“After other business during the second session of the twentieth Congress the Vice-President communicated a letter from the President of the United States, transmitting one received from Monsieur David, the artist, member of the Institute of France, professor of the School of Painting at Paris, and member of the Legion of Honor, who presents to Congress the bust of General La Fayette, which has been received with it.”
The following is a translated copy of the letter:—
“Paris, Sept. 11, 1828.
“To the President: I have made a bust of La Fayette, and would willingly raise a statue to his honor—not for himself, because he has no need of it, but for ourselves, who approve in so lively a manner the desire of expressing to him the affectionate regard and admiration with which we are inspired. The youth of the French nation is filled with admiration for the virtues of the youth and the old age of him whose likeness I send you.
“They envy the glory that was acquired upon the American soil, by the side of the immortal Washington, and the defence of your noble rights.
“They envy that glory which has been acquired on the soil of France, in the midst of the troubles of Paris and of Versailles, where, in breasting the storm, he wanted courage as little in the struggles of debate as he did in contending with the sword. They envy the glory which covers the brow whitened by age, but still sparkling with the fire of liberty and of patriotism.
“It is in the name of this youthful feeling of the French nation, ambitious to imitate everything generous and great, that I offer you a work upon which my hands have been employed for some time and with great care.
“I could wish that it was more worthy of the subject—more worthy of the place which I am desirous to see it occupy. Yes, sir, I could wish that the bust of our brave general, of our illustrious deputy, should be elevated on a pedestal in the audience chamber of Congress, near the monument erected to Washington himself; that the son be placed by the side of the father, or, if you please, that the two brothers in arms, the two companions in victory, the friends of order and of law, may be no more separated in our estimation than they were in their devotion to the cause of liberty and in the hour of peril.
“La Fayette is one of the ties that unite the two worlds. He visited the new one to remain there for a few months, and to salute once more your sacred land of justice and equality, and has returned to us after having partaken of your feasts and received the honor and the benediction of your nation.
“I hasten to render my homage in return—I present you with his image. It will be a memento that the original may often recall to the National Assembly those eternal principles upon which the independence of the state reposes, and which are the foundation of their safety.