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.

242 HISTORY OF THE
Three days after the federation, Lafayette received a
most flattering and affectionate address from the national
guards of France, signed by more than twelve hundred commandants, captains, officers, and privates, belonging to all
departments of the kingdom. " The more," observed these
deputies of four millions of soldiers, " you perform for the
public benefit, the less you desire to receive rewards; you
have refused the homage about to be offered from the grateful hearts of your fellow-citizens; you endeavour to escape
from our zeal and our eulogiums; and you have afforded
the striking example, that a truly great man can never believe that he has performed enough for his country.-The
deputies of the national guard of France, retire under the
fear that they will be unable to appoint you their chief;
they respect the constitutional law which arrests the impulse
of their hearts; and the fact that you yourself originated
that law-that you yourself prescribed limits to the expression of our gratitude-ought for ever to cover you with glory.
But if you cannot be our dhief, you will ever be our friend,
our guide, and our model: accustomed to behold in you, one
of those heroes who have principally contributed to the success of the revolution, we will never forget the great example which you have shown us; and, should it be possible
that, at a future day, any attempt shall be made to abuse our
love of liberty,-should it be possible that that love, so pure
in its principle, shall give any hopes to the partizans of disorder,-be firm and encouraged: millions of men are armed
for the defence of the constitution; millions of men to partake in your dangers.-As representative of the nation, be,
sir, always near the legislative assembly, as the pledge of'
our zeal in the execution of its decrees."*
It is a pleasing part of the duty of the biographer, to record the numerous examples, which shed so much lustre on
the pure and disinterested principles of Lafayette. That
truly great man steadily resisted the entreaties of the muni..
* Mem. Hist. p. 292.