151To John Jay from Lafayette, 10 November 1824 (Jay Papers)
As Soon as I found Myself once more on the Happy Shore of America, one of My first inquiries Was after You, and the Means to Get at My old friend. The pleasure to See Your Son Was Great indeed, but I regretted the distance, Engagements, and duties which obliged me to postpone the High Gratification to Meet You after So long an absence. Since that time I Have been paying Visits, and Receiving...
152To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis and Marquise de Lafayette, 15 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M et Mde. La Mise. De la Fayette prient Monsieur Franklin de leur faire lhonneur de Venir diner chez eux Lundy prochain. Feb. 21. There are five additional invitations for Monday dinners during the remaining months of BF ’s stay in France. All are engraved forms with MS insertions, issued in the name of the marquis only and written in English, with dates of...
153Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I Cannot Let g al Bernard Embark with His Amiable Lady and family for America without a line to You. that Eminent officer Has Been Honour’d with the only Exception to the determination of Government Not to Employ foreigners in the Army of the U.S. I think He deserves the Confered distinction, Not only on Account of His Great talents, and deep knowledge in His Line, But also Because I Never Saw...
154To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 6 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 29h last Has Safely Come to Hand, for Which I am the More Obliged to you, as I See the Greater Value By the Honor of your Correspondance. I Have Been long waïting for a Safe Opportunity to write, and will Endeavour this May Stir Clear of the Post Offices, As the itching fingers of Clarks do not Permit Any Secret to Pass Unnoticed. I Am Happy to Hear you Have walked on with...
155To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mr du Bouchet formerly a Major in our Service Having Presented me With His Claims to Our Assossiation, I found Myself Obliged to tell Him that His Pretensions Were Groundless—So far was He Convinced of it, that He did not think it Proper to Apply to our Committee, But Has determined Upon Going Himself to America—I Candidly Represented Him that there Was a Good share of Madness in His plan, and...
156To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will be surpris’d to hear that I am yet in this city, and that I Could never get out till this time—My own business were immediately done, and I Receiv’d from Congress all possible Marks of kindness and affection—but public affairs do’nt go quite so fast, and I am detain’d for the expedition of projects, instructions, and Many papers which I am to Carry with me—the zeal for the Common...
157To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 October 1784 (Madison Papers)
In spite of Calculations and Engagements, I Cannot absolutely leave Boston, at least for some time, and the Remainder of my tour, must, of Course, be much differed. The Reception I Have met with exceeds description. My feelings are still more Unrepressible. It was not in my power to go so soon as I expected and am under a Necessity to visit Rhode island and New Hampshire. Thus Circumstanced,...
158Enclosure: Lafayette’s Description of his Finances, [ca. 18 November 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
Compte rendu Sur la fortune du G al Lafayette a differentes epoques de sa vie Les trois premieres époques dont nous allons faire mention Sont litteralement copiées d’un Etat donné par M. Gratepain Morizot Ancien Avocat au Parlement de Paris et actuellement membre du Corps Legislatif; il fut chargé des affaires du G al Lafayette jusqu’en 1792. et obligé d’en rendre un compte rigoureux à la...
159To James Madison from Lafayette, 15 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
I am Sure You Have Had the Goodness to Answer My Long triplicate the Last of Which Went By the John Adams. Several Subsequent Letters Have Been Sent By me. The last ones I Had from You are dated May the 18h and 19h. It is a Comfort to me to think that You and our friend Mr. Jefferson Have Received Notes Which do in a Measure Account for My pecuniary Situation and alleviate the Blame that one...
160To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 12 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 28th April Has Safely Come to Hand, My dear Hamilton. The Intelligence Respecting Beaumarchais’s affair Has Been Communicated to dumas. His Answer I Have Not Yet Received, But Can Anticipate His Hearty Thanks for your Interest in His Behalf, at the Same time that you most Affectionately Speak of the Kind Reception which awaits me in America, you Cannot, Says you, in the...
161To 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...
162To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [26 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Having Waïted some time for Mr. jay, I Was told By doctor Bancroft that the two other Ministers Now Agreed With You in Opinion that After What I Had done in the Affair of Monney, it was Better for me Immediately to join the Convoy— However I Waïted once More Upon Count de Vergennes on My Passage at Versaïlles, and Had a long Conversation With Him— Let the dispatches...
163To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25–26 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had expected for answering to your first letter that Some thing interesting would have happened that I might Communicate to your Excellency—every day was going to terminate our uncertainties—nay, every day was going to bring the hope of a succés which I did promise myself to acquaint you off—such was the Reason of my differing what my duty and inclination did urge me to do much sooner—I am...
164To John Jay from Lafayette, 26 November 1784 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday’s letter being some what official, I must, Before the Express goes, gratify my desire to add a few private Lines— Your Acceptance of the office, for numberless Reasons, makes me Happy, the more so as I had for Some time been in Suspense Respecting Your determination—two days ago I Had letters from France and M de de lafayette’s Best compliments to You and Mrs jay—from some private,...
165To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
As You will Receive a letter from General St Clair Who had been desir’d By Congress to Go with me to the pensilvania line, I have Nothing to Add But that I am here with him, and that I Impatiently Wait for Your Arrival which has been Announc’d By Mjor fishBurne on his Going through this place. This Affair is the More Serious As the Men have Appointed A Committee Compos’d of theyr Ring leaders...
166Lafayette to Abigail Adams, 29 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le Marquis de lafayette Most Respectful Compliments Wait on Mrs. Adams and is highly sensible of the honor she had done him By her Most polite letter. He is very sorry that his Going immediately to Camp prevents him from Waiting on her at Bain tree Where he should have been happy to Present her With a tribute of his Gratitude and Respect. RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “To Mrs. john Adams...
167To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 16 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to present to You M. L’ Herbette a french Citizen of a Respectable family, Great personal Merit, and to Whose Worthy Uncle I am Under Obligations the Nearest to the Heart—I know this introduction will insure to Him Your Good Wishes and kind Patronage—With the Highest Regard and Most friendly Affection I am Yours RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received “by mr L’Herbette ” on 16...
168To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 14 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You very well know that for Many and Many Reasons Both on account of the Country and on that of the french, I think it very important, Nay I might Say politically Necessary that Some thing Brillant Be at this time perform’d By our troops—to those Motives Which are very strongly impress’d on My Mind, and which I Might More fully explain in A Conversation, I will, add, My dear General, that I...
169To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, with Enclosure, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Thus far I Have Come down from My Mountains, and Hope I will not Be sent Back without some decision or other Respecting American affairs. Inclosed is the Copy of a letter to M. Lambert which I Have writen as soon as I Knew His Appointement. I also inform M. de la Boulaïe that I will Be Ready to Meet Him Every day in the Next week, But that I am obliged to set out Again on the fifth of October...
170To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : University of Pennsylvania Library Le Mis De la fayette a l’honneur de presenter Son Respect à Monsieur franklin, et comme il ne doit Voir qu’a onze heures la personne interessée dans la petite affaire dont il la Chargé hier, il pense que le depart d’aujourd’huy pourroit être differé jusqu’a demain au point du jour. Dès qu’il y aura une Réponse Le Mis De la fayette aura lhonneur d’en faire...
171[To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 5? November 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nemours [5?] Nov. 1787. Recorded in SJL as dated “tuesday (Nov. 5)” and received on 9 Nov. 1787; however, Tuesday fell on 6 Nov. in 1787, so TJ was in error either in the day of the week or the date. Not found.]
172To 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...
173To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 3 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
sdkfj The Arrival of a french Squadron in the Bay will Have for some days Raised Your Excellencys Expectations, and You Have, I Hope, Received a Letter from me wherein I informed Your Excellency that I was Coming to Virginia with A Continental detachment, and that the Commander in Chief Had been pleased to Give me the Command of an Expedition Against Portsmouth. Since that time our troops Have...
174To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [c. 31 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I went yesterday to pay My Respects to your Excellency, and waïted as long as it was in My power— I wanted telling you that I hope the Expedition will be fix’d upon but the scale yet lessened— So that we Can’t do so much as was expected, but however some advantage May be got by this little incursion—Mr de Maurepas thinks it highly Necessary to Converse with...
175To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We were thinking But of winter quarters for the troops, and preparing every thing for our Return to paris, when an extraordinary Courier Brought us the order of Being Ready to March at a Moment’s Warning— I Need not telling you how surpris’d I was of this Unexpected Resolution that I know to have been taken on a sudden By the Ministry, and I seize the...
176Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Had Lately, Notwistanding the Strangeness of the times, Good Opportunities to write to You— Nor do I think this Letter is the only one I Shall Send By the John Adams — But Before I Leave paris , where I Have Been detained By Very disagreable pecuniary troubles, I must Lodge with General Armstrong a third Copy of My long dissertation on my private affairs—a memorial Still Longer Has...
177Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 25 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
At the Very instant of Sailing for America, I stop to Send You the New Modelled Regulations of the Cincinnati— My principles Ever Have Been Against Heredity, and While I was in Europe disputing about it with a few friends, My letters to the Assembly, and still more Particularly to the president, Made them Sensible of My Opinion Upon that Matter— Untill Heredity Was Given Up, I forbeared...
178To George Washington from Lafayette, 25 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to introduce and recommend to You Mr Kellerman the Son of an Able and patriot General officer in the french Service—it is Not Under the Embroidered Regimentals that we find the Greater Proportion of friends to the Revolution—for which Reason I am the Better disposed to oblige such as Have Sided with us. The National Assembly Have, whilst I was Engaged in quelling a Riotous fight...
179To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 7 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
What is the matter with my dear Hamilton and by what chance do I live in fruitless expectation of some lines from him? Does it begin to be the play in your, or rather in our Country, to take European airs, and forget friends as soon as they have turned their heels—Indeed my good friend I cannot help being somewhat angry against you, which makes into my heart a ridiculous fighting between love...
180To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 6 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your Excellency’s favor by general greene, and have been much pleas’d with the arrival of a gentleman who not only on account of his merit, and the justness of his wiews, but also by his knowledge of the country and his popularity in this state may be very serviceable to the Expedition—I willingly part with the half of my detachement tho’ I had a great dependance upon them, as...
181To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Former Letters, Your Excellency Has Been Acquainted with My Motions From My Arrival at the Head of Elk, to the time of My Landing at this place. The March of the Detachement to Elk Had Been Very Rapid and performed in the Best order—Owing to the Activity of Lt Clel Stevens a train of Artillery Had Been provided at Philadelphia, and Notwistanding Some Disappointements, Namely that Relating...
182To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 21 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Having Nothing New to Communicate I will Remain this day at Versailles, and will Wait on Your Excellency in the Course of to morrow’s Morning— Mr. Grenville Has dined with Count de Vergennes, and is Going Again to write to London —if this Goes on, at Least it Goes at A Moderate Gate— I Hope Your Health is Better, and Have the Honor to Be with Great Respect Your...
183To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 25 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
On the Receipt of Your Excellency’s letter, I took Measures to fulfill the intentions of the Society in which I Have the Honour to be a Member. As our institution was differently interpreted, I wrote a letter to Count de Vergennes of which the inclosed is a Copy, and the Account I gave was printed in a Court Gazette which I Have also the Honour to send—at a King’s Council, this day was a week,...
184To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Had I Not So perfect a Confidence in Your friendship, I Would Very Much fear to tire You with My Scribbling of this day—But Cannot leave My Penn Before I Have Again Mentionned My tender Respectfull Affection to My dear General—I want to tell you that Mde de lafayette and My three Children are Well, and that all of us in the family Heartly join to Present their dutiful Affectionate Compliments...
185To George Washington from the marquis de Lafayette, 5 September 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the marquis de Lafayette, 5 Sept. 1788. On 29 Jan. 1789 GW wrote Lafayette acknowledging “your letter, dated the 5th of September last.”
Since the Early Period When I Had the Happiness to Be Adopted Among the Sons of America, I ever Made it My Point to do that Which I thought Would prove Useful to Her Cause or Agreable to Her Citizens— After We Had Long Stood By ourselves, France did join in our Quarrell, and So Soon as Count d’Estaing’s departure Made My Presence Unnecessary, I Had a Permission to Return to France Where, Among...
187To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 August 1823 (Adams Papers)
I Most Heartily thank You for Your Affectionate Letter of Last october which I Have received only three days Ago and Have Also to Aknowledge the pleasure You Have done me By the introduction of Mr Hinckley and His Amiable daughter; they are going to England for a short time and Have promised the much Valued Gratification of their Company at La Grange where my family are Now assembled which Has...
188To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 27 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding the Advantage of Your Situation in the busy Center of public Affairs, I know that our Country News will not be Quite Uninteresting to You, particularly when they Are Mixed with the Personal News of a family Most sincerely Attached to You. Our Preliminary Assembly is at an End, the journal of which I Have directed to be sent to You. We Had No details to Enter into, but it Has...
189To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letters of the 26. May and 14th. July are come to me nearly at the same time—The older in date a few days latter—In both I have enjoyed your most precious friendship—Your account of Burr’s conspiracy was eagerly expected, and while I abhorr his liberticide projects I am happy in a new instance of the impractibility of such a perversion of men and things on the Land of freedom—I also...
190To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 27 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Beg You will Accept My Best thanks for the two letters You Have Been pleased to write Giving the Particulars of Your Situation in Holland, and favouring me with Your Opinion Upon the Operations of Next Campaign. I am Happy to find You Are likely to Get the Better of British Cabals, and Hope our independance will Be Soon Aknowledged throughout the United Provinces. Such a Measure from a...
191To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ my Letter by Young Mr. McHenry Had Not Reached You, I am sure You Have by this time Heard of My Unhappy fate. The Wife whose Loss I am left to Mourn Has Been Long known to You—in Her, as Every Moment of an Union of Thirty four Years, I Have found the Greatest Blessing My Heart Could Wish for and more than a Compensation for Every possible Misfortune—The Great and Amiable character She...
192To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 December 1781 to 23 … (Washington Papers)
I am Sorry to think We are not yet Gone, and there Still Remain Some doubts of our Going to Morrow—This delay I Lament not So Much on private Accounts as I do it on the Account of our Next Campaign in the planning of Which Your Opinion as I will deliver it Must Be of Great Use to the Common Cause—As to the departement of foreign affairs I will Be Happy to justify the Confidence of Congress By...
193To James Madison from Lafayette, 12 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I Have taken the liberty Some time Ago to Mention to You the Eager Wishes of a friend of Mine, Charles de perron, Who Being a Stranger to the Business of dynasties, But Rather partial to the National flag, the only one He Has Served Under, Would be Happy to Be admitted to a few Campaigns, as a Volonteer in the Navy of the U.S. I Made Him the Representations Which I Never fail to offer to all...
194To George Washington from Lafayette, 6 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I Most Heartly thank You for Your letter dated March the 19th, the more welcome to me, as I Had long lamented Your Silence, and was panting for News from You, My dear General, wherein I Could Be informed of every thing Respecting Your public and private Concerns—I Rejoice and Glory in the Happy Situation of American Affairs—I Bless the Restoration of Your Health, and wish I Could Congratulate...
195To James Madison from Lafayette, 26 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
The glorious termination of the war and the Ratification of the peace are Events which on Every public and personal accounts Have afforded me the Highest Satisfaction. Had Great Britain persisted in the project to Bend Her Whole force against the people of the U.S. abandonned as they Were By all the powers of Europe, I Would not Have doubted the final Success of American Bravery and...
196To James Madison from Lafayette, 7 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I Have received my dear Friend, your Letter, May the 1st. and it has been a most lively heartfelt pleasure for me to revise the Expression of a Friendship on which my dependance has ever been entire as it was deeply founded on the Reciprocity of my Sentiments for you. I Hope you have had my Letters of Congratulation for the happy Cession of Louisiana to the United States. An Event which the...
197To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 22 October 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Every step I move there Comes upon me a Happy Necessity to Change my plans. The Reception I met with in Boston no Words Can describe—at least it is impossible to Express what I Have felt. Gratitude as well as propriety Conspired With all other inducements to keep me Here Some time longer. Rhode island and New Hampshire I must visit—and intend embarking By the first or second day of next month...
198To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
So Long a time Has Elapsed, Since I Had the pleasure to Hear from You that I think it Better for fear of Omissions or Repetitions to inclose Copies of two Letters Sent of triplicate the Answers to which Are Eagerly Expected My Sentiments Have been During thirty Years so well known and proved to You that it is Almost Superfluous to Mention What I felt at the painful tho imperfect intelligence...
199To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 31 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
A Correspondant of Mine Servant to Lord Cornwallis writes on the 26th july at Portsmouth, and Says His Master, Tarleton, and Simcoe are Still in town But Expect to Move—the Greatest Part of the Army is Embarked—There is in Hampton Road one 50 guns ship, and two Six and thirty Guns frigats &c. 18 Sloops loaded with Horses—There Remain But Nine vessels in Portsmouth who Appear to Be getting...
200To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 25 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday Has found me At this place where we Arrived this After Noon After A March of twenty five Miles which the Extreme Heat of the day And Absolute want of Waggons for the transportation of the Men Have Rendered Very fatiguing. Want of Waggons Has Also detained our Ammunition which Cannot Be Here Untill to Morrow. As soon As we get this Necessary Article the...