The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-03-05
THE MARQUIS DELArAyETTE.

~ iii' Htl'ili'itAAfiN liAblA = ~ ' my ffh7
, arItupftli6g sh'p uf the line Ia .oneel
lhozhHqus de IL EaN etlr to this country
Is honorable To- lh,m aud must br CRAFTY nj
Ia this nalion. Anurra UWes much 10 TIN
llusilious nohl,man aud amiahlc, galan
suldirr Of liberty his uane i. cherished IL
HE hearts af Americans, aud II brer ant
basty sketch ot 0s character aud actinn'
MA, nol be unacceptable Al the ptcseaI
nuin,ut.
NJ. L. |. L. Y. O.. Alorticr, Marquis de
Ia Fay was born IN Aut,rgne in
France III 1877, aud is descended from N,
ancient family. lie Was educated in The
college al Louis IT, Gland, at DHris, and
received commission nj an CaIly age ~
The Mousgnelaiics, soon alter which hc
married a lady of the noble fCplly al
hoaIhs hmsed in The lap of zane aud
luxury, surrounded by every iblug that
could rndcar him Ia home, lie foImed ~
heroic resolution, requiring The relInquish-
mcnt of all those ties and comforts, aud
" lrreh proving successful has established
bis character in hlstuly rs hero aud
crowned him with glorious honors.
In '76, when our cause WAS considered
throughout Europe rs hopeless and found
not a single advocate aud WHEN IN fact ouI
situation was almost desperate, our main
army being reduced 10 u small number,
quot 5000 tai'ered add destitute, pursued
by 10000 regulars, THIS generous hero IN
pouscd our causc With an arauur aud
spirit bordering on romantic enthusiasm,
aud which by the iukc~arp aud self cal
cnlallng, no doubt, Mas termed madness
aud youthful folly.
la spite of the prohibition of his own
government, thc prospect of II forfeiture of
his TILE aud estates, aud HE poallA" orders
10 intercept him, he effected, secretly, his
departure IN vessel purchased andehIied
out AT his own eXpcncc. Al the rnilN az
Of nineteen, bidding adleu 10 his Interesting
young vile aud numerous connexions, he
,1.1barked, and arrived safe IN tharleston.
In .lar, '70. Iu entered the American
army ~ II neutrality-suspicious. compensation,
and commenced his active aud honorable |
career. Immediately ON his arrival hr
Was 50 much les 7rd with the recent gal
liant conduct of The Americans, that hc
presented 10 Gencral Moulfric, clothing, |
arms aud aeeoulrrmruis far one hundred |
soldiers aud Al Il subsequent pouud, having |
The command Of an elegant SELECT corps al
200 infantry, formed and disciplined lay
himself, he presented each oiccr with
n handsome sword, aud clothed the mtn
At his own expense. When past Of the
amy mar, hing IL Join Gen. Green IN the
south, was retarded by the total want of
supplies, the soldiers without shoes aud
almost naked, this generous, noble hearted |
man, came forward aud expended 10 900 |
dollars IN these articles, by which timely ,
supply they were enabled 10 proceed and
ncn the enemy. He joined the army
without any high demands as To lank, and |
with the express condition that he would
receive no pay.-lle entered al 6lst IN
General Washington = family, was cherish
ed and beloved by Mis- great man, aud
called his adopted SOU
In July II, al twenty years Of age, i"
from Congress the commission nt
a MAJOR General IN the following words
w h7rtas ti,r Marquis de Ia fayeitc, on at
his great Ical 10 the cause Of liberty, ~
which the l.. States are engaged has left
his ftnliy and connexions, aud al his own
expense, come over, to oiler his seN ices
without pension or particular allowance,
and is anx0us To risk hl- life IN our cause :
Hosoired thai his scr, ices be- accepted, aud
N consideration of his zeal, illusilions IA,
niIy, aud connexions, lac have ihe RAM. and
Of Major General IN the Arm!
u the United States"
few months after this appointment, hr
showed his gallau,ry aud zeal III the battle
If Brandy Inc, where he shed his first |
blood in that cause which he had cspoused
with 80 much chi,aIric ardor.
In 10, at Barren hill, Is = wei timed |
and mastery retreat, as II was termed by T
he oludcd the enemy, and
saved his amy from the insldious aitack
Of Gen, Grey. He HHs nctnrly engaged
during the Wholr ufllc MAJ. His influence,
his blood were de, oted - the service oi
this country.
lie sclzrd fhe opportunity Of an inactive
winter campaign 10 ISL bis own band, ~
rring successfully, his Influence al ilr
{ uul of Louis, and returned III SIX months
ni,h large rcinloiccmcnis.
In'8l, when about 10 leave tllis country :
n committee Of Congress, consisting oi onG
member from each STATE, Wis appointed
10 wait upon him With Il suitable address
the concluding part al hs trply Wis" May
this immense temple Of Freedom ever
stand rs Lesson 10 oppressors, an *
ample for the oppressed, sanctuary for
The rights Of mankind and may these
happy l.. 5. attain that complete srlcHdor
and prosperity which will Illustrate the
blessings of their government, add Tor
ngeb 10 come, rejoice the departed soy 3,
Of lis founders. Never can Jongics" oit-
llge me So much MS hen they pat = =. my
power, in every pat uf the Nor', 10 the
latest day ofmy life, 10 graft, .ne attach
ment which viii ever ranb. me among the
most zealous aud resp. lfa5 servants Of the
l.. States.
In 80, he too. an active part in the
French revolr =, cspousing the cause oI
liberty, but Mt ne same time pndrayoulin
to protect ne royal family from injury
tho" not a fayofiie with the unfortunate
o. Zen of France, his excrtion IN her fayor
was unccasing. At the destruction Of the
Bastile, that celebrated engine of tyranni
cal power he was conspicuous, and TIA.
key of this building was afterwards sent by