The Alexandria Herald

M. LA FAYETTE.

The noble conduct of general La Fayette in the late disgraceful affair of Manuel in the chamber of deputies gives him additional claims to the love and veneration of all the friends of liberty.—As Americans, we require nothing to call this consistent friend of the human race to our recollection; but as we find many are under the impression that he is much further advanced in years than he really is, we subjoin the following extract from M. Campan's late work:

The father of the marquis de La Fayette, fell at the famous battle of Rosbach, leaving his wife pregnant of a son, who was born on the 1st Sept. 1757; of course gen. La Fayette will be 66 years of age next September. He embraced the cause of American independence in 1777, when congress had so little credit in France or in Europe, that their commissioners at Paris could not procure a vessel to facilitate the passage to the United States of M. de La Fayette and some officers, who wished to follow his example. He purchased at his own expense a vessel which he called the Victoire; but lord Stormont, the English minister at Paris, being informed of his design, forced the French ministry to oppose it. After various attempts, he at length succeeded in reaching America, & was kindly received by Washington. 'I come,' says he, 'to ask of you two favors; one is, that you will permit me to serve under you as a simple volunteer; the other that I am to receive no pay or emolument.'

General La Fayette is not rich, though by strict economy, he may be said to be at his ease in his family chateau of La Grange, under whose venerable roof Americans of respectability are always welcome: indeed a visit to this antique mansion is a sort of pilgrimage for our countrymen who visit France; and the enlightened travellers of all countries readily join in rendering homage to a man, who, from strict adherence to the virtuous principles of Washington, has become the most distinguished and admired patriot now living in the two hemispheres.

Wash. Ref.