Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-31
JOHN CAUSE,
montgomery, august Z, 1924.

TO THE EDITOR or THE NORFOLK HERALD
DEAR IRA sketch Book having fallen in
tony hands, wherein the great Fayette is spo-
ken OF, and thinking that it may afford some a.
rnusement TO your readers and serve 10 fill n
page of your useful paper, have taken the Ii
perry to enclose you few extracts which
entertain no doubt you will read with delight &
insert In your paper with pleasure-Yo ours We
~ respectfully, A.
HE name of La Fayette has long been conse-
Grated 10 famei and his existence has been So
intimately woven in the history of our country.
that her records and her chronicles must have
mouldered into nothing, ere his renown shall be
forgotten or the memory ofhis deeds have fadedin
oblivion. The extraordinary events, which forthe
moment forced this modern Cincinnatus from his
plough, which had for its object the fate of am
empire, to assist in councils, have brought him
before the world in the original splenIour of
MS iong-trIed virtue; and have naturally re-
freshed recollectons, which time might have
furnished, or policy dscolored or repressed
The Marquis La Fayctte appeared at the
French Court, TO which his rank had called
him, while yet boy. Too young to be insensi-
bic to Its pleasures, but too noble to be tainted
by ITS corrupiions, he obstinately refused a
place, voluntarily offered TO him, as the steppnp-
stone to such hoDors as coutiers eagerly solicit
He had already, at the age of sixteen, felt and
acknowledged another vocation The star OF
political liberty was at that period observed ris-
ing brightly IN the west, and La Favette was
among the first who went forth from distant
land; TO woTshipit. The young and illustrous
pilgrim was received with joyful admiration b,
those, whose cause he came 10 defend.
Ibe genuine French cavalier entered the
American army, as n simple volunteer and
fought has way TO military distinction, till his
own teats obtained for bin that rank, which his
| inodesty and pride lad before rejected, as al
unmerted gift. He was made Major General
| by Washington, who opposed his vaior to the
experience OF linton and TO the skill of Corn
wallis. After having received a sword from the
hands of franklin, presented him by the Ameri-
can States, he returned To- France, the leader OF
armies, the councillor Of statesmen, and the
| friend of philosophers, at the premature age OF
| twenty two! :,
The court and the people alike came forward
and welcomed the foung hero, who had reflected
such credit on his country; who united the gay,
gallant, fearless spirit of ancient chiyalry, to
the modern principles of philosophical liberty.
His mission TO France, in which lie was Joined
with Franklin, TO obtain men and money from
the government, for the promotion of the Anne
rican cause, was erninently successful. The
court did not then foresee the result of IFS own
mistaken and selfish policy. Governed by eve
ry day cxpedienCy, il sought only to feed lame
which consumed the strength of England and
would proceed, which would eventually kindle
the inilammablc mass collected within lis own
bosom.
II was after the peace with America, that
General La Fayctte visited once more the land
Of his early successful enterprise, was received
into the Congress ofthe U. States, with a sort of
Roman triumph, while his journey through the
villages was one perpetuated scene of Joy and
iesuvlty. On bis return to Europe IN 1855, he
travelled through Germany, and brought even
TO tue court of the Ceasars, as lie had done to
the court of Varssills, the spirit of pure and
antique attachment to liberty, with the graces
| of gallant soldier, and accomplished gentle
man and he was received by Joseph the Sc
cOnd, and Frederick the Great, with hattering
distinction. 1t was 10 accompanying the latter
to his reviews, that he had an opportunity af-
iorded him of close observation of the military
geuious Of that royal tactician, with which he
doubtless enriched his own experience.
"A restless activity cause ofall thatisgreat
or good, united the efforts Of Gen. La Fayette TO
those of Ma!esherbes for the amelioration of the
condition of the French protestaDts; and at the
same time, he devoted his powers aud fortune