Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834 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 of Great Britain, Holland, France, Spain, Prussia, and Poland regarding involvement in the conflict. "It is not improbable that the two imperial courts will, after one campaign, content themselves for the present with a considerable increase of their provinces - but it would also be foreseen that a War may be kindled through all Europe, and end with the total destruction of the Ottoman Empire in Europe…" Mentions the unrest in France: "The internal affairs of France are not yet settled - many considerable reforms have taken place... but a great deficiency still subsists, and as the parliament have declared themselves unfit to [consent?] to taxes, altho' the provincial assemblies are not yet the representatives of the people - I think the King will be obliged to assemble the nation sooner than is expected by the ministers…." Expresses some worry over the condition of the country. "I have some reason to think that Government is preparing an attack on the parliament who altho' they are only a judicial court have shown a spirit of resistance, and refused to register any new tax until the States General have met." Noted as a copy in the docket. Watermarked "IV" and with a fleur-de-lis. Docketed in Henry Knox's hand.