April 12, 1782

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by Lafayette to Major General Knox. Letter of introduction for Chevalier de [Lameth], whose brother was severely wounded in the attack on the redoubts at Yorktown. Asks that he be introduced to "our Brother officers."

GLC02437.01385

December 16, 1784

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette reports to Knox that he will be leaving the United States from New York. Regrets that his situation renders him unable to see Knox in Boston before leaving. Expresses happiness on the birth of Knox's child. He has heard that Knox will probably be asked to serve in a ministerial post and might not have time to watch over his son's education in Boston. He hopes Knox will think about sending his son to France to study. Was happy to see that Congress was numerous and hopes they will do good. Will try to see Knox's brother William when he arrives in Europe.

GLC02437.03078

February 9, 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette says since he recently arrived in Versailles that he has little news to report. He wants to let Knox know he is well though. Encloses a "Half official letter to Mr. Jay" (possibly GLC02437.03095). Says it is not to be printed.

GLC02437.03096

May 11, 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette hopes this letter finds Knox in New York arranging for his duties as Secretary of War. Rejoices in Knox's selection as "the patriot and the soldier are nobly united in your person." Says Knox can write to him as a friend or as secretary of war. Lafayette goes on to say he might be a "useful tool in some expeditions," but that he should keep quiet about it. Says he had a chance to write John Jay a few words on "the affair of Longchamps, a journey I intend taking to be back in October, and a whale oil proposal, in consequence of what you told me at Boston, which is all what I could…

GLC02437.03144

June 12, 1785

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Previously thought Knox's brother William had returned to America, but he recently received news that he had been confined in a house in London since January because he was "disordered in His Head." Reports William is better and "in a few weeks will be able to go out, which he very much desires." Says he wanted to go to London upon hearing the news, but thought better of it as his travels would no doubt be noticed by many and might cause unseemly news about William to get in the newspapers. He sent a trusted family member instead, who has made sure William received proper care. He hopes that…

GLC02437.03155

March 1786

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette asks that his regards be sent to William Knox, Alexander Hamilton, and all his friends. Says "My little Anecdote I send as it was given to me, but I will take farther informations at the Naval office Upon Every Circumstances."

GLC02437.03256

August 1, 1786

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette says a letter of recommendation was requested by Madame Gregorie, who has claims to present to the General Court in Massachusetts. Thought the best way to help her was to introduce her to Knox "who can better than Any Body Advise Her How to act, and give Her Accounts of the frontier where she says she has some property." The docket says Gregorie was the claimant of Mount Desert Island in the District of Maine.

GLC02437.03289

May 5, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter provides a detailed update on French politics during the build-up to the French Revolution. Says he is busy in the Assembly of the Notables and has had little time to write. Says his recent letter to Alexander Hamilton will inform Knox of circumstances in the Assembly up until Easter. Wants Knox to inform Hamilton that he does not need to keep a motion he sent to him secret as the newspapers have published it in France. Says Michel Bouvard de Fourqueux, who succeeded Charles Alexandre de Calonne, could not last long (de Calonne had been ousted as minister of finance after suggesting…

GLC02437.03542

October 15, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette says this letter will be delivered by the new French minister to America, Count de Moustier. Thinks he is "well calculated on Every Account to please the people of America." Also wants to bring to Lucy Knox's attention the Countess de Bréhan, the count's sister-in-law, who is joining him. Says he has written an official letter to John Jay and a private one to Alexander Hamilton on the subject. Encloses new regulations for a board of war (not included). Thanks him for his last friendly letter. Postscript introduces the son of Mr. Dupont, who has impressed several of the ministers of…

GLC02437.03674

December 26, 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says the Chevalier de Lambert is the bearer of this letter. Claims that de Lambert had previously gone to America with letters from him, had served in the Continental Army and is entitled to a share of the lands set aside for veterans. Says de Lambert wants to be a farmer in the back settlement. Hopes Knox will offer advice and patronage.

GLC02437.03741

May 30, 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving Knox's letter. Says he cannot respond fully as he has to attend a meeting on internal affairs. He wishes to introduce Jacques Pierre Brissot (who Lafayette refers to by the name he assumed, de Warville) and a man named de Ferriere. Reports that "M. de Warville Has Been a writer on the side of liberty, and Wishes to write on the American Revolution." Tells him to refer to the letters he sent to Hamilton and Jay for the most recent intelligence. Says "We are in a Critical Situation." Encloses a list (of French applicants to the Society of the Cincinnati; not…

GLC02437.03880

August 7, 1805

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Dated 20 Thermidor in the French Republican calendar. Says this letter of introduction will be delivered by David Parish. Says that Knox probably knows the family name. Lafayette goes on to recommend him highly and says "I have found in them, during and after our Captivity, the Most zealous and Generous friends." He hopes Knox will make Parish's tour of America as agreeable as possible.

GLC02437.07961

July 26, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Nelson

Lafayette informs Virginia's Governor Nelson of an enclosed certificate (not included) for a horse to be used by the 3d regiment. Docketed by Nelson.

GLC01412.04

November 22, 1801

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

A long letter, in which Lafayette discusses revolutionary France, his personal affairs and associations, and the light his personal correspondence with George Washington will cast on the memoirs of General Washington being written by Bushrod Washington. On revolutionary France and the war being waged by Napoleon, he writes: "I am among the few who persist to profess that the Liberal seeds which among so much weed have been sown upon European[,] and particularly upon French, ground cannot and shall not be ultimately lost." He discusses personal relationships with Lord Cornwallis and Napoleon.…

GLC01562

September 4, 1829

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andre Paccard

Discusses being prevented by family and political obligations from visiting Chalons-sur-Saone, and mentions liberty. Paccard represented the citizens of Chalons-sur-Saone.

GLC01563

April 1788

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Manuscript

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the politics of Europe, including conflicts with the Turks. States that the Turks have "numerous flocks of armed men - their Cavalry, which in the first shock, is not despicable, has it is said, surrounded three thousand of the Austrians and cut of their Heads, as is usual among them - they also had a successful Skirmish against the Russians - but there is no doubts of the advantages which such disciplined armies as those of the allied empires will have our a banditti of men who are totally Stranger to discipline, military knowledge, and rational calculations…." Discusses the news…

GLC02437.10213

January 7, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Stewart

Writes to Colonel Stewart to ask how he is addressing a recent mutiny in the Continental Army, referred to as "the unhappy and disgraceful dispute." Also notes the expected arrival of General George Washington. On January 1, 1781, soldiers under General Anthony Wayne deserted their camp at Morristown for want of adequate food, clothing, and pay. The mutiny was later suppressed by General Arthur St. Clair; Lafayette indicates he spoke to St. Clair about the matter and is in disbelief. The letter is dated 1781 but incorrectly docketed 1780.

GLC00139

June 12, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carter Page

Reply from headquarters indicating regret at learning Captain Page's corps will return home. Carter Page served as a captain in the New Jersey and Virginia cavalries during the American Revolution.

GLC00496.043

September 8, 1783

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to General Nathanael Greene

The letter discusses the peace treaty and European affairs. Notes the difference between preliminary and definitive treaties.

GLC00639.19

06 March 1782

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Jean B. Gouvion

Lafayette informs Lt. Col. Gouvion that, despite his success, he will not be promoted within the French Army. [In French]

GLC08016.02

13 June 1787

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Jean B. Gouvion

An expedition to Egypt. [In French]

GLC08016.03

February 26, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Jean B. Gouvion

Lays foundations for a reconnaissance by Lt. Col. Gouvion on the James River.

GLC08016.01

March 25, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Vose

To Col. Joseph Vose at Annapolis, re French Admiral Destouches's setback by the British fleet in the Chesapeake: "I have received certain intelligence of a very severe action having been fought between the [British] Fleet and his Most Christian Majesty [the French].… a very heavy cannonade was heard near Cape Henry which lasted for some hours." With Free Frank.

GLC09336

March 26, 1781

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Vose

To Col. Joseph Vose, preparing to retreat after news of victory of British fleet: "make every preparation to march the troops by land to the Head of Elk…. I request you will use every Endeavour to persuade the people that we are going to join Gnl [Nathanael] Greene's Army - I shall set out to morrow for Annapolis where I expect to find the troops either gone (if the General has so ordered) or in a perfect Readiness to March."

GLC09337

September 17, 1829

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Philip Hone

Opposed to a counter-revolution in France, and mentions attacks on himself. "The papers will inform you of the toiles in which France has Been Unexpectedly thrown by a Counter Revolutionary intrigue, and of the neccessity we are under to oppose it." Also "in the Gazette and guardiene you may find among many lies the effusions of disappointment and Rage," and Lafayette himself "has Been a principal bull of these feelings because he is considered as a principal obstacle to these designs, you will easily conceive." Also gives an introduction for an acquaintance who will be doing business in the…

GLC08984