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Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825: Volume I & II, Complete
This includes both volumes of Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825 by Auguste Levasseur.
216 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2023
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February 1, 2025
This book does a tremendous job of telling the story of the Marquis Lafayette’s 1 year visit to America in 1824 and 1825. The book is entirely based on the journal of Auguste Levasseur who was LaFayette’s secretary for this trip. Levasseur also provides a clear-headed evaluation of the lack of progress in ending slavery and the treatment and state of the native Americans.
Lafayette visited all 24 existing states during his travels. It is not possible to overstate love and infatuation that the American populace had with LaFayette. He was invited as the “Guest of the Nation,” and his visit was set up so that he was here for the 50th anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill. He returned to Boston late in the visit to participate in the dedication of the monument there in front of a crowd of 200,000 people. LaFayette was a 67-year-old man but seems to have been wonderfully humble man who cared deeply about America as a country, and the positive changes that happened since he returned to France in 1779. At the time of this story, LaFayette was also the last surviving general from the revolution.
Levasseur himself was an enthusiastic supporter of individual freedom and democracy. He was generally enthused with the operation of the government of America. He loathed slavery and had a clear perspective on how it was a horrible thing for everyone involved. Levasseur hated colonialism as it abrogated the rights of the inhabitants and repressed their progress. His commentary on these topics and observations during the trip are wonderful.
The book was not published until after the death of LaFayette and only recently became available in English recently. Not all the writing is riveting, but I left with a newfound respect for LaFayette as a person. The speed of his travels was also amazing. He benefitted greatly by stem powered ships, especially on the Mississippi. LaFayette’s departure to return to France was emotional and sad, as he knew he would likely never return to the country that adopted him, but having the story end as returns to his family in France was wonderful.
Lafayette visited all 24 existing states during his travels. It is not possible to overstate love and infatuation that the American populace had with LaFayette. He was invited as the “Guest of the Nation,” and his visit was set up so that he was here for the 50th anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill. He returned to Boston late in the visit to participate in the dedication of the monument there in front of a crowd of 200,000 people. LaFayette was a 67-year-old man but seems to have been wonderfully humble man who cared deeply about America as a country, and the positive changes that happened since he returned to France in 1779. At the time of this story, LaFayette was also the last surviving general from the revolution.
Levasseur himself was an enthusiastic supporter of individual freedom and democracy. He was generally enthused with the operation of the government of America. He loathed slavery and had a clear perspective on how it was a horrible thing for everyone involved. Levasseur hated colonialism as it abrogated the rights of the inhabitants and repressed their progress. His commentary on these topics and observations during the trip are wonderful.
The book was not published until after the death of LaFayette and only recently became available in English recently. Not all the writing is riveting, but I left with a newfound respect for LaFayette as a person. The speed of his travels was also amazing. He benefitted greatly by stem powered ships, especially on the Mississippi. LaFayette’s departure to return to France was emotional and sad, as he knew he would likely never return to the country that adopted him, but having the story end as returns to his family in France was wonderful.
Displaying 1 of 1 review