There is also another interesting American relic, in the shape of a cane, upon which is carved a portrait of La Fayette. During La Fayette’s last visit to America an old captain sought him out in Nashville, and with tears in his eyes, embraced him, saying: “I have had two happy days in my existence—that on which I landed with you at Charleston, in 1777, and this day. I have seen and embraced you. I now desire to live no longer. I have nothing but this cane, on which you see your portrait; I request you to accept it, and to keep it in memory of one of your old soldiers and companions in arms.”
Another handsome souvenir is a sword presented to La Fayette by the New York militia. Also a sword of ivory and gold, presented to La Fayette by Colonel Muir in the name of the ninth regiment of artillery of New York.
But the memento of the greatest importance in the collection is probably the sword of honor presented to La Fayette by Congress, and transmitted to him by Franklin, through his grandson. We have mentioned this sword previously, but did not describe it. This weapon is a chef d’œuvre of art. During the Reign of Terror, Madame La Fayette, fearing it would be seized, ordered the sword to be buried. It remained concealed for many years and was thus saved.
When George La Fayette returned from America, while his father was still in exile, he disinterred this famous weapon, but found the blade had been completely destroyed by rust. George was able to preserve only the handle and the mounting, which he conveyed secretly to his father in Holland, running great risks thereby, as it was very dangerous to take gold out of France in those unsettled times. On La Fayette’s return to France, he conceived the happy idea of adjusting to this handle, the blade of the sword presented to him by the National Guard of Paris. This blade was manufactured from the iron bolts and bars of the Bastile, and presents some allegorical subjects connected with the destruction of that renowned fortress.
Sword presented by the American Congress.
The sword as it now appears is thus described. “The knob of the handle presents, on one side, a shield with La Fayette’s arms—a marquis’s coronet surmounted by a streamer—on which is inscribed the motto, ‘Cur Non.’ On the other side is a medallion representing the first quarter of the moon, whose rays are shed over the sea, and the land of the American continent, which is perceived on the horizon. The coasts of France form the foreground of the scene, surmounted by a floating band, on which are read the words: ‘Crescam ut Prosim,’—an allusion to the rising liberty and the subsequent prosperity of America. In the centre of the handle, on each side, are two oblong medallions: the first represents La Fayette, who has drawn the sword, and overthrown the English lion at his feet. The general is on the point of despatching him, but he pauses, extends his hand, and seems inclined to spare his life. On the other medallion America is represented as having just broken her fetters. She is portrayed under the form and features of a young woman, half-clad, seated under a military tent. In one hand she holds her broken chains, and with the other she presents a laurel branch to La Fayette[Fayette].
“Above and below the two preceding medallions are military emblems of arms, and two crowns of laurel which encircle the handle. On the sides of the guard are other trophies of arms; and on one of them are the words: ‘From the American Congress to Marquis La Fayette, 1779.’