Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-09-29

retainer MS seat. and we perceive in
the Journal Of Debates, that he has not
hssitated to express his opinions fear
less'y on all subjects coming up for
discussion.
When Napoleon abdicated for the
second time, about five millions Of
francs were deposited with LaFitte for
bis benefit. The Emperor told him he
believed he was an honest man altho'
he had been opposed TO his govern
ment, and he should not take any re-
ceipt For the sum. So, too, when Louis
18th was obliged to depart for Client,
he made LaFitte his banker, for a con
siderable amount, which Napoleon on
his return had the moral feeling TO
leave untouched in his hands.
The point which We alluded to in
the first part Of this sketch, as being
unfavorable to him, is this: LaFitte
refused to pay over to the Ernperor's
legafces the amount in his hands be-
qurathed IN his will, and q law suit
was OF necessity commenced by some
OF them to obtain their rights. We
have an idea that some compromise
has been made. but the first refusal TO
pay over the sacred deposit, discrelit.
ed HIM with all honorable men. We
have never heard Of any salts fac tory
reason for LaFitte's singular conduct.
In giving the above, il is but Just that the fol-
lowing, from the New York Mercantile Adyer-
tiscr, should bc read in connection
CHARACTER OF LAFITTE.
Messrs. Editors: Although have
been much gratified by the perusal Of
the Biographical Sketches published in
the Albany Daily Advertiser, Of the
distinguished men who at present are
acting their parts so admirably at Pa
ris. ! must be permitted TO notice some
remarks Ut their author in relation 10
that noble, eminent banker J.. La Fitte.
"Among the prominen, actors in the scene,
Gays the talented author is Mons jacques
LaFh,e. His character is some " hat puzzi,ng.
He may be sincere friend of liberty, but ono
Transaction, which We shall preseptly notice,
| has not done him credit.
When Napoleon sbdicsted for the second
time. about Eve millions Of francs we're de pos.
tied with LATTE, for his benefit The I'm
perer told him he believed be was an hone $,
man, although he had been opposed 10 his
government, and he should not take an, re.
cript Tor that sum. So, too. when LOUIS the
18th wss obliged To- depart tor Client, he
made I-sFi'te his banker for . considerable
amount. which Napoleon, on bis return, bad
the moral feeling TO leave lTiorched ,n hi,
hands.
The point which We alluded 20 in the
firss part of this sketch As being unf.vora5le
TO BIN, 10 this: l.sFate refused to pay over
TO 'he Emperor's lega'ees the amount IN his
hands, bequeathed in his u III, and law suit
vas Of necessity commenced by some OF t,Iru
60 obtain their rights. We have an idea tina,
some compromise has been E..cie; but the
trsi feiusai TO pay over the sacred deposit,
discrediied him with all honorable men. We
have never heard of any satisfactory reason
Tor LsFi,te's singular conduct"
In relation TO this deposit. Mr.. la
Fitte was placed in very delicate sit
uatiOn. IL was secret, sacred depo-
sit. But when by Napoleon's will i,
became public, the indiscretions oi
Montholon. aud his attempts TO over.
reach LaFitte, rendered it proper foi
him TO act with great precaution. II
was necessary to 60 through certain
forms OF law before the money could
be paid over TO the legatces with safe
~. The legatees wished 60 avoid the o.,
tearing the government might seize
the fund. Although Napoleon had
acted with generosity towards Loui,
the 18th, in the deposit The latter mad,
with this banker. LaFitte had also hi.
fears that the king would net act will
the same moral feeling toward the en-
perOr. Great caution was Therefore
necessary on his part. lie admitted
the funds were in his hands, but he
would not admit the claim of interest
as he was liable 10 pay them out at .
moments warning, had the emperor
called Tor them, and therefore he was
obliged to keep them in tact 1t wa,
not. therefore, from tie consideration
ot any advantage which might arise q
him. that he was induced TO wiihholt
\ them one hour from the legntccs. 4,
be permitted 10 pay them legally snt
IN safety 60 himself, was all he asked
agree with the author oi these sketch
e.. that on LsPitte's first refusal {,
pay. numerous reports we're raised a
gslnst him, arising principally fur BIZ
refusing 90 allow interest ON the depo
si', from which the tribunals fnslI,
exoneraied him. But when the alIai
vas explained. public sentiment full,
Justified the course he had taken. NJ
banker e eninence could have actc,
otherwise than he did The affair hal
long since been adjusted to tie salts
faction OF all PARTIES, and the homo
aud integrity Of I.afitts remains porr
} and uosullied. A stranger whoha
shared ~. that hospitality Tor which b,
) y distinguished. I sB rsjoiccd 10 iin,
! him amoDg the most active. a. he Is on
VI the most intelligent Of the leaders IL
the expulsion Of the fanatic puny Ga
pets. I've il an elevated. noble. pairi