{"newspaper_name": "The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
The following is the letter of General
Washington to the Emperor of Austria, on
the confinement of Lafayette in the dungeon
of Olmutz. 1t bears the strongest marks OF
that high and transccndant character which
belonged 10 the writer. How we'll Wash
ington knew Lafayette, let the gratitude
and love recently paid to the latter testify.


1T will readily occur to your Majesty,
that occasions may sometimes exist,en which
official considerations would constraln the
chief Of a nation to be silent and passive, in
relation even 70 objects which affect his SEN
sibility and claim his intcrposition as man.
Finding myself precisely in this situation at
present | take the liberty of writing this
private letter to your Majesty, being per-
suaded that my motives will also be my
apology for it. In common with the peo-
pie OF this country, ] retain a strong and
cordial sense OF esteem for the services
rendered to them by the Marquis de Lafay-
cite, and my friendship for him has been
constant and sincere. It is natural, there
fore, that should sympathisc with him, and
his family in their misfortunes, and endeavor
to mitigate the calanitics they experience,
among which his present confinement is not
the least distressing.


foYbcar to enlarge on this delicate subject.
Permit me only to submit to vtr Majesty s
consideration, whether his long imprson-
mcnt md the confiscation Of his estate, and
the inAigcncc and dispersion Of his family,
aud t..c painfdl anXictiss incident to all these
circumstances, do not form IN assemblage
Of suiferings, which recommend him to the
{, v,iiatiuri ot hu,mauit, F, Allow mr, OR, on
this occasion to be its organ, and to entrcat
that he may be permitted to come to this
country, on such conditions as your Mdjestv
NAV think i. expedient 10 prescribe.


"as it is a maxim With me. not to ask,
what under similar circumstances | would
not grant, your Majesty will do me the JUS
tice to believe, that this request appears
10 me to correspond with those great prn-
ciples Of magnanmity and wisdom, which
form the basis Of sound policy and durable
| glory