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Beaumarchais, has information more precise through the agency
of a Mr Cazenove whose application for that purpose to the actual
Secr[etary] of the Treasury was supported by all my influence and who
wrote me that it had been effectual.
Your letter implies, as I had before understood, that though your
engagement did not permit you to follow the fortunes of the Republic
yet your attachments had never been separated from them.
In this I frankly confess I have differed from you. The suspension of the
King and the massacre of September (of which events contemporary
intelligence was received in this country) cured me of my good will for
the French Revolution. I have never been able to believe that France
can make a Republic and I have believed that the attempt while it
continues can only produce misfortunes.
Among the evils of this Revolution, I regret extremely the
misunderstanding which has taken place between your country and
ours and what seems to threaten an open rupture. It would be useless
to discuss the causes of this state of things. I shall only assure you that
a disposition to form an intimate connection with Great Britain, which
is charged upon us, forms no part of the real causes, though it has
served the purpose of a party to impose the belief of it on France. I give
you this assurance on the faith of our former friendship (...) The basis
of the policy of the party, of which I am, is to avoid intimate or exclusive
connection with any foreign forces. But away with politics.
The rest of my letter shall be dedicated to assure you that my friendship
for you will survive all Revolutions & all vicissitudes. No one feels more
than I do the motives which this country has to love you, to desire and
to promote your happiness. And I shall not love it, if it does not manifest
its sensibility by unequivocal acts. In the present state of our affairs with
France, I cannot urge you to come to us - but until some radical change
in France, I shall be sorry to learn you have gone thither - should the
continuation of an evil course of things in your country lead you to think
of a permanent asylum elsewhere, you will be sure to find in America a
most cordial and welcome reception” (...)
No letter between Alexander Hamilton and Lafayette has ever
been recorded by APBC.
5 000 / 8 000
€
139