Lafayette’s last letter to Hamilton, 31 March 1803
I would like by this opportunity to write to you a long letter, but having been Laying on my back for two months past, and being for three weeks to come, doomed to the same situation, I must confine myself to a few lines written near my bed. The particulars of the accident and his cure1 will be given to you by General Bernadotte,2 whom I must particularly introduce and his lady3 to Mrs. Hamilton and to you. Politics I will not dwell upon. My sentiments are so well Known to you that it were superfluous to say what I think of senatus-consulta4 at home, and settling colonies in North America.5 Yet I hope this late affair may still be arranged to mutual satisfaction, and I am sure nobody could have better personal disposition than my friend General Bernadotte, who to those high and brilliant abilities which have so much contributed to ⟨the⟩ triumph of the french arms, joins one of the most civic, generous, ⟨and⟩ candid hearts, it is possible to meet with. I Know he sets a great value by the approbation of the citizens of America, and is particularly desirous of your acquaintance, and properly sensible of its advantages.
I have seen in the papers a letter from you relative to the transactions at our Yorktown redoubt6 in which I have found my friend hamilton’s whole caracter, and the more pleased I have been to receive it, as the attack had been for some time known to me, but on the proposal of some friends to write to you, I had answered you were on the spot, and would know better what was best for me to be done.
Adieu my dear friend, my best respects to Mrs. hamilton, remember me to our friends, I Know you are most friendly interested in my private concerns, and have ever depended upon it.
most affectionately I am your constant friend
The reference to Yorktown is regarding a letter from Hamilton published in the New York Evening Post, in which Hamilton defended Lafayette from a rumor that Lafayette had ordered all British prisoners be executed after the battle:
“To the Editor of the Evening Post
New-York, August 10, 1802.
Finding that a story long since propagated under circumstances, which it was expected would soon consign it to oblivion, (and by which I have been complimented at the expence of Generals Washington and La Fayette) has of late been revived and has acquired a degree of importance by being repeated in different publications as well as in Europe as America—it becomes a duty to counteract its currency and influence by an explicit disavowal.2
The story imports in substance, that General La Fayette, with the approbation or connivance of General Washington, ordered me, as the officer who was to command the attack on a British redoubt, in the course of the siege of York-Town, to put to death all those of the enemy who should happen to be taken in the redoubt; and that through motives of humanity I forbore to execute the order.
Positively and unequivocally I declare, that no such nor similar order, nor any intimation nor hint resembling it, was ever by me received or understood to have been given.
It is needless to enter into an explanation of some occurrences on the occasion alluded to, which may be conjectured to have given rise to the calumny. It is enough to say that they were entirely unconnected with any act of either of the Generals who have been accused.
With esteem, I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
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