LAFAYETTE, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834). French Revolutionary General.
Autograph Letter Signed ("Lafayette") to an unidentified lady explaining that he cannot see her at midday as he has to attend a meeting with an American family.
1/2 page 4to in French, Paris, 9 April 1833.
Trans: "I owe you a great many excuses, Madame, for not being able to wait for you tomorrow until noon, but a business meeting of an American family at which my presence is required obliges me to go out shortly before eleven o'clock, and so it is only at ten o'clock or between two and three o'clock that I will have the honour of receiving you."
In 1824-25 Lafayette undertook a year-long voyage to America where he was lionized everywhere he went; he lost no opportunity to voice opinions which were viewed with great distrust by most European governments. In 1830, as leader of the National Guard at the age of 73, he took an active part in the Revolution which overthrew the repressive King Charles X . Although he retired to his estate at La Grange, he continued to spend time in Paris and spoke in the National Assembly. Devoted to the cause of liberty, and a great admirer of America, he left instructions that he be buried in a plot containing soil brought back from America.
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