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.
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