“M. Levasseur ordered a servant to follow him, and he was traced to a house where other police agents were assembled; and they were heard congratulating each other upon the capital breakfast which they could eat the next morning at the expense of General La Fayette. The policeman returned in half an hour, and was introduced to M. de La Fayette, who received him in the kindest manner, and addressed him thus:—
“‘Well, sir, what are you?’
“‘I am, sir,’ said the policeman, ‘an old officer, who has been greatly persecuted.’
“‘Probably,’ said the general, ‘you belong to M. Delavau’s regiment?’
“‘No,’ said Placi.
“‘Well,’ continued the general, ‘as you will not tell the truth, I will try and force you to do so.’
“The general, then addressing himself to his secretary, told him to order up the servants and direct them to tie the policeman in a chaise, and carry him to his château in the country and burn him. They obeyed the general’s orders, and fastened Placi with cords in the post-chaise; but soon as he saw it was no joke (not being able to move hand or foot), he begged to be allowed to speak a few words to the general; and on being brought before him, threw himself upon his knees, and asked for pardon, and at the same time delivering up the paper which he had received as instructions. M. de La Fayette granted him his liberty, and transmitted the instructions, with a letter to M. Delavau, which the latter (of course, through modesty) has not thought proper to publish in the newspapers.”
The following account of the arrival of La Fayette in America is taken from the files of the Niles Register, a newspaper published in Baltimore at that time. The date is August, 1824.
“It is with feelings of the utmost pleasure we announce the arrival of this distinguished soldier and patriot of the Revolution. He came a passenger in the Cadmus from Havre, accompanied by his son, George Washington La Fayette, and arrived at the quarantine ground, near New York, on the 15th inst. He landed from the Cadmus at an early hour in the morning, and repaired to the dwelling of the Vice-President on Staten Island.
“Immediately on his arrival being known, he was waited on by a committee of the corporation of New York and a great number of distinguished citizens. He is in excellent health, full of conversation, and rejoiced beyond measure in having his foot upon American ground. On the following day he was conducted to the city, amidst every demonstration of joy that a grateful people could bestow, reflecting the highest credit on the patriotic citizens of New York, and a just tribute to the veteran whose blood and treasure so essentially contributed to the enjoyment of our present blessings.”