“I am, with profound respect, Mr. President, your very humble and obedient servant,
“David,
“Member of the Institute of France, and professor in the School of Painting; member of the Legion of Honor.”
The following is a description of the bust as given in the National Intelligencer:—
“The bust is of a fine white marble, and is the work of P. J. David, of D’Angers, in France.
“It is of a size larger than the life, and exhibits a fine likeness of that distinguished apostle of liberty. On the front is ‘Au général La Fayette,’ and the name and residence of the artist, with the year (1828) of its execution. On the left side is an inscription, indented in the stone, in the following words: ‘La Fayette’s speech in the House of Representatives, Dec. 10, 1824.—What better pledge can be given of a persevering national love of liberty, when these blessings are evidently the results of a virtuous resistance of oppression, and institutions founded on the rights of man, and the republican opinion of self-government?’
“On the right side is the following:—
“‘La Fayette’s last words in his answer to the President’s farewell speech, Washington, Sept. 7, 1825: God bless you, sir, and all who surround us. God bless the American people, and each of their states, and the federal government. Accept this patriotic farewell of an overflowing heart; and such will be its last throb when it ceases to beat.’”
The New York American of December, 1828, says:—