A complete history of the Marquis de Lafayette, major-general in the American army in the war of the revolution. Embracing an account of his tour through the United States, to the time of his departure, September, 1825. By an officer in the late army.

138 HISTORY OF THE
his friends at their head, than at his estate in Auvergne.
The influence and consideration which he acquired among
the political, as well as the military body, were highly flattering to a young man of his age; and it is confidently asserted that his private letters have frequently produced more
effect in arousing the lethargy of some of the states, than
the strongest exhortations of Congress. In short, he pos.
sessed, in so high a degree, the character of an accomplished
and perfect soldier, as to gain the confidence of his superiors,
the affection of his equals, and the respect and veneration
of all who served under him. It is no trifling compliment
to say, that next to the commander-in chief, and the intrepid
Greene, no general stood higher in the public favour. or
more constantly commanded the admiration of the army
than Lafayette.
Nor did his solicitude for the public welfare of America
bound his exertions; for he was ever ready to aid our fellow
citizens when distressed in Europe; and oftentimes even
without being called upon. Some he rescued from poverty,
by opening to them his purse; others, he counselled and defended. His protecting arm stretched itself beyond the Pyrenees and snatched the indiscreet American, either from
the fangs of the officer of the customs, or from the dark and
unforgiving tribunals of the inquisition. His succour unhappily came too late on one of these melancholy occasions;
and his letter, on that subject, to the late Samuel Breck,
esquire, dated in Paris, second June, 1785, is an additional
evidence of the correctness of his feelings and the goodness
of his heart:
" As soon as your letter came to hand," the marquis writes,
"I addressed the count de Florida Blanca, the Spanish prime
minister, in behalf of Mr. H. Enclosed you will find his
answer, and also the copy of an account given to Mr. Carmichael, whereby I was much affected to hear poor Mr. H.
is no more. For fear of disgusting the minister with the
application, I had, in some measure, refrained from expo