LAFAYETTE 99 his freedom clogged with conditions; but he firmly replied that he would never accept his liberation in any way that should .compro- mise his rights and duties, either as a French- man or as an American citizen. He was set free at last, Sept. 19, 1797, after five years of imprisonment, 22 months of which had been shared by his wife. The unsettled condition of France still precluded his return to his na- tive country, and he took up his residence in Holstein, where he lived in retirement, occu- pying himself with agriculture, until toward the end of 1799, when he removed to his es- tate of La Grange, a fine old chateau about 40 m. from Paris. Here he lived quietly, still oc- cupied with agriculture and holding steadfastly to his republican convictions. Napoleon in a personal interview endeavored in vain to per- suade him to take the post of senator. He also offered him the cross of the legion of honor, but Lafayette rejected it with disdain, calling it an absurdity. When the question was submitted to the people whether Napoleon should be first consul for life, Lafayette voted in the negative, and informed Napoleon of the fact in a letter, which put an end to their intercourse. Noth- ing could tempt him from his retirement. Presi- dent Jefferson offered to appoint him gover- nor of Louisiana, then just become a territory of the United States ; but he was unwilling by quitting France to appear to abandon the cause of constitutional freedom on the continent of Europe. During the hundred days after the return from Elba, when Napoleon granted to the people an elective house of representatives, Lafayette again appeared in public. He was chosen a representative and took his seat in the chamber, refusing a peerage which the emperor offered him. On the first ballot for president of the house he had the highest num- ber of votes ; but he declined the honor, and exerted himself for the election of Lanjuinais. He took little part in the debates till after Na- poleon's return from Waterloo, when he took the lead in demanding the emperor's abdica- tion. Lucien, the brother of Napoleon, opposed the motion to this effect in a speech of great power and eloquence. He denounced the proposition as a signal instance of inconstancy and national ingratitude. Lafayette arose, and, contrary to rule and custom, spoke from his place and not from the tribune. "The asser- tion which has just been uttered," he said, " is a calumny. Who shall dare to accuse the French nation of inconstancy to the emperor Napoleon? That nation has followed his bloody footsteps through the sands of Egypt and through the snows of Russia; over fifty fields of battle ; in disaster as faithfully as in victory; and it is for having thus devotedly followed him that we now mourn the blood of three millions of Frenchmen." These few words made an impression on the assembly which could not be resisted ; and as Lafayette ended, Lucien himself bowed respectfully to him and without resuming his speech sat down. After the entry of the allies into Paris, Lafay- ette returned to La Grange. Touched with a sympathy for Napoleon in his adversity which he had not felt at the height of his power, he offered to procure him the means of escaping to America ; but Napoleon could not forgive his former opposition, and refused to accept his assistance. In 1818 Lafayette was elected to the chamber of deputies, where he voted constantly for all liberal measures, and opposed the censorship of the press and everything that tended to infringe the constitutional rights of the people. In 1824 the congress of the United States passed unanimously a resolution requesting President Monroe to invite Lafay- ette to visit the United States. He accepted the invitation, but declined the offer of a ship of the line for his conveyance, and with his son and secretary took passage on a packet ship from Havre to New York, where he land- ed on Aug. 15, 1824. His progress through the country resembled a continuous triumphal procession. He visited in succession each of the 24 states and all the principal cities. In December congress voted him a grant of $200,- 000 and a township of land, "in consideration of his important services and expenditures during the American revolution." His hered- itary fortune had been mostly lost by con- fiscation during the reign of terror. On Sept. 7, 1825, he sailed from Washington in a frig- ate named in compliment to him the Brandy- wine. On his arrival at Havre the people as- sembled to make a demonstration in his honor, but were dispersed by the police. In August, 1827, he pronounced a funeral oration over the body of Manuel, a distinguished member of the chamber of deputies. In November of the same year the chamber was dissolved, and Lafayette was reflected. During the revolu- tion of July, 1830, he was appointed comman- der-in-chief of the national guards of Paris, and, though not personally engaged in the fight, his name and his experience and energy were of the greatest service to the liberal cause. His influence was successfully exerted to prevent the revolution from assuming a sanguinary character, and from proceeding to extremes which would have brought France into perilous collision with all the powers of Europe. He sacrificed his own republican preferences for the sake of peace and order, and placed Louis Philippe on the throne, " a monarchy surrounded by republican institu- tions." He soon resigned his commission as commander of the national guards, and con- fined himself to his duties as a representative of the people, and to the exercise of his moral influence as the acknowledged chief of the con- stitutional party on the continent of Europe. In attending in the winter and on foot the ob- sequies of a colleague in the chamber of depu- ties, he contracted a cold which settled on hie lungs and caused his death. He received a magnificent funeral, and his body was buried, by his own direction, in the cemetery of Pic-
