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.

250 HISTORY OF THE
street in which his house stood, was crowded with the troops,
all waiting with impatience for the news of his having yielded to their entreaties; but, finding that he still refused, they
went in crowds to the Hotel-de-Ville, and begged of the municipality to use their influence with the general. The municipality, perceiving that citizens of all the sections joined
in this request of the national guards, declared that they
would become responsible for the future obedience of the
battalions, and entreated the general to yield to the wishes
of his fellow-citizens.-Lafayette expressed a proper sense
of the honour conferred on him; adding, that he would not
presume to give an immediate answer, but would, the following day, attend the municipality at the Hotel-de-Ville, and
then deliver to them his sentiments. Accordingly, he appeared in the common hall at -ten o'clock, where he found
all the representatives of the common council, with deputies
from all the battalions of national guards, assembled, and
pronounced a discourse equally distinguished for modesty
and good sense. He placed in a strong point of view, the
horror which every enlightened citizen must have felt, at beholding those whose duty it was to support the laws, oppose
their execution. He added, that if the capital, which was
the cradle of the revolution, instead of respecting and obeying the executive powers, should besiege them with tumults,
and fatigue them with insults, it would, from being the honoured example, become the terror, of the French nation;
and that, in the marks of regard with which his fellow-citizens had honoured him, too much attention had been paid te
an individual, but not enough to the laws: " In the affecting
marks of attachment," said he, "that I have received, too
much regard is shown to me, and too little to the laws. I am
feelingly convinced that my comrades love me; but I am
still to learn, how far they are attached to those principles on
which liberty is founded."-And he concluded by refusing to
resume the command.
When the refusal, and the observations, of the general,