grossly violated in the prosecution of their selfish views. The influence
of Lafayette was rapidly undermined by these artful demagogues. He was
sincerely attached to the constitution; and was desirous of maintaining
inviolate; the power of the, monarch which it guaranteed. He was the friend
to law, and opposed all his influence to riots and excesses. He became an
object of dread to the Jacobins, and they resolved to destroy him. But for
a long time, the majority of the National Assembly supported him. In
attempting to suppress a dangerous riot, by which many of the citizens were
alarmed and threatened, when he commanded the military in 1791, he was shot
at by one of the mob. The man was taken, and he forgave him--But the
National Assembly decreed the death of the culprit, who had attempted the
life of "the hero of the day." And the municipality of Paris, also had a
gold medal struck off, in honor of Lafayette, and presented him with a bust
of Washington in approbation of his conduct.

He was repeatedly denounced by individuals of the violent party, before
they succeeded in rendering him obnoxious to popular displeasure. And this
was finally effected, through misrepresentations and false reports.

Letter of Lafayette, Feb. 1791, to M. de Bonille, one of the court, but not
then at Paris.


"Paris is divided by factions, and the kingdom oppressed by anarchy. The
violent aristocrats dream of a counter revolution--the clergy concur with
them. The impartial monarchists are looking for a part to play, without the
means of doing it. Among the friends of the revolution, you have many
honest men, some lose themselves in speculations--and some Jacobins, whose
leaders spread trouble everywhere. As to the ministers, they are merged in
the revolution; and have no rule, but to yield to the popular voice. The