LAFAYETTE, GILBERT MOTTIER

LAFAYETTE, GILBERT MOTTIER, was born at Chavagnac, in Auvergne, Sept. 6, 1757, and educated at the Parisian College of Louis le Grand. At the age of 20, and only three years after his marriage with the granddaughter of the Duc de Noailles, he left France to assist the Americans in the war of independence; and fought as a volunteer at Brandywine. Shortly after, equipping 2000 infantry at his own expense, he signalled himself at the capture of New York. On the close of the war he returned to France; in 1787 became a member of the Notables; and, during the revolution of 1789 sat in the National Assembly, where he proposed the famous "Declaration of Rights." Having been appointed commander-in-chief of the National Guards, he was present at the attack upon Ver-

sailles, and saved the lives of the royal family. In 1790, after organizing the Club of Feuillants, and defending the king from popular fury, he retired to his estates. In the war of the coalition, in 1792, he was one of the three major-generals in command; but losing his popularity on account of his moderate opinions, he was compelled to flee from France, and fell into the hands of the Austrians, who imprisoned him at Olmutz. He was liberated along with the other prisoners in 1797. During the ascendancy of Bonaparte, Lafayette declined all public offices until the emperor's return from Elba, when he accepted a seat in the House of Representatives. This body, at his instigation, attempted to continue sitting after the disaster at Waterloo, but was dissolved by military force, and Lafayette returned to his retirement. He visited the United States in 1824. In 1830 he commanded the National Guards, and was instrumental in raising Louis Philippe to the throne. He died in 1834.