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 DE LAFAYETTE. 243
cipality of Paris, which required him to accept the compensation legally granted to him as the commander of the national
guard. In September, 1790, the president of the Commune,
at length addressed a letter to Lafayette, in which he declared and reiterated in the most positive manner, that it was
the intention of the assembly no longer to permit him to refilse the indemnity which was legally and unavoidably his
due, for the immense expenditures which he had been obliged to make in the eminent situation which the public voice
had entrusted to him:-that the assembly requested, and (as
authoritative expressions on their part could not be disagreeable to him who had uniformly supported their authority,) it
understood, that he would receive the necessary indemnities.
" You may be generous," it concluded, " but the city of Paris
cannot possibly be ungrateful. You have created its felicity
-it cannot involve you in ruin."-To this letter, general
Lafayette made the following reply:
GENTLEMEN,
Permit me, while I positively declare that I have received
nothing, either directly or indirectly, from the municipality
nor the executive, to add, that I receive a sweet and sufficient compensation for the trouble occasioned by fulfilling
the duties of the distinguished situation to which I have been
called by the voice of the people, in the kind and flattering
professions with which you have ever deigned to honour me.
I do not affect a false generosity, in persisting in my refusal:
I would be disposed, not only to accept, but to demand, to
solicit, from the people, in whose cause I have devoted my
fortune and my life, indemnity for my expenditures, if my
fortune did not raise me above want.-It was considerable;
it has sufficed for two revolutions; and if a third should occur,for the benefit of the people, it shall belong wholly to it.
LAFAYETTE.
A deputation was then appointed to wait on the commander-in-chief: he remained firm, but respectful in his refusal.