South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-02-07

Udtioh VI DIS NIeHu duu pdtIOH tHe
Commander.in chief, he addressed a
letter to the President of Congress,
representing his then present circum.
stances with the confidence of affection
and gratitude, observing that the senti-
ments which bound him TO his country
could never be more properly spoken
OF than in the presence of men who
had done so much for their own. GAS
long, Continued he'd as / thought !
could dispose of myself, l made it my
pride and pleasure to fight under A
mericaa colors, in defence of a cause
which ! dare more particularly call
otyS because had the good fortune
OF Dleedfus sf-- L..- Me.~. c:--.L-.
France is involved in a war, am urg-
ed by sense of my duty, as well as by
the love of my country, to present my
selfbefore the King, and know in what
manner he judges proper to employ
my services. The mos. agreeable Of
all will always be such as may enable
ME to serve the common cause among
those whose friendship | had the hap
piness to obtain, and whose fortune |
had the honor to follow in less smiling
times. That reason, and others, which
| leave to the feelings Of Congress, en-
gage me to beg from them the liberty
Of going home for the next Winter.
GAS long as there we're any hopes
of an active campaign, l did not think
of leaving the field; now that | see a
very peaceable and undisturbed mo-
ment, take this opportunity Of wait
ing on Congress-"
la the remainder Of the letter he So
licted that, in the event of his request
being granted, he might be considered
as soldier on furlough, heartily wish.
ing to regain his coors and his esteem.
ed and beloved felIow.soldiers. And
he closes with tender of any services
which he might be enabled TO render
to the American cause in his own
country.
On the receipt Of this letter, accom- .
panied by one from General WASH
iegton, recommending to Congress, in
terms most honorable to the Marquis,
compliance with his request, that bo-
dy Immediately passed resolutions
granting him an unlimited leave of alb
senee, with permission to return to the
TT G NJ h;s o,Dn most roouan;a,t .; -, a.
that the President Of Congress should
write him letter, returning him the
thanks OF Congress for that disinterest.
ed zeal which had led him to Amer.
ca, and for the services he had render.
ed to the U. S. by the exertion of his
courage and abilities on many sigma
occasions, and that the Minister PIeni.
poten,iary of the U. s. at the Court o.
Versailles should be directed to cause
an elegant sword, with proper devices
to be made, and presented TO him in
the name of the United States. These
resolutions were communicated to him
in letter expressive of the sensibility
congenial to them, from the Presiden
of Congress, Henry Laurens.
He embarked in January, 1879, in
the frigate Alliance, at Boston, and
on the succeeding 18th day of Febru
airy, presented himself at Versailles
Twelve months had already elapsed
since the conclusion Of the Treaties o
Commerce and of eventual alliance be
tween France and the United States
They had, during the greater part o
that time, been deeply engaged in wal
with a common cause against Grea
Britain, and it was the cause in which
Lafayette had been shedding his blood
yet, instead of receiving him with oper
arms as the pride aad ornament of his
country, a cold and hollow-hearted or
der was issued to him not 10 presen
himself at Court, but to consider him
self under arrest, with permission tc
receive visits only from his relations
This ostensible mark of the Royal dis
pleasure was to last eight days, and
Lafayette manifested his sense of it on
ly by letter to the Count de Vergen.
mes, inquiring whether the introduction
upon him to receive visits was to be
considered as extending to that of Dr.
Franklin. The sentiment of universal
admiration which had followed him at
his first departure, greatly Increased by
his splendid career of service during
| the two years of his absence, indemni-
fed him for the indiguity Of the court
y lebuke.
He remained 10 France through the
year 1779 and returned TO the scene
of action early in the ensuing year. He
continued in the French service, and
was appointed to command the Kings
own regiment OF dragons, stationed
during the year in various parts of the