regards, and paid a proper deference to his opinions en the subject of American affairs.

In a letter to Washington, Dr. Franklin speaks of La Fayette as follows:

"I received but lately the letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me, in the recommen. dation of the Marquis de La Fayette. His modesty detained it long in his own hands. We became acquainted, however, from the time of arrival in Paris; and his zeal for the honour of our country, his activity in our affairs here, and his firm attachment to our cause, and to you, impressed me with the same regard and esteem for him, that your Excellency's letter would have done had it been immediately delivered to me."

In 1782, when there was a prospect of settling a peace between the United States and Great Britain, frequent conferences were held on this subject at Paris, between lord Grenville and Mr. Oswald on the part of Great Britain; Dr. Franklin on the part of America, and the Count De Vergennes on the part of France.

In these conferences, La Fayette was invited by Dr. Franklin to assist him in settling the most advantageous preliminaries for America.*

From Franklin's Journal, and the notes that passed between him and La Fayette, there recorded, it will appear that the latter was almost unremittingly employed on this subject. That he possessed the entire confidence of Franklin and the other commissioners;

that devote me to her. At all times, and in every part of the world, my heart will be panting for opportunities to be employed in her service. With unspeakable pleasure I shall transmit the resolve of Congress to the brave and virtuous troops, whom it has been my happiness to command. I have the honour to be, &c.

LA FAYETTE."

*See Franklin's Secret Correspondence with Congress.

and that he used great exertions as a mediator between them, is also shown by the same correspondence.

In Franklin's Journal for May, 1782, he says: "In the afternoon the Marquis de La Fayette called on me. I acquainted him with what Mr. Grenville had told me respecting his credential letter, and the expectation that a person would be sent to London on the part of this court, with a commission similar to his. The Marquis told me he was on his way to Versailles, and should see M. de Vergennes," &c.

The following note, on the same subject, is dated, "Versailles, June 20, 1782.

"My dear Sir,

"Agreeably to your desire, I have waited on Count de Vergennes, and said to him what I had in command from your Excellency. He intends taking the King's orders this morning, and expects he will be able to propose to Mr. Grenville a meeting for to morrow: when he will have time to explain himself respecting France and her allies, that he may make an official communication, both to the King and the allied ministers. What Count de Vergennes can make out of this conversation,* will be communicated by him to your Excellency, in case you are able to come. In the other case I shall wait upon you to-morrow evening with every information I can collect.

"I have the honour, &c.

"To His Excellency,

B. Franklin.”

LA FAYETTE."

These extracts serve to shew that La Fayette did not serve America in the field only, but that he was confidentially and actively employed on his return to Paris, in the cabinet of Versailles, to promote her interests, and hasten the conclusion of that contest, in which he had gathered unfading laurels. It appears,

* Relating to a previous conference with Mr. Grenville.

also, from Franklin's Journal, that the name of La Fayette had become so celebrated in Paris, that his national enemies, of the highest standing, were glad to gratify their curiosity by having an introduction to a man of whom they had heard so much.

In his Journal, Dr. Franklin mentions that he went to Paris to see Mr. Oswald, the British commissioner. "I told him," says he, "that the Marquis de La Fay. ette would breakfast with me to-morrow, and as he, Mr. Oswald, might have some curiosity to see a person, who had, in this war, rendered himself so eminently distinguished, I proposed that he should do me the same honour. To this he cheerfully agreed." This was soon after the arrival of Mr. Oswald in Paris. ·

The honourable and tender regard which La Fayette had for the feelings of his fellow soldiers in America, as well as his nice regard for truth, was finally displayed on the following occasion.

In Sir Henry Clinton's printed correspondence on the American war, there was a sentence purporting to come from La Fayette, the meaning of which was, that the American militia were worth nothing in the field. The Marquis, on seeing it, immediately wrote to Sir Henry as follows:

"Paris, April 9, 1783.

"Sir-Upon a perusal of your printed correspondence, I must beg leave to trouble you with an observation; not that I have claims to set forth, or relations to criticise. A sentence in your letter of is the only one I intend to mention: "Having said to lord Cornwallis that he may be opposed by about 2000 continentals, and as La Fayette observes, a body of ill armed militia," you are pleased to add, "as spiritless as the militia of the southern provinces, and without any service;" which read as if it was a part of my letter. How far your description is undeserving, I think experience has proved; and that it came from me, no American will believe. But your cor

respondence is so public, that, with full reliance on your candour and politeness, I have taken the liberty to transcribe the passage, and to return it to you, Sir, as its true author. At the same time, permit me, &c. "LA FAYETTE."

To this, Sir Henry Clinton, with very honourable feelings, made the following reply:

"SIR,

London, May 29, 1783.

"In consequence of the Letter you have done me the honour to write me, I have read over the publication in question; and I confess the remark alluded to, from the manner in which it is introduced, appears to make a part of your letter. You have certainly, Sir, a right to this acknowledgement, and permit me at the same time to add, the assurance, &c. H. CLINTON."

CHAPTER VII.

VISIT OF LA FAYETTE TO AMERICA, IN 1784.

AFTER the peace had been settled between the United States and Great Britain, General La Fayette again visited America. He arrived in the summer of 1784, and came for the friendly purposes of enjoying the peaceful society of his brave companions in arms, and to see the prosperity of a nation in which he delighted, and in whose defence he had so often hazarded his life.

The day after his arrival, he was invited to a public dinner, on which occasion the officers who had served in the late war, appeared in full military uniform. This being the first repast Gen. La Fayette had ever partaken in the United States, as a free and independent nation, it could not but have been an occasion on which the contrast between the horrors of war, and sweets of peace, and pride of independence, was most sensibly felt and appreciated.

After remaining a short time in New York, he went to Philadelphia, where he met with the same warm reception. The officers of the army and militia, together with the most respectable citizens, came in a body to meet him. They escorted him to the Governour's house, and from thence to the house prepared for his lodgings. In the evening, every house in the city was illuminated.

"The next day, Generals St. Clair, Wayne, and Irvine, were appointed a committee from the corps of officers, to wait on La Fayette with the congratulations of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania.* It was not

* On that occasion the following address was delivered : "We, the officers of the Pennsylvania line, deeply im