Litchfield enquirer., 1834-07-03
From the Encyclopedia Amsricana.
BIOGRAPHY OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE.

BIOGRAPHY OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE.
He was born at Chavagnac, in Auvergne,
Sent eth, 1857, was educated in Paris, at an
early age was appointed an officer OF the
guards Of honor, and at IL, was married to the
grand daughter of the Duke de NoailIes. AT
i9, strongly iubued with a love of liberty,
and deprecaling the inactive life ne led at
court. he secretly left France for America. ana
landed at Charleston, S. c., April 25. l777.
The state of this country at that time, was
most gloomy; a feeble army, without cloth
ing or arms. was with difficulty kept together,
before victorious enemy, the government
was without resources or credit, and the A
merican agents in Paris were actually obliged
to confess that they could nat furnish the
young nobleman with conveyance. Then
said he. | will fit out vessel myself and
he did so. The sensation produced in this
country by his arrival, was very great; it en-
cOuraged the almost disheartened people to
hope for succonr and sympathy from one Of
the most powerful nations 10 Europe. In
mediately after his arrival, Lafayette received
the offer of command in the continental ar
my. but declncdi it, raised and equipped bo-
dy of men at bis own expense, and he enter
ed the service as volunteer without pay
He lived with Washington, and won his full
affection, aud confidence. He was appointed
Major Generalin July, and in September was
wounded. at the battle Of Brandywine. In
1878. he was employed in Pennsylvania and
Rhode Island, and after receiving the thanks
Of the country for his eminent services, EN-
harked at Boston, in January 1879 for France,
where by his personal exertions, the treaty
with America was made effective 10 our "a
vor. He returned with French force. and
received the command of 5000 men. whom he
clothed aud equipped at his own expense
His forced march to Virginia 10 1880, raising
1000 gnineas at Baltimore, on his own credit
to supply the wants of his tFoops; his rescue
Of RichmOnds his long trial of Generalship
with CORVALLIS, who boosted that "the boy
could not escape him." the seige of York
town. and the storming of the redoubt. are
proofs of his devotion to the cause of Ameri-
can Independence.
After the leading events Of tho war, Lafay-
cite returned to France, but in 1894, in con-
sequence Of pressing invitations be was indu-
ced to revisit this country for the third time.
He visited the principal cities, and was every
where received with the greatest enthusiasm
ADD delight. Previous to his return Congress
appointed a deputation, consisting Of one mem.
BIER from each state, 10 take leave of him ir
behalf Of the country, and 10 assure him o
the regard of our citizens for his honor ant
prosperity.
On his arrival in France, he was zealonsly
engaged 40 endeavoring To mitigate the con
dliion Of the Protestants of that country, an6
70 effect the abolition of slavery. He took
leading part ID all the political measures d
France, was elected Il member of the Nation
al Assembly, and commander in chief Of tn,
National Guards of Paris by his exertion,
ne saved the lives Of the Royal family from
the fury ut the populace. In 1890 he sup
ported the motion for the abolition of titles d
Hoblllty, from which period he renowned hi
own and never afterwards resumed it. Tht
constitution Of representative monarchy wa
ms object 0fhis wishes. which being adopted
~ saofe esratts; .perembt6i'hA98n and ihhss
ine 0nice Of constable Of France.
ln 1899, Lafayette rendered himself an Oh
Ject OF persecution, by his denunciations o
Inc JacObins, then seeking to destroy the lid
critics ofthe country. He was accused of,rea
son, and burnt ia effigy. subsequently h,
was captured by an Austrian pairole, ant
carried With great secrecy to Oimatz, wher,
ne was detained prisoner. suffering great hard
sh'ps, for five years. Washington wrote di.
rectiy 70 the Emperor Of Austria for his re.
tease, but without effect. On his release in
1877. he declined the dignity of Senator Offer
ca him by B0naparte. gave his vote against
.ne consulate for life. and taking no further
interest in public affairs, devoted himself to
agricultural pursuits. After the return of Ma
poleOn to the throne in 1916, Lafayette was
strongly urged to accept the peerage; he de-.
ellned, but accepted the place Of representa-
Tive, to which the votes Of his fellow citizens
called him. During the troubles which sub
sequentiy took place, a committee Of five
members from each house was appointed TO
consult with the ministers. or this deputa-
ton. Lafayette was member, and he moved
the appointment of a committee to demand
the abdication Of the Emperor, The motion
was not put. but Napoleon sent in his abdica-
ton the neat morning.
10 1913. Lafayette was again called from
his retirement to take his seat as member
Of the chamber Of Deputies, where he contin-
Hed TO maintain his constitutional principles.
20 1894, at the request of the President.
ana the urgent requests Of hundreds of our
people, ne was induced to pay fourth visit
to the United States. He landed at N. York
ana was received with general burst Of de- |
light. He was proclaimed by the popular
voice. The Guest of the Nati0n," and his |
presence was every where the signal for festi- |
walls and rejoicing. He passed through TWEEN
ty-iour states Of the Union, in sort of tri-
umPhal procession, 10 which all parties Joined
70 90 him honor. On quitting our shores ne
took leave Of the four ex. Presidents Of the u. |
nlted states, and received the farewell Of the
fHn.Mne - Al 49, ~