not leizure to bestow) have caused such depredations thereon and every thing connected with them and have so deranged all matters of private concern, that what with the plague and trouble proceeding from the number of workmen I have been obliged to employ, and of other matters little interesting to any but myself I have been occupied from the "rising of the sun to the setting of the same," and which as the wise man has said "may be all vanity and vexation of spirit," but as I did not seek it a source of happiness, but entered upon as a case of necessity, a line may be drawn between his disappointmts. and mine. Your account and others, which I received about the same time of the liberation of Genl. De Lafayette, is interesting and highly pleasing. Should he with his family proceed immediately to America as is enjoined upon him by the Emperor he will experience one source of regret on his arrival, namely that his son sailed for Havre about the last of Octr. in expectation of finding him in Paris (from the measures the Directory had taken to obtain his releasement). I proceeded as far as a strong opposing opinion would allow me to induce him to await direct advice of this event from his father but his eagerness to embrace his parents and Sisters, in the first moments of their liberation; the belief that the Prisoners at Almutz were released, before it actually (as it seems) had happened; and conviction that he wou'd be under no embarrassments in France even if they were not, overcame all opposition. I went so far however as to observe, that it was possible though perhaps not probable that he and his friends might be upon the Ocean steering different courses at the same time. But as this, under the then appearance of things was not supposed likely to happen, his fear of a winter passage gave the preponderance, and on the 26th. of Octr. he set sail from New York for Havre de grace. 1797] ENVOYS TO FRANCE 89 I am very glad to find that the Colleagues of General Pinckney had arrived safe in Holland, and that all three according to Newspaper accts. were set down in Paris. What their reception has been and what may be the issue of the negociation with which they are charged, is not for me to pronounce, the late revolution however at that place, will not introduce them under the most favorable auspices in my opinion; but this event like all other Acts of the French Government is extolled by men amongst us as a master piece of Vigilance, wisdom and patriotism. The means used to effect this are not overlooked, but applauded; of course then Constitution, like Treaties, are not obligatory when they become inconvenient. but I will quit politics and having nothing of a domestic nature to entertain you with shall soon put an end to my letter. Congress are in Session and as the Gazettes are transmitted to you, you will learn more from them than I could say. Mr. Izard I have not seen. The enclosed letters I take the liberty of committing to your care, and with compliments for Mrs. Murray in which Mrs. Washington unites, I remain with much truth, etc. *To CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY Mount Vernon, December 4, 1797. My dear Sir: With much pleasure I received your letter of the 19th. of September from Rotterdam; and that pleasure proceeded in a great measure from the congeniality of sentiments which prevail between you and Genl. Marshall; having taken the liberty of introducing him to you as a Gentleman, in whom you might place entire confidence. What has been the reception of the Embassy by the French Directory, is, to me, unknown; and what will be the result of it, is not for me to predict. The change, however, which took place at Paris on the 4th of September adds nothing to my hope of a favourable issue. In this I may be mistaken; but of another thing I am certain I shall not, and that is, that the failure (if such be the case) cannot be attributed to the want of justice on the part of the United States or from the want of an able representation of it, on the part of their Negociators. Of course the issue must be favourable, or conviction will be produced in all, except those who do not want to be convinced, that we have nothing to expect from the justice of the Nation with whom we are treating. In either case we shall ascertain our ground. That the Government of France views us as a divided people, I have little doubt; and that they have been led to entertain that opinion from representations, and the conduct of many of our own citizens, is still less doubtful; but I shall be very much mistaken, indeed, in the mass of the People of the United States, if an occasion should call for an unequivocal expression of the public voice, if the first wd. not find themselves very much deceived; and the latter (their leaders excepted) to change their notes. I pray devoutly that the Directory may not bring the matter to trial. I have received the letter and Book 2 from Mr. Luzac of Leyden, which are mentioned in yours, and have offered him my thanks for both, in a letter put under cover to Mr. Murray at the Hague, expressive also of the sense I entertain of his uniform and friendly sentiments towards these United States. Mr. Izard, I have not yet seen, if he should call upon me on his way to Charleston I shall be very happy; on many accts.; to shew him all the civility in my power. The enclosed for young Lafayette I must request your care of. Having received premature advice (from some of his correspondants in Ham The title is not mentioned either in Luzac's or Pinckney's letters, but it is probably the volume listed in the "Inventory &c. of Articles at Mount Vernon," made by the appraisers of Washington's estate, as "Luzac's Oration." 1797] YOUNG LAFAYETTE 91 burgh) of the liberation of his father and friends, his eagerness to embrace them in the first moments of it, could not be restrained; although I endeavoured to convince him that it would be more prudent to await the confirmation from themselves; and among other things observed to him, that although it was not probable, still it was possible, that his Parents might be on their Voyage to America whilst he was seeking them in Europe. Should this prove to be the case (as appears not unlikely from the injunction of the Emperor) it will be a matter of sore regret to both. The confidence however, which he placed in his information; the advancement of the Season, and his fear of a Winter passage; gave the preponderancy to his inclination over my opinion. He is a sensible and well disposed young man, full of felial affection and every sentiment to render him estimable. Information with respect to public matters, will go to you from a more direct, and purer fountain than mine, I mean from the Department of State; and that which more immediately concerns myself, is too unimportant to trouble you with, further than to assure you, which I can do with much truth, that in your public mission, and in your private capacity, I wish you all the success, and prosperity that your heart can desire; and that with the greatest sincerity I am, etc. 68 *To FELIX FRESTAL Mount Vernon, December 4, 1797. Dear Sir: Your conjunct letters from New York and 2nd: of Novr. from Sea, and your seperate letter of the 22d. of October" from the former place, have all been received with that From a photostat of the original through the kindness of Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach, of New York City. "All three of these letters from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Frestal are in the Washington Papers. satisfaction which I shall always feel in hearing that you are well, and happy; as I sincerely wish you may be in a meeting of your friends in the bosom of your native Country. For the flattering terms in which you have expressed your sense of the civilities, which your merits alone independent of the consideration of being the mentor and companion of our young friend, richly entitled you to, I offer you my thanks. And for the sentiments of friendship with which you are pleased to honor me, I shall always entertain a lively and grateful remembrance. You carried with you the regrets of the whole family, at parting; and I can assure you Sir, that if you should visit America again we shall feel very happy in seeing you under this roof; and in your walks. Except the commencement (if we are to judge from appearances) of a very hard Winter, nothing have occurred since you left us, which is at all interesting. The branches of this family with which you are acquainted, remain in Statu quo; except that Mrs. Peter has added another daughter to the Stock, and my nephew Lawrence Washington a wife to his bosom; at the ceremonial of which Lawrence Lewis attended, and is not yet returned. I will engross no more of your time than while I can assure you, of the very great esteem etc. *To JOHN MARSHALL Mount Vernon, December 4, 1797. Dear Sir: Your very interesting and obliging favor of the 15th. of September from the Hague, came duly to hand, and I thank you sincerely for the important details with which it is fraught, and pray for the continuation of them. I congratulate you too on your safe arrival from Ship-board; and, as the Newspapers tell us, at Paris; and I wish in a little |