It did not consist with the existing policy of the British cabinet, to
listen to the proposition. The motion was lost by a large majority.

Bollman proceeded to Olmutz, and thence to Vienna, where he was so
fortunate as to meet with young Huger; and they cordially united in the
humane and chivalrous project of rescuing the generous Lafayette, They both
repaired immediately to Olmutz, and there became acquainted with two other
gentlemen, who favoured their benevolent scheme. But the difficulty of
effecting it can be easily imagined. A physician of Olmutz was engaged to
make known the plan to Lafayette, when he visited him in prison, then in
reality, or apparently in a debilitated state of health. He had, in fact,
been attacked with fever at Magdeburg, which at one time was feared would
terminate his valuable life, and from the effects of which he had not fully
recovered. By him a note was communicated to Lafayette, which he answered
with his blood. In a short time, the physician prevailed on the governor of
the city to permit his prisoner to take an airing, occasionally, in a
coach, attended by a guard. It was concerted, that in one of his short
excursions with the governor, he should leave the carriage under some
pretence, when he was to be joined by Bollman and Huger, and immediately
conducted under cover of a dark night, to the confines of Silesia, beyond
the territory of the Emperor of Austria. He alighted from the carriage,
near a small wood, and his generous friends, who were ready to protect him,
immediately attempted to convey him away on horseback; but the guard, which
accompanied the carriage, suspecting some design, pushed forward into the
wood, and attempted to seize the noble prisoner, and his brave friends. A
desperate struggle ensued, in which the Marquis was wounded; but they
succeeded in escaping from the guard. Huger was seen and followed by some
of the peasantry; and after a long pursuit was overtaken and secured. The
governor and his guard returned to Olmutz; alarm guns were immediately
fired, and the whole population for several miles was soon engaged in