iafayettes:

My favourite quotes from George Washington getting stressed over Georges Washington de Lafayette: A trilogy

(For context: At this time Washington could not offer sanctuary to Georges publically when he had arrived in America as it would run the risk of causing political friction – Lafayette was seen as a traitor to the French Revolution, and by accepting his son to stay with him, Washington would damage his neutral standing. So, instead, Georges stayed with the Hamiltons for the time being).

“Did my letter to young Fayette (under cover to you) get to hand in time to be presented to him, at the interview you had with him? My desire of seeing, and assuring him from my own mouth, of my fixed determination to be his friend & supporter, is such, that I hardly know how to reconcile to my feeling, the denial of permitting him to come hither for a few moments to receive it. But supposing that whatsoever you decide on will be for the best, I shall acquiesce therein.”                

-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795

“Have you seen or heard more of young Fayette since you last wrote to me on that subject? Where did he go to? Did you deliver him the letter I sent under cover to you for him? His case gives me pain, and I do not know how to get relieved from it. His sensibility I fear is hurt, by his not acknowledging the receipt of my letter to him; and yet, if considerations of a higher nature are opposed to a more uncovert countenance, it must be submitted to. If he wants money, I am ready to furnish it.”               

-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 December 1795

Ft Alexander Hamilton:

“Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin. A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn from his preceptor) has quickened his sensibility and increased his regret. If I am satisfied that the present state of things is likely to occasion a durable gloom, endangering the health & in some sort the mind of the young man, I shall conclude, on the strength of former permission, to send him to you for a short visit—the rather as upon repeated reflection I am not able to convince myself that there is any real inconvenience in the step and as there are certainly delicate opposite sides. But it will be my endeavour to make him content to remain away.”               

-From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 December 1795

“My mind being continually uneasy on Acct. of Young Fayette, I cannot but wish (if this letter should reach you in time, and no reasons stronger than what have occurred against it) that you would request him, and his Tuter, to come on to this place on a visit; without avowing, or making a mystery of the object—Leaving the rest to some after decision”               

-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 February 1796