LAFAYETTE, a town of the United States of North America, capital of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on the left bank of the Wabash River, 66 miles N.W. of Indianapolis, and 123 miles S.E. of Chicago. It stands on a rising ground, which slopes gradually to the water side, and affords extensive views of the surrounding country. Its chief trade consists in cast-iron, paper, and pork. The prosperity of Lafayette is greatly owing to its easy communication with the Mississippi valley and the lakes of Michigan and Erie. The Wabash and Erie Canal passes through the town, while by rail it is connected with Indianapolis, Lake Michigan, &c. Pop. (1854) about 8000.