ALS in English, signed “Lafayette,” one page, 7.75 x 10, December 26, 1811. Letter to Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, one of the ‘Committee of Five’ who drafted the Declaration of Independence. In full: “This letter will be delivered by M. de Correa, a Portuguese Gentleman whom his distinguished merit, liberal sentiments, and amiable disposition, have recommended to the regard and friendship of the best men in this country. His departure from France is lamented by all who had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with him—but no where would they so much like to see him direct his course as to the Land of Liberty and Happiness of which he will be a worthy inhabitant—permit me to recommend him to your kind reception and through you, my dear sir, to the attention of the whole family—I am sure you and they all, when Mr. Correa is well known, will thank me for the introduction.
While I was lately in town every symptom seemed to announce a speedy and pleasant answer to the representations of Mr. [Joel] Barlow. I hope our expectation has by this time been fulfilled—and as the frigate will not be detained longer than necessary, I hasten this letter to Paris.
It had been thought the defeat of the Turks on the Danube would bring on a peace between them and the Russians. The probability is now against it, the more so as preparations are making in France and Germany which point out towards a Russian War.
I hear with great pleasure you are successful in all your undertakings. The Boar, and the Flock go on charmingly. My congratulations and good wishes attend you, my dear Sir, and I am sure my friendly concern in your behalf is by you very kindly reciprocated.
My best respects and compliments wait on the ladies of your family, and the sons and brothers on whose kind remembrance I most gratefully depend.” In a short postscript, he adds, “I am very well pleased with the intelligence that our friend [Robert] Fulton has hoisted his flag on the waters of the Mississippi. I beg you to introduce Mr. Correa to him.” Addressed on the reverse of the second integral leaf in Lafayette’s hand. In fine condition. Accompanied by a handsome custom-made leatherbound presentation folder.
Such lengthy letters by Lafayette are quite scarce and this example features excellent content that touches upon American foreign affairs, warfare in Europe, and the innovative steamboat developed by Robert Fulton with Livingston as a patron. Early on Lafayette discusses Joel Barlow’s arrival in France, where he was representing the US in hopes of negotiating a more generous commercial treaty with Napoleon. The meeting never took place, however, as Napoleon was caught up in the disastrous retreat of the French Army from Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia was fighting the Russo-Turkish War in addition to their battles with the French Empire; Lafayette observes that, although the Russians had recently dealt a serious blow to the Ottoman Empire on the Danube, it did not seem as though peace was near.
Perhaps most interesting is his brief but important mention of Robert Fulton, who has “hoisted his flag on the waters of the Mississippi.” Livingston, Fulton’s uncle-in-law and the primary investor in his initial steamboat ventures, owned the recently constructed New Orleans, the first steamboat to travel the waters of the Mississippi River. It launched from Pittsburgh in October 1811 and arrived in New Orleans in January 1812, ushering in a new era of commerce in America. Covering a wide range of subjects, this utterly fascinating letter offers excellent content with Lafayette’s reflections on several of the most noteworthy historical events of the day.
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