Group of Four Autograph Letters Signed by the Marquis de Lafayette, written from La Grange 1822 - 1824, plus two letters by his son Georges Washington Lafayette, 1823 and 1827

Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834)

Published by 0

About this Item

small quarto and quarto, 6 letters, 9 pages, in very good, very clean and legible condition. An interesting collection of letters by Lafayette and his son, who was sent to America during the French Revolution as a ward of George Washington, discussing political matters and Lafayette's financial affairs in his later days, dating from a period bracketing his triumphal tour in America. They were all presumably written to a Monsieur Degas, several are addressed directly to him. "During the Restoration era (1815-1830), Lafayette served several terms in the Chamber of Deputies, opposing Bourbon policy and citing American political principles and the American experience as a model for France. Chateau La Grange, his home some forty miles southeast of Paris, became a mecca for Americans, while at the same time it was often a refuge for exiled revolutionaries from other European states, for Lafayette was supporting liberal revolutions wherever they occurred, from Poland to Latin America. After President James Monroe invited him to visit the United States, Lafayette toured every state of the union in 1824-1825. He daily received tumultuous welcomes as a hero of the American Revolution, who for a half-century had advocated the principles of the American republic and of its patriarch, Washington, and who had never faltered in his devotion to or faith in the cause of human liberty. During the next decade scores of counties, cities, and other public places were named for him or for his estate at La Grange. During the French Revolution of 1830, Lafayette once more became head of the national guard. Again he sought to maintain order and peace while a constitutional regime was created. He supported Louis Philippe because the Orleans line seemed to promise "a monarchy with republican institutions," but the performance belied the promise. Lafayette was still in opposition when he died, having spent nearly sixty years of his life as a public figure, always identified with the example of America as a free and prosperous republic." - ANB. 1. La Grange, 14 Octobre, 1822, Lafayette to an unidentified recipient, [Mons. Degas?] on political matters. Small quarto, 1 page, short letter but nicely signed. 2. La Grange 19, Octobre, 1822, Lafayette to Mons Degas, Coulommiers, concerning Lafayette's "affair electorale," etc. Small quarto, 1 page, short but nicely signed. 3. La Grange, 14 Janvier, 1824, Lafayette, to an unnamed recipient [M. Degas] concerns government affairs. Quarto, one page, signed by Lafayette. 4. La Grange, 21 Janvier, 1824, Lafayette to Mons. Degas, concerning Lafayette's contribution to current legislation. Small quarto, one page, short but signed by Lafayette. Georges Washington Lafayette Letters: 1. La Grange, 18, Janvier, 1823 G. W. Lafayette to an unidentified governmental figure, small quarto, two pages, signed G. W. Lafayette. Georges writes in an exasperated and somewhat angry tone. His father, the Marquis, is in urgent need of signatures to release funds due to him under the terms of his wife's testament [Mme Adrienne Francoise de Noailles, Marquise de La Fayette, 1759-1807]. His father has an insufficiency of funds, etc. 2. La Grange, 2 Juin, 1827, G.W. Lafayette to Mons. Degas, Coulommiers, small quarto one page, signed by G. W. Lafayette, plus two page manuscript in George's hand. This concerns his father's right of inheritance to the estate of the Lusignem family. Georges request documents from M. Degas, who has handled affairs on behalf of the Marquis. Appended to this letter is a two page list in Georges' hand of documents outlining the finances and financial rights of the Marquise de Lafayette, including mention of his inheritances per the testament of his wife, who died in 1807. Two remarkable windows into the finances of the Marquis de Lafayette in his later days. Georges.

Seller Inventory # 029766

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Group of Four Autograph Letters Signed by the Marquis de Lafayette, written from La Grange 1822 - 1824, plus two letters by his son Georges Washington Lafayette, 1823 and 1827
• Publisher: 0
• Binding: No Binding
• Condition: Fine
• Book Type: Handwritten