ADVERTISEMENT,

BY THE EDITOR.

* * * * *

It is a poor apology to offer for any defect or omission in a work intended
for the information of the public, that it was prepared in haste. Yet in
the present case it can be offered with truth. The Editor of this volume
knew nothing of the plan, until it had been some time proposed, and many
subscribers obtained. The gentleman by whom it was first intended to have
been prepared, was suddenly taken away, without writing, or even collecting
any thing for the volume. It was undertaken with reluctance, as it was
known the public would he impatient for the work, and as the publisher was
also desirous it should be prepared in a few weeks. It is only fifty days
since the task was begun. It is believed, however, that several documents,
not yet published, will be found in this volume; and that many events and
incidents are preserved, which would otherwise have been lost to the
public.

Everything relating to the life and character of this extraordinary man, is
certainly worthy of remembrance by the benevolent and intelligent through
the civilized world, and especially by Americans, to whom he has rendered
the most essential services. The endeavour has been to avoid panegyric;
though in this case, a plain statement of facts may be construed, by those
ignorant of the life of Lafayette, into a disposition to bestow extravagant
praise.

It has been a source of much satisfaction to the Editor, to find so many