The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-23


Suboned is one of the Conversations Of
Lafayette" which we have extracted from
the Alexandria Gazette, because it has re-
lation to that particular incident in his life
which has awakened the deepest interest in
American bosoms; and. also because, coming
from his own mouth, the statement may be
regarded as a correction of past, and guide
of future history. The explanation Of the
motives which induced the General to take
the hazardous step Of quitting the French
camp, and passing the Austrian frontier, is
important, as it will serve to put to rest the
slanders which some of the annalists of that
period have cast upon this distinguished in
tlividual, for leaving the French army. The
relation, as whole, is we'll deserving of the
perusal of our readers; and it Will not be a.
mongst the least meritorius of its effects,
that it will tend to revive and prolong the
recollection of our late Guest. 1t isa little
legacy of history which he bequeathed to us,
and we are bound to receive it, and prize
it, as a sort of posthumous token of his affec-
tion.
| lFrom the Alexandria Gazette.]
CONVERSATIONS OF L.4F.AYET1!E.
OLMUTZ.
81 was upon the frontiers defending them
from the enemy, when the events of the 10th
of August, overthrew at once the govern
ment, and every thing like order in France,
and the reign OF terror ensued. From the
disaffected and mutinous state of my army
finding it impossible to,render further service
to my country, prescribed and pursued by
the factions, which had usurped the power,
and prostrated every thing like propriety or
rational government--I determined to seek
an asylum in some more favoured land, and
| A. &c ,,1, ,,rrtt
store better days to unhappy France. and
enable me to prove my duty to, and affec-
tion tor her, by every service and every
sacrifice in my power to render or to make.
"Retiring from my camp, accompanied
by few friends, but without inducing sim
gle soldier to share our fortunes, we were
soon arrested by the enemy's patroles. At
first, supposing us to be traitors, we were
treated with courtesy, but upon finding that
our hearts were still with onr country, tho
a stern necessity obliged us to leave her SER
vice they threw off the mask, and we we're
treated with indignity which hatred to our
principles, disappointment in their hopes of
our treachery, could possibly devise.
"We were transferred to great variety
of prisons, and separated; my companions
were ignorant of my fate, and l of theirs. At
Magdeburg, the Governor must have consid-
cred me second Baron Trenck: not only
was the doors Of my prison massy, and secur-
! ed by five or six enormous bolts, but these
again by mammoth padlocks The term
dungeon, has been generally applied to the
places of confinement in these Bastlles, or
: fortified prisons-The rooms are not prop
erly speaking, under ground, but rather on
level with the surface; but they are in all
respects sufficiently damp, dismal and un-
T wholesome, for all the purposes for which
tyranny intended them-and whose misera-
.. bic victims are generally soon relieved there
from, BY an early grave. Glatz Neisse, and
finally Olmutz, were among the number of
nv prisons. At Olmutz, the room in which
f was confined so long. was directly over the
common sewer, not only Of the garrison, but
of the hospital; and SO offensive was the at
mosphere which l breated, that the guards.
!. on coming their rounds of inspection, actual
. ly held their noses, and left the pestilcntia]
, effuvia with which l was surrounded, as soon
as their duty would permit.
/, "The Governor of the fortress sometimes
came to sit with me, but his visits were gen
orally short, nor is he to be blamed, for sure
ly no one who could inhalc the pure air Of
Heaven, would remain from choice, mo-
ment in a place SO offensive as was my
. wretchd prison.
, ''It would be naturally asked, why was l
|