Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-08-04
FROM TIE RICHMOND COMPILER.
GENERAL LA FATETTE.

GENERAh LA IA J E11E
Many of our public prints still siilc |
him the Marques LaFayctte.-The con-
else and elegant resolutions, adopted by
the citizens of Richmond, retain the
same appellation. But lit is misnomer
La Fayette has formally and publicly ab-
jured the designation, contenting him.
selfwilh the honorable title of General,
which he first gained in the American
service and which is the more honor
able 10 him, because it is Of his own
making.
La Fayette is now about So years of
age with fresh ana vigorous consti-
tuition for one of his years-though It was
severely tried in the dungeons CT Oh
muty. He lost all his hair during his
severe confinement, and now wears a
wig. His wife and his daughters insist
ed upon being the companions of his inn
prisonment. The constitution of his a.
miab!c wife sunk under The trial-those
Of his daughters were much injured.
These two ladies are married-and in
remembrance CT ''the theatre of his tolls
and of his glory" bear the names of Vir-
ginia and Carolina. One Of his sons
bears the honorable name of George
Washington.
General LA Fdyette's is a trne patriarch
al family. His two daughters and his
;wo sons and their respective families
live with this illustrious man at his Cas-
tie of La Grang. A gentleman who
spent week at his house, a few years
since, says they had thirteen children
corresponding in number to that of the
old United States-and most of them
marked in their names with something
american. La Fayette is their head
their protec;or-the being OF ali others
on earth endeared 10 them by thousand
ties. He has only been once married.
~ the age otnineteen he left the arms
OF ms wife, and the sweets CT home, TO
light fora people TO whom he was not
iLnoWn, and who had no Claims upon him
but he felt Tor ;he.E wrongs, and he
was determined in opposition to the
wishes OF his friends, 10 battle for liberty
IN the new world Notwithstanding the
strongest affection bound him to his wife.
She shared his dungeon with him /; sac
flficed her life III fact, for her affection
ale husband-and to this day, he makes
it sacred and inpariab!e rule TO aban-
don the pleasures ofsociety on the ami.
Tersary week of his wife's dissolution,
:, Iou must not go this week to La
Orange, tsaid the American consul to
MS friend) 1t IS the week devoted to the
memory of his lamented wife,
Whenever be walks into the fields. he
generally takes some Of his grandchi!-
dfen with him. He anuses himself
with their praltliug, joins in their little
sports, and contributes to their happi.
ness. Such is the man, whose name ilfs
The whole Of Europe with bis fame-the
man: who has contributed 10 establish
the Liberties Of the new world. Such
IS the man, who is at this moment an OBJ
Ject OF the greatest curiosity and admira.
tonic the American people-and whose
arrival on our shores will be a sort OF
National Jubilee.
La fayette is particularly remarkable
Tor the unaffected simplicity of his man
,ners. He was distinguished for his
want OF pride, bis distaste for great par
ale, when he was among us-he pre-
g. serves the same noble trait in his char
acter. AS one striking evidence of it
indeed, he declines the honor, awarded
to no other man--of embarkino on
board ship of the line, specially TO be
despatched for him, by the unanimous
voice OF both houses Of Congressman
ne means 10 come 10 US IN a packet or
private vessel.
La Fayette is as much distinguished
for his amiable and affectionate temper.
as for his respect 70 the liberties of man.
Ills heart melts with generous emotions
as well as that Of the humblest and most
dnd'sllnguished Of men. The Ameri-
cans are particularly dear 10 him. He
10 always accessible 10 them-his eve
kindles whenever he talks of America.
why cannot you come to live amone
as-"lo lay your bones among a people,
VINO owe you so much-and whose lat
est descendants will venerate your ash.
esq La Fayette pointed to his grand.
children around him-he made no other
reply They were among the strong
ties which bound him to France. He
could not make up his mind to break
them.
"You are now in America said he
TO an intelligent Virginian, from whom
we had the anecdote. "America ~
Yes, this room is what call America