451Lafayette’s Draft of a Declaration of Rights, June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 36:6252–3); in an unidentified clerk’s hand, with marginal note by TJ; endorsed by him: “Fayette. His decln. of rights”; undated, but this state of the text probably belongs to the end of June or the beginning of July 1789. This text represents an intermediate state of Lafayette’s proposed declaration of rights between that transmitted by TJ to Madison on 12 Jan. 1789 and...
452To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [21 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I had promis’d myself, my good friend, that I would have the pleasure of embracing You this Morning—but they Write me from Versailles that I must be at the King’s Levee Before seeing any Body of the Royal family, and that Levee I understand to be at 11: Clock—in our kingly Countries we have a foolish law Call’d Etiquette that any one tho a Sensible man, must...
453Lafayette to Franklin and John Jay, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Columbia University Library Mquis. de Lafayette’s Compliments waït upon Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay, and Has the Honour to Acquaint them He Had letters from America down to the first of May— On Many points He is Referred to the letters those Gentlemen Must Have Received— The Mquis. de Lafayette Intends paying them His Respects to Morrow at Breakfast time, and will Communicate what...
454To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 7 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
from those happy ties of friendship By which you were pleas’d to unite yourself with me, from the promises You So tenderly made me when we parted at fishkill, I had Such expectations of hearing often from you, that Complaint ought to be permitted to my affectionate heart—not a line from you, my dear General, is yet arriv’d into My hands, and tho Several Ships from America, several dispatches...
455To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Clel smith having Rode All Night Return’d this Morning at four o’clock from Elizabeth town and Gave me the following Account of his journey. he first Saw the doctor whom I wanted to Employ, who told him that Every one of the Men Arriv’d from England had been Reimbark’d Again a few days ago—that he Saw himself Many of them Going on Board—that he thinks General philips will have the Command —he...
456To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this Morning the honor to wait on his excellency the Governor, and took the liberty, thò in A private Capacity, to inform him of our Circumstances—the Result of our Conversation I will thearin transmit to You and to be More Certain of Conveying the Governor’s ideas, I am writing at his own house and will show him My letter Before I fold it up. to Begin By the Article of powder which is...
457To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On my arrival at this place I did myself the honor of writing to your Excellency and I hope my letter has been safely transmitted. A number of vessels have come up the river and as our preparations are going on with the greatest alacrity, I think the troops may be embarked to-morrow, so that if we hear from the French squadron we shall immediatley sail for Portsmouth. Had vessels been in...
458To George Washington from Lafayette, 4 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I Have Been Requested to Present to You M. de Saint fris a Captain in the french Regiment of dragoons who is Going as a traveller through the United States, and of Course wishes to Pay His Respects to General Washington. He Has Been Particularly Recommended to me, and as I don’t know When this introductory letter will Reach you and I am sure it will not Arrive Before My dispatches of a later...
459To George Washington from Lafayette, 17 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
I Shou’d think myself much Obliged to Your encellency if through Your Means Some of the Following Seeds might be Procured From KentucKé for the Use of the King’s Garden—Viz., The Seeds of the Coffe Tree which Resembles the Black oak Do of the Pappa Tree Do of the Cucumber Tree Do Black berry Tree Do Wild Cherry Tree Do Buck-Eye Tree Do of Wild Rye, Buffalo Grass—Shawanese Salad—Wild...
460Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress Having Yesterday conferred with Count de Vergennes upon some Public Concerns, He requested I would tell you what, instead of troubling you with the Demand of a meeting, I think better to mention in this Note. The several Powers said he, are going to make up their Treaties, and when ready to sign, they will of Course meet to do it...
461To John Jay from Lafayette, 15 February 1783 (Jay Papers)
I am Happy in this private Opportunity to write to You, and Have long Wanted Safe Means to do it Confidentially. The Same Reason, I Suppose, Has prevented My Hearing from You to this Moment— But as I am just Arrived at Madrid, and the Gentleman Who Carries this is just Setting out I Shall only Write a Few Lines My feelings on the Occasion of a General Peace Are Better known to You than I Could...
462To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [1779?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Must Beg Your Pardon, My dear Sir, for My not Having the Honor to Waït Upon You this Morning But I Had the fever all Night and phisicians forbid My Going out Before diner. In Case I am Better, I Will do Myself the Honor to Waït Upon You to Morrow about one in the Morning, and in the Mean While I Have the Honor to Be Very Respectfully Your obt Hble Sert...
463Account of Lafayette’s Visit to Montpelier, [15–19 November 1824] (Madison Papers)
“From Monticello we went to Montpelier, the charming residence of the ex-president Madison; there we found with some slight shades of difference the same habits and virtues as at Monticello. “The career of Mr. Madison has a surprising conformity with that of Mr. Jefferson, with whom he was always connected by the warmest friendship. Like his illustrious friend, Mr. Madison, early devoted...
464To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Agreable to Your Desire I Have Waited Upon Count de Vergennes and said to Him What I Had in Command from Your Excellency— He Intends taking the King’s orders this Morning, and Expects He Will Be Able to propose Mr. Grenville a Meeting for to Morrow where He Will Have Him to Explain Himself...
465Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter will Be Carried by G al Armstrong which makes it Superfluous for me to Give political intelligences— You will Have Heard of the Repeal of the milan and Berlin decrees to take place the 1 st November —there Have Since Been Some Communications more Secret, Some of them verbal, from which we may Hope for a Restoration of the Confiscated property, short of the Enormous duties, which...
466To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will be delivered By a private Courier of Mis. de Noailles who Has Been in My family, and who, I am sure, will take proper Care of my Dispatches. Since I Had the pleasure to see you, I have Been at the prussian Court, and the prussian Camps with which I was much pleased. And Now am at Vienna, with an intention soon to Return to Potsdam where there will Be great deal of Maneuvring....
467To John Jay from Lafayette, 1 May 1787 (Jay Papers)
I Have But a Little time to write to America, and Am taken Up from Morning Until late in the Night By the Business of our Assembly—I Have Some days Ago Given Some Account of it to C ol Hamilton to Whom I Refer You as Well as to Mr de S t jean. The Archbishop of Toulouse a Man of the Finest Abilities and Great Honesty Has at last Been put at the Head of the finances—We are Now Collecting our...
468Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I wish I might make use of the present Opportunity to tell You the Conditions of the peace Lately made with Austria —But Last Evening, the first members of Government knew no more of it than myself— I am Returning to La Grange —the Emperor is Expected this day at fontainebleau , and if the Vessel is Somewhat detained, G al Armstrong will Be able to write the particulars of the treaty. inclosed...
469To James Madison from Lafayette, 22 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Hornet is Going to Sail. By Her You Will Receive dispatches Which Make it Unnecessary for me to add farther informations. I the more Lament the Appearant dispositions of the british Ministry With Respect to the orders in Council as I More fervently Wish the U. S. May not be involved in a War. Our friend Mr. Barlow tells you the present state of His Negociations. I shall therefore Confine...
470To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency Has Been Acquainted With my first Measures Respecting our Society—To My Letter Xbr the 25th I Beg Leave Particularly to Refer and Entrust this with Major l’Enfant Who is Returning to America. Having in a Body Waited Upon Count de Rochambeau, we delivered Him and His officers the Marks of the Assossiation—A Resolve of theirs for a Volontary Subscription Will Arrive in time to Be...
471Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I fortunately Happened to Be at Aulnay , m de de tessé ’s Seat near paris, when a Messenger from America is Arrived—He is Sent Back immediately— I Hasten to write a few lines But do Not Lament this Sudden departure as I did that of m r Coles —He Had promised to Spend Some time at La Grange — I Had of Course Ajourned Every thing I wanted to Say and to Hear Respecting You, myself, public, and...
472Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 18 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Been for a Long time in daily and disappointed Expectations of a Letter from You, Nor do I know when I may obtain the Comfort of Your Correspondence—in the Mean while Much Havock Has Been Made in Europe — I don’t Speack of the British Expedition Under Lord Chatam —it is But justice to Say that, whatever Be their intention, they did as Litle Harm as possible Considering their Numbers and...
473To John Jay from Lafayette, 25 November 1784 (Jay Papers)
Altho I Hope in a few days Having the pleasure to see You, I must Beg Leave to mention a matter which Has not a litle Hurt My Feelings— You probably know that on my passing through New York, and particularly in my visit to Albany, it was intimated my presence on the indian treaty Could Be of some use to the public—at fort schuyler, I was desired to speak to the indians, which I did, and the...
474To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved just now a letter from general connway who is gone on to york town, and mullens his aid de camp who is not a wit, lets me know that his going there is in consequence of two repeated letters from general gates, and miflin—that same man thinks that there are some projects to send Connway to Canada—they will laugh in france when they’l hear that he is choosen upon such a...
475To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Every Child of Mine that Comes to Light is a Small Addition to the Number of American Citizens— I Have the pleasure to inform You that, tho she Was But Seven Month Advanced, Mde de Lafayette Has this Morning Become Mother of a daughter Who However delicate in his Begining Enjoys a perfect Health, and I Hope Will Soon grow Equal to the Heartiest...
476To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
inclosed I have the honor to Send you a Letter which clel hamilton was going to send me from this place when I arriv’d with the detachement, and which may give you an idea of the position of the ennemy —I will try to meet and Collect as Soon as possible our forces, tho’ I am sorry to find the ennemy So far down that way—we’ll be obliged to march pretty fast if we want to attak them—it is for...
477To James Madison from Lafayette, 8 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 February [ 1787? ]. This letter was “probably to JM,” but the evidence is not conclusive. The year is indicated by Lafayette’s comments on Jefferson: “Our friend Jefferson intends a journey to the South. He is universally beloved and respected, at Court, and in Paris and as he is equally enlightened and zealous he cannot but render the greatest service to his Country”...
478Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 25 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Whatever Be the Situation of my private Concerns, the first Expressions of My Letter, and the first feelings of My Heart will Be Consecrated to the Happy Repeal of the Milan and Berlin decrees— it Behoves G al Armstrong on Every Account to Announce this important turn in His Negociation. But I Rejoice in the Opportunities to Congratulate it with You—it Seems Great Britain Cannot now dispence...
479Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 4 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Here is, my dear friend, the Anniversary of that Great day on which Both the deed and the Expression were worthy of Each other—This double Rememberance in your Quiete Retirements is Happily Refreshed By the Extension of independance to all America —an event which, altho’ we Have Had the pleasure to foresee and the Good fortune to prepare it, we should not, Had it not Been for the Ambition of...
480To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [8 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library I Am very Sorry it was not in My power to wait on Your excellency this Morning but I was oblig’d to Ride with the Queen at a partie of pleasure in the Bois de Boulogne— I saw yesterday the first and other Ministers and Spoke to them about the Necessity of Giving you Monney for fulfilling the engagements taken in Bills of exchange—that they Became pretty Sensible...
481To James Madison from Lafayette, 4 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 January 1803, Paris. Offered for sale in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 686 (11–12 May 1892), item 1504, where it is described as a three-page letter in Lafayette’s hand.
482To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I went down to this place since the day before yesterday in order to be acquainted of all the roads and grounds arround the ennemy—I heard at my arrival that theyr Main body was betwen great and little timber creek since the same evening—Yesterday morning in recconnoitring about I have been told that they were very busy in crossing the delaware—I saw them myself in theyr boats and sent that...
483To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 20 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On My Arrival at Suffolk, I found that Gnl. Muhlenberg Had Marched down to this place, and was in Hopes to Be Enabled to Reconnoitre the Ennemy’s works, which I think to Be a Necessary Measure Before Any plan Can Be settled for a Cooperation. But to My Great disappointement there was No Ammunition in Camp, and (tho it Has Been sent for seven days ago) I Have not Yet Been able to Learn when we...
484To George Washington from Lafayette, 14 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
To My Great Satisfaction, My departure is fixed Upon the tenth of Next Month, When I intend leaving paris, and Immediately Embarking for America—My Course will be straight to Pottowmack, and I do Most feelingly Anticipate the pleasure of our Meeting at Mount Vernon —there is Nothing New in france, But that the Affair of the free Ports is Quite Settled, and that Nothing yet Has Been done...
485To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [28 January 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library I am very Sorry it was not in My power to wait on Your Excellency This Morning but I was oblig’d to Ride with The Queen at a partie of pleasure in the Bois de Boulogne— I saw yesterday the first and other Ministers and Spoke to them about The Necessity of Giving you Monney for fulfilling the Engagements taken in Bills of Exchange— That they Became pretty...
486To James Madison from Lafayette, 8 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
It is to me a particular Gratification, in Remembrance of old times, and in Justice to a Very Respectable Gentleman, to Recommend the Concerns of M. de Rayneval. He Has Been the first European diplomate Whose Negociations Have Met American independance, and None of them Has Been, in personal Exertions, More zealous and Useful. These Considerations Join With the Very Great Regard due to His...
487To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 30 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
In our Conversations upon Military operations, You often have told me that Since the Beggining of the Campaign Your Eyes Were turn’d towards a project upon which I Generally Agree in Opinion With you, and Beg Leave to offer Some Observations. Far from lessening My desire of finishing the Campaign By Some Brillant Stroke, the project of Staten island, tho’ Miscarried, has Strengtened My...
488To George Washington from Lafayette, 13 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
My Correspondance With You Will this time Be in two Volumes and Young Mr Adams, John Adams’s Son, Has taken Care of a letter which I Hope He will Safely forward —Your kind favour february the 15th only Came in the last Packet—I Need not telling You, My dear General, How Happy I was to Hear from You, and How Happy You will Make me By an Exact Correspondance and an Attention to Send the Letters...
489To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I don’t loose Any time in informing You that mde de Lafayette is happily deliver’d of a son, and too much depend on your friendship not to be Certain that You will be pleas’d with the intelligence— The Boy shall be Call’d George , and you will easily Gess that he bears that Name as a tribute of Respect and love for my dear friend Gnl Washington. I Beg you...
490To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to aknowledge the reception of your late favor —your excellency’s Sentiments were already known to me, and my heart had Anticipated your answer—I however Confess it gave me a new pleasure when I Receiv’d it—my love for you is such, my dear general, that I did enjoy it better (if possible) in a private Sentimental light than in a political one—Nothing makes me happier than to See a...
491To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Altho I Write You another Private letter, I Must Confidentially Let you know My opinion Upon Matters Relative to the Society. The Captains in the Navy Have Been Much Mortified to be left out in the Institutions—they Rank as Colonels, they Have Rendered Great Services, and it is Expected Here they Will be Admitted into the Society—Some of them Came with Count d’Estaing Among Whom are Suffrein,...
492To James Madison from Lafayette, 27 December 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1811, La Grange. Discusses Franco-American relations and introduces Mr. de Correa. “When I have left town Some days ago symptoms seemed to promise a Better Answer to Mr. Barlow’s note than had been for a long while obtained by An American Minister—I hope he is By this time coralled to send of the frigate, and will not Any Longer Delay these few lines depending upon him to Give you...
493To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 7 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ward’s Corps being Situated on the end of Bergen Neck, two and thirty Miles from our Army, Major lee Began to move Yesterday after Noon and to Execute the plan which he had propos’d; he March’d Conceal’d through the Woods So as to Arrive on the Ground By the Breack of the day. he had with him his own Corps, Mjor parr’s Riflemen, and a piquet of light infantry under Captain Abbot. having...
494To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 16 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s favors of the 10h, 12h, and 14h insnt. Having Come Yesterday to Hand, I Beg Leave Most Respectfully to offer My thanks for that part of their Contents which is Personal. The Exertions of An Unbounded zeal, and A Conduct wholly Actuated By Affection and Respect, will, I Hope, justify in some Measure that Opinion which Your Excellency and the other Citizens of this State Have...
495To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to Count de Rochambeau mentionning the ennemy’s embarkation, and your future movements Against Newyork, a positive letter from Governor Trumbull, and a positive one from General par[s]ons, have once more altered the dispositions, and Such of the Militia as had been dismiss’d have been again Sent for. in Consequence of those expectations my offensive Arrangements have been entirely...
496To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 12–13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Here is at lenght a Safe occasion of writing to you, here I May tell you What Sincere Concern I feel at our Separation—There was never a friend, my dear general, So much, so tenderly Belov’d, as I do love and Respect you—happy in our union, in the pleasure of living with you, in that So Charming Satisfaction of partaking any Sentiment of your heart, any event of Your life, I had taken Such an...
497To James Madison from Lafayette, 11 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Masson a Citizen of the U.S. whose Relations in france are particularly known to me, and who Has Rendered Services on the West point Establishment, informs me that He Has the Honor to Apply to You as a Candidate for Consular Employment in Some port of france. His merits in the military line you know better than I Could state them but am inclined to think they give Him a title to the...
498To John Jay from Lafayette, 11 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I Have not Had for a long time the Honour to Address you either in public or private letters—this is owing to a tour I made through several parts of Europe, and to a derangement in the packets which to my great Concern I found to Have taken place during my absence in the Course of a journey to prussia, Silesia, the Austrian dominions, and Back again to Berlin, I Could not But Have many...
499To George Washington from Lafayette, 22 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
On My Arrival at Boston I Have Been So kindly Received that No Words Can Express My lively, Affectionate Gratitude—to those Enjoyements I Have added the Heartfelt pleasure to Contemplate the Effect, a Sudden Appearance of your picture, Had Upon a people whose love to You is as Great at least as in Any part of the World —Circumstanced as I am Here, I Could not with Any propriety set out So Soon...
500To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 28 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le marquis de Lafayette prie Monsieur de francklin de lui faire dire si Sera chés lui a midy et demie Il seroit bien aise de le voir. Notation: De La Fayette Mr. le ms. 28. Fevr. 1782.