"When I wish, then, to see the career of your glory crowned by the honors
of perpetual magistracy, I but act in correspondence with my own private
sentiments, and am influenced exclusively by patriotic considerations. But
all my political and moral obligations, the principles which have governed
every action of my life, call on me to pause before I bestow on you my
suffrage, until I feel assured that your authority shall be erected on a
basis worthy of the nation and yourself.

"I confidently trust, general, that you will recognize here, as you have
done on all other occasions, a steady continuance of my political opinions,
combined with the sincerest prayers for your welfare, and the deepest sense
of all my obligations towards you."

Here closed all connexion between Lafayette and Bonaparte. The First Consul
not only avoided all intercourse with one so sincerely devoted to the cause
of liberty; but he treated him with that studied neglect, which was little
short of persecution. There was indeed nothing congenial either in the
character or principles of these two distinguished men. The one was aiming
at power by any means, without regard to the rights or happiness of his
fellow men; the other was anxious for the permanent establishment of a mild
government in his native country, for the true welfare and liberty of the
people; and was willing to make every sacrifice for the attainment of such
great objects.

The unfriendly feelings of Bonaparte were extended even to the younger
Lafayette. This patriotic youth, with much of the public spirit of his
noble father, engaged in the service of his country soon after his return
from America. He was an aid of the brave Grouchy, general of division; an
active, intelligent, meritorious officer, and distinguished on various
occasions. But he received neither advancement nor distinction from the