201To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, with “Avis au Comité du Commerce”, [19] March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I send you several letters which Have been intrusted to me, and Now are forwarded by a safe Hand. You will also find one I had writen to you at the time of your departure which Arrived too late. The Epistle to Joseph Brant is writen by My Young indian whom I Requested to ask Brant what are His Views and His Hopes from the Court of Great Britain. I am every Minute waiting for a Copy of...
202To James Madison from Lafayette, 13 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
While You are Honorably Engaged in patriotic Concerns for which my feelings Have not Ceased, during Six and thirty Years, to be truly American, I don’t Like to intrude on Your time With observations Relative to My private affairs. Yet the Correspondance is Now So Uncertain that I will not miss a Good opportunity to trouble you with a few Selfish Lines. I am much pleased to preface them with...
203To George Washington from Lafayette, 27 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is a Melancholy thought to Me that While I Could Be So Happy at Mount Vernon, I am Still Almost As much Separated from you as I have Been for five Years in the Coalitionary prisons—But Altho’ I Lament, yet I Cannot Repent the determination we Have Been obliged to take—Much Less on Account of My Health which Has Been Recovering fast Enough, than for the very Bad and Lingering Condition in...
204To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 26 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to forward a dispatch recommended by the president of Congress, to be sent to you by a particular conveyance. Lieut. Stokely is charged with it, and directed to deliver it into your own hands. Lord Cornwallis was at Birds yesterday, from which place he retired with his main body, into Williamsburg. We have been pressing his rear, with our light parties, supported by the army,...
205To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope you have receiv’d my letter from Cramberry where I aquaint you that I am going to hice town tho’ we are schort of provisions—when I got there I was very sorry to hear that Mister hamilton who had been riding all the night had not been able to find any body who could give him certain intelligences—but by a party who comes back I hear the ennemy are in motion, and theyr Rear about one...
206To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Clel Laurens having Been Appointed By Congress to Go to france and Sollicit Succours for the Next Campaign he has also been directed to take Your orders at head Quarters—I am By order of Congress to have A Conference With him, and intend Giving him Many letters for france —As in Your instructions to Laurens The presence of one who Knows these people May be Agreable to You, I shall Set out for...
207To George Washington from Lafayette, 3 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I Have Received Your first favour from Philadelphia with the Greater Satisfaction, as it promises me the pleasure to Hear Again from you Before long —a pleasure, My Beloved General, which Your friend’s filial Heart wants to Anticipate, and Enjoys most Affectionately—I Have not Been surprised to Hear of Your Attendance at the Convention, and would indeed Have wondered at a denial—on the success...
208To James Madison from Lafayette, [8 February 1785] (Madison Papers)
… [France has ordered] two large Armies to get in readiness … in Flanders and … in Alsace.… I hope matters will be compromised and a War avoided…. Your Ministers will write you more than I can respecting their negotiations…. Our friend Mr. jefferson has been unwell but now feels better…. Remember me to the Governor and all friends in Virginia.… Printed extract (Charles Hamilton Catalogue No....
209To John Jay from Lafayette, 7 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
This Letter Goes in the first packet from the Havre, a Change Advantageous Both to Passengers and Correspondants, and through the Hands of C ol . Franks whose Good Conduct at Morocco Has Entitled Him to a share of that Respect which Has Been deservedly paid to the American Embassy. M r . Barklay’s Refusal of the patents, Has Been a Matter of wonder to Every Affrican, and I dare Say to Some...
210Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 12 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
While I was indulging the Hope to See M r Coles at La Grange , to possess Him Some days in our family, to go with Him to Aulnay where M r et M de de tessé , expected the pleasure to Receive Him, I Have Been Yesterday informed of His Sudden departure—I immediately Came to town, But am much Vexed at My disappointment—The impression M r Coles Has made Upon me Makes me Heartily Regret Not to Have...
211To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 22 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ the Affair for Which I presume to Adress You Has Been Recommended and Elucidated by the Governement of this Country, and altho’ My friends the Heirs Beaumarchais Are Giving an Account of the Business, Which to Mr Munroe Has Appeared Satisfactory, and Will, I think, Equally Satisfy Mr Livingston, I feel Myself, on two Accounts, Impelled to Unite My private Voice to those public...
212To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 1 July 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Been Honoured with your favor of the 14th and while I am to thank you for the pains You took of Acquainting me with particulars Relative to Col. Ross, I feel a sincere pleasure in this opportunity to Continue our Correspondance. The Honor of Hearing from you Shall Ever Be wellcome, and I Beg leave from time to time to present You with the Camp Gazette, and with the assurance of My...
213To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 4 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Before this Comes to Hand Your Excellency Will Have Got an Accurate Account of the Action Between the two fleets, where it Appears that Notwistanding their Inferiority Our Allies obtained the Honor of the day. But the Object of the Expedition was Lost, and the Attak of Portsmouth Unfortunately Post poned. On the Point of Setting out for the Grand Army, I will at least do My Best for the Relief...
214To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just Coming from Versailles where I went à hunting with the king, and I Do take this first opportunity of inquiring for the state of your health— I hope you are free by this time from your troublesome Gout— I make no doubt but that you knew last Night of the Senegal being taken by our troops— that Advantage I think is interesting for the Allied powers,...
215To John Jay from Lafayette, 12–13 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
how happy I shall think Myself whenever a Safe opportunity of writing to Congress will be offered, I Cannot Better any way express But in Reminding them of that unbounded Affection and Gratitude I Shall ever feel for them— So deeply are those sentiments Engrav’d in my heart, that I every day lament upon that distance which Separates me from them, and that never any thing was so warmly and...
216To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
in Consequence of A Note from me the Admiral Came to Last evening, and defensive ideas Gave way to offensive plans—our Conversation was long and is not yet ended—But I hasten to write you a Summary of what past Betwen the Count, the Chevalier, and Myself. I first Began in My own name to Give them a pretty exact Account of the Situation we were in three Months Ago, of the Super natural efforts...
217To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 9 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can not let go back my guide without taking this opportunity of wraiting to your excellency tho’ I have not yet public business to speak of—I go on very slowly some times pierced by rain, sometimes covered with snow, and not thinking many handsome thoughts about the projected incursion into canada —if succèss were to be had it would surprise me in a more agreable manner, by that very reason...
218To James Madison from Lafayette (Abstract), 4 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
4 June 1805, La Grange . “Permit me to Introduce and Recommend to You Mm. Armand de Letten and Casimir Rham, Swiss Gentlemen, and Near Relations to My Worthy friends Mm de Letten. I Much Wish My interest in their Behalf May promote the kind Wellcome and Occasional Services to which their own Merit Entitles them.” RC ( PHi ). 1 p. Henry Casimir De Rham (1785–1873) established himself as a...
219To James Madison from Lafayette, 30 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
The Arrival of Mr. Crawford and two Letters from our friend Monroe and david parish Have informed me that You Were in Good Health. I Expect the pleasure of a letter from You along With the patents which You Have Been pleased to Entrust to Mm Gallatin and Bayard. They Will probably find Means to Convey them before the End of the Year. A Communication I Meant to Open through one of the...
220To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [25 August 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
I Beg for liberty’s sake You will Breack Every Engagement to Give us a dinner to Morrow Wenesday. We shall Be some Members of the National Assembly—eight of us whom I want to Coalize as Being the only Means to prevent a total dissolution and a civil war. The dificulty Between them is the King’s veto. Some want it Absolute, others will Have no Veto, and the only way to Unite them is to find...
221To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [ca. 1 November 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
[. . .] [. . .]ngston Has [. . .] My frien[. . .] [. . .] you and the philosophical Society With two Copies of a Work [Which], [not]wistanding the Actual turn of the public Spirit, Has Attracted Much Notice in France, and Will I am Sure Appear to You a Very Distinguished performance—An other Friend of Mine, Cen Tracy , My Colleague in the Constituent Assembly, My Son’s Father in Law, Now a...
222To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 14 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Mis. De la Fayette a l’honneur de faire ses compliments à Monsieur Jefferson et lui envoye la lettre de Mr. Le Cte. De Florida Blanca. Il verra que dans ce tems l’article des Limites avoit été différemment reglé que les prétensions Espagnoles ne semblent l’annoncer. L’original de cette lettre fut envoye dans le tems au Congres. Une Copie remise à Mr. Jay mais il n’y eut rien de plus de fait...
223To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
having heard of an express from Rhodeisland being Going through the Continental Village I sent for him as it would not delay him More than an hour —inclosed I have the honor to send You the letter from general heath which I have oppen’d and also two letters from the french Generals to me —it seems, My dear General, that they have Anticipated the desire you express’d Yourself of settling our...
224To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Harvard University Library I Had the Night Before Last the pleasure to See Mr. franklin and Gave Him some Account of the Situation our Affair Was in at that time. I Can for the Present be More Particular, and will Relate What Has Past Respecting the letter of Mr. de Veymerange and the Several Articles a list of which Has Been put into My Hands....
225To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Receiv’d your excellency’s favor notifying your arrival at cramberry and am glad to have anticipated your orders in not going too far—I have felt the unhappy effects of the want of provisions for I dare say if we had not been Stopp’d by it, as we were already within three miles of the ennemy’s rear, we would very easely have overtaken them, and fouht with advantage. I have Consulted the...
226To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your orders have reach’d me so late, and found me in such a situation that it will be impossible to follow them as soon as I could wish—it is not on account of any other motive than the impossibility of moving the troops and making Such a march immediately for in receiving your letter I have given up the project of attaking the ennemy, and I only wish to join general lee —I was even going to...
227To George Washington from Lafayette, 5 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I Have Had some time Ago the pleasure to write you a letter the duplicate of which shall Accompany this —The intelligence Has Since Come to Us of your Having Accepted the Command of the Armies—But you will Not be the less pleased to hear of the dispositions to a fair Reconciliation on the part of the French directory which I Hope will be Reciprocated By the American Governement—To what I took...
228To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Lafayette, c.30 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Vice Admiral d’Estaing on 31 Oct. : “I received a letter yesterday from the Marquis.”
229To John Jay from Lafayette, 11 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
This opportunity Being Very Safe, Congress will Have Been fully informed By their Minister, and The Bearer, M. john Adams’s Son is Himself very Well Fit to Give them proper intelligences—I Have Been not a little Surprised to Hear M. de Longchamps Had Been demanded—But Upon Inquiry found that Before My Return Such Orders Had Gone to America—Since which Government were Satisfied with the Good...
230IX. Lafayette to Jefferson, [8 July 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
Before Your letter Came to Hand M. de Mirabeau Had engaged to disown what He Had Advanced. On the Receipt of Yours He did more, He Undertook to Read it to the Assembly, and telling Every thing that was in it He layd it on the table. Some Body Undertook to translate it, and the House Called for the Reading of the translation. I Confess I thought it indelicate, if Not for Mirabeau’s feelings at...
231To George Washington from Lafayette, 4 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letters Become More and More distant, and I Anxiously Wish for your Speedy Appointement to the Presidency, in order that You May Have a More Exact Notice of the Opportunities to Write to Me. This Will not tell you Much of politics. The two Imperial Courts are preparing for a Vigorous Campaign Against the turks. Russia intends Sending a Squadron into the Mediterranean, and altho’ it does...
232To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Revolving into My Mind the Chances of discovery By the Moon light, and on the other hand the inconveniences of staying longer than you Wish under our tents, I have thought if there was Some position which Might enable us to take the advantage of the first hours in the Night—how far the Sending of the pensilvanians towards Aquakanac, and Going ourselves to the hakinsac position May Awaken...
233To George Washington from Lafayette, 5 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I Cannot omit an opportunity of writing to You, my letter will not Be so long and Minuted as I would like to make it, Because of the Constant Hurry of Business occasioned By the Assembly—every day, Sundays excepted, is taken up with General Meetings, Committee’s, and smaller Boards—it is a pretty extraordinary sight at Versailles, the more so as great deal of patriotism and firmness Has...
234To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intended Having this day the pleasure to See You, But am obliged to Stay Here for the Queen’s Concert, and Will do Myself the Honour to Call Upon You to Morrow Morning— Then I will lay Before You a letter I Have Received from mr. de Calonne— I am glad to Hear the Washington is Soon Expected, and Hope we May Get intelligences Before My departure which is...
235To James Madison from Lafayette, 16 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
Was I to found my Hopes Upon the Letters I have from Congress, I would please my fancy with the Expectation of Wellcoming You to the European Shore—and Yet, when I Remember Your obstinate plans of life, I am affraid least my Warm Wishes Should be disappointed—in the Mean While, I will Continue writing, and By the Way Will advise You to send Your Answers By the packets Rather than By a private...
236To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Sign’d the paper because I have been told I schould Sign it, and because almost all the others who were of the same opinion as I am have also sign’d —for, Sir, I will easely schow you that there were Six gentlemen for more than fifteen hundred and only six for fifteen hundred . they are as follows. general lee baron de Stueben Some of the Second column were for 2500, but would...
237To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [before 8 February 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Otchikeita is Gone to the abbé, and Kayenlaha will wait for You to Morrow. It is probable Mr. du Crest will be there, Ambassador from the Court of the Palais Royal. Duke d’Harcourt writes me that Eleven Suits him Better than ten. Adieu. Here is an Application from Horace’s to our Good General Here are three Verses made By M. de Marmontel RC ( DLC ); unsigned; without indication of addressee or...
238To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
inclos’d I have the honor to send you a letter from General Sullivan which I took the liberty to oppen —if the suppos’d expedition against providence has taken place we can not Come up time enough as to prevent it—but I am Rather inclin’d to believe we wi’ll find the ennemy fortifying themselves, and therefore the Sooner we may begin our visit the better it will be. I have found general Varnum...
239To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [11 November 1800] (Jefferson Papers)
As I’ll Have By this Opportunity the pleasure to Write to You, I shall Now only Mention the Affair of M. de BeauMarchais Which You Better know than I do—His Claims Have Been InHerited By a former Aid de Camp of Mine Who Married Beau-Marchais’s daughter and Whose Sister is a Wife to General Dumas the Chief of the Staff in the Middle Army—My Attachement to My two Companions Makes it a duty for...
240To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I hasten to inform you that the Missing transport is safely arriv’d on the 19th at Boston —she is said to be a two decker and to have on Board a vast deal of powder with pieces of ordinnance, and also the Baggage of the officers of Bourbonnois —The intelligence Came this instant By an officer of our Army who Saw the Men encamp’d on the Commons from where they were to March to providence—Two...
241To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 18 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have Receiv’d Three different Accounts from Newyork, and Tho’ the Authorities Are Not Unquestionable I will lay them Before you that we May Compare them with other Accounts. A Man Sent in By dr Burnet Says That part of the Cork fleet is Arriv’d, Betwen twenty and forty Sails—That the Rest is given over for lost —The troops in Newyork about 1500—at Bergen 250—There was an alarm on the 15th at...
242To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 11 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Sails are just going to be hoisted, My dear General, and I have But the time of taking my last leave from you—I may now be Certain that Congréss did not intend to Send Any thing more By me—The Navy Board, and Mister Nevill write me this very morning from Boston that the North River is passable, that a gentleman from Camp Says he di’nt hear of any thing like an express for me—all agree to...
243Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer of these Lines is M r Lakanal Member of the french institut , officer of the University and inspector General of the New Metrical System who abandons those functions and a Handsome treatment to Become a Settler in the State of Kentucky . He Has for Several years been in the Representative Assemblies of france , and is Going to Seeck in the U.S. Liberty, Security, and Happiness. I...
244Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I Hope You Have Received my Letter of the 16 h Novem ber Complaining of Your silence—far I am from withdrawing the Complaint—Not one Line of Answer from You, Since You are at Monticelo , Has Reached me—I was Anxious to Hear Every particulars Relative to Your Retirement—the minute detaïls I Had presumed to pour upon You, with Respect to my private Concerns, needed to Be Countenanced By Your...
245To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The News I have got from france, the Reflexions I have made by myself, and these which have been Suggested to me by many people, particularly by the Admiral, increase more than ever the desire I had of Seeing again your excellency—I want to Communicate you my Sentiments, and take your opinion upon my present Circumstances—that I look upon as of An high moment to my private business and...
246To James Madison from Lafayette, 15–17 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Lafayette arrived in New York on 4 August 1784 for a visit which lasted until 21 December 1784 when he sailed to France aboard the frigate La Nymphe . During his stay, he was greeted by Washington and other Virginians at Richmond on 18 November. After feastings, celebrations, and a visit to the State Assembly, the two Revolutionary heroes spent a few days at Mount Vernon and then went north,...
247To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 2 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 25th and 26th are Both Come Yesterday to Hand, which Shows that the Expresses Have Not Made Great dispatch —I would Have done Myself the Honor of writing to Your Excellency, Had I Not Every Minute waited for intelligences from the South ward. Your Excellency Remembers that our Shortest Calculation on the Arrival of the troops at Head of Elk Was for the 6th of March—I am...
248To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [12 July 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I thank You, My dear sir, on the Good News You Give me from S. Carolina . I Hope Virginia will not fail. Every thing Goes on well But the Point Relative to the Presidency which You and I Have at Heart. I Confess this Makes me Uneasy. Will the General Agree with You. The Moment He Adopts our Opinion, My fear is Gone. Our Internal trouble did take a decided turn. The late Arrêt du Conseil Missed...
249To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [15 or 22 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Will You Please, My dear sir, to let me Have a Copy of the Paper I gave to Major Ross, that I May Enclose it to General Washington and get His approbation of the Measure? The Moment You get the Bill be pleased to Communicate it— I will do the same on my part, and am Very Anxious to see How that Piece is Manufactured. Notation: La Fayette The two Saturdays...
250To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [13 December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Inclosed is a Paper I intend to Present to the Several Ministers, with the Hope it May Give them some favourable ideas Upon the American trade— But Before I do it, I wish of Course to Have Your Approbation— Be so kind, My dear Sir, as to Read it Over, and if You think it May Answer a Good purpose, I will in My private Capacity Give it to Marechal de...