as well as his military family, amongst his most dear
and glorious remembrances, that of the time we had the honor to serve
under your command."

This announcement gave Washington real pleasure, for he had heard from
time to time vague rumors of the vicissitudes of Rochambeau--first as
field-marshal, in command of the revolutionary army of the north; then
as a thwarted and disappointed man, dwelling in retirement; and then as
a victim prepared for the guillotine, but saved by a sudden change in
public affairs. He was glad to know that the general was enjoying repose
in his old age. Rochambeau survived all the tempests of the Revolution,
was honored by Napoleon with the cross of grand officer of the Legion of
Honor, and a marshal's pension, and died in 1807, at the age of
eighty-two years.

FOOTNOTES:

[125] Life of Jefferson, ii. 371.

[126] The emperor of Austria communicated to Lafayette, through the
marquis de Chasteler, his intention to liberate him from his confinement
at Olmutz, on certain conditions, to which the marquis refused to
accede. In his reply to De Chasteler, Lafayette said:--

"His majesty, the emperor and king, demands an assurance that,
immediately after my release, I will depart for America. This is an
intention which I have often manifested; but since, in the actual
state of things, an assurance to this effect would seem to
recognise a right to impose this condition upon me, I think it not
proper to satisfy such a demand.

"His majesty, the emperor and king, has done me the honor to
signify that, as the principles which I profess are incompatible
with the security of the Austrian government, it is his wish that I
should never again enter his dominions without his special
permission. There are duties from which I can not release
myself--duties which I owe to the United States, and above all to
France; nor can I consent to any act which shall derogate from the
rights of my country over my person.

"With these reservations, I can assure the marquis de Chasteler
that it is my fixed determination never again to set my foot in any
country which yields obedience to his imperial majesty the king of
Bohemia and Hungary."--Sparks's Life of Washington, vol. xi., note
ix. of the Appendix.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

AMERICAN ENVOYS IN PARIS--DIRECTORY SEEKING MONEY--TALLEYRAND AND
HIS AGENTS--PROPOSI