Memoir of La Fayette.—Pictorial Devices on his Sword.
cause in which the Americans were engaged; their declared independence as a people, and various precedents which might justify his course, and petitioned for leave to proceed. His pleadings were in vain, and he resolved to risk the displeasure of his king.
Stealthily mak-
* I here give a fac simile of the pen-and ink sketches, made by a French artist, of devices for the guard of the sword presented to La Fayette. 1 copied from the originals in the archives of the State Department at Washington. Accompanying the sketches is the following description:
* "On one side of the Pommel are the Marquis's army in low relief, and on the other the device of a New Moon reflecting Rays of Light on a Country partly covered with wood and partly cultivated—Symbol of the Republic of the United States—with this motto: Crescam ut prosim. By this it was intended modestly to express,
"1. The present Mediocrity of Strength; as the Light of the
Moon, though considerable, is weaker than that of the Sun.
"2. Her expectation of becoming more Powerful as she
increases, and thereby rendering herself more useful to
Mankind.
"3. The gratitude with which she remembers that the Light
she spreads is principally owing to the kind aid of a great
Luminary [the King of France, whose symbol is the Sun] in
another Hemisphere.
"On the Bow is the Legend, 'From the American Congress to
the Marquis De La Fayette, 1779.
"The Handle is ornamented with two medallions. In one,
America, represented by a Woman, presents a Bunch of Laurel
to a Frenchman. On the other, a Frenchman is treading on a
Lion.
"On the Guard are separately represented, in fine Relievo,
"The affair at Gloucester [Yorktown];
"The Retreat on Rhode Island;
"The Battle of Monmouth;
"And the Retreat at Barren Hill.
"The Hilt is of massive gold, and the Blade two-edged. Cost
two hundred Louis. Made by Liger, Sword-cutler, Rue
Coquilliere. at Paris.
Arrival of La Fayette in America.—His Biography continued.—His Burial-place.