Auguste Levasseur

The book Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825 is a journal of Auguste Levasseur who accompanied General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette on the tour of all the 24 States in 1824-1825at the invitation of Congress President, Monroe, and the American people. General Lafayette was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War, commanding American troops in several battles, including the siege of Yorktown. After returning to France, he was a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830. He has been considered a national hero in both countries and known as "The Hero of the Two Worlds." President James Monroe and Congress invited Lafayette in part to celebrate the nation's upcoming 50th anniversary and intended to have him travel on an American warship, but Lafayette felt that having such a vessel as transport was undemocratic and booked passage on a merchantman. Louis XVIII did not approve of the trip and had troops disperse the crowd that gathered at Le Havre to see him off. Lafayette arrived at New York on 15 August 1824, accompanied by his son Georges Washington and his secretary Auguste Levasseur. He was greeted by a group of Revolutionary War veterans who had fought alongside him many years before. New York erupted for four continuous days and nights of celebration. He then departed for what he thought would be a restful trip to Boston but instead found the route lined by cheering citizens, with welcomes organized in every town along the way.This book also contains the details of Lafayette's visits with Founding Fathers and addresses slavery and Native American issues.

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