Boston; and here became acquainted with John Hancock, Dr. Cooper, S. Breck,
Esq. and others, to whose families he became particularly attached. The
hospitable attention of the Bostonians, was not lost upon him. With warm
feelings and elegant manners, he was well qualified to appreciate their
patriotism and politeness; and impressions were made upon his generous
mind, favourable to their characters, which he has not forgotten to the
present day. In no place in America, perhaps, did he find the citizens more
congenial to his ardour of affection and devoted love for civil liberty.--
It cannot be doubted, that to a man of his amiable and tender feelings, the
consideration of meeting with his family and friends influenced him to this
visit. But it appears also, from his letters at that time, that he
considered his duty to his King and country required him to go to France.
War was now declared between France and England; and he believed himself
bound to give his personal services for the defence of his own nation. With
all his zeal in favour of liberty and of America, which he considered
engaged in its sacred cause against an arbitrary power, he acknowledged his
obligations to asset in protecting his native country. If his King should
consent, he engaged to return to America, and devote himself again in
support of her rights. The following letters will justify this statement of
his views, at the time of which we are speaking. The first is from General
Washington to the President of Congress.


"_Head Quarters, Oct. 13th_, 1778.

"SIR,

"This will be delivered to you by Major General, the Marquis de Lafayette.
The generous motives which first induced him to cross the Atlantic, and
enter the army of the united States, are well known to Congress. Reasons