LAFAYETTE MARIE-JOSEPH DE (1757-1834).

Lot 128
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4000 - 5000 EUR
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Result : 14 950EUR
LAFAYETTE MARIE-JOSEPH DE (1757-1834).
Signed autograph letter, signed « Lafayette », WitmoldHolstein 30 August 1798, addressed to James McHENRY, U.S. secretary of War from 1796-1800; 4 pages in-4 format, fine script, very densely written (letter reinforced with a silk padding); in English. James McHENRY (1753-1816) was a signer of the Constitution and U.S. secretary of war from 1796-1800. Lafayette writes a very dense letter, rich in political and ideological considerations. “When I had last the pleasure to write to you I was far from thinking I should at this period of the year be still detained in Europe. The health of my wife, the primary cause of those delays, has been continually so bad, it had in the spring taken a so dangerous turn, that until now there has not been for me a moral possibility to embark… My principles and sentiments have long been known to you. The appeal to liberty in the old world has reminded you of our conversations in the new one. In my doctrine of opposition to every despotism of obedience in a free constitution to national laws you could anticipate the part which, in the several circumstances, I have had to act. From your knowledge of my Republican heart you are sensible that my objections to the present state of France are not owing to her form of Government, but to her want of Freedom...” “[…] There goes with this letter one to General Washington. I beg you to present my respects to the President, [to] the vice president, and to remember me to all other friends about you. I can’t know whether or not the expressions of my dutiful patriotic attachment of my profound and lively gratitude have ever reached the United States. If not I hope it will not be imputed to any deficiency on my part, but I beg you to let me know what has been received from me…
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