Lafayette on the Ratification of the US Constitution, 1788
Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
Writing on May 30, 1788, the Marquis de Lafayette discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization for French and American Revolutionary War officers, and mutual friends, and expresses his support for the ratification of the US Constitution.
A Letter from Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788
Paris May the 30th
My dear friend
I Have Been just Honoured With Your letter by the last packet, and will not Answer it Fully as I expected, as I am obliged to go this morning to A Meeting Respecting internal affairs, and M. de Warville and M. de Ferriere Have Notified Their departure. Give me leave To introduce Both Gentlemen to you. M. de Warville Has Been a writer on The Side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution. I Refer You for intelligence to My letter to Mr. Hamilton and Mr. jay. We are in a Critical Situation.
Inclosed, my Good friend, is the list I Have Been able to Make out. I will [illegible] Count d’Estaing for His. I Send You the Memoir of a french officer Whose Circumstances are Very Peculiar. He was Adjutant General to Marquis de St Simon’s division, And of Course Entitled to the Same Military Honors as a Brigadier. He was Adjutant gel to the French Marches At York. But His Rank was only that of A Major, and the Rule Adopted by the Ministers is That None But Colonels Can Get in. Our only way then is to Have in Through an American Society. Marquis de St Simon Wishes it Ardently. I For My Part Think it is a proper measure, on Account of His Having Been Adjutant General, and Beg You will patronize the Claim.
I Enjoy New Hope of the Constitution’s being Adopted it is the best That ever was framed. it is Necessary for America Immediately to have one. of course I Think all good citizens ought to Unite in the Measure.
My Best Respects wait on this Knox and Family. I wait for News from [illegible] and am very Happy in ms. Greene’s Confidence. My Compliments to all Friends. I Wish, between us Count Moustier to be kept in Good Humour as His Reputation will Have an influence on our Negotiations at this Court. Adieu
My dear friend
Yours
Lafayette
Source: The Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC02437.03880.
A Letter from Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788
Paris May the 30th
My dear friend
I Have Been just Honoured With Your letter by the last packet, and will not Answer it Fully as I expected, as I am obliged to go this morning to A Meeting Respecting internal affairs, and M. de Warville and M. de Ferriere Have Notified Their departure. Give me leave To introduce Both Gentlemen to you. M. de Warville Has Been a writer on The Side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution. I Refer You for intelligence to My letter to Mr. Hamilton and Mr. jay. We are in a Critical Situation.
Inclosed, my Good friend, is the list I Have Been able to Make out. I will [illegible] Count d’Estaing for His. I Send You the Memoir of a french officer Whose Circumstances are Very Peculiar. He was Adjutant General to Marquis de St Simon’s division, And of Course Entitled to the Same Military Honors as a Brigadier. He was Adjutant gel to the French Marches At York. But His Rank was only that of A Major, and the Rule Adopted by the Ministers is That None But Colonels Can Get in. Our only way then is to Have in Through an American Society. Marquis de St Simon Wishes it Ardently. I For My Part Think it is a proper measure, on Account of His Having Been Adjutant General, and Beg You will patronize the Claim.
I Enjoy New Hope of the Constitution’s being Adopted it is the best That ever was framed. it is Necessary for America Immediately to have one. of course I Think all good citizens ought to Unite in the Measure.
My Best Respects wait on this Knox and Family. I wait for News from [illegible] and am very Happy in ms. Greene’s Confidence. My Compliments to all Friends. I Wish, between us Count Moustier to be kept in Good Humour as His Reputation will Have an influence on our Negotiations at this Court. Adieu
My dear friend
Yours
Lafayette
Source: The Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC02437.03880.
patronize - support
Background
Writing on May 30, 1788, the Marquis de Lafayette discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization for French and American Revolutionary War officers, and mutual friends, and expresses his support for the ratification of the US Constitution.
Transcript
A Letter from Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788
Paris May the 30th
My dear friend
I Have Been just Honoured With Your letter by the last packet, and will not Answer it Fully as I expected, as I am obliged to go this morning to A Meeting Respecting internal affairs, and M. de Warville and M. de Ferriere Have Notified Their departure. Give me leave To introduce Both Gentlemen to you. M. de Warville Has Been a writer on The Side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution. I Refer You for intelligence to My letter to Mr. Hamilton and Mr. jay. We are in a Critical Situation.
Inclosed, my Good friend, is the list I Have Been able to Make out. I will [illegible] Count d’Estaing for His. I Send You the Memoir of a french officer Whose Circumstances are Very Peculiar. He was Adjutant General to Marquis de St Simon’s division, And of Course Entitled to the Same Military Honors as a Brigadier. He was Adjutant gel to the French Marches At York. But His Rank was only that of A Major, and the Rule Adopted by the Ministers is That None But Colonels Can Get in. Our only way then is to Have in Through an American Society. Marquis de St Simon Wishes it Ardently. I For My Part Think it is a proper measure, on Account of His Having Been Adjutant General, and Beg You will patronize the Claim.
I Enjoy New Hope of the Constitution’s being Adopted it is the best That ever was framed. it is Necessary for America Immediately to have one. of course I Think all good citizens ought to Unite in the Measure.
My Best Respects wait on this Knox and Family. I wait for News from [illegible] and am very Happy in ms. Greene’s Confidence. My Compliments to all Friends. I Wish, between us Count Moustier to be kept in Good Humour as His Reputation will Have an influence on our Negotiations at this Court. Adieu
My dear friend
Yours
Lafayette
Source: The Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC02437.03880.
Excerpt
A Letter from Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788
Paris May the 30th
My dear friend
I Have Been just Honoured With Your letter by the last packet, and will not Answer it Fully as I expected, as I am obliged to go this morning to A Meeting Respecting internal affairs, and M. de Warville and M. de Ferriere Have Notified Their departure. Give me leave To introduce Both Gentlemen to you. M. de Warville Has Been a writer on The Side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution. I Refer You for intelligence to My letter to Mr. Hamilton and Mr. jay. We are in a Critical Situation.
Inclosed, my Good friend, is the list I Have Been able to Make out. I will [illegible] Count d’Estaing for His. I Send You the Memoir of a french officer Whose Circumstances are Very Peculiar. He was Adjutant General to Marquis de St Simon’s division, And of Course Entitled to the Same Military Honors as a Brigadier. He was Adjutant gel to the French Marches At York. But His Rank was only that of A Major, and the Rule Adopted by the Ministers is That None But Colonels Can Get in. Our only way then is to Have in Through an American Society. Marquis de St Simon Wishes it Ardently. I For My Part Think it is a proper measure, on Account of His Having Been Adjutant General, and Beg You will patronize the Claim.
I Enjoy New Hope of the Constitution’s being Adopted it is the best That ever was framed. it is Necessary for America Immediately to have one. of course I Think all good citizens ought to Unite in the Measure.
My Best Respects wait on this Knox and Family. I wait for News from [illegible] and am very Happy in ms. Greene’s Confidence. My Compliments to all Friends. I Wish, between us Count Moustier to be kept in Good Humour as His Reputation will Have an influence on our Negotiations at this Court. Adieu
My dear friend
Yours
Lafayette
Source: The Marquis de Lafayette to Henry Knox, May 30, 1788, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC02437.03880.
patronize - support
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