Th: Jefferson.




LETTER XXII.--TO THE PREVOT DES MARCHANDS, September 27, 1786


TO THE PREVOT DES MARCHANDS ET ECHEVINS DE PARIS.

Paris, September 27, 1786.

Gentlemen,

The commonwealth of Virginia, in gratitude for the services of Major
General the Marquis de la Fayette, have determined to erect his bust in
their Capital. Desirous to place a like monument of his worth, and of
their sense of it, in the country to which they are indebted for his
birth, they have hoped that the city of Paris will consent to become the
depository of this second testimony of their gratitude. Being charged by
them with the execution of their wishes, I have the honor to solicit of
Messieurs le Prevot des Marchands et Echevins, on behalf of the city,
their acceptance of a bust of this gallant officer, and that they will
be pleased to place it where, doing most honor to him, it will most
gratify the feelings of an allied nation.

It is with true pleasure that I obey the call of that commonwealth, to
render just homage to a character so great in its first developements,
that they would honor the close of any other. Their country covered by