Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette, Volume 2Saunders and Otley, 1837 - France |
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acquainted Adieu affairs affectionate America amongst appears Archbishop of Toulouse armed army arrived assembly of notables Auvergne Bailly Boinville cause châtelet chief citizens command commander-in-chief committee conduct confidence congress constitution council Count Count d'Estaing court d'Estaing dear declaration decree deputies Duke of Orleans endeavour England expressed favour Favras feel France French guards friends gardes-du-corps give going happy heart honour hope Hotel Hotel de Ville important interest July king king's labours Lameth letter liberty Madame de Lafayette Majesty Marquis Marquis de Lafayette measures ment ministers ministry Mirabeau month Mount Vernon national assembly national guard necessary Necker obliged obtained October opinion Orleanist Paris parliament party patriotism peace period persons political present president prince principles proposed provinces provincial assemblies queen received render respect revolution royal sent speech tion town tranquillity treaty troops United Versailles Washington wish
Popular passages
Page 78 - At length, my dear Marquis," he wrote, I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac ; and under the shadow of my own vine and fig-tree, free from the bustle of a camp, and the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments of which the soldier, who is ever in pursuit of fame, the statesman, whose watchful days and sleepless nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own, perhaps the ruin of other countries, as if...
Page 141 - The benevolence of your heart, my dear Marquis, is so conspicuous upon all occasions that I never wonder at any fresh proofs of it ; but your late purchase of an estate in the Colony of Cayenne, with a view of emancipating the slaves on it, is a generous and noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit might diffuse itself generally into the minds of the people of this country ! But I despair of seeing it.
Page 228 - I shall assume the task with the most unfeigned reluctance, and with a real diffidence, for which I shall probably receive no credit from the world. If I know my own heart, nothing short of a conviction of duty will induce me again to take an active part in public affairs ; and, in that case, if I can form a plan for my own conduct, my...
Page 100 - May this immense temple of freedom ever stand a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights of mankind! And may these happy United States attain that complete splendor and prosperity, which will illustrate the blessings of their government, and for ages to come rejoice the departed souls of its founders.
Page 13 - That the secretary for foreign affairs further acquaint the minister plenipotentiary at the court of Versailles, that he will conform to the intention of congress by consulting with, and employing the assistance of, the marquis de Lafayette, in accelerating the supplies which may be afforded by his most Christian majesty, for the use of the United States...
Page 228 - I can form a plan for my own conduct, my endeavors shall be unremittingly exerted, even at the hazard of former fame or present popularity, to extricate my country from the embarrassments in which it is entangled through want of credit ; and to establish a general system of policy, which if pursued will ensure permanent felicity to the commonwealth.
Page 228 - I can say little or nothing new, in consequence of the repetition of your opinion, on the expediency there will be for my accepting the office to which you refer. Your sentiments, indeed, coincide much more nearly with those of my other friends, than with my own feelings. In truth my difficulties increase and...
Page 78 - I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac ; and under the shadow of my own vine and my own fig-tree, free from the bustle of a camp, and the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the soldier, who is ever in pursuit of fame, the statesman, whose watchful days and sleepless nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare...
Page 430 - Give me leave, my dear General, to present you with a picture of the Bastille, just as it looked a few days after I had ordered its demolition, with the main key of the fortress of despotism. It is a tribute, which I owe as a son to my adopted father, as an aid-de-camp to my general, as a missionary of liberty to its patriarch.
Page 100 - Having felt both for the timely aid of my country, and for the part she, with a beloved king, acted in the cause of mankind, I enjoy an alliance so well rivetted by mutual affection, by interest, and even local situation.