Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-05
L.fF.srBTTR .s.vD .ER.vOLD's
TRE.fSO.v.


But the event of this visit Of mine 10
Paris was my introduction, by Francis
Wright to General Lafayette. or all men
living. he was the one most enthusiastic
ally admired, and the one had most ear
nestly longed to see. These feelings had
gained fresh fervor in the United States.
Just before landed in New York, Lafay-
cite had returned home in the Brandywine,
after years sojourn in the land which he
had aided TO liberate, and by which he had
been welcomed as never nation, TIL then,
had welcomed man.
/ heard his praise on every tongue,
found love and gratitude toward him H.
every heart.
My admiration and sympathy were, no
doubt, transparent, and these may have
won for me, from one of the most genial of
men, hearty reception. At all events, he
devoted himslr to satisfy my curiosity,
with an overlooking good nature aud
winning Kindness and simplicity that !
shall remember to my dying day.
A few items Of our conversation / still
most distinctly recollect. One incident,
presenting the Father OF his Country in a
rare aspect, ever recalls to me, when think
of it, the tender eyes and the gracious,
loving manner, which made the grand old
Freuchman the idol of all young people
who were fortunate enough TO share his
friendship.
i was just before the unmaskiug of the
sole traitor who doomed up during orr rev.
olution, on one Of the most eventual days
in all that eventful period, and more than
four years after the immortal Declaration
had been read from the steps of the old
Philadelphia State house; ii was the 2jIh
of September, 1850. On the afternoon of
the preceding day, Washington, after
dining at Fishkill, had set out with his
suite, intending to reach Arnuld's head
quarters, IS miles distant, that evening.
What would have happened had he carried
out his intention, we can now only coniect-
IRE. What men call chanCe-a casual meet
ING near Fishkill with the French minister.
De LuZcrne-induced him TO remain there
that night. Next morning, after sending
notice to Arnold that he might expect
him to breakfast, he again changed his
mention, turning Off to wish some re-
doubts on the Hudson, opposite West
Point, and sending two aides de-camp to
apologize. 1t was while these officers
were at breakfast with the family that Ar
mold received the despatch which announ-
ced Andres capture, and caused his Gar
rolds) instant flight, on prcence TO his
visitors, of a call to West Point. Some
hours later, Washington arrived with
General Knox and General Lafayette, and,
finding Arno d gone, followed him, as he
supposed, across the river, and, learning
that Arnold had not been TO West Point,
returned to dinner. AS Washington APP
preached the house, his aide, Colonel Ham
ilton, who had remained behind, came
hurriedly TO meet him, and placed in his
hands a despatch which, as a confidential
staff officer, he had already opened. and
which disclosed Arnold's treachery. Wash
in9ton communicated its contents, doubt
less before dinner, to General Knox, and
to him alone, with the brief and significant.
words, "Whom can we trust now?"
The usual version is. that he thus COM
municated the polentous news to General
! Knox and Lafayette jointly; but that is an
error. The statement made to me by the
latter, during our journey TO La Grange,
| surprised and interested me at the time,
and has remained indelbly impressed on
my memory. 1t was this:-
When Washinton sat down to dinner, no
unusual emotion was visible on his coun-
tenance. He was grave and silent, but not
more so than often happened when recent
tidings from the army occupied his thoughts.
At the close of the meal, he beckoned La
fayette TO follow him, passed TO an inner
apartment, turned to his young friend with
out uttering syllable, placed the fatal de-
spatch in hts hands, and then, giving way
to an ungovernable burst of feeling, fell on
! his neck and sObbed aloud. The feet pro-
duced on the young French marquis, ac-
custom ed 10 regard his general (cold and
dgnitied in his usual manner) as devoid OF
| the common weaknesses of humanity, may
be imagined. "Ibelieve," said Lafayette to
me in relating this anecdotc, "that this was
! the only occasion throughout that long and
! sometimes hopeless struggle that Washing
ton ever gave wsy, even for moment. un-
der the reverse Of fortune; and, perhaps, /
am the only human being who ever wit
messed in him an exhibition of feeling so
| foreign to his temperament As it was, he
recovered himself before had perused the
communication that had given rise t. his
excitement, aud, when we returned to his
staff, not trace remained in his Gelneanor
either of grief or despondcncy." AUdntic
Monthly.