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. 45
given, the air resounded with "long live the king of
France," poured forth from the breast of every private in
the army.About the first of June, the three pacificatory commissioners from Great Britain, Carlisle, Eden, and Johnstone,
arrived, with powers to give effect to the conciliatory acts
of parliament, which had been proposed by lord North. The
terms offered were such as America would, at one time,
have most joyfully accepted; but that time was now passed.
The union of the force of the two nations under one common sovereign, was a measure to which the government was
no longer disposed, nor even at liberty to accede. A distressing war had eradicated all those affections which parts
of the same empire should feel toward each other; the
great body of the nation was determined, at every sacrifice,
to maintain its independence; and the treaty with France
lhad pledged them, by every principle of honour and national
faith, never to consent to a re-union with the British empire.
On reading the letter of the commissioners to Congress,
some observations were found to be mingled with them,
reflecting on the conduct of France. No sooner were they
heard, than a violent clamour rose, many members exclaiming that the reading ought to be interrupted on account
of the offensive language against his most Christian majesty.
The words which produced this confusion were the following; "We cannot but remark the insidious interposition of
a power, which has, from the first settlement of the colonies,
been actuated with enmity to us both; and notwithstanding
tie pretended date, or present form, of the French offers to
North America, it is notorious that they have only been
made, because it was believed that Great Britain had conceived the design of an amicable' arrangement, and with a
view to prevent Reconciliation, and prolong this destructive
war." After animated debates, the further consideration
of the subject was adjourned to the next sitting; but the
question was agitated with equal vehemence, on the followR niamsay's Revolution, p. 381.