LOT #47035 |
Sold on Sep 21, 2023 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Sep 21, 2023 for:
$23,750.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
Lafayette writes to James McHenry about the French Revolution and George Washington
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette Autograph Letter
Signed. Three pages of a bifolium, 6.5" x 8.25". La Grange;
November 22, 1801. Letter addressed to James McHenry, a founding
father and former Secretary of War under George Washington and John
Adams. Signed, "Yours, Lafayette." Docketed on verso.The letter reads in full: "The arrival of a frigate with the American Ambassador makes me hope for a letter from you - in the meanwhile I have taken the two opportunities offered to let you hear from me - politics I will not dwell upon at this time. You will know, before this letter reaches you, that a General peace has taken place. France has been powerful at war, Happy in her treaties from the first fine principles of her revolution; however, purloined, disfigured and sullied though they have been, she has derived great means of prosperity. How soon liberty, her primary object may become the prize of her triumphs and a consolation for her sufferings depends much upon the temper of one man, and in appreciation of her glory - But I am among the few who profess that the liberal deeds, which among so much, have been sown upon European and particularly upon French Ground, cannot and shall not be ultimately lost. I live for my past, in a rural, happy state of retirement; the affairs of my friends, or some particular object, such as the other day the pleasure to dine with Lord Cornwallis, call me now and then to Paris, I sometimes see Bonaparte, my deliverer from Olmatz [Olmütz], whose conduct by me is constantly obliging. I see my other Acquaintances in and out of place, but my journeys to the Capital being rare, and my stay being short, I spend the almost totality of my time in my Rural Habitation of La Grange, forty miles from Paris, where surrounded by my family, and visited by some friends, I am devoted to a new purpose of mine, that of Agriculture. Hitherto, I have only got the ground-work, in a large farm around my dwellings but if ever I can manage the trifling remains of my fortune so as to have a sum sufficient to stock and improve it, I shall consider it as a big happy circumstance. But before I launch into those luxurious rural enjoyments, I must have got rid of my debts and insured to myself and my family and independent, tho [sic] modest, subsistence. You will hear that Mr. Otto is to go over as an ambassador. I think he will be a very good one. I hope my answer to American friends, who wish me to go over in that capacity have appeared to you satisfactory. The health of my wife, family arrangements, some unsettled concerns of my friends and companions might have proved sufficient motives had not the first of all been very obvious, viz. my old habit of an American Citizen and Soldier, which would make me awkward in any foreign commitments, even from my native, which in political interest and national opinions I consider for the United States as a sister country. Let me keep myself to be, as soon as I can, a private visitor to that dear, second home of mine, the freedom and prosperity of which is to me a source of the purest satisfaction, and, I might add, a not undeserved reward."
"I apply to you, my dear friend, for an object which I have very much in heart. Bushrod Washington is writing the memoirs of our venerated, my paternal friend, in a history of the American Revolution. I hope use will be made of my Correspondance [sic] with the General. His character will receive a new turn from those confidential communications which, particularly during the years of 1777 and 1778, he had with me therefrom also the wars actions with France may be illustrated. There will be found the details of that intensive campaign in Virginia which began with the General's diaries to me that Virginia might be lost as late as possible and ended with the capture of Lord Cornwallis. You remember that on the actions and maneuvers of the small army which I commanded the fate of the Southern states and the ground stroke of the war in 1781 did entirely depend, and as you have been diligently my confidential aide and friend now can give a better account of every war action, indeed of every transaction during the Revolution, particularly those which in the Cabinet and the field have concerned me - upon you, therefore, my dear McHenry, I rely for your critical review, friendly assistance, and interesting illustrations for the work. I have mentioned you to Bushrod Washington as the friend and companion whom he ought to consult. Porteau my affectionate respectful compliments to Mrs. McHenry and family. We are very often, in my family rural link, speaking of you and wishing you were among us. With civility and more affectionate friendship."
This thoughtful letter was written by the Revolutionary War hero just one year after he returned to France from nearly a decade of prison and exile in Holland. After serving with the Patriot forces in America, Lafayette played an important role in the French Revolution. In 1792, Lafayette's standing became increasingly precarious after he criticized several radical groups in charge of Paris. On August 14, 1792, the French minister of justice issued a warrant for Lafayette's arrest. Accordingly, he attempted to flee to Belgium but was arrested shortly after crossing the border. He was imprisoned at Olmütz in Austria for five years and lived in exile for two additional years before Napoleon Bonaparte restored his citizenship in 1800.
In this letter, Lafayette recounts his service during the American Revolutionary War serving with George Washington and is anxious that Washington's nephew, Bushrod, make use of his letters in writing the biography of his most venerated uncle. Lafayette makes mention of the "ground stroke of the war," better known as the Virginia Campaign. In March 1781, Lafayette landed in Yorktown, Virginia with a small number of troops. Over the next six months, Lafayette repeatedly engaged British Major Lord Cornwallis, often to disastrous effect. In August, Lafayette coordinated a joint American and French attack on Yorktown with Washington's forces and the French army accompanied by a large battle fleet. His plan paid off and on October 19, Lafayette led a division of American soldiers to the surrender of Yorktown. The success at Yorktown effectively ended the war with Britain, guaranteeing American independence.
The recipient of Lafayette's letter, James McHenry, had an impressive revolutionary career of his own. During the war, McHenry served as a military surgeon and aide to George Washington. For the last year of the war, he worked with Lafayette as a member of his staff. Afterward, McHenry signed the Constitution as the representative of Maryland and was elected to the state legislature in 1781. George Washington appointed him Secretary of War in 1798 and he continued that role under President John Adams.
Condition: Letter is creased along folds with ink showthrough on each page. Irregular left margin caused by remaining fragments of partial mounting.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 507
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,000 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms