Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-28


would be for her and them; but if such
stipulation were likely to embarrass or
resard its success, we would defer the JOY
Of our reunion, and when we knew him
to be safe with you we should support
with greater courage the pain of sepera-
ton. trust that my request is not too
bold. Pray accept the feelings of at
tachment and deep respect which have
dictated this letter, ,sand with which l am,
etc., etc., - - frg ~ -
(Signed) Dol" NoAfLLEs LAFAYETTE.
If the kindness of the United States
could be extended TO the companions in
misfortune of M. Lafayette, it would in
deed Gil up the measure of their good
ness; but as these gentlemen are not
prosecuted with the same bitterness, do
not think fail in delicacy toward them
il ask with regard to them, as well as to
myself and my children, that care for
their interests should not interfere with
the speedy help which the position of M.
Lafayette demands. M. Maubourg, M.
Bureaux de Pusy, and M. lie Colombo
iWu0 nus nhu Luc duNdDtdRC VI haNluH
served the United States), deserve to be
distinguished among the number. M.
Romeuf, Pillet, Mason, Curmeur, the
two young brothers Mauboure, are pris-
oners, and merit from US the most tender
| Interest, from their devoted attachment
TO M. Lafayette since the beginning Of
the revolution y.t H
LETTER III,
| "CHAvANIAo BY BRIouDE.l
DEPARTMENT OF THs HAuTE Loire. RE-,
"SIR: The gazettes inform me that
you are second time elected President
of the United States, and these happy
| tidings revive my courage little, which
has been sorely tride by the silence of the
United States on the fate of M. Lafayette.
During six months that he has been in
captivity to our enemies, after the un.
heard of prescription by his own country,
/ have heard but few expressions of inte.
rest, and those only from private Ameri-
can citizens.
II had the honor of writing to you,
sir, in the beginning of October, 1892,
when | was kept prisoner by the order OF
the Committee of Public Safety, which,
after ordering me to come to Paris about
the time of the massacres, had permitted
the administration of the department to
keep me first under lock and key, and
then to send me here under the surveil-
lance of the municipality of my village.
It was from this that / had the consola-
ton of writing to you. l did not dare
to sign my letter, not even to send 1t
written by my own hand; o young En-
glish agriculturist. Mr.. Dyson, who had
passed some time in our retreat, and who
was returning to England, promised to
get copy conveyed to you. Did such
letter ever reach you? Or was it neees-
sary to awaken your interest cannot
believe it; but your silence, sir, con-
fess, and the neglect you have for six
months shown toward M. Lafayette and
his family, is, among all our misfortunes,
the one that am least able to explain
to myself. l hope it will not always
continue, and if | have any earthly
hope for him or for cur reunion, it
is still founded on your kind
ness and that of the United States. The
public papers will have told you that Nj.
Lafayette and his companions in misfor-
tune were transferred from Wesel to Mag
debourg about the end of December, and
when the French troops were approach
ing this citadel | was told that it was in
tended to remove him to Spandau. was
even for a moment given better hopes;
but nothing has confirmed them. As for
myself, / am no longer the prisoner of
the municipality Of the village. At the
end of two months the orders of the COM
mittee of surveillance were revoked but
tyranncal laws which forbid us to quit
French territory, and pronounce ser
tence of confiscatiou of property against
all who do so Tor who have done so since
the 7th of February condemn me to re-
main and to preserve, at least for our
creditors, my small personal fortune, on
which the children exist now that their
fathers property has been seized.
am obliged to keep them with me-not
for my own consolation, which 1 would
far rather sacrifice for him, but Provi-
dence meanwhile offers me this, Of
hoping that they will grow up
worthy of him. But l am pow
erless TO do anything for him; l
cannot receive one line from him, CT
contrive to let him receive one by any
means whatever. Certainly will never
take any step unworthy OF him whom
love, nor of the cause to which he has
never ceased to be faithful, and which
his fellow-citizens have shown themselves
unworthy to defend-uHworthy also for a
long time hence of being served BY vir-
tuous men. Believe, sir, that in the pre-
sent state of Europe we have everything
to fear for Lafayette while he remains in
the power of the enemy. ] do not know
how to urge you; will only repeat that
my confidence in General Washington,
though rudely tried, still exists, and that
/ still venture to offer him the homage
due 10 his character and virtue.
"NoAILLEs LAFAYETTE"
1t does not appear that any answer was
made by Washington to this affecting ap-
peal-or, at least, no answer ever reached
Madame de Lafayette, though ct later
period the good Offices Of the American
Government we're employed TO a certain
extent TO obtain the release Of her has
band. rt, ..-, .-...T d..
Victor Hugo ought to be the man who
laughs. BE gets 81 30 line for his best