Departing for America - photo 1

Departing for America

Lot 154
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 8 190
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 887932
Lot 154 | Departing for America
Estimate value
$ 2 000 – 3 000
LAFAYETTE, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834). Autograph letter signed ("Marie") to Jean-Baptiste Gouvion, "A bord du Courrier de l’Europe," 28 June 1784.

In French. One page, bifolium, 172 x 116mm (light stain to blank integral leaf).

Departing for America for the third time, Lafayette bids farewell to a once and future comrade in arms. A warm farewell to Gouvion, who had served with Lafayette in the Continental Army as an engineer from 1777 to 1783, expressing his relief that his correspondent had wound down his outstanding affairs. Lafayette is grateful for Gouvion's presence at the general staff meeting, and thanks him for being available when he most needed him. Awaiting a favorable wind to sail, Lafayette promises that his attachment would not suffer for time or distance apart. ("Adieu, mon cher Gouvion, vous savez bien que ni les tems, ni les lieux n’ont d’influence sur le vif et solide attachement que mon cœur vous a voué par Marie.")

Following the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Lafayette lobbied for a command to move against the remaining British posts in North America. Washington had other plans, and dispatched his protégé to Paris to help lobby for further military support from France. He returned in late 1781 a hero, and he used his influence to further cooperation between the United States and France. In 1784, he embarked on this third visit to America where he visited Washington at Mount Vernon, addressed the assemblies of Virginia and Pennsylvania, attended negotiations with the Iroquois in the Mohawk Valley, and receive an honorary degree from Harvard. During his tour, which lasted into 1785, Lafayette applied his political clout in part to advocate for the abolition of slavery. Returning to Europe, he remained an outspoken advocate of liberty and equality (see lot 155 in this sale), and Lafayette proved a natural choice for leadership figuring prominently in the events of the French Revolution. Gouvion remained close to Lafayette, both in the politics and in the military. He was serving under Lafayette's command when was killed in action at Maubeuge in 1792. For additional letters concerning Gouvion, see lots 150, 153, and 155.
Place of origin:France
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
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