1To 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...
2To 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,...
3To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your wished for and Most Heartly wellcome favours Have not this long while Reached me, and I most warmly Request You, my dear General, not to forget writing to a friend who loves you with a Filial and Unbounded Affection. this letter is Going By the September Packet, and Hereafter there will Be one Sailing Every month, By Which, While in Europe, I Shall most Exactly Advise my dear and...
4To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
However scarce are American letters, yet as the eyes of the world Are fixed upon you, I Now and then Hear what Becomes of My dear General—Your Visit to Congress, Your Stay with the Army Untill the Treaty Arrives, Your Having Been Voted a Statue, are Events Which Are known to Every one, and felt By me, So that What To Europe is an information, To me proves to Be a Cause for the Most tender...
5To 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.”
6To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis and Marquise de Lafayette and Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr et Mde. La Marquise De lafayette et Mr. De Gouvion profiteront avec grand plaisir de l’Invitation de Monsieur Franklin et auront l’honneur de Diner chez lui Dimanche. The earliest possible year, though the note could also have been written in 1785. Lafayette’s former aide Gouvion ( XXIII , 160–1n) was in America on March 27 from 1777 through 1781 ( XXXVI ,...
7To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 30 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am Much Better pleased with Your Second Volume than with the times—And the politics of this Book Agree Better with me than those of the World— indeed, My dear Sir, You Have Made an Excellent work— I Confess I am the less unprejudiced as I love the Author, and His principles are Conformant to Mine— But independant of that, I am your Book’s warm Admirer and Constant Reader—its Usefulness will...
8To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 25 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Will not Enter on a detaïl of European Affairs, Still less So of our trouble in france, as M. Barret will tell You What Has Happened Since You Embarked— Governement Have Made a Great Effort— I think it will Be like Turnus’s Big Stone in the Æneïd— for the present the Parliaments are Put to the Rout, But Rallying Again under Cover of public Opinion, which you know Has a Great force in this...
9Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 2 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ I Have not Been Honoured with an Answer to My last letter, I will not lose time in Acquainting You that My departure from l’orient is fixed on the 22 d in sant — Any letter from You that Reaches Paris Before the 17 th will Be Carefully forwarded By me, and in Case You Had Any to send Clear of post offices, their Being put into My Hands will insure their Being Safely delivered to the...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 26 October [1787] (Hamilton Papers)
As I am writing By a Gentleman Who goes through England and Carries my letter Himself, I shall Content Myself with inclosing the Copy of Some favourable Arrangemens of Commerce —and Reminding You of Your loving, grateful, and devoted am My dear Hamilton Yours for Ever My Best Respects to Mrs Hamilton. ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society,...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 8 October 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
With all the warmth of my long and tender friendship I Congratulate You Upon the Birth of Your daughter, and Beg leave to present Mrs Hamilton With my most Affectionate Respects. Several delays Have Retarded the Oppening of the treaty and When I was Upon the Ground, it Has Been found that my influence with the Indians Both friendly and Hostile tribes, was much Greater than the Commissioners...
12To 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...
13Marquis 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...
14To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, [20 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The famous William Pitt is just Arrived in Paris, and is just Returning to London— He Has Expressed a warm desire to Get Acquainted with You, and As I Hoped You would Come to day to the American dinner, I Have invited Him together with Lord Camden’s, duke of Grafton’s Sons, and two other of His friends—it is Possible You will be Glad to know a Young Man...
15Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 9 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
A friendly letter I wrote You, and the One I Receive is not so affectionate as usual. The Value I set By Your Esteem, the Consequent fear least my Conduct Be Misrepresented to You, Such were the Motives that Actuated me— As to the institutions Alluded to, I only Need Saying that My principles are known— if You Have writen Nothing, I did more, for whatever I thought Ought to Be Amended, I...
16To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 13 April 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
Altho I have just now writen to McHenry Requesting him to impart My Gazette to you, a very barren one indeed, I feel within myself a Want to tell you I love you tenderly. Your Brother Church Has sailed for America since which I Had a letter from His lady who is in very good Health. By an old letter from our friend Greene I Have Been delighted to find He consents to send His son to be educated...
17To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I Have Been Honoured with Your favour By Mr̃ Joy to Whom I Will Readily Render Every Service in My power, and am also to thank You for the Valuable Books You took the trouble to Collect for me—in the Cause of My Black Brethren I feel Myself Warmly interested, and Most decidedly Side, so far as Respects them, Against the White part of Mankind— Whatever Be the Complexion of the Enslaved, it does...
18To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 7 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
J’ai Recue, monsieur, avec bien de la Reconnoissance les detaïls que vous avis la Bonté de m’envoïer; ils sont alarmans même pour Ceux qui Connoissent l’amerique; ils ne peuvent que paroitre encore plus dangereux à Ceux qui ne la Connoissent pas; on nous dit qué la tempéte s’est appaisée; puissent les sages mesures que prendront le Congrès, les etats, et la Convention de philadelphie Retablir...
19The Marquis de Lafayette to the American Commissioners, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of Your desire, I Have Endeavoured to Collect informations, Relative to the presents which the African Powers Usually Receive from European Nations. By the inclosed Summary, You will get Every intelligences I Could obtain of what Has been done By Holland, Sweden, danmark, Venise, Spain, Portugal, and England. The Returns N õs 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, are Minuted Accounts of the...
20To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 5 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Expected to write to You By c ll franks, But as His departure Has Been daily differed, I will not delay Any longer My Hearty Wishes of an Happy New year to You, mr̃s Adams, mr̃s Smith, Your Sons, the Adoptive one I will write to By in Bye— May this New Year Afford You, and Your Worthy family and friends Every kind of Public and Personal Satisfaction! Had I Been less Acquainted With the forms...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 15 October 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
While you Have Been Attending your Most Important Convention, debates were also Going on in france Respecting the Constitutional Rights, and Matters of that kind. Great Reforms are taking place at Court. The Parliaments are Remonstrating, and our provincial Assemblies Begin to pop out. Amidst Many things that were not Much to the purpose, some Good principles Have Been laid out, and altho our...
22To 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...
23To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 12 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Amidst the Buzzling of Interior and foreign Affairs, I am glad to find an Opportunity to Remind you of Me, Which May Be free from the Rogueries of french and English Post offices— I Have Been Sometime in Auvergne, Attending a preliminary Assembly in that My province, the journal of which I Have once directed, and am Now Again Sending to you altho’ it Contains Nothing interesting— My stay in...
24To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 13 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Had I Been But a slow traveller, I should much Sooner Have Received, and of Course Aknowledged Your favours— But the Rapidity of my March Has Been Such, that While letters went after me One Way, I was Scampering on the other, and So on, Untill, By the Blessed fourth day of july, I found myself Magnetized to mr̃ jefferson’s table, where we chearfully Began our tenth Year of independance— I Had...
25To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 9 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I present You with my New Year Good Wishes so far as to conform ourselves to the European Calendar; for altho’ my Sentiments for You are the same Every Day. Yet dont I think it right in us to mention any Day as the beginning of the Year but the blessed 4 th. of July. M r. Barret’s Business is coming on pretty well; he has made a Six Years Contract with M r. Sangraine for the Sum of four...
26Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 8 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
Before I Had a Pointed Reason to write, My friendship for You, and our Common zeal for the Public Had dictated it— But I must Begin with the Article that in My Mind Creates some Uneasiness it is writen from Amsterdam that M r John Adams is very Violent Against the Society of the Cincinnati and Calls it a french Blessing— and that He says, altho’ I Have long Announced an intention to Go to...
27To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 9 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Have long wished for a private opportunity to write to you, And while Expecting it, Have deprived myself of the pleasure to tell you my Opinion of Your Admirable Book— I Cannot Express, my dear Sir, the Satisfaction I felt in Reading of it—let those who study Constitutions in their Closet Say what they please—to Any one who Has Experience, Yours must Ever be the true principles— there is in...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 24 May 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a Hard thing for me to Be separated from the friends I love the Best, and to think that our daily Conversations are Reduced to a few letters, the Arrival of Which is ever lengthy and sometimes Uncertain. I Hope, However, My dear friend, you don’t question My Continual and Affectionate Remembrance of the Happy days I Have Past With You. I Hope You often think of me, and of the pleasure...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 12 April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
It is an Age since I Heard from you. Of you I Hear By some of our friends, and in the News Papers. But altho I Have a Right to Complain, I want to let you know the proceedings of our Assembly, which as it is Unusual in France, May Raise Your Curiosity. Our Constitution is pretty much what it was in England Before it Had Been fairly writen down, and Minutely preserved; so that we Have great...
30To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 8 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed you will find what I intended to Carry this Morning— but the duke de Choiseùil’s death which Happened About twèlve o’ clock prevented my going out of town— The Bargain Has Been altered over and over, and I Have at last Secured the following advantages— 1 stly the Vessels may be Americans 2 dly the More precious part of the oil, Called Spermicity May Be left out— 3 dly By the Contract...
31To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 16 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
This letter is Going by a private Hand, and While I am Reminding You of one of Your Sincerest friends, I am Happy in this Opportunity to Converse with You on some Objects of a Public Nature The Committee for American Commerce Has Met Some times, when I Have Endeavoured to Carry down the farm Generale— there I fought Unsupported, so Great is the influence of that Body, and altho’ I proved that...
32Enclosure: Proposed Declarations of Rights Drawn by the Marquis de Lafayette and by Dr. Richard Gem (Jefferson Papers)
La nature a fait les hommes egaux, et les distinctions entre eux necessitées par la monarchie, ont pour base, et doivent avoir pour mesure l’utilité generale. Les droits de l’homme assurent sa proprieté, sa liberté, son honneur, sa vie; nulle atteinte ne peut y etre portée qu’en vertu de loix consenties par lui, ou ses representans, anterieurement promulguées, et appliquées par un tribunal...
33To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 30 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
our Assembly is Ended; and altho’ the late depredations, and Confusion in the finances Make it Necessary to Encrease the Burthen of the People, Yet Have we Reasons to Rejoice at the More Equal Repartition of taxes, and the Barriers that Have Been placed Against future dilapidations— the Provincial Assemblies above all are a great thing—and you will see we Have obtained Many other points....
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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....
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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,...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To George Washington from Lafayette, 16 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
To My Great disappointement I Had no letter from You By this packet—it is However the only Regular Way to Get intelligences, and Mercantile Opportunities are not By far So much to Be depended on—I warmly Beg, my dear General, you will not let me Be Uneasy for want of a line from You—the distance is already so great in itself, and So much Greater for the feelings of the tenderest friendship,...
49To George Washington from Lafayette, 15 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
This letter will Be delivered By Mr du Pont the Son of a Very Sensible and Honest Gentleman, who Has Been Much Emploied in Affairs of Administration, and is Now Very zealously Engaged in drawing Up A Report for our Commercial affairs. His Son Goes out for His instruction, and With a wiew to fit Himself for future Emploiement. I Beg leave to Recommend Him to Your patronage and Advices, and am...
50To George Washington from Lafayette, 10 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The departure of the Washington Has Been So Sudden that I Could not get in time on Board the Particular letter which you ought to Have Received—So that My Correspondance Has Been Confined to an official Cincinnati letter, and a Bill of plated wares, which was not By Any means my intention —inclosed I Send you a duplicate of the letter Respecting our Assossiation —Major L’enfant tells me a...