Correspondance inédite de La Fayette : lettres de prison, lettres d'exil (1793-1801)

DEUXIEME PARTIE

Lettres d’exil (1797-1801).

XXXIX

Adresse des citoyens américains qui se trouvaient à bord des navires des États-Unis à Hambourg, présentée par leur consul, M. Pitkern, à La Fayette, le jour de son arrivée d'Olmäütz, 4 oct. 1797.

Sir, the citizens of the United States of America at Hamburg, take the earliest opportunity of presenting you their warmest congratulations on your deliverance from the cruel oppression which you have so long endured.

Beholding in you, Sir, the genuine friend of national liberty and good government, our astonishment has been less excited than our indignation to have found you the object of the vengeance of every species of tyrants, who, that nothing should be wanting to your suffering, added those of a virtuous and innocent family. But while we have deplored this injustice, we have rejoiced that you ever have exhibited to the world your upright intentions and the undeviating principles of an enlightened and true patriot. Five years has your country been deprived of the influence of those principles, and five years has she suffered every calamity. We confidently trust that a life so eventful, which was so successfully devoted to establish the liberty and welfare of