily devised and executed for some special occasion, and comprising only particular periods of his eventful career. But there seems at this time to be wanted a connected narrative of the events of LAFAY ETTE's whole life, from his birth to his death-embracing his publick services, military and civil, in America and France; as the hero of three revolutions; the victim of despotism in the prison of Olmutz; the restorer of liberty in the "three glorious days of July ;" his domestick history and habits; his publick and private characterin such a plain, economical form, as will bring it within the means of all classes of readers to purchase, to peruse, and to comprehend. To supply this deficiency, is the object of the present volume. Although written in haste, amidst other cares and avocations, since the commencement of January last, the task has not been accomplished without considerable labour, investigation and reflection. In the progress of it, the following works have been consulted, viz:-The Life and Writings of Washington, by Mr. Sparks; the Life of Governeur Morris, by the same; Mar 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 endeavoured to cull the most interesting facts; to reconcile and correct their discrepancies and contradictions; and to weave from the materi. als thus 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 impracticable. 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 author. ship. 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 contribute 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 favourite 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-Prophetick senti- ments-Arrives at Georgetown, S. C.-Lands on the American shore-Swears to conquer or perish in the cause-At the house of Major Huger-First impressions-Reception at Charleston-Letter Cool reception-Offers to serve at his own expense, and as a volun. teer--Accepted by Congress-Commission as Major-General- Lafayette's first interview with Gen. Washington-His arrival at the American camp-His description of the army-Anxious for an The Crisis-Sufferings of the army-Events and movements-Arri- val of the enemy's fleet-March of the army-Battle of Brandy- wine-Lafayette wounded-His account of the battle-Is con. veyed to Bethlehem-Employment there-Domestick correspond. ence-Zeal, correspondence and projects, in behalf of America- Movements of the armies-Battle of Germantown-Minor opera- Lafayette returns to head-quarters-Domestick anxiety and corres- pondence-Difficulty of communication with France-Situation and feelings-Desire for a command-Gen. Washington's letter on the subject-Success merited and won-Battle of Gloucester-De- cision of Congress-Lafayette's character appreciated-Letter of Patrick Henry-The army in winter quarters-Its great sufferings at Whitemarsh and Valley Forge-Lafayette the soldier's friend -His zeal and humanity-His habits-Solicits the alliance of Dissensions, painful to Lafayette-Conway's Cabal-Lafayette rc- mains faithful to Gen. Washington-Correspondence between them-Lafayette hears of the birth of a daughter-Determines to remain in America-Letter to Madame Lafayette-Expedition against Canada-Lafayette appointed to the command-Rebukes the enemies of Washington-Journey to Albany-Difficulties en- countered-Letters to Gen. Washington-Lafayette's liberality- Visit to the Indian tribes-Letter to Baron Steuben-Expedition Preparations for the Campaign of 1778-Influence abroad of Lafay ette's example-American commissioners in Paris-Policy of the French government-Favourable impressions in Europe-Joy in France at American success--Prospects of an alliance-Lord North's Conciliatory Bills-Treatise between France and the Uni- ted States-Celebration of this event--New oath of allegiance- Administered by Lafayette-Objection by Woodford's brigade-Ob- |