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.

GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 387
dence, and you crossed the Atlantic at the hazard of fortune
and fame to cheer us in our resistance? That you re-crossed
it to solicit naval and military succours from the throne -of
France, and returned with triumphant success? That your
gallantry in the southern campaigns checked the inroads of a
brave and confident enemy? That your military labours closed
but with the surrender at Yorktown, and thus indissolubly
united your name with the proud events of that glorious day.
We cannot forget these things if we would.-We would not
forget them if we could. They will not be forgotten, until
America ceases to be a Nation.
"But we have yet higher sources of gratification on the present occasion. You have been the friend not merely of America, but of France, and of the cause of Liberty throughout the
World. During a long life, and in the most trying scenes,
you have done no act for which virtue need blush, or humanity weep. Your private character has not cast a shade on your
public honours. In the palaces of Paris and the dungeons of
Olmutz, in the splendor of power, and the gloom of banishment, you have been the friend of justice, and the asserter of
the rights of man.-Under every misfortune you have never
desrted your principles. What earthly prize can afford consolations like this? The favour of Princes and the applause
of Senates sink into absolute nothingness in comparison with
the approving conscience of a life devoted to the good of mankind. At this very moment you are realizing the brightest
visions of your youth, in the spectacle of ten millions of people,
prosperous and happy under a free government, whose moral
strength consists in the courage and intelligence of its citizens.
These millions welcome you to the shores of the West with
spontaneous unanimity; and the voice which now- addresses
you, feeble'as it is, repeats but the thoughts that are ready to
burst from the lips of every American."
To which the General made the following very appropriate
and affecting reply: —
" On my happy return to this shore of liberty, I had anticipated the pleasure to revisit the town of Salem, to witness her
so much increased prosperity, to recall with surviving old friends,
our revolutionary recollections. But in the affectionate welcome of the new generations, I find additional causes for delightful gratification.
"You have been pleased, Sir, to allude to several circum