On the Louisiana Purchase - photo 1
On the Louisiana Purchase - photo 2
On the Louisiana Purchase - photo 3

On the Louisiana Purchase

Lot 657
24.01.2025 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
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$ 35 280
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 1362262
Lot 657 | On the Louisiana Purchase
Estimate value
$ 20 000 – 30 000
On the Louisiana Purchase
Marquis de Lafayette, 7 July 1803
LAFAYETTE, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834). Letter signed ("Lafayette") to James Madison, Aulnay, 7 July 1803.

Three pages, bifolium, 228 x 185mm (a few minor spots of toning).

On the recently-completed Louisiana Purchase agreement: "the more I think of it the greater Joy and Satisfaction affords to me," and offers thanks for a major land grant awarded by Congress. Lafayette opens asking if Madison had received his "letter of congratulation for the happy cession of Louisiana to the United States—an event which the more I think of it the greater Joy and Satisfaction affords to me." After updating the Secretary of State on diplomatic news, noting that although there was "a Russian Mediation going on," he feared that the die for War is cast." (Great Britain declared war on France on 18 May 1803). Appreciating that America wished to remain neutral, he wrote, "May Liberty and peace be over the happy lot of the United States!" He advises Gallatin that he had written to Jefferson, on his "gratitude for the bountiful flattering Grant which I have been hounured [sic] by Congress and my affectionate sense of the part Mr. Jefferson, you and some other friends have taken in that Transaction. I am much obliged to Mr. Gallatin for his Benevolent Concern in my behalf, and for the Interesting Letter a Copy of which you have forwarded to me." Lacking official notice from the president, he is unsure whether he should present his "official Thanks for which I shall again consult with the American ministers — here I am going to answer your kind Communication and friendly offers."

Lafayette then establishes his preferences for what lands he would like to have granted to him: "Locate the Lands on any of the vacant ones of the United States north of the Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky River." He complains that the first grants made to him, located on the "military Tract is evidently inferior." His recent "pecuniary embarrassment" was alleviated by "a Loan for which I am indebted to my good friend Daniel Parker, and I am the more inclined not to part with it at the rate mentioned in the Letter as by a Letter from M. Jefferson to Doctor Bollmann March the 4th. I find his own Estimate goes to a probability of an actual value of four or five dollars an acre. I think therefore the best way is that pointed out by Mr. Gallatin and to M. Jefferson, to you, to M. Gallatin I with all Confidence refer myself for all the arrangements which will Appear to you the most proper — I am told a power of Attorney must be given by me — The house of our old excellent friend Dupont has by power for General affairs. I might happen to have to transact in America — Doctor Bollman to whom you know my obligations has been pleased to ask for my powers and kindly to offer his Services. I have written to them that the President and you being my intimate friends, I had entirely for the affair itself for the mode and the choices, if any to be made, referred myslef to Mr. Jefferson and to you — premit me therefore to inclose a power of Attorney with names in blank, as I did not know whether it was proper to fill it with names in high public Station and with that power as well as with the whole affair I request you my dear friend, to do as you think fit."

Lafayette concludes that he was "still detained by the wounds resulting from the cure of my fracture — I hope however in a fortnight to be able to bid adieu to Surgeons and to return to Lagrange — Be pleased to communicate my Letter to Mr. Jefferson with affectionate and grateful respects. I am, my dear Madison, with high Esteem, and warm attachment your friend Lafayette."

As was common with overseas mail, Lafayette sent three versions of this letter. The other two are part of institutional collections, a letter signed at Lafayette College, and an autograph letter signed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. (The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, 5:149 fn)
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