Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-29
iron THE NATIONAL GAZETTE !

FOR THE NATIONAL GAZETTE
have intermitted my usual avoidance Of pub
fishing private correspondence, and send, for the
gazette, letter lately received from my old and
highly valued revolutionary friend, General La.
fayetis. 1t will put an end to many idle tales
propagaed to his disadvantage, and rescue A
mcrcan travellers from imputalions hastily
| cast upon them
1t would be affectation in me 10 deny the
qualification feel in the long and uninterrupt-
ed friendship of this singularly merilorious
man, both on public and private conside, a.
ZION. No one bad such opportunities, as well
in official as private intercourse in most critical
and dangerous situations. Of intimately know
ing his distinguished merit and attachment to
| our cause, when il stood in need OF every as
sstance which individuals as well as nations
could afford, and none gave US more substantial
and effective aid, both personal, pecuniary, and
powerful, in every thing that our critical and
often destitute circumstances indspensaby de-
manded | can truly aver that his talents were
much moderated, and his services but partially
known; whilst we were enjoying their invau
able benefits. All the manifestations Of graft
tude shewn 10 him are richly merited, and do
honor to our country, whilst they are received
by him with modesty aud lhanktulness rarely
evidenced by any individual either in antent OF
modern times. PETERS.
Belmont March sth, 1897.
PARIS, January 10Th, 1927
| Nh Dear Friend,-Your kind letter OF De-
cember is the last in date | have received -
Those by Mr.. Chancellor and DR.. Ralston have
been since delivered. | am happy in every OPP
portunity 20 hear from you, and te-tai4 of YOU
with persons who have lately been in your CON-
pany.
Our family has had to mourn very afflict-
ing loss. One of my SONS in law, Lewis Lastey-
RE, husband 10 my daughter Virginia, father TO
four children, nephew to the agricultural au-
thor, has been taken from us after two months
illness. This unhappy circumstance has made
| Of late, La Grange less hospitable than
would have wished; and has delayed till next
| Tuesday, the pleasure we have in town to
pass weekly evening with our American and
other friends, meeting resume as soon as it
can be done without improperly; fixed days
being the best way to see each other partic u
larly for our young American gentlemen, who
a~e mos, assiduously devoted 10 their sturies.-
1t is, indeed, gratifying to see the conduct,
manners, fellow-feeling, and arduous for inn
provement, which are observed here, and by e,-
| cry body acknowledged, in those honorable
specimens Of the youth ofthe United States
see from your letter, my dear friend there
has been great deal of mistake on account of
American travellers to Europe, even with re-
.pect to me. 1t is something like the leak Of
the Brandywine. To be sure, every citizen Of
the United States, with or without an epistola-
ry passport, has right TO my attentions not
that assume The privilege Of an American
public officer, but because Your kindness has
given me some Gifts duties; nor do know why
! ought 10 refuse my hand, in my own house,
TO any one whose hand had the pleasure to
shake a, Independence Hall. So, in case any
American citIzen was i'm distress on This side Of
the Atlantic, and could do him some service,
would think il an obligation Incumbent upon
me. But the fact is, that no improper visit,
that know of, has taken place; no improper
applic$ ton has been made, and Of hose ascer-
tanned instances that have given you kind
feeling of pain, the explanation will be as salts
factory as tina: of our perils from leak in the
Brandywine.
You will not consider as American imposi-
tons the visit Of a French seaman, who pre-
tended he was Louisianese, and indeed knew
much Of New Orleans; or two letters from a
pretended son of General NJ, and pretended
son OF a member Of Congress, which, although
written in good English, were probably an Eu-
ropean cheat, as those who were charged with
the enquiry found no-trace Of an American in
the mentioned places. Those trifing anec-
do'es can only be mentioned in jest Nor will
you find faul, with ME for having felt an inter-
est Tor young man and his mother, who had
made silly plan of European travels, when
you will know their introduction to me had
been to call themselves, as they have since been
ascertalned, in New York. to be, descendants OF
my friend and brother General L.
dwell on these circumstances, my dear
friend not only as an answer 10 your kind let
ter, but because inaccurate rumours have been