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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Marquis de la Fayette challenges Earl of Carlisle to a duel over an insulting letter to Congress dated August 26, 1778. Carlisle refuses, stating he is accountable only to his king and country, and suggests national disputes be settled by naval commanders Byron and d'Estaing. Dated New York, October 11, 1778.
Merged-components note: This is a continuation of the correspondence between the Marquis de la Fayette and the Earl of Carlisle, spanning pages 2 and 3. The first part was mislabeled as 'domestic_news' but the overall content is 'foreign_news' reporting on international diplomatic exchanges related to the American Revolution.
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"TILL now, my Lord, I never thought that I should have matter of contest except with your Generals; and I expected not the honour of seeing them, but at the head of the troops respectively confided to you. Your letter of the 26th of August, to the Congress of the United States, and the insulting expression to my country, which you there have signed, could alone have given me cause to quarrel with you. I do not deign to refute the charge, my Lord, but I desire to punish it. It is from you, as chief of the commission, that I demand a reparation as publick as hath been the offence, and as will be the lie which follows it. I should not have delayed this demand so long, if your letter had reached me sooner. Obliged to absent myself a few days, on my return I hope to find your answer. M. Gimat, a French officer, will take for me such arrangements as may suit you. I do not doubt but that, for the honour of his fellow countryman, General Clinton will attend you to the field."
As to me, my Lord, it is indifferent who attends you, provided that, to the glorious advantage of being a Frenchman, I join that of proving to a person of your nature, that no one ever dare attack mine with impunity.
(signed)
LAFAYETTE.
To the Marquis de la Fayette.
SIR,
I HAVE received your letter transmitted to me from M. Gerinot, and I confess I find it difficult to return a serious answer to its contents. The only one that can be expected from the King's commissioner, and which you ought to have known, is, that I do, and ever shall consider myself solely responsible to my country and King, and not to any individual for my public conduct and language. As for any opinion or expressions contained in any publications issued under the commission, in which I have the honour to be named, unless they are retracted in public, you may be assured that I shall never, in any change of situation, be disposed to give an account of them, much less recall them in private.
The injury alluded to in the correspondence of the King's commissioners to the Congress, must remind you is not of a private nature. and I conceive all national disputes will be best decided by the meeting of Admiral Byron and Count d'Estaing.
CARLISLE,
NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 1778.
What sub-type of article is it?
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
26th Of August To Oct. 11, 1778
Key Persons
Outcome
challenge refused; carlisle asserts responsibility only to king and country, suggests naval settlement of disputes.
Event Details
Lafayette demands public reparation for insulting letter to Congress, proposes duel arrangements via M. Gimat, expects Clinton's attendance. Carlisle responds he cannot be held accountable individually, deems injury national, not private, and refers disputes to admirals Byron and d'Estaing.