1From Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette to Mary Catherine Hellen Adams, 6 September … (Adams Papers)
On this Sad time of My departure I find a Consolation, My dear Miss Hellen, in Expressing the Grateful Sense I Shall ever Retain of Your kindness to Me, and the Affectionate Wishes for Your Happiness, Which an old friend Entering His 69th Year most Cordially Offers DSI .
2To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am Arrived in the fond Expectation to See of Sunday morning, But find myself once more disappointed in my Eagerness to Reach Monticelo; the kindness of our friends on the Road will Make the Journey less Expeditious than I Had intended it, and the Great Business of the elections on Monday Has Coincided with those preparations to make it inconvenient for many to receive us on that day. I...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 6 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Rapatel aid de Camp to General Moreau is going to America where He wishes His Services May Be Accepted. He is an officer distinguished By His Interest His Character and Several Actions of Eclat. His Numerous Brothers are, as well as Himself faithfully Attached to the patriotic Cause. the Honor He Had to Serve in Gnl Moreau’s family ought to Have Recommended Him at Any time and with Every...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The kind invitation from the citizens of Charlottesville is on Every account gratifying to my feelings, and Amidst the Motives that contribute to my Eagerness to pay to them in person my Respectful thanks, I know they will with pleasure admire my afectionate sense of the ties which Unite them to my Excellent friend. I expect, at last, to Reach Monticello Next Thursday, and shall there ait for...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
General Pepe’s character is so well known to you that it is only as His friend that I claim the Right of introduction to Monticelo: time is not very distant when I will have the delight to introduce myself. But as he goes from England, I from France, and my own arrangements are not yet settled, I thought I Had better transmit these lines for you, sensible as I am of the pleasure you will feel...
6To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of my letter, Chevalier de Lambert, a French gentlemen, will do himself the honor to wait upon you, and I beg leave most earnestly to recommend him to your Excellency’s kind patronage.—You know, my dear General, I have ever been averse to the introduction of foreigners in our army, and since I am in France I have been deaf to every application of that sort. In the present instance,...
7To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d 7ber is just come to Hand. Mine of Yesterday Mentionned that the ships in York River Had gone down. Inclosed is the Account I Receive of an engagement off the Capes. What disposition has been made for the internal protection of the Bay I do not know. Iames River is still guarded but We Have not as Yet Rreceived any letter from Count De Grass relative to His last...
8To James Madison from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
The only intelligence I Have derived from the last packet Are that You Have Been ill but Had Recovered Your Health, and that You Are Going to be Made a president of the United States. My feelings on Every One of these Accounts You do Not Question. I am Equally Sure of Your Sympathising Concern for the Cruel Loss Which Has devoted to Eternal Grief a Heart Hitherto Superior, I Can Say, to...
9To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this Mr Lavaud Came to Me with a Recommendation from Viscount de Choiseuïl in the West Indias, and an other from Major General Lincoln who By this time Must Be with the Army—He wishes to Serve as A Volonteer, But I told Him that my family was full, and could not Be increased with french aids de Camp—that my detachement was Small, and Had No Room for Volonteers—He then asked me a...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter will Be presented By Mm. Armand de Leller and Casimir Rham two Swits Gentlemen, Near Relations to My Excellent friends Mm. de Leller. Permit me to ReCommend them to You, and as they will Be Long on their Way I only Add the Expression of My Grateful Affection and Respect DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
11To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
You Have So often Been pleased to Ask I Would Give My opinion upon Any subject that May occur, that I will this day take the Liberty to Mention a few Articles. I am far from Laughing at the idea of the Ennemy’s Making a Retreat—it is not very probable—But it is not impossible. Indeed they Have no other way to escape—and Since We Cannot get ships above York I would be still more Afraid of a...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Permis me to offer you, in the name of young and very distinguished friend M. Thierry, an intimate friend also to m r de Tracy a Work which is much approved in france, and may seem to you not unworthy of your Historical selection for the University. The author is on the point of loosing His sight. it is a great pity We leave Here for the Brandywine on the 7 th . My Heart is too full to write...
13To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed You will find some Numbers a Copy of Which I Have kept and Which Contain some Names that May probably Occur in our Correspondance. I Need Not telling you, My dear General, that I will Be Happy in Giving You Every Intelligence in My power, and Reminding You of the Most Affectionate friend You Can Ever Have. The Goodness You Had to take upon Yourself the Communicating to the Virginia...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Connel who is Returning to the United States is pleased to take Charge of some Books which our excellent friend tracy Has desired me to forward in His name to you. as it is probable an other letter will Have Reached You Before this packet I shall only offer my affectionate Respects, and those of my children and to renew to you, to the whole family, my ardent wishes for your Better Health,...
15To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
We are Going to Sail, My dear friend, and the last Account I Hear from the shore, the first one I Am to Give in Europe is a New success of General Grene—fort Anne and 300 men taken, the Ennemy litteraly Reduced to Charlestown and Savahna Will Make a pretty Paragraph in the French Gazette—I Will Make it My Business to Work about the Thing You Must Naturally Wish—God Grant I May Have Soon the...
16To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 26 August 1824 (Adams Papers)
On My Arrival at this Beloved place it Was My intention to Hasten to quincey and Embrace You Thursday Morning. You know the Circumstances Which Have delayed this eagerly Wished–for Gratification; There Will Be a Compensation in the pleasure to See Your Son Arrived on Next Sunday. Receive the affectionate Respects of Your old friend MHi : Adams Papers.
17To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 31 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We have Certain Intelligence, My dear General, that Lord North is out of place. He Has Himself Announced that event in Parliament, and Said a New Minister Whould Be Named in the Course of two or three days. It is Generally Believed Marquis de Rockingam will Replace Him—Charles Fox is likely to get into Administration, and there will not be Better principles to be found in the New Ministry than...
18To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Intelligences just Received I Hear that the British fleet Have Returned to Lyn Haven Bay, and that they were Accompagnied By A Number of Vessels Supposed to Be transports from New-york. From A Conversation with A Gentleman who Having Been taken a few days Before the Engagement was during the Action on Board the Charlestown frigat, I Have Got A particular Account of What Has past in that...
19To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 18 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
As there is no knowing When this Letter May Reach You, I Shall Content Myself With the Introduction of mr de Venkersky a Polander Whom I often Have Met in Several Societies—He is a Sensible Man, of Good family, and, I think, Some What deranged in His Money Concerns—This is all I know of Him, But Upon His Earnest Application, Could not deny Him the Happiness to Be presented to General...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter By mr Gallatin I announce to you, my dear friend, two Books of which I now inclose. my affection for the author makes me wish to know your opinion of the only book from An English pen that is in favor of American Institutions and American character. Your old affectionate friend DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
21To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Constant Mourning of Your Heart will be deepened by the Grief I am doomed to impart. Who Better than You can Sympathise for the Loss of a Beloved Wife? The Angel who for thirty four Years Has blessed My Life was to You an Affectionate, Grateful friend—pity me, my dear Jefferson, and believe me for Ever, with all My Heart, Yours Mr. and Mde. de Tessé, at Whose House We Have Attended Her...
22To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be delivered to Your Excellency by Capt. Rochefontaine who is joining the grand Army and will leave this Corps with the few Sapers and Miners we had taken from West Point—I dont apprehend they may be useful to us, and it would have been very inconvenient for them to be seperated from their Corps where they are to receive every kind of supply. with the highest respect—I have...
23To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
the disapointement Clel Tupper Met with is So Singular that I wish to Give Your Excellency a full account of this Affair. When the detachement was at the Head of Elk Clel Vose expressed a desire to Return to the Northward founded Upon the particular Circumstances He was Under Which Nothing But fear of Giving Exemple to His Officers and Men prevented Him officialy to Signify— from what He often...
24To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am Happy to inform Your Excellency that Count de Grasse’s Fleet is lastly arrived in this Bay—it Consists of 28 ships of the Line with Several frigats, and convoys a Considerable Body of troops Under Marquis de st Simon—Previous to their Arrival Such positions Had Been taken By our Army as to prevent the Ennemy’s Retreating towards Carolina. In Consequence of Your Excellency’s orders I Had...
25To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 September 1824 (Adams Papers)
I Have Been Very Happy to See You, and altho’ I Regretted The Shortness of My Visit, and the absence of Your Son, I Have Cordially Enjoy’d, More indeed than I Can Express it, the pleasure to Embrace My old Respected friend and Revolutionary Companion. This letter is Entrusted to Clol Huger Whose Noble Enterprise, Sufferings, and dangers at olmutz You Well know. I am Returned from an Excursion...
26To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Great Happiness is derived from friendship, and I do particularly Experience it in the Attachement which Unites Me to You. But friendship Has its duties, and the Man that Likes you the Best will Be the forwardest in Letting you know Every thing where You Can Be Concerned. When the Ennemy Came to your House Many Negroes deserted to them. This piece of News did not affect me much as I little...
27To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
There is no fighting Here Unless you Have a Naval Superiority or an Army Mounted upon Race Horses. Phillip’s plan Against Richmond Has Been defeated, He was Going towards Porsmouth, and I thought it Should Be enough for me to oppose Him At Some principal points in this State—But now it Appears I will Have Business to transact With two Armies and this is Rather too much. By letters from North...
28To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the report which has been made me this morning from Commodore Barron, of the fleets having sailed, and of its destination being Baltimore. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s most ob. ser. I beg leave to mention Majr Macpherson to your Excellency for his very distinguished zeal and services in this quarter. DLC :...
29To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to Present to You Mr de Beaune a french officer Whom Respectable Persons Have So much Recommended that I Could not deny Him this letter of introduction—He is Well Spoken of, and Wishes to Improve Himself so as to Become Proper for a Consulship in America. We are Anxiously Waiting for letters from the Continent, and independant of Public Concerns, letters from My dear General...
30To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 3 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will find the Copy of a letter to General Greene. He at first Had-Requested I would directly write to you, Since which His orders Have Been different, But He directed me to forward you Copies of My official Accounts. So many letters are lost in their Way that I do not Care to Avoid Repetitions. I Heartly wish, My dear General, My Conduct may Be approved of particularly By You. My...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The Happy days I Have past at Monticello Are over; But they Have Left on My Heart an impression Never to Be efaced; I Rejoice at the Visit You are Going to Receive, not only Because it will Be pleasing to You, But on Account of the General Good it May produce; You will, No doubt, talk with M r Webster of Your ideas to facilitate the Emigration of Coloured people, and, Connected with it, their...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me, my dear friend, to inclose the Copy of my Last Letter to You—there Have Been, since that date, Great Changes in Europe, all Coming from and Congenial to one System and depending on one Man—My Situation is the Same as when I made Your friendly Heart a partaker in the Miseries of an irretrievable Loss, and inconsolable Grief, and when, forced to Appear importunate, I insisted on the...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. de Montarby who is Going to America wishes to be by me presented to You, and am Happy with opportunity to oblige so deserving a Gentleman. Several Circumstances Have prompted him to Accept a proposal of Mm. Fouston and Ravel , one of the Most Respectable Houses in Europe, And Render them, in the U.S., Services which will Give Him the Happiness, much envied by me, to Visit the shores of...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to inclose the Copy of a Letter which has been adressed to you in november Last—Your information of public Concerns in Europe through the Ministerial Channels Cannot fail to be as regular and exact as I could give it from Lagrange. What I was writing about the Oder has been proved true for the Vistule and is in train to be verified on the banks of more Easterly Rivers—My Son Son in...
35To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be delivered by M. de Sailly Who is going over to America, and intends establishing forges of Which he is a Master—Upon His application for a letter to You, I the more Willingly have Granted it, as there May Be Proper Materials about Mount Vernon, and I know Your Excellency will be disposed to encourage M. de Sailly’s plans for the improvement of the Mines in Virginia. With...
36To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Correspondance with one of the British Generals, and my denial of a Correspondance with the other, may be perhaps misrepresented—I shall therefore give an Account of what has passed, and hope your Excellency & Genl Greene will approve of my Conduct. On the arrival of our Detatchment at Richmond, three letters were brought by a Flag which I have the honour to inclose; & which as Commander of...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am on my way to Norfolk from thence to proceed to Raleigh, Fayetteville, to South Carolina, Georgia, and Byland to Montgomery where a Steam Boat Will take us to Mobile and Neworleans. I shall after four days stay at Neworlean Visit all the states Up the mississipy and ohio, pay a visit to our friend Gallatin, and Either By the Canal, albany, vermont, or thrugh philadelphia and Newyork go to...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 14 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
While You Are Enjoying the peice of private Life I am Sure You Will Not be disturbed By the introduction of Such an Acquaintance as doctor Constancio. He is a portuguese, Has Long Been in Great Britain and france, and to His Natural Accomplishments Has Joined Acquired ones Both of Which insure to Him, wherefore He Will Be known, a More Agreable Reception. I Have Not Had Myself the pleasure to...
39To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The letter that accompagnies this being relative to matters of public utility, I shall write also this confidential one where none but my private interests are concerned. Owing to your partiality and friendship for me, I have during the Campaign acted the Most Agreable part—I commanded the Army in Virginia, I was opposed to Lord Cornwallis, and the troops you entrusted to me had the greatest...
40To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy, my dear general, will give you an account of our affairs in this Quarter—Agreably to your orders, I Have Avoided a general Action, and when Lord Cornwallis’s movements indicated it was Against His interest to fight, I Have ventured partial engagements—His Lordship Seems to have given up the Conquest of Virginia. it has been a great secret that our Army was not Superior and...
41To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 26 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I Had Some days ago the Honor to write to Your Excellency and informed you that a detachement from the British Army would probably embark at Portsmouth. The two Bataïllons of Light Infantry and the Queen’s Rangers were certainly, and the Guards with one or two British Regiments, were likely to Be, ordered upon that service. My Conjectures Have proved true and 49 sails fallen down in Hampton...
42To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter by Major Swett Has afforded me the Highest pleasure—it Will Be Answered By a more direct opportunity than the Introductory lines which I beg leave to put into the Hands of Mr Poussin—this Young Scholar of the french Architectural Academy is Recommended to me By an eminent professor, my particular friend—Mr Poussin, Son to a Late distinguished artist, possesses T Himself...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am with my son and daughter in law who is going to increase our family. Her father is to stand god father to the child and if He is a Boy we intend taking the liberty to give Him Your Name. You Have No Greater Admirers in the world than my two friends Tracy and Cabanis who live quietly in this village, going now and then to an insignificant Senate and employing their time in...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 25 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Answer to Your kind and Welcome Letter By the Arcturus Has Been Already forwarded By General Armstrong—But in the Situation of This Side of the Atlantic and the Intermediary Seas duplicates are not a Superfluous Measure to insure a Safe Arrival on the American Shore. I Shall therefore improve the Opportunity of two or three Vessels Just Going But only to write a few lines and Copies of...
45To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I Have Received Your Excellency’s Letter Relating to Clel Gouvion—it would Have Been Very Agreable to Me to keep this officer—Your orders Have Been Sent to Philadelphia where He is for the present—However distant I may Be from the scene, I am Happy to find that Your Excellency Hopes to Undertake the Grand object we Have Had in Contemplation. By a Letter just Received from the Board of War it...
46To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Here I am at the Mouth of Elk River and the fleet under My Command will proceed to Annapolis where I am Assured they Can go without danger. They are protected By the Nesbitt of Twelve guns, Some Field pieces on Board the Vessel that carries Clel Stevens, and we are going to Meet one eight guns, and one six guns Vessel from Baltimore——With this Escort We May go as far As Annapolis—No Vessel of...
47To James Madison from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 18 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
I Have lately So Much Trespassed on Your time that I Will Not to day trouble You Again With Louïsiana Affairs, and Plans of pecuniary Liberation. Permit me only to Mention the Case of a Beloved Creditor, Mr. Erick Bollman, to Whom Besides the immense debt of My Gratitude, I find Myself indebted for Six thousand francs. You Know that independant of the Mortgage Upon the Lands, I Will Be able to...
48To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Gouvion is just Arrived—He says you may be on your way—We hasten to send to the Commanding Naval officer in the Bay—Hitherto I had no way to write to you by water—But Count de Grasse Being at sea we request the officer he has left to have every precaution taken for the safety of navigation—It is probable they are taken, but I would be too uneasy had I not added this measure to those that have...
49To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Having Received No Answer to My Letter By the frigate I May I think flatter Myself Before long to Hear from You, and I Confess I am waiting with Great Impatience—it is an Age, My dear General, since I Had a line from You, and I Have Been so Happily Used to our Intimate Communications, that it is very Hard to me not to know Any thing of Your Ideas, Your Concerns, and Your Sentiments on Every...
50To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreably to Your Excellency’s permission Major Troop Has My Leave to Return to the Army. The Commanding officers Have Represented that He was under Indispensable Necessity to go, and we can very well do without Him untill the aArrival of an other Major. Colonel Vose is, I am told, Very Desirous to Return to the Army. He has there a Regiment, and Before we join general greene our Bataïllons...