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.

MARQUIS DB LAFAYETTE. 233
iiligence, and effect. But, although the immediate designs
of the plotters were thus overthrown, yet the capital continued.in a state of great disorder for two or three days.Cabals and meetings were continually taking place, and all
the past indications of mischief were renewed, and seemed
to appear in stronger colours than usual. Mischiefs of every
kind, and accompanied with every degree of horror and ruin,
were generally expected; and even those who were best in-'ormed, anticipated some great, and probably dreadful event.
But Lafayette, by a vigorous act of exertion put an end to
the combustion in Paris. With his militia, he suddenly surrounded, at night, a body of eleven hundred of the insurgents; who were assembled in the Champs Elysees, of whom
lie made two hundred prisoners; the rest being so terrified;hat they seemed to consider themselves fortunate in escaping
with their lives. This put a stop for the present, to nocturntal meetings, as well as to riots by day.?
On the twenty-second of May, 1790, after a long and;tormy debate during several sittings, the national assembly!ecreed that " war could not be declared but by a decree of
the legislative assembly, predicated on the formal and neces-,ary proposition of the king, and afterwards sanctioned by
ais majesty." On this occasion, which brought forward all
the talents of the assembly, M. de Lafayette opposed the absolute right of. the king to declare war, but maintained that
I- division of the power would be more conformable to the
true constitutional principles of liberty and monarchy, more
calculated to keep at a distance the scourge of war, and
more advantageous to the people.-In concludinghis opinions
on this subject, which were of course less popular than Those
which vested the whole power in the legislative assembly,
Lafayette made the following noble remark;-" I have believed that I could not better pay the immense obligations
which I owe to the people, than in not sacrificing to the fleett Ann. Reg. vol. xxxii, p. 124-5, 6.-Toulong. Hist. vol. i, p. 187.
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