Author: Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette
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Letter provides a detailed update on French politics during the build-up to the French Revolution. Says he is busy in the Assembly of the Notables and has had little time to write. Says his recent letter to Alexander Hamilton will inform Knox of circumstances in the Assembly up until Easter. Wants Knox to inform Hamilton that he does not need to keep a motion he sent to him secret as the newspapers have published it in France. Says Michel Bouvard de Fourqueux, who succeeded Charles Alexandre de Calonne, could not last long (de Calonne had been ousted as minister of finance after suggesting that all privilege be dropped and all land taxed equally while Fourqueux left office after three weeks). Says the Cardinal ?tienne Charles de Lom?nie de Brienne, the Archbishop of Toulouse, was made President of the Royal Council of Finances and will pick a new Controller General. Lafayette claims he is a Man of Great Virtue, and the first abilities. Believes Brienne will select a new Controller General and then become a kind of prime minister. Since writing Hamilton says the Assembly has considered several proposals for new administration of the state. Says the king suggested cutting expenses by 15 million. The Assembly countered with 50 million and Lafayette believes 40 million will be accepted. Says that there is grumbling that the Americans do not pay their debt on time.
Author: Henry Knox
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Author: Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette
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Lafayette anxiously awaits ratification results of the U.S. Constitution, discusses debates between himself, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine] regarding the need for Constitutional amendments, and stresses the importance of the General's [George Washington's] acceptance of the presidency. He begins by updating Knox on European affairs, saying that they are too much Entangled together for me to give you an Exact description. He mentions that the Ottoman Empire, with the assistance of Great Britain, is attacking both the Russians and Austrians, and that Britain fears an alliance of the Imperial Court, france and Spain.. France wants peace because of Her deranged finances and the spirit of popular Opposition. Lafayette adds that it will be hard to back away from war after what occurred in Holland Because perfidy in other Nations is not a sufficient apology, and those who cheat in politics Have a Right to laugh at those who Have been cheated untill they are able to take a Revenge.. He also discusses an edict giving a civil estate to non-Catholic subjects. Regarding the U.S. Constitution, he writes that it is an admirable work, altho' I take the liberty to wish for some Amendments - but the point is to have it first adopted by nine States - and then you may get the dissenters by means of some improvements which Mr Jefferson, Common Sense, and myself are debating in a Convention of our own as Earnestly as if we were to decide upon it. He has no doubt that Washington will be selected as the first president, and stresses that he must accept as it is the best way to Carry to perfection a Work Nearer to it than Any of the Kind that Ever was framed. He closes by asking Knox to show this letter to our friend [Alexander] Hamilton and asks after the family of the late General Nathanael Greene.
Author: Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette
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Lafayette says this letter will be delivered by the new French minister to America, Count de Moustier. Thinks he is well calculated on Every Account to please the people of America. Also wants to bring to Lucy Knox's attention the Countess de Brehan, the count's sister-in-law, who is joining him. Says he has written an official letter to John Jay and a private one to Alexander Hamilton on the subject. Encloses new regulations for a board of war (not included). Thanks him for his last friendly letter. Postscript introduces the son of Mr. Dupont, who has impressed several of the ministers of France. Knox has noted answered on the docket.
![Henry Knox to the Marquis de Lafayette [possibly Incomplete] about the Progress of the Constitution in Various States and the Possibility of War in Europe, 14 December 1787 PDF](https://books.google.com/books/content/images/frontcover/hB5J0AEACAAJ?fife=w80-h100)
Author: Henry Knox
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Says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has too many schemes of convenience to approve it. But says it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more. Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is inevitable. Worries about the situation of the United States if such a war broke out. Wants an updated list of French members of the Society of the Cincinnati so he can make up diplomas. Reports that Lucy Knox has given birth to their eighth child. No signature at closing.
Author: Henry Knox
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Says he has probably already heard of the results of the Constitutional Convention. Says The propositions being essentially different, in many respects from the existing Confederation, and which will probably produce different national effects, are contemplated by the public at large with an anxious attention. The discussions are commenced in the news papers & in Pamphlets, with all the freedom & liberality which challenge a people who are searching by their own experience after a form of government most productive of happiness. Expresses his affinity for a stronger national government and believes the new constitution will provide it. Goes on to claim it is not a perfect document though and There are several things in it that I confess I could wish to be altered. Says the people are ready for the change and that it will be discussed fully. Predicts parties will be raised during the debate. Discusses state ratification. Will send an update from time to time. Mentions European affairs and fears French aggression. Asks for news. Says Washington is doing well, but that his crops are injured by severe drought. Encloses a copy of the Constitution (not included). Docketed by William Knox.
Author: Henry Knox
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Contemporary secretarial copy of a letter sent to Lafayette. References Lafayette's letters from November 1787 and February 1788. Says that The Convention by you Mr. Jefferson and Common Sense [Thomas Paine], judge wisely respecting the New Constitution requiring some amendments & of the time they should be effected. Of the Constitutional Convention says The unanimity of the former convention may be regarded as a rare evidence of the empire of reason. Believes there will not have to be another convention. Says it is likely that nine states will accept the constitution over the next 2-3 months. Says New York will have its ratifying convention in June and hopes the acceptance of other states will influence them to vote for it. Goes into other state's conventions. Lashes out at Rhode Island. Gives Lafayette an update on Catherine Greene, the wife of the late General Nathanael Greene. Seems like she wants to send her son George to France to study. Asks for an updated list of French officers in the Society of the Cincinnati so he can send them diplomas. Says war seems less likely in Europe now, but that the English however are haughty and overbearing - too much so I am apprehensive, for a firm and durable peace. Below the docket, a later note initialed by EY sums up the letter and states that Lafayette's letters to Knox referenced in this letter is feared lost. In the hand of William Knox.
Author: Henry Knox
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Marked Copy. Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of The vision of Columbus, a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow went to Europe as an agent for a company that wanted to sell western lands to French emigrants. Knox says Barlow is traveling with the son of Nathanael Greene, George Washington Greene, who is to study with Lafayette in France. Says Catharine Greene and Colonel Wadsworth have written him on the subject of Master Washington's education, and he will not say much on it. Proceeds to say The Classics and modern languages as being the work of memory will probably constitute his first studies, together with learning the necessary personal exercises to form his manners. Says mathematics, geography, astronomy, and drawing should come later. Says his removal to France will honor the memory of his father. Praises the young man's character and disposition. Says his last letter to Lafayette was on 26 April. Thanks Lafayette for sending the Dutch patriot Vander Kemp to meet him. Updates him on state conventions on the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Says Maryland was the 7th state to ratify. Says the election for the New York convention delegates has recently taken place, but that the results are not known yet. Believes it will be a balanced delegation of those for and against it. Says Were the New Constitution to have required the Unanimous assent of all the states it would never have been adopted - But as it require only nine states in the first instance, it may be in full operation, in one year from the present time. In the hand of William Knox.
Author: Henry Knox
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Discusses politics in France, and how American statesmen are being influenced by the structure of government in France. Writes, The conduct of France in establishing provincial assemblies, is seized with great eagerness by the advocates for the state systems [...] But they do not bring into view the strong cement of the royal authority, supported by two hundred thousand soldiers - The state systems, are the accursed thing which will prevent our being a national character. Declares his support of a strong, centralized government.
Author: Henry Knox
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Says it is a long time since he has heard from Lafayette. Is glad that the packets between American and Europe will soon be re-established. When he can communicate better says he will update Lafayette on affairs in America. Says You will have been informed already that our Constitution is established and fully in operation - That the Glorious Washington is at its head, and that therefore it will have the fairest chance for success. Ends by introducing a Mr. Colden (there is a space where the first name was supposed to be filled in) of New York. Colden wants to go to France to study before settling in America.
