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.

282 HISTORY OF THIE
Traversing Germany in the character of a traveller In
pursuit of instruction and knowledge, he ascertained that
Lafayette had been surrendered to the Austrian government,
and taken the route toward Olmutz." Having reconnoitred
the country along the frontier, he selected Tarnowitz, as a
place of temporary retreat, in case an opportunity should
occur of rescuing the prisoner from captivity. This point
determined in his mind, he proceeded toward Olmutz, a
strong Austrian fortress in Moravia, on the high road to
Vienna, from which it is distant about one hundred and fifty
miles.
At this period, the Austrian police, more rigorous than that
of any country in Europe, France, probably excepted, was
even more watchful than usual, because the events in France,
and those in Poland, where a revolution had just been crushed by the united efforts of the surrounding powers, rendered
all governments uneasy. Under such circumstances, the
utmost caution was indispensable to success, and information
became the more difficult to obtain, as all direct inquiry
would inevitably have led to suspicion. At Olmutz, however, Dr. Bollman ascertained that several state prisoners
were kept in the citadel, with a degree of caution and mystery, which must have been not unlike that used toward the
half fabulous personage in the iron mask. It seemed highly
probable that Lafayette was one of them, and acting upon this
supposition, the doctor visited the hospital, and endeavoured
to form an acquaintance with the first surgeon: he knew that
the health of the prisoner was delicate; that he would not omit
seeking medical aid; and that, of all the medical men in
Olmutz, this military surgeon was the most likely to perform
that office.
* The narrative of the unsuccessful attempt to rescue Lafayette, is in
substance, extracted from an account of that noble affair, published in
the Port Folio, vol. xxii. p. 93, and written by Dr. Bollman himself:
hence its authenticity is indubitable, although it varies from other nar.
ratives lately published in the country.