The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-11

UnpubaishsA Letters - Marquis L~f~ystts and
Thomas Paine.
On Saturday (says the Albany Journal of last week.
friend handed US two autograph letters, from La
fayelte and the other from Thomas Paine addressed 10
Governor George Clinton, in the years 1850 and i7S5
Believing that these letters have not been published,
take the liberty OF giving them to readers.
General Lafayette, when this letter written,
about twenty-five years old. He had crossed the Atlantic
as volunteer and by his gallanry and wisdom for
himself the rank OF General and the confidence and
friendship OF the American army and The American Con-
gress
LIGHT CAMP. near Fort Lee.
August 29th. 1850.
DEAR SIR Had we got in this part any intelligence
worth mentioning TO you, would have sooner done
sell the honor OF writing you letter. thereby keeping
up that correspondence. in which | find particular
honor and pleasure But the poor that may have
cone 10 hand were all coming from eastern quarters, and
were, therefore. perfectly known to you before they
could have reached camp. For our part, we have
but little contributed 10 the entertainment OF newspaper
readers. But had Mr. Clinton persisted in his offensive
projects against Rhode Island think that. here and
there he would have with double stroke, the re-
union OF which would have proved fatal Great Britain
and then would have enjoyed the pleasure OF taking my
friend Governor Clinton by the hand in the good city OF
New York.
was then. my dear sir al Rhode Island, where have
been made perfectly happy by thousand striking proofs
OF growing and ever lasting aniiy between two nations
whom love, and whose alliance is become natural
The inhabitants OF New York are perfectly satisfied with
the French and the tories themselves. who are numer
Gus IN that place. don't know how TO account for the be-
hayior OF those whom their grandmohers and the
British gazetteers had represented to them under the
shape OF everything that is bad
You, my dear sir, enemy TO Britain, friend to
the alliance, and who will glory in anything that
does honor TO America-you would have been pleased
with the spirit which brought forth the militia TO the sup
port OF their allies. do you, and noticed ii to
the French with peculiar sense OF prde that their
ertons were greater on the occasion than they would
have been had their troops called for their assist
ance, which think glorious proof OF the generosity
and beraty of the American nation. In the time,
the gratitude Of the French, their uneigned and nigh
say confidential eDcomiums the dispositions which saw
both parts Tor union and good understanding, have al
| amys marching towards New York, FASTENED back to
my colos, which would have firmly joined for the grand
| stroke that was intended for our heroic general
By the Alliance we hear that thirty-two British ships
off Brest and thirty gone from Cadiz
fight them, and afterwards form junction with the Brest
fleet while the second division, which ready and en-
baIked would be sent TO America That frigate il
IS said has dispatches for me- but. they yet
come to hand, know nothing particular than com
mon reports. BY vessel arrived from Cape Francois il
is said that the second OF August Count de Guichen with
two and thirty ships Of the line Port Prince
10 Join M De la Note Piquet from which place he
TO take at st. Yago Spanish ships, and that this
formidable armament, with seventeen thousand men
were bound to jamaica
1t is be lamen,ed my dear sir that Geaves arrival
has deprived for while OF the naval superionytha
will be still more lamented by the people, who, not being
led into circumstances may believe that
ready Tor operation. But from what know OF the
intentions OF the French government without hes
taton give you the most positive that the
ond division will arrive that the later il in The
autumn the stronger will be- and that France IL
keep pay, and subsist in this country French division
wholly submitted TO Gen Washngton's orders, which
aided by naval force will not leave us ill it has effect
| ualiy pu, an end TO the war.
But suppose. my dear sir. it arrived now, and
stances how short did the States fall from what was
expected and promised What, by way OF example, has
Pennsylvania done towards recruiting her haliaons
And for the present this small body OF men, SO different
from what ought to collect for cooperation-s j
not under the most distressing and miserable circum-
stances for want OF provisions. To that starving cond
lion little forage towards Bergen afforded tempo
rary and very short comfort. But ! confess de
lighted with the idea OF insulting the British by bold
movement, which them that opportunity OF fighting
they much talk of and which put them under the
same disgrace that OF who refuses a challenge
Nothing, my dear sirnothng in the world-not even
could more efeciually do honor America. and
put end 10 the than the noble. spirited resolution
Of the New England States. What will the British cay
who boasted OF the American tranquility and have told
to the world that the fame OF liberty was amos, exn-
guished' That doctrine. my dear strand | had many
opportunities OF seeing II in Europe-was uncommony
propagsied-nspiring friends with confidence and
Affection GU, foe. with terror and conviction lha, the
and with the desire OF counting the friendship OF that
people which rouses every day with more spint and
strength Such will be the happy effects Of those resolu
tons relating 10 empower Congress- to strengthen the
Union, 10 raise army for war, and employing those
means OF subssling which are in the country The ne
cessy OF those obvious But from the obser-
vatons made in Europe, be certain that it will have the
hapFiest effects in favor oil America That intelligence
has ahordea great happiness TO Gen Washington. and
wish to be as certain that all the States will adopt the
measure as am that it will be Immediately entered nlo
by the people OF New York. and strongly supported by
your influence.
Adieu, my dear sir beg you will please to present
my respects TO your family, and believe me, with the
highest regard and most sincere affection, your excesn
cy's most obedien,, humble servant,
LAFAYETTE
His Excellency Governor CLINTON, &c, &c
Pans, March 4, 1877.
My DEAR FRIEND just write you line TO tell you
hat am IN existence after thousand dangers | am
always intending TO return to America and something s
always happening TO prevent me the case believe is
that as have embarked in this revolution do not like
10 leave TIL it is finished The internal for the
last year and half until the fall Of Robesplere, has
been terrible. | almost the only survivor OF those
who begun this revolution, and my escape difficult to
account for Al present suffer good deal OF pain from
absct in my left sde that came in consequence OF
fever had in the Luxembourg, where was shut up
eleven months by the faction OF Robespiere in other
spects am in good health.
The success OF the French arms has been, and con-
tnues to be, astonishing They have fairly beaten all the
armies OF Austria, Prussia, England. Spain, SARDINIA,
and Holland. Holland is entirely conquered and there
is now a revolution in that country.
Remember me In your family and in the circle OF eur
friends This letter will be presented TO you by Mr..
Rozier, who ia appointed consul at New York. He has
the reputation OF good sort Of man.
Yours, ahectlopaely, ..a
THOMAS PAINE.