Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1834-07-26

1g1n0Uu.LA1B0US
rr,m soasi's edition Of washingtons wri-
Gng's now in Press.
IAfayesssss Yisst visit 70 America.
Iafayetts wss but eighteen years old.
a.. - 6rst conceived the project OF join
-. tina Americans, aud risking his tor-
tune and reputation in their cause In
- snmmes Of 1919, be was stationed on
military duty at Metz, being then an Off
Ger in the French army. II happened al
ahis time tina. the Duke OF Gloucester,
Mother to he King Of England, was at
Metz. and dinner was given to him ny
de comma ndant of that place Several
Of the principal officers were invited and
among others I.aiay ettc. DesPaiches
.h.d lust been received by the Duke from
ENGLAND. and be made their contents the
ionic a. conversation. They related to
American affairs, the recent declaration
Of SaeIcpcniencc, the resistance OIL 'he
colouisis. and the strong measures adop-
ted by the ministry TO crush the rebel
lion.
The details were new to Lafayette
He listcncd with eagerness to the CONVEX
cation, and prolonged II by asking ques-
lions or the Duke. HIS curiosity was
deeply excited by what he heard, and the
idea or a people fighting for liberty, had
a strong influence upon his imagination.
The cause seemed to him Just aud noble,
from the representations oftbc Duke HIM
self. and, before he left the table. the
Thought came into his head that he would
ro to America, and offer his services r.
a peopIe who were struggling for freedom
and indepcndcncc. From that hour he
could think Of nothin. but this chivalro,is
enterprizc. lie resolved to return to Par
is, and make further inquiries.
When he arrived in that city, he con.
fided his scheme 10 two young friends
Count Scgur and viscomt de NoaiIles
and proposed that they should Join him
Thcv entered with enthusiasm into his
views, but, a. they were dependent or
their laasilies, il was necessary TO consult
thsir parents, who rcProbated the plan
and refused their consent. The young
mea faithfully kept Lafayctte's secret
His situation was more fortunate, ms HI:
property was al his own disposal, and he
VO89c98c0 III 0uuuOt tcvOooS Va 'S"s',
two hundred thousand livrcs.
He next explained his intention TO thu
Couat de Broolic, who told him that hi.
.ssnsece was so chsmcrical, and hsugh
wf3b 10 u5a6y hszards. without ps1ss1sD
.ofthe least advantage, ihathe could not, 70
q nsDuent, regard \ with favor, nor en-
courage. him With any advice, which
shouDd prevent him from abandoning
immediateIy. When Lafayette foun,
hin thus determined, he requested That q
least he would not betray hun, for he wa
resolved 10 60 to America. Tho Conn
d Bsogl,e assured him that his confidence
vas not misplaced; ''but," said he, /"
have seen your uncle die in the wHrs o
ltaly. I Witnessed your fathers death q
tho battle Of Nlinden, and will not b
accessory to- the only remaining brancl
Of the famiiy.n lie then used all hi
power Of argument and persuasion 10 di
vert Lafayette from his purpose, but II
vain. FihdiDg his determination unalteI
able. the Count dc BrogIic said, as h
could afford him no aid, he would intro
d,cc him 10 the Baron de Kalb, who b
knew was seeking an opportunity to &
10 America, and whose experience an
counsrls might be valuable.
Through this chsnnel, lafayette pre-
Cared an interview with Silas Dcane, VIII
EXPLAINED tn him the state OF things q
America, and gave him encouragement
Deane was formal, spoke little French
Ard the conversation was not very cop
ous. A. he had not yet been acknow
chs npfn
surrounded by the British ambassador
spies, it was thought advisable, that TO
void suspicion, nc more interviews shoul
take place. The affair was aftcrwasd
managed by the Intervention OF Mr.. Ca
micheai. An agreement was at iengt
eo,cluded, BY the terms Of which Nlarqu
~ IaEayeste was 10 Join the America
seusee. and to receive from Congress IN
appo,asusont Of major general. A vess'
~ .bsut 20 be despatched with arms an
y csAer military supplies for the America
orms n which it was proposed he Shout
take passage.
Atthis juacture came the news Of "a
evacuation ef New York, the loss OF 70
Washington, the retreat across !erse.
.nd he numerous disasters attending u
~aupaixu. The fricDds cf America wei
IN despair. The plan of sending vess
v;,h cauuitions Of war was abandone
LafayesAs was advised to give up u
sehesss, and not TO make SO hopeless a sa
riice = m adventure, that at best mu
end in utsse disappointment These re
reservations and prospects, 90 far Ifo
dsshcartening him, rather increased
ardor ia the pursuit Of his chlcct- "N
zeal and love for liberty" said he. ''ba