General Lafayette Letters for the years 1780 thru 1834

, NY - 13 November 1780

How far the sending of the Pennsylvanians towards Aquakanac, and going ourselves to the Hackensac position, may awaken the enemy, I cannot pretend to say.

Paramus, NJ - 28 November 1780

Unless, however, you were to cast your eye on a man who, I think, would suit better than any other in the world. Hamilton is, I confess, the officer whom I should like to see in that station.

Philadelphia, PA - 2 March 1781

Your Excellency remembers that our shortest calculation for the arrival of the troops at the Head of Elk was for the 6th of March. I am happy to inform you that they will be there this day or to-morrow early

Head Of Elk River, MD - 7 March 1781

Contrary winds, heavy rains, disappointments of vessels, and every inconvenience for which we had no remedy, have been, from the day of my arrival, combined against our embarkation.

York, NY - 15 March 1781

On my arrival yesterday afternoon, I found that Baron De Steuben had been very active in making preparations, and, agreeably to what he tells me, we shall have five thousand militia ready to operate.

Williamsburg, VA - 25 March 1781

My surprise at not hearing of the French fleet was, I confess, very great, nor could I reconcile my mind to this uncertainty. But intelligence, received yesterday, has put it out of doubt, that they have done their best endeavours towards the coopera

Susquehanna Ferry - 13 April 1781

By a letter just received from General Greene, I find that he is strongly of opinion that I must go to the southward. His intention is to carry the seat of war into South Carolina

Alexandria, VA - 23 April 1781

When the enemy came to your house, many negroes deserted to them. This piece of news did not affect me much, as I little value those concerns.

Bottoms Creek - 4 May 1781

Every mark of friendship I receive from you adds to my happiness, as I love you with all the sincerity and warmth of my heart; and the sentiment I feel for you goes to the very extent of my affections.

Richmond, VA - 8 May 1781

By letters from North Carolina I find that Lord Cornwallis, who, I had been assured, had sailed for Charleston, is advancing towards Halifax.

Camp Wilton - 17 May 1781

The next day the officer returned with the same passport and letter, and informed me that he was now at liberty to declare that Phillips was dead, and Arnold was Commander-in-chief of the British army in Virginia.

Richmond, VA - 24 May 1781

Public stores and private property being removed from Richmond, this place is a less important object. I do not believe it would be prudent to expose the troops for the sake of a few houses, most of which are empty.

Mattapony River, MD - 24 June 1781

My coming into this country has attracted this side a large portion of the enemy's force. In the meanwhile General Wayne was filing off towards Westover, and the remainder of the army to Ruffin's Ferry.

Malvan Hill - 20 July 1781

When I went to the southward, you know I had some private objections. But I became sensible of the necessity there was for the detachment to go, and I knew that, had I returned, there was nobody that could lead them

Malvan Hill - 30 July 1781

There are, in Hampton Road, thirty transport ships full of troops, most of them red-coats ; there are eight or ten brigs, which have cavalry on board.

Pamunky, VA - 6 August 1781

The embarkation, which I thought and do still think to have been destined to New York, was reported to have sailed up the Bay, and to be bound to Baltimore

York River, VA - 21 August 1781

The greater part of the enemy are at York, which they do not as yet fortify ; but are very busy upon Gloucester Neck, where they have a pretty large corps under Colonel Dundas.

Williamsburg, VA - 8 September 1781

Mine of yesterday mentioned that the ships in York River had gone down. Inclosed is an account I receive of an engagement off the Capes.

York, NY - 30 September 1781

I am far from laughing at the idea of the enemy's making a retreat. It is not very probable ; but it is not impossible. Indeed, they have no other way to escape

York, NY - 16 October 1781

Colonel Gimat's battalion led the van, and was followed by that of Colonel Hamilton, who commanded the whole advanced corps. At the same time, a party of eighty men, under Colonel Laurens, turned the redoubt.

unknown - 29 November 1781

Inclosed you will find some numbers, a copy of which I have kept, and which contain some names that may probably occur in our correspondence.

Boston, MA - 21 December 1781

The moment I arrive in France, I will write to you minutely how things stand, and give you the best accounts in my power.

Cadiz, ESP - 5 February 1783

Were you but such a man as Julius Caesar, or the King of Prussia, I should almost be sorry for you at the end of the great tragedy where you are acting such a part. But, with my dear General, I rejoice at the blessings of a peace where our noble ends

Paris, FRA - 9 March 1784

Had I not so perfect a confidence in your friendship, I should very much fear to tire you with my scribbling of this day ; but cannot leave my pen before I have again mentioned my tender, respectful affection to my dear General.

Philadelphia, PA - 10 August 1784

I have already had the pleasure to acquaint you with my arrival in America, and am endeavouring to reach Mount Vernon as soon as possible.

Albany, NY - 7 October 1784

Until a few days ago, I had no doubt but to hear you had accepted the appointment conferred upon you. My fears, however, have been raised, and with my usual frankness I assure you that your refusal could not but be attended with very bad circumstance

Albany, NY - 8 October 1784

Everywhere I have met with delays; but so agreeable were they in their nature, that I cannot complain of them. It is not quite the same with the Indian treaty, although the hope to he useful has kept me there longer than I had expected.

Boston, MA - 22 October 1784

On my arrival at Boston, I have been so friendly received, that no words can express my truly affectionate gratitude.

New York, NY - 21 December 1784

No, my beloved General, our late parting was not by any means a last interview. My whole soul revolts at the idea ; and could I harbour it an instant, indeed, my dear General, it would make me miserable.

Paris, FRA - 4 July 1785

My dear General, This letter will be delivered by the celebrated M. Houdon, who is going, for your statue, to America.

Sarreguemines, FRA - 14 July 1785

I have been lately visiting some French towns, where I spoke a great deal about American trade, and fully answered the views I had the honor to communicate in a former letter.

Vienna, AUT - 3 September 1785

This letter has been requested of me as an introduction for M. Andre Michaux, whom, for many reasons, I am happy to present.

Paris, FRA - 10 February 1786

The inclosed, my dear General, is a vocabulary which the Empress of Russia has requested me to have filled up with Indian names, as she has ordered a universal dictionary to be made of all languages.

Paris, FRA - 26 October 1786

I have been travelling through some garrison towns, in order to preserve the habit of seeing troops and their tactics. Now I am mostly at Fontainbleau, where the Court is residing for a few weeks.

Paris, FRA - 5 May 1787

he persuaded the King to assemble notable persons of each order, to please them with a plan of Assemblies in each Province, which was much desired, and to get their approbation for new taxes, with which he durst not, by himself, saddle the nation.

Paris, FRA - 15 October 1787

My dear General, I have a few days ago written to you by M. de Moustier, the new Minister from this Court. He is a sensible and honest man, with whom I think that the people of America will be satisfied.

Paris, FRA - 1 January 1788

It is needless for me to tell you, that I read the new proposed Constitution with an unspeakable eagerness and attention. I have admired it, and find in it a bold, large, and solid frame for the Confederation.

Paris, FRA - 25 May 1788

Permit me once more, my beloved General, to insist on your acceptance of the Presidency.

Paris, FRA - 17 March 1790

Our revolution is getting on as well as it can, with a nation that has swallowed liberty at once, and is still liable to mistake licentiousness for freedom.

Paris, FRA - 28 August 1790

For God's sake, my dear General, take care of your health ! Do not devote yourself so much to the Cabinet, while your habit of life has, from your young years, accustomed you to constant exercise.

Paris, FRA - 7 March 1791

Whatever expectations I had conceived of a speedy termination to our revolutionary troubles, I still am tossed about in the ocean of factions and commotions of every kind.

Paris, FRA - 3 May 1791

The rage of parties, even among the patriots, is gone as far as it is possible, short of bloodshed ; but, although hatreds are far from subsiding, matters do not appear so ill disposed as they formerly were towards a collision among the supporters of

Paris, FRA - 6 June 1791

The Assembly has put an end to her existence by a new convocation ; has unfitted her own members for immediate reelection and places in the Executive; and is now reducing the Constitution to a few principal articles

Paris, FRA - 25 May 1814

I am much obliged to you for the care you have been pleased to take of my patents, and still more grateful for the beneficial kindness I have experienced from you in the whole course of that transaction.

Paris, FRA - 26 May 1814

I passed the last evening in company with the Emperor Alexander, who, however prepossessed in his favor, has surpassed my expectations.

Paris, FRA - 3 June 1814

Here is, however, another copy of the observations which I had put under the eyes of Emperor Alexander, while I transmitted to him, through a particular friend, the excellent and more extensive note of Mr. Crawford.

Monticello, VA - 10 November 1824

As soon as I found myself once more on the happy shore of America, one of my first inquiries was after you, and the means to get to my old friend.

La Grange, FR - 28 December 1825

You are by this time at Washington, with many others of my friends, occupied in the day with concerns most interesting to me, and spending every evening in those parties which I have happily enjoyed last winter.

La Grange, FR - 12 March 1826

While you are on the duties of congressional business, I make some escapes from town to my farm, and, having no public task to perform, I am active in the thought of what is probably going on in Washington

La Grange, FR - 26 July 1826

Notwithstanding the disaster of Missolonghi, and the abominable conduct of the European cabinets, the affairs of Greece wear a better aspect than had been, even by many of their friends, anticipated.

, FRA - 19 March 1829

I am anxious to be informed of your destination in the new presidential arrangements. Are you a member of the Cabinet...

, FRA - 16 April 1829

I will tell you confidentially, as your old friend, and also as a friend to General Jackson, that a rumor of numerous changes has excited some uneasiness on this side of the Atlantic

Paris, FRA - 8 December 1832

The reelection of the President will set you at liberty to make a choice between the secretaryship and the French legation

Paris, FRA - 6 May 1834

Since I had the pleasure to see you, my dear friend, I have had an attack of gouty fever, which kept me in my bed. I hope it is or will be soon over.