American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-03-05

@av for his personal safety. Travelling publicly
his uniform with his suite, he was most unjustly
#seized ON neutral ground, by the King of Prussia
~ md imprisoned in the dark, humid and filthy dun.
&qeons of Magdebourge and Olmutz, where for five
8years he suffered greatly from confinement and
3sckness. His wife and two lovely daughters flew
2,o aim and participated in his captivity. The health
Enf Madame La Fayette became so precarlous, that
IA, was deemed necessary that she should be reno
yed from the prison, to save her life, but as the
Nonly condition on which the removal was granted
,yas she should not return, this heroic woman seiz-
MeJ the pen and wrote, as folows:-" deemed it
Mproper for the sake of my family and my friends,
io demand the succour necessary for the re -esab-
Of nay health but they must know that
1.-The price attached 10 this subject is not acceptable
* 10 me. | can never forget, when my husband and
myself were ready to perish; l by the tyranny of
Robespierre, and he by the physical and moral evils
sustained by him during his captivity that we were
both recprocally berelt of the knowledge OF each
others existence, well as that of our family, and
am fully determined never to expose myself TO the
horrors of another separation. Whatever then may
Z be the state Of my own health and the inconveni-
I ence attending the stay of my daughters in this
place. we will most gratefully take advantage of the
s goodness his imperial majesty has expressed to-
wards US, by the permission to share in all the mis-.
cries Of this captivity.
"NOALLES LA FAYETTE."
A romantic and bold attempt to release him, was
undertaken by DR.. Bollman, high spirited young
4 German, afterwards well known and respected in
this country for his talents) and two American gen
,lemen, which far successful, that they con-
yeyed him about twenty miles from the prison but
\ being pursued by military force, they were all
& made prisoners after severe struggle. General
Washington also exered himself to obtain his lib
Il al. ,irict Of ON
courts, and even sent confidential agent to the
King of Prussia; but before the messenger reached
his destination, the King hau delivered his illustrl
Gus prisoner over to the emperor of Germany,
whereupon Gen. Washington, then President, adj
dressed to the Emperor the following dignifed
ahd feeling letter.
cit will readily occur TO your majesty that oc
s casions may sometimes exist, on which official
considerations would constrain the chief Of nation
10 be silent and passive, in relation even to objects
which affect his sensibty and claim his interposi
ton as man. Finding myself precisely in this
situation at present, | take the liberty OF writing
this private letter to your majesty, being persuaded
that my motives will also be my apology for it. In
common with the people OF this country, retain
strong and cordial sense of the services rendered
TO them by the Marquis de la Fayette and my
4 Friendship for him has been constant and sincere.
4 1t is NATURAL therefore, hat should sympathize
with him and his family in their misfortunes, and
endeavor to mitigate the calames they experience,
among which his present confinement is not the
least distressing. ] orbear to enlarge on this deli
cate subject. Permit me only 10 submit to your
Emalesty's consideration, whether his long impris-
Comment, and the con6scaton of his estate and the
zndigence and dispersion of his family, and the
painful anXetes incident to all these circumstances,
4 do not form an assemblage OF suferings which re-
commend him to the mediation OF humanity p
n Allow me, sir, OIL this occasion, to be its organ il
land 10 entreat that he may be permitted to to
\ this country, on such conditions, and under such
reslrlctons as your majesty may think it expedient
\ 10 prescribe. AS it is maxim with me, not to ask
what, under similar circumstances, would not
grant, your aesy will do me the justice to believe,
that this request appears to me, correspond with
those great principles of magnanimity and wisdom,
which form the basis Of sound policy and durable
glory"
The Marquis was at last liberated through the
hhdence of Bonaparte, who had requested that he
should be discharged and who was given to under
stand that It had been done, but on further nvesti
cation found that he had been deceived by false in
formation he therefore again intmated that it must
oe done, and the Emperor of Germany knowing that
Napoleon's "muSts' were not to be trfed with,
Immediately allowed his troublesome charge TO de-
part We owe Napoleon debt OF gratitude for his
generous and noble conduct in compelling the liberia
non OF the Marquis, and ensuring his safe return TO
MS own country, and we may almost venture to
consider his captivity and long imprisonment, as
remarkable interposon of Divine Providence, to
awe so good and great man from the universal
destruction of vrtuous characters, caused by the
French Revolution.
La Fayeue survived all the political storms of
france, though he suffered in the loss OF his SPLEEN
ga loItnne andtis said the only estate he now pos
Sesses, arises from The sales of lands in America,
Which were presented to him by Congress, small
remuneration for his services. Holding seat in
NE parliament of his country, he engages occasion
any as conspicuous and independent member, in