Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-06
rom the Petersburg fntettigencer IF august 3.
GEOGRAPHICAL. SKETCH
OF THE
MARQUIS DE LA EAYET,rE

trlous LA FAYErrE, has thrown an uuco,n,non
interest around every incident of his evcntfnl
lie. From various sources we have been able
( to collect dhe following particulars, which we
| hope will prove gratifying to our readers; none
oil whom, we are persuaded, can view will, ana
thy the intended visit of this venerable patriot.
IN hts otd age, TO those shores, where IA, kisyoy
he fought and blcd i'm defence of our dearest
rights.
! The MARQUIS DE LA FAYErTE, was born in
Anvergne, one of the old Provinces of. France.
about the year 1851, consequently is now CT
| years oil age. The destined successor to the IT,
tie OF n noble house, and heir to a princeiy for
tune, nature happily bestowed spirit which,
prompted him TO do honor 10 the one, and am
| ply 10 noble end tire other. Generous. warm
hearted, and brave, he could not view with in
difference people struggling against the en-
cfoachments of an illegally exercised power.
stralning every nerve TO relieve themselves
from the burthcn of tyrannical yoke, and sa-
criicing their Iipes and fortunes for Liberty,
wituout nobly stepping forward to lend a help
ing hand, to strike Blow for their assistance
and emancipation. Such was our situation,
when we lind him, at the age ofnineteen, with a
| bosom glowing with all the ardor that patriot
| is'n could inspire; equipping at has oion expense
vessel, in which to embark, for the purpose of
sharing with us our dangers, rendering his for
tune TOR our use, and rislng his life in our
cause. Noble, disnterested resolve. Fortune
h"nors, not eUen the ties Of co,;ugai affection
could bind him to his native land, when suG
fenng humanity called for his assistance i'm
another! Not the desperate state of our affairs
about the period of his enbarSation could damp
his noble ardor or alter his resolve to befriend
us. In 1875 he informed the American Com
missioners, then at Paris, Of his intention and
the object of his coming to America. They
having Just received Intelligence of the dsas-
frn,t cf,f~ &c. 1T n
the intornation to him, and expressed some
doubt of the propriety of his adventuring his
fortune in what was apparently hopeless cause
His noble reply should be engraved on the
heart and cherished in the remembrance of eve
ry American. Hitherto (said he) have taken
deep interest in your struggle, and noto that
you so much need my aid, am more than euer
resolved to give it."-To rejoice with the pros
porous or tender fayors to- or lavish them on the
independent, are actions of everyday occur
| renee, undeserving notice-but to sympathize
| with the unfortunate, and to assist them i'm tue
| hour OF need, Is something rare, that when
lone, the deed IS worthy of particular record!
| IN the breast of every yyarin-hea;ted man
| Thousands possess the former bat few the latter
quality. Among that fcio, however, is Justly
! ranked the Marquis La FAYETTE, who, though
| opposed by his government, embarked on board
the vessel he had furnished determining to de-
vote his life TO the sacred cause OF Liberty. He
sailed for this country and landed at Charleston,
>. Z. In June, l777, accompanied by that brave
votary of Freedom, that martyr in our holy
cause, the Baron DE KALB. Shortly after
| landing, they went on to Philadelphia where
the Congress of the United States was then sit
! ting. and were Commissioned by that body, La
| Fayette Brigadier, and De Kalb as a Ma.
Jor General. They Immediately joined the
Continental Army, commanded by WASHING
TON, and the gallant La Fayette was soon after
favored with the opportunity he had SO long
wished for, to draw his youthful word in defence
of the Rights of Man. AT the battle of Brandy
wine, he was enabled to give the first active
proof of his bravery and military talents. by
| facing the enemy.-Nhen wounded in the leg,
though warmly solicited, he refused 10 leave the
field, but gallantly stood TO his post throughout
the action, determined not to quit the head of
his command in the hour Of peril though person.
| ally suffering severe pain from his wound This
gained HIM the confidence aud esteem OF
| the Commander in Chief, and the respect of the
whole Army. In the spring Of 1878, when a
second expedition was fitted out against Canada
Ia Fayette was appointed to the command. but
circumstances rendering it prudent to abandon
the enterprise he continued with the main
body OF the Continental Army, without many
opportunities of Distinguishing himself except
the mastery retreat he effected with the loss ofonly
ninemcn, when nearly surrounded by the whole OF
the British army then in the Northern department
| at thattime tue principle seat ofwar. Ills being
so nearly entrapped arose from no want of vigil
lance on his part, but was the consequence of ner-
ofdu:y in some ofhis out posts and so far from
receiving censure from his Commander i'm Chief.
Washginton highly complimented him on his mas
terly escape. About this time, the French Gov
eminent having taken an open and active part in
favor OF the Colonies and Count D'EsTA1sG
having arrived on the Coast Of Virginia with a
french tlcet, La Fayette solicited permission 10
return horne on a visit, which he obtained will,
the thanks Of Congress for his past services and
the most hattering resolutions were passed by
that body, expressing their high sense of his me-
rit, and their personal esteem and respect. Ac-
cordingly he sailed from Boston, in the Cont
mental Frigate .AUionce on the 9th of January,
1919; and son reached the shores Of his native
country, with the government of which he used
his warmest influence for the advancement OF
our interests. Having obtained permission from
his sovereign and the promise of speedy and I'M
poTtant succor, he once more embarked for our
shores, which lie reached in The spring of $50,
and Immediately FASTENED to the Head Quar-
tiers Of Washington, 10 communicate his Success
IN France, and to rejoin the army The pron-
Ised assistance soon followed and arrived on tie
American Coast III few months after the MIR
quis, Under the command of Counts DE Ter
NAY and RocuAMBEAU.
On the 26th of March, 781, Washington de-
puted La Fayette TO the defence Of Virginia,
and gave hitn command of Continental Troops
for that purpose. The duty at that time was
difficult but the danger of the task suited wei!
to his ardent and aspiring mind and was moet