Nearly half a century had elapsed, since Lafayette, inspired by the love of glory and liberty, tore himself away from the sweets of domestic affection and the dangerous seductions of a court, to offer the aid of an illustrious name and ample fortune, to a nation, which, though bravely combating for independence, seemed by the inequality of the contest to be threatened with destruction. After his return to France, Lafayette, although entirely occupied by the French revolution, for the success of which he sacrificed his fortune and repose, and sometimes endangered his popularity and life, often turned his thoughts upon America, the theatre of his first exploits; in the dungeons of Olmutz, and under the imperial despotism, he comforted himself with the thought, that in America, at least, the tree of liberty he had assisted in planting, bore fruits as delightful as abundant, and that a happy people, worthy of the happiness they enjoyed, remembered him with sentiments of lively gratitude. But withheld by various causes, he could only cherish the wish of again beholding America, without being able to form any plan for revisiting it. The confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, who after the events of 1815, recalled him into political activity, appeared to be a still stronger reason for his remaining in France. Nevertheless in 1824, the intrigues of a corrupt and corrupting minister, having removed him from the national representation, he was free from engagements, when the following letter was addressed to him by the President of the United States.
Washington City, February 24th, 1824.
My dear General,
I wrote you a letter about fifteen days since, by Mr. Brown, in which I expressed the wish to send to any port in France you should point out, a frigate to convey you hither, in case you should be able to visit the United States. Since then, Congress has passed a resolution on this subject, in which the sincere attachment of the whole nation to you is expressed, whose ardent desire is once more to see you amongst them. The period at which you may yield to this invitation is left entirely at your option, but believe me, whatever may be your decision, it will be sufficient that you should have the goodness to inform me of it, and immediate orders will be given for a government vessel to proceed to any port you will indicate, and convey you thence to the adopted country of your early youth, which has always preserved the most grateful recollection of your important services. I send you herewith the resolution of congress, and add thereto the assurance of my high consideration and of my sentiments of affection.
James Monroe.
It was impossible for Lafayette to refuse so honourable and so pressing an invitation, and the month of July was resolved on for his departure. He had refused the offer of Congress to send a frigate to convey him with greater safety and comfort, and he was also obliged to refuse numerous applications of his fellow citizens, who thinking perhaps that some new expedition in favour of liberty, was to be attempted, wished to share with him the perils and the glory. Accompanied only by his son, and the writer of this narrative, he left Paris on the 11th and arrived at Havre on the 12th of July, where the Cadmus, an American merchant ship, had waited for him some weeks.
The patriotism of the citizens of Havre had prepared for him a reception well calculated to gratify his feelings, but the absurd jealousy of the police checked this expression of the public sentiment, and would have produced a scene of disorder and bloodshed, if the inhabitants had been less discreet. Police officers, gendarmes, and Swiss soldiers, rivalled each other in their zeal to repress the noble ardor of the citizens, during the short time that general Lafayette remained among them. However, it was in the presence of the whole people, and amid the most vivid demonstrations of public feeling, that he embarked at noon on the thirteenth of July, 1824.
The weather being fine, and the sea perfectly calm, we embarked with facility; all the crew, paraded upon deck, waited for the arrival of the general, with an expression of joy mingled with noble pride. As he passed beneath the American flag, to whose glory and independence he had so freely contributed, he was greeted with three cheers, which were re-echoed by all the crews in port, and by the crowds which thronged the shore. Some particular friends who accompanied the general on board the Cadmus, received his final adieus. Almost immediately afterwards, our sails were filled by a fresh breeze, which wafted us along until we lost sight of that loved land, in which, in spite of all that may be said or done, virtue and patriotism will always find courageous defenders.
In a good vessel, skilfully commanded and managed as was the Cadmus, our voyage could scarcely be otherwise than prosperous. The squall which struck us the next morning and carried away two of our top-gallant masts, produced no other effect than that of furnishing us with an opportunity of admiring the calmness of our excellent captain Allyn in giving, and the vigour of the crew in executing his orders.
On the first of August we were becalmed, the sea was motionless, and our progress suspended. Seated on deck, about the general, with four young American passengers, we contemplated with pleasure the smooth surface of the ocean which nothing disturbed, when suddenly we perceived as far as the eye could reach, a black speck near the horizon, that seemed to be advancing towards us. During nearly half an hour, we were lost in conjectures as to what that could be, which was evidently approaching us rapidly; the motion of oars soon enabled us to perceive that it was a boat, and the sound of a bugle led us to believe it contained soldiers; we were not mistaken; in a few minutes a light skiff, containing seven persons dressed in uniform, came alongside. The leader of this adventurous party, measuring with a steady eye the height of our ship’s side, called for the ladder, that he might come on board; the rope-ladder was thrown out, and in a moment his companions and himself stood on the deck of our ship. He informed us, in rather a cavalier manner, that they were English officers, who were going in a transport, which he pointed out at a great distance, and which was becalmed like ourselves, to serve in garrison at Halifax, N. S. and that the beauty of the sea, want of something to do, and curiosity, had induced them to pay us a visit. Our captain received them with cool politeness, the crew scarcely noticed them, but their aspect and their arrogant manner appeared to recall the burning of the capitol to the minds of the young Americans. Notwithstanding their rather discouraging reception, our English officers began at once to multiply their questions, when captain Allyn, as a sufficient answer to the whole, pointed out and named to them general Lafayette; at this name, and so unexpected an appearance, their manners immediately changed; they took off their hats and respectfully received the hand which the general presented them, with cordiality. They were then invited into the cabin, where refreshments were served. Conversation followed, but frequently during its continuance, they gazed sometimes at the general, and then at the admirable arrangements of the vessel and crew, which examination appeared to cause them much absence of mind. How many recollections, in fact, must have been awakened by the sight of these Americans, but a short time since their tributaries, now their powerful rivals, conveying to their country the man who had so efficiently aided them in its noble and just struggle for liberty against oppression. After half an hour’s conversation, as the sun began to decline, they took leave, accepting very frankly some bottles of madeira and claret, which our captain had stowed in their boat.