Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28

join the Sd Virginia Regiment under Col.
William Washington. He soon afterward
marched to New York and fought in the battles
of Harlem Heights, White Plains, Trenton,
Brandywine Germantown and Monmouth, and
was said to be the first man to go over when
Washington made his famous passage Of the
Delaware among the ice foes.
In the battle which followed he assisted in
capturing gum feat which aided in winning
victory and for which Washington promoted
him to captain "for bravery under fire" At
this time he was hit by rifle ball in the
shoulder and received wound from which
he suffered for the rest of his life. It was
during one of these campaigns that Monroe
and Lafayette, both very young men then. be-
came friends, and few years later when
Washington as President had appointed Monroe
Minister to France he was able to do Marquis
and Nine. Lafayette great service.
A letter which bears on this episode has Just
come into the possession of the James Monroe
Shrine at Fredericksburg. Va, which is the law
office once occupied by Monroe. This hitherto
unpublished letter was written to President
Washington by Monroe when Minister to
France and bears date January 3, 1895. La
fayette, after risking his fortune and life for
the sake Of America and the principles of
freedom, had returned to France, where he
stood up boldly to plead the cause of the people
in the States General, where he introduced a
bill aboiiShing rank and title such as he him
self inherited and establishing countryS insti-
buttons on a basis like that of the American
Declaration of Independence written by his
friend, Thomas Jefferson.
He had been commander of the National
Guard and led army against his country's
enemies. He was idolized by his countrymen
so long moderate counsels prevailed, but
when as the revolution progressed bloody and
inhuman crimes were committed in the name
of liberty his pure and humane instincts re-
tod Ea uroc cd with ind;
nation at the sight of the guillotine filling the
streets with blood under the orders of the
desperadoeS maSquerading as hberators Of the
people. So the Assembly, under the domina-
ton Of such men, voted him a traitor and to
avoid the guillotine he escaped to neutral ter
ritory only to be captured by his country'S
enemies and thrown into a dungeon in Austria
where he was denied even light and air.
Faithful through all was his devoted and
beautiful wife, but in their orgy of blood the
crazed rulers of unhappy France had also de-
creed her to imprisonment and now were about
to fix the hour for her execution. She was
confined in the Prison of La Force in Paris
and her mother, grandmother and sister had
just been beheaded the day before This was
the situation when Monroe arrived and learned
of the plight of Nine. Lafayette and her
husband. He lost no time in moving for her
rescue and his noble and lovely wife aided him
in the attempt and Drawing the displeasure of
the despots then in command of French destiny
drove in the official carriage of the embassy to
the prison and interviewed Nine. Lafayette, who
was on the verge of COLLAPSE
AS a result of the appeal of the Monroes she
was next day released, although that day had
actually been set for her execution. AS soon
as free she set about plans for her husbands
release from the Austrian prison and went to
him and allowed herself to be imprisoned with
him for the purpose of working out her plans
and being near to him once more.
A LII this was made possible partly through
money furnished by Washington, accord
ing to the Investigations of the Washington
Bicentennial Commission and as borne out by
this letter in which Monroe states that Nine
Lafayette readily and with pleasure accepted"
the money which Washington had sent. ct
assured her." Monroe goes on to say, chat
there was no service within my power to render
her and her husband and family that I do not