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Hodges, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team MEMOIRS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS VISIT TO AMERICA, AND OF HIS RECEPTION BY THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES; FROM HIS ARRIVAL, AUGUST 15TH, TO THE CELEBRATION AT YORKTOWN, OCTOBER 19TH, 1824 by Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE [Illustration: Lafayette] _DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS--To wit_: _District Clerk's Office_. Be it remembered, that on the 2d day of November, A.D. 1824, in the forty-ninth year of the independence of the United States of America, E.G. House, of the said district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit--Memoirs of General Lafayette, with an account of his visit to America; and of his reception by the people, of the United States, from his arrival, Aug. 15. to the celebration at Yorktown, Oct 19, 1824. In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States entitled, "an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an act entitled "an act supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical, and other prints." JNO. W. DAVIS, _Clerk of the Dist. of Mass_. ADVERTISEMENT, BY THE EDITOR. * * * * * It is a poor apology to offer for any defect or omission in a work intended for the information of the public, that it was prepared in haste. Yet in the present case it can be offered with truth. The Editor of this volume knew nothing of the plan, until it had been some time proposed, and many subscribers obtained. The gentleman by whom it was first intended to have been prepared, was suddenly taken away, without writing, or even collecting any thing for the volume. It was undertaken with reluctance, as it was known the public would he impatient for the work, and as the publisher was also desirous it should be prepared in a few weeks. It is only fifty days since the task was begun. It is believed, however, that several documents, not yet published, will be found in this volume; and that many events and incidents are preserved, which would otherwise have been lost to the public. Everything relating to the life and character of this extraordinary man, is certainly worthy of remembrance by the benevolent and intelligent through the civilized world, and especially by Americans, to whom he has rendered the most essential services. The endeavour has been to avoid panegyric; though in this case, a plain statement of facts may be construed, by those ignorant of the life of Lafayette, into a disposition to bestow extravagant praise. It has been a source of much satisfaction to the Editor, to find so many proofs of consistency and of principle, as well as of zeal in the cause of rational liberty, which the life of this heroic and disinterested personage affords. And if he shall appear in this hasty memoir, as the ardent, undeviating, and sincere friend of civil freedom and of the rights of man, it will be because he justly merits such a high character. In the account of his reception by the people of this country, in various places, during his present visit, it may be thought that we have been too particular. It was promised, however, in the proposals for the volume, that such relation would be given. It is believed that it will be found to be interesting, and that it will be a satisfaction hereafter, to recur to it. This account embraces the time which elapsed after he landed at New-York, August 15, 1824, to the celebration of the capture of the Brittish [sic] army at Yorktown, October 19. These statements were, copied principally from the public newspapers; and it was thought to be unnecessary to give credit for them, or to insert the usual marks of quotation. _Boston, Nov_. 1, 1824. TABLE OF CONTENTS * * * * * Introductory remarks Birth and education of Lafayette His purpose to visit America in 1777 His arrival and early service in America Battle of Brandywine Washington's attachment to him Commands in northern department Escape from British near Philadelphia Battle of Monmouth Brave conduct of Lafayette A volunteer to R. Island Journey to Boston Proposal to visit France Resentment of the conduct of British Commissioner Visit to Boston Embarks there for France Resolve of Congress honorable to Lafayette Letter of Franklin Return to America in 1780 Services in France in behalf of America Letter of Gen. Washington Commands in Virginia in 1781 His services and bravery in that department Escapes from Cornwallis His troops deserting Critical situation His conduct approved by Washington He applauds Gen. Wayne Proposes to visit France again Resolves of Congress approving his conduct Letter to Congress His letter to S. Adams Mr. Adam's reply Doings of Massachusetts Details of service at Yorktown Events on his return to France Letter to Sir H. Clinton Visit to America in 1784 Arrives in Boston His reception Honorable notice of his services, by Congress His public conduct in 1786 Meeting of States' General, 1787 In favor of reform New Constitution in 1789 Supported by Lafayette Parties in France and civil commotions Commands the Militia of Paris The Parisian mob Struggle for power between monarchists and reformers Louis attempts to leave France Jacobin clubs Letter to Bouille His enemies cabal Commands part of the French army Letter to the national assembly, June 1792 Letter to the King Letter to the assembly Opposed and denounced by the Jacobins His firmness and patriotism His address to the soldiers Leaves France Arrested and confined Removed to prison at Olmutz His letter Washington seeks for his release Fox and others intercede for his release Bollman and Huger attempt his deliverance Failure, and subsequent confinement Madame de Lafayette Her imprisonment Lafayette released Reply to Emperor of Austria Proceeds to Holland Return to France 1800 Offered a seat in the Senate by Bonaparte His income and estates His letter to the First Consul Not a supporter of Bonaparte Neglected by Napoleon G. W. Lafayette Death of Madame de Lafayette Her character Retirement of Lafayette Louis XVIII restored Lafayette desirous of constitutional liberty His conduct after the battle of Waterloo and abdication of Napoleon Retirement to private life Correspondence with A. Hamilton His family Madame de Stael's opinion of him Elected a member of assembly 1819 His efforts for constitutional liberty His mode of life, and employment His Benevolence Gen. Washington's kindness to his son Visit of Mr. Fox to Lafayette Manners of Madame Lafayette Religion of Lafayette Charity among Christians His character and opinions His decision and consistency Invitation of Congress do. from Boston, &c. His replies His arrival at New-York His reception in New-York Journey to Boston His arrival in Boston Address of the Mayor His answer Address of Governer of Massachusetts Address of Cincinnati Answer to do. Commencement Visited by Bostonians Phi Beta Kappa Visit to Charlestown and Bunker Hill Bunker Hill Monument Visit to Gov. Brooks Evening Parties Brattle Street Church Visit to President Adams Military parade Apology for great rejoicings Militia Visit to Salem Address of Judge Story Visit to Ipswich, and Newburyport To Portsmouth Return to Boston Visit to Lexington and Concord Bolton, Lancaster Visit to Worcester Judge Lincoln's address Journey to Connecticut Reception at Hartford Return to New-York Lafayette's toasts Visit to the schools Grand ball at Castle Garden Visit to West-Point Visit to Newburgh His visit to Hudson Arrival at Albany Kindness to soldiers, in 1777 Returns to New-York Journey through New-Jersey Princeton Trenton Philadelphia Governor's address Reply to the same Address of Mayor The answer Illumination Vindication of Quakers Reply to Frenchmen Capt. Barron's address Answer to same Journey through Delaware Visit to Baltimore Address of Cincinnati Address of Gov. Maryland Answer Governor Sprigg Visit to Washington Reception by the President Address of Mayor of Washington Visit to Alexandria To the tomb of Washington Arrival in Yorktown Jefferson's letter Address of Committee of Virginia Answer of Lafayette Address of Governor of Virginia Reply of Lafayette His reception at Yorktown Address of Col.