The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-03-21
Miscellaneous.
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
Prison Adventures of Lafay-
.... q tte. ....l -
D tta.

The Marquis Lafayette entered upon the
scenes ofthe French Revolution with the idea
fixed iii his mind, that republican institutions
were reconcilable with monarchy. He was
therefore friend TO the royal family, and al
the same time that he promoted the reforms,
which, were successfully conducted by the
States-General and Legislature Assembly
His chivalric fidelity to Louis and Marie An
toinette was powerfully tried on the 9Th and
9th ofOctober 1889, when, as commander of
the National Guards, he protected them from
the populace who had assailed them in their
palace of Versailles. Subsequently,, when
the king was deposed aud Imprisoned TAU
gust l792,) Lafayette, then with the army, on
the frontiers, endeavored to excite the sol
diers to march upon Paris, ia order torestore
the throne, and put down Potion, Danton
and their associates. But the revolutionary
tide, iInpelled as il was by the fears of the
people for the foreign armies pressing
through the country was too strong to be
thus resisted; and II few days thereafter In
fayette was obliged to seek his own safety by
flying from the kingdom.
Two years of solitary confinement had
from the period ofhis capture, been dragged
OH by Lafayette, when the romantic scheme
approaching his liberation was formed by one
an utter stranger In The prisoner and for
eigner From motives ofpure compassion,
and an earnest desire TO free from so CALLING
thraldon, the great promoter of liberty, Nj.
Balman, a HauoyeriaR by bjrth--young, ac-
tive, intrepid and nteliigent--repaired,a alone
and on foot, TO OlmutZ, there to gain such in
formation as might ehabie him to Judge of the
best method of executing the purpose he
had in view, and releasing Lafayette from the
power ofAustria. He sOon found that with
out an able coadiutor, the difficulties that pre-
sented themselves were iusurmountable, and
repaired, therefore to Vienna, where he de-
voted himself exclusively TO the society of
young Americans; for among them, from
their veneration ofthe character of Lafayette,
he hoped to find one who, with enthusiasm
like his own, would dare the great undertake
ing.
What followed is interesting as proofthat
the spirit of nationality may engender prin-
ciple of gratitude. Lafayette, as is well
known, had in early youth proceeded to A
merica and served in her armies. Ship
wrecked at his first arrival, he had been kind
ly received into the house of gentleman
named Huger, residing in Charleston. And
by him was the youthful votary of liberty in
troduced to the American army. BY chance
ason ofthis gentleman was now in Vienna,
and to him did Nj. Balman apply. Although
mere child when the shipwrecked party
visited his fathers house, the young Ameri-
can retained vivid recollection of, and the
highest admiration for nj! de Lafayette; and
he entered therefore, with all the jealous ar
dor ofyouth, and the enthusiasm of a gener-
Gus nature, into Balman's scheme for the re-
lease ofhis favorite hero.
From the vigilance of the Austrian police
aud their jealous watchfulness, it was neces-
sary that the greatest caution and secresy
should be maintained; and the scheme pro-
q, ,Iafin nf
their design. Huger assumed the pretence
ofill health, and Balman, who had already a.
dopted the character ofa physician, was up
on this account to travel with HIM. In COM
pany with only one servant, who was not
entrusted with the secret and mounted upon
the best horses money could procure, the
friends set out on their tour; and visiting diff
farent places the better TO conceal their real
purpose, and confirm the idea that curiosity
was the motive of their journey they fingered
SO long at each, that considerable time had
elapsed before they reached Olmutz.
AS they desired a rlmor oftheir Unsuitable
curiosity had preceded them thither; and
acting up to their assumed character, af-
ter viewing every thing worthy of notice in
the town they repaired to the castle, eXamin-
ed the Notifications, and having made ac-
quaintance with the keeper,and oblainedper-
mission to visit the interior of The prison on
the following day. fn....
Thus their first step, being happily achiev-
ed, they continued by frequent visits to i'm
prove their acquaintance with the jailer; and
now trusting that any suspicion of their in
. tentions, had it ever existed, must be luled to
sleep, they ventured carelessly to enquire
what prisoners were under his care, among
o:her names, that of Lafayette was mentioned,
and they expressed curiosity to know how he
contrived to occupy HIMSELF how he bore his
Imprisonment, and whether greater indulgen-
ces were granted to him than TO captives of
lesser note, He was, they were informed,
strictly confined, but on the plea ofbad health
had obtained permission, under charge ofan
armed guard, TO take exercise without the
walls. Besides this, he was allowed the use
Of books, pen, ink and paper. M. Baman
then remarked that some new publications
he had with him might afford amusement to
the prisoner and enquired whether he might
be allowed to make the offer. F. laL. .1'.
The jailer agreed, npon condition that they
were sent open, so as to assure himself he
said, that DO conspiracy was to be carried on
against the State. This caution was compli-
ed with, and the same evening book and o.
pen note, addressed TO Lafayette, were sent
to his care.l As afterwards appeared, he was
unacquainted, with French, the language in
which the note was written, but suspectlng
no treachery where all was SO openly carried
on, he conveyed it to Lafayette. 1t contained
apologies for the liberties thus taken by strain
gers, but as they'were anxious, they said, to
contribute to his happiness, they hoped he
would attentively read the book they had sent,
and fanny passages in it particularly engaged
his notice, they begged he would let them
know his opinion jb'l aoamHi3'
This unusual mode of expression attract
ed as was intended the attention,of Lafayette,
and carefully perusing the book, he found in