Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02928 Author/Creator: Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834) Place Written: Paris, France Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 January 1784 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
References receiving a letter from Knox. Writes of their warm friendship. Says "from the beginning of our Great Revolution which Has been the Beginning of our Acquaintance, We Have Been Activated By the Same principles, supported with the same ideas, Attached to the same friends, and We Have warmly loved and Confidentially Entrusted each other." Reports that Knox's brother William is in London and expresses his fondness for him. Says "By our last Account from America, We Hear that New York is Evacuated, and our peace Establishment finally settled. I Hope also to Hear it is Under the Command of General Knox, Because our Stores, our Artillery, and What little Remains of our Trophy Army, in a word Every thing Continental ought to be kept in the most proper order." Knows it is not proper to keep a standing army, but expresses "painfull feelings" on hearing it is disbanded. Says it is so painful because of the memories of friendship connected to it. Mentions there will be many applications of French officers for the Society of the Cincinnati. Says he has been working on behalf of American commerce in Europe. Claims that Dunkirk, L'Orient, Bayonne, and Marsailles have been declared "free ports for the trade of America." Will not send English news because their leaders change course so much, but says that Jay, Adams, Lawrence, and Barclay will give him a better report as they are actually in England. Expresses his attachment to the "Continental Union" over the states.
[draft]
Paris january the 8th 1784
I Have Been last time very unfortunate, my dear friend, and Mr Washington's departure Has Been so sudden, that I Could not send By Him Any thing more But official Copies, of which the inclosed is a duplicate - it Has Been to me a great Happiness to Hear from you, and while we are separated I Beg you will let me enjoy it as often as possible - you know my tender affection to you, my dear knox, it is Engraved in my Heart, and I shall keep it as long as I live - from the Beginning of our great Revolution which Has Been the Beginning of our Acquaintance, we Have Been Activated By the same principles, [impressed] with the same ideas, attached to the same friends, and we Have warmly loved and Confidentially Entrusted each other - the Remembrance of all that is dear to my Heart, and from long motive of tenderness, and Regard I set the greater value By the Happiness of your possession of a Bosom friend - let me therefore Beg you, my dear [2] knox, not to Be lazy in letting me often Hear from you - your Brother is in london, and enjoys a good Health - we Correspond sometimes, and I am very much Attached to Him - Before He Returns Home, I wish He may Again make a visit to france, for which purpose I intend writing to morrow to Him.
By our last Accounts from America, we Hear that New York is Evacuated, and our peace Establishment finally settled - I Hope also to Hear it is Under the Command of general knox, Because our stores, our Artillery, and what little Remains of our Worthy Army, in a Word every thing Continental ought to be kept in the most perfect order - the disbanding of our Army, I must Confess, Affects me with some painful feelings - and Altho it is a proper measure not to keep a standing Army, yet I Could not Help [strikeout] sighing at the first news that the Continental Army was no more - We Have so intimately so Brotherly lived together, We Have Had so much to fear, so much to Hope, we Have United ourselves through to many Changes of fortune, that the parting moment Cannot But [3] Be painfull - Would to god, our Brave Companions were Rewarded Agreeable to their desires. I Can't express the Anxiety I Have felt, and I do still feel on the Occasion - in every thing Relating to that I Beg you will Be Very particular
Our Association meets with great success - on thursday next A sufficient number of Eagles will be made to Answer immediate purposes - I intend inviting all the American officers to my House, and Conduct them in a Body, With our Regiments, to the general of the french Army to whom we will present the marks of the Association - You will Receive many Applications Relative to an addition to the Brotherhood - But as nothing will Be decided Before the Assembly in May, I Have time to send you my Observations
I Have Been much Employed in Rendering America whose services I Could in the Affairs of Her Commerce - What I Can do must Be entirely done Before the spring, when I intend Embarking for my Beloved shores of liberty - I Hope to Arrive in good time for the grand Assembly - My delays in Europe are owing [4] to motives of American public service - My attachment Needs no Comment, from Which my good wishes are obvious, and as to my exertions they Have Been and shall ever Be as Affectionate as my Heart, as Constant as my love to the public, and the individuals in the United States.
M. Moriss Has Received the Copy of Representations I Have laid Before the Court of france - and this time, I let Him know that dunkirk, l'orient, Bayonne, and Marseilles Have Been declared free ports for the trade of America - I don't write you Any thing about English news - they are distracted in that island - what they Have done to day, will be undone to morrow, and while pilots are Boxing the national ship goes a drift, sometime one way, and some time an other - But you will get english intelligence from jay, adams, laurens, and Barklay who are on that side of the water - the appearances of a Russian War are more Remote - at all events, let America Be strongly attached to Her Continental Union - let a Continental policy Rule the policy of the states, and the land of freedom will Have little to do with European quarrels
My Best respects Wait upon mrs knox, and miss lucy - I most affectionately and fatherly kiss my son Harry - [Mse] de lafayette [inserted on the left hand margin: is very much obliged to your kind Remembrance and presents you and mrs knox with Her most affectionate Compliments - Remember me most tenderly to [inserted: illegible] our Brother officers whenever you Have the good fortune to meet one of them - Adieu, my dear knox, I am your affectionate friend
Lafayette
[written on bottom of page 1]
Majr General Knox
[docket on page 1]
From the Marquis de la fayette
12 January 1784
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