I know who you are expecting. I am expecting him as well but in the interim please allow me and introduction. The name is lafayette though i believe that most of you americans will know me far better by my name of the ocean regime. And that of course is the marquis de lafayette. What a pleasure and honor to see all of you here on this simply magnificent day. This 14th of july, this fete national, the day in which we french celebrate the beginning of our revolution. While im here meeting with my dear friend, your Thomas Jefferson, in hope that he shall arrive sometime soon, so let us hope we can all have a conversation together. Where is m. Jefferson . Mon cher, lafayette. Mon cher, jefferson. Quel plaisir to see you again over so many years. Absolutely. And may i say with great reverence to bastille day. Just as we celebrate the revolution in america on the 4th of july in france of course it is the 14th of july. We shall celebrate together, my friend. We have not forgotten bastille day here either and rest assured, as i have always said, the American Revolution would have never been successful without the aid of friends. It is a grand alliance between our two nations, myself, general friends general rochambeau, others coming to the assistance of our newfound friend and ally, the United States. Not forgotten. And, missed two marquee, we are not alone. We have the world here with us this day. Welcoming everyone back to monte carlo as i hope you have discovered. I did not realize the entirety of the world. This must be one of mr. Benjamin franklins invention, that it . Yes, electricity for the benefit of the common good. I have heard there is an opportunity for our friends to ask us questions, about our friendship, about the french revolution, about much that has transpired in the history of your nation, let alone our known, in which you and myself played no small part. Indeed. And we have to moderate the questions from all of you a mademoiselle wagner, so thank you for being with us today and i would say if you are set, let us begin with the first question. Indeed, mademoiselle, we are at your service. Miss your left eye at, when did you first come to america and why . When did i first come to america and why . I must admit, my friend, i love telling the story. I first came to america in june of 1777 but that is not the first time i had heard of this glorious pause, for it was back in 1775. Back then i was but a Second Lieutenant newlypromoted to the of captain, intrude, only because my fatherinlaw owned the regimen, so it was a bit of a wedding gift. I was delighted in the eastern part of france and us was commonplace back then, we would often have these grandiose dinner parties with all of the most noble officers in attendance. We would speak about the various subjects of the day, more than had begun, awarded concluded, a new treaty that had been signed, perhaps an innovation in strategy. But on one occasion we had a very special guest, and this guest was none other than the duke of glossed are. Yes, the same name applied to that principal route in the city of williamsburg but you know so very well. The street that was named after the eldest son of the queen, and william duke of glossed, or who regrettably passed away before he could ever become monarch. Indeed, my friend. This was the brother of george the third, the king of england, and we soon discover that he was rather sympathetic to the american cause. In fact, many were of the opinion that he thought america should be free and independent, so we all listened in on what he had to say. We spoke of the fighting at lexington, and of concord, of your Brand Congress in philadelphia and of course of the great man himself, that of general washington. So, it was by the conclusion of this meeting that i told the officers that i was ready and willing to find and if need be, die for this cause. Now i know many have said well, but, why mr. Markey, why would you want to go and fight and perhaps die in another land in another mans war . Well, i felt this was a war like none other in the history of manned, was it not . A war of great ideas. Of the freedom, even liberation of mankind. A war that would raise the ideas of the great thinkers of this, well, in light and age, this age of reason. People like voltaire and rousseau, these people who believe that a man, no matter what station in life he might be born, whether hed be black or white, catholic or protestant, rich or poor, slave or free, should not make a different but simply by the way in which that person would carry themselves and prove themselves in this world. And it was with this inspiration, that i received a promise or a note from your very own american agent from connecticut and i came to america again taking part in this grand crusade. I must tell you that i might have been the one who had influenced you had i accompanied doctor franklin to france. Once we declared our independence, the new congress of the United States actually invited me to say all the friends, but i could not. Ill health ran through my family at the time, the commonwealth of virginia required me to work on their constituition and so it was. And so it was mr. Connecticut who went in my stead. I know mr. Adams would have been sent as well, and perhaps you would have been wellsuited for it, as opposed to mr. Adams, who said i had a canine appetite for popularity. I later had that great opportunity when in congress he invited me to secede to dr. Benjamin franklin as our nation s first to the call of louis 16th. I was quite related to this to receive that commission and you know, as i wanted to have more of a knowledge of all of our new nation and had never been to new england, that decided to sail to france from a boston and so i went up to new england, and theyre, hoping to board a ship upon which mrs. John adams would be a passenger, i arrived too late to make a reservation upon the ship. I did have the opportunity to meet with mrs. Adams, but a short time, and she embarked and i had to quit for the next ship. The ship i sailed on was out of boston. In fact, it left boston on the fifth of july. I spent the fourth of july in boston. Do you know a number of years later, you may recall, i was sailing the atlantic eastward when you were sailing the atlantic westward to return to our new nation for the First Time Since the war. Do you think that your ship and mine passed in the night . They undoubtedly did, my friend. If only we know. Mr. Wagner, other other miss wagner, other other questions for us . It seems mode both you and mr. Jefferson were in france during the storming of the bastille. How did each of you experience that moment . Well, i dare say, this year in the market, you are very much an actor upon the stage of all the turbulence that was bloom brewing than in parents. I knew of it, i had a chance to see you and bear witness to your great speech that they gave the estate general. You honor me so, my dear friend. Of course, the storming of the best deal is the explosion of the revolution. The revolution in france of course occurred because of many reasons. Some said it was because of the money money france spent on the revolution america. Some said it was because the great ideas of the philosophical, tear you, so multi skews beacon representation of government, on the quality of man so it was no surprise that revolution would become contagious. In fact, general washington spoke of a tree of liberty that we continue to grow and spread its leaves, and of course this leaves have landed and friends, many of them in the minds of general russian those soldiers. So, there i found myself with the estate general representing the second state on the aristocracy and we were deciding what was going to occur next. I had placed for the document that we had worked on together, on the rights of man and of the citizen, in essence, a preamble to all french constitution was and as we were debating as to whether this document should be accepted, many of the people of france became greatly concern that some change was going to take place and they began rioting in the streets. The queen, vernon austrian, maria internet, well, some head spread a rumor that she was bringing in foreign troops and of course the presence of the swiss guard to guard the royal family, as was common place for many years within the canning of france, well, many thought the french people would be replaced by these foreign mercenaries so the people of france rose up. I had found myself in versailles, of course, attending these various sessions when i heard of the storming of the bastille. The city, as you know, had over 600,000 people and nearly 80,000 of them rose on the votes. They went to the left bank of the reverse and where there was an arsenal of weapons to be found. They retrieve those weapons, muskets and physicals and sabers and cannons and then they cross over the river to the bastille. What was the bastille . It really was a fortress that had been converted into a prison, but not for your common criminal. It was a prison for those who had spoken out against the government, the injustices that had occurred. Voltaire head spent a bit of time at the bus deal, so it was taught by assaulting, by taking the bastille, you could unlock the doors and allow freedom of speech. It also was the repository of some munitions unarmed, was it not . The marines were interested, the people were interested to appropriate for themselves, safety and offense, in arms and gunpowder. You speak the truth, my friend. Of course there was a great deal of black powder that would operate the weapon systems, so by taking, it not only unlocking this injustice but also providing the equipment that they would need to defend themselves against foreign attackers. Alas, there were only seven criminals from the bastille at that time, but the very next day i found myself trying to restore order. I found a, horse a white horse, that i thought would look magnificent in restoring order. I donned the uniform that i had worn during the American Revolution and i rode out, trying to speak with the people, to remain calm, to stop the violence, to remain calm as best they could, in the hope that change would occur, and it was at that moment, my friend, that i was made commander of the National Guard, the military force that would remain and keep order within the city of paris. I remember distinctly that you were the only one who could receive the trust in the fate of the french people. No one, no one knew anything to be the precise truth or fact of the matter. There were not hearing what they fell would ease their concerns, let alone their pain. All of the fact of the truce had for so, long been held in the courts of loyalty, nobility and monarchy. When you have heard the estate general, i remember that ancient government of three particular classes. Am i correct . The first class, the clergy. In the second, class that was the mobility in the monarchy, and the third class with the people. I would not dane to refer to them as peasants, some did, but they were the people and they included merchants and doctors as well and they had not met for 150 years. The last time they stated that was 16 14. The year was 1789. I asked all of, you is that an effective legislative body . I think none. I understand the two thirds of that body would dictate and proffer on to the one third of people, their opinion, as they wanted to be received. Mademoiselle wagner, you asked if i recall the storming of the bastille. I recall that that day i was visiting a good friend and her son, is that how its pronounced . You bore witness to the fact the practicing as i did the beauty of your language, to speak it fluently, i was never very successful. His name is ete age i. S. Ethis. He called to inform us all what it happened at the bastille. And i remember hearing the story that was told to me by a good friend by secretary william short. His friend was a french nobleman by the name of lee in court and if you would relate to all of, us how did the king, the storming of the bastille, and his reply, as mr. Sharp told me, his friend related to him. Of course, my friend. Indeed, as a story, goes the king was out hunting, as he often did instead of seeing the affairs of state, especially as volatile as things were at that moment. Well, mr. Leon called one of his advisers came to me the very next sour expression up on his face and said, is it a revolt . And he responded no, its a revolution. Said on the 14th of july. The revolution had officially begun. The french people knew what was occurring even if they were not certain of the facts but wasnt not the royalty, the nobility that had simple le simply lost touch with their people, almost in a world of their own . You referred to delay, queen marie antuna. I have often said perhaps if or were not for the queen, there would have never been a revolution. Well, i am referring of course to the fact that she actually manufactured a peasant village on their side where she would dress up as a peasant woman and go amongst her sheep etc and the monarchy had simply distance themselves so far from their own people. Indeed, indeed. Her reign as freeing of queen a friend, she became less popular. In fact, many lives were attributed to her such as let them eat cake. Indeed, she never said such a thing. But because she was austrian born, many, people as the revolution progressed, became less and less trusting of her and of course, at such a volatile time, spending so much of the kingdoms money created a problem for the people of friend who thought of her is now an enemy of the people and no longer is a savior of the people. I wouldve been hopeful that the king couldve united the people, created the Constitutional Monarchy that would have remained, perhaps not unlike a glorious revolution, in which there was not a loss of life, but great changes for the betterment of mankind. As we know, my friend, that would not come to pass. It cannot be denied the french people were hungry. They were very hungry, were they not . It had been a disastrous winter, between 88 and 89, i believe someone before had seen torrential rainstorms. I believe that autumn of 88 so often a great job throughout, and then the winter, so very oppressive that all of the orchards and fruits and all of the fields of green were destroyed. They hardly had anything to eat. It was a difficult time for the people of france and it is no surprise, the revolt. Perhaps there other questions. Yes, mr. Jefferson return to the United States in september. How did you each experience the french revolution from then on . How do we experience the revolution in france after that moment. If i may, my dear friend. My experience was i was saved at home, but you are correct that at the time of the storm, the storming of the bastille, as you, know i was already making preparations to return home. I was not certain exactly what was respected me in our new government. When i say that i mean our government under the constitution so i left september of 89 and in fact, general, i learned when i return, of what happened when you lead the parisians to their sides. Indeed, my friend. It was after the storming of the bastille, that we were hopeful for establishing this Constitutional Monarchy which we frenchman frenchman felt was best suited, indeed, keeping the king as a chief executive, having a legislative body looking after the best interest of the people of friends, and this was achieved, but it took a bit of time. The document i assisted in writing with you, my friend, the declaration of the rights of man and the citizens, that preamble of constitution is to come for the french people in which we spoke of those natural rights, of life, of liberty, of property, of the pursuit of happiness, of freedom from oppression. Well, it took a bit of time for the king said this but, on october the 2nd, after some provoking, this was accepted, and the provoking was, the march of the women to versailles to demand the butcher or the baker and the bakers wife. Of course, the people were starving, as you have so eloquently stated and there was a lot of food and more than 12 miles from the city of paris there were granaries which could provide the people with that to make bread, the staple of the french diet. So, many of the women began their march. They began to be followed by others and soon myself as commander of the National Guard began to escort them to assure there would be no violence. Some were fearful that the people would assault their side and take the king and queen and as they approach their side they demanded of the baker and the bakers wife his grain. Well, i was concerned about violent so i dismounted my whitehorse, i mounted the balcony and there i kissed the hand of the queen to avert the violence. The Constitutional Monarchy was accepting. This remained for a bit of time but not all of the 25 million frenchman were content with the Constitutional Monarchy. In fact, many were in favor of a republic like you had here and thus, change began to occur and for me it would be on the 17th july, 1791 where nearly 10,000 left this is called the jackal bamboo signed began signing a petition to remove the and monarchy. They killed some of my soldiers. I march my soldiers and to disperse them and i disperse them for a short time. They returned even worse than before and so does, as a result, my soldiers fired upon the mob who were killing my Soldiers Left and right. In hindsight, it was the wrong decision. The next day i had to resign my commission, as did the mayor. So, thus change occurred even more quickly than it had before. Soon the palace at paris, was stormed. The king and queen arrested for crimes against the state and they were set to the guillotine where all of france would be invited, because they did not want their monarchies would be removed just as the french monarchy had been removed. I found myself a french soldier, soon very unpopular in france so i had to for the plea from france. I cross the border into belgium. And think of, this is my friend, the people of friends thought i was the enemy of the resolution the revolution and the people of austria thought i was the symbol of the revolution so when i was captured by the austrian army, who at this time, tell belgium, they threw me in a series of prisons. From 17 and 92 to 17 and 97, i remained in prison. And i try to secretary of state, at the very beginning of this, to support your release. I did argue before his excellency our president general washington that we might support the french revolution. It had obviously become that. I initially thought that it was simply a civil war and i use that term many times in france before i left but then shortly thereafter it was quite clear it had become a revolution. Our influence and the success success of our own, and particularly, the constitution, it was most obvious. Im afraid there was a great difference of opinion in the cabinet of his absolute excellence, the president washington. I encourage different people to engage their own resolution and also to support your released from prison, and was thwarted in that effort by the secretary of the treasury, general hamilton. One had occurred a federalist faction, and was not in favor of the front trump illusion and to this day, we continue to defer upon that point. Understandably so, but i do not fault president washington for not assisting my country during the difficult times of the resolution because the reality was that when all of europe declared war, had america allied itself with france, they would in turn be at war with all of europe. At that moment, you did not have an army or navy of any great strength. You did not have a great deal of money. So i fear that america simply would have been invaded at that time. It was my wife who voluntarily joined me in prison with two of my daughters. The came of their own accord to support me. Eventually, because of the success of a young upstart general named bonaparte, in his First Italian Campaign of 1786 and 87, i would eventually be released. But to answer your question, mademoiselle wagner, i was not even committed to returned back to france. In fact, i had to remain in holland for a bit of time before bonaparte would perform his coup detats. When he did so indicate master of france, i retired to private life. I did not agree with the direction he was taking france. Well, happily missed you le marquis, you have returned to france. When i returned in september of 1789 and later learned, as you welcomed the parisian women and those who followed into versailles, and then encouraged the royal family, i say encouraged, not so much that they wanted to go, to leave the palace of versailles and follow you all back to paris. Well, he never returned, the royal family never returned to versailles. I have never been able to return to france. You know it is my second home. I look forward to return sunday. Mademoiselle wagner, another question if you will. Mr. Lafayette, one guest took note of your metal on your uniform and wanted to know more about it. Yes. This metal here was created by the way the 14th in 16 93. It is a middle of merit of your performance upon the battlefield and i received this after the siege of your town. Upon my return back to france in 1782, this was bestowed upon me by louis the 16th for my service, not only at the siege of york town, but for my Service Throughout the entirety of the revolution in america. Perhaps from a distance it looks very similar to the order that replaced it. That was created in 1802. It is called the legion of honor. That was created by bonaparte himself. In this year of 1824, it still exists. It could be given to not only soldiers for their courage up on the battlefield, but two civilians as well for great exploits, perhaps in science or mathematics or literature, whatever it might be. So it is the order of st. Louis. Mister general, as you speak of the legend of donor, the legion of honor, i believe that the emperor, general bonaparte, was successful ultimately to seize the beautiful parisian town house which i watched being built on the left bank. I watched it being built, this magnificent home that had three stories with a one story facade and then kept with a little dome. It was built by a wealthy german prince. That is the prototype for our monticello. A beautiful French Building which i understand, and correct me if im wrong, is actually the headquarters of the legion of honor. Indeed just across the left bank of the river seine, is now the museum of the legion of honor. Perhaps our friend inquired with such a question knew the answer to that. Other questions, mademoiselle . Although you agreed on many things, you held different views on the institution of slavery. Can you tell us about where you disagreed on this issue . Awe, indeed, my friend, the institution of slavery. Let me rephrase that, the deplorable institution of slavery. It was no surprise that when i came to america, i let my thoughts and my feelings on this institution be known. I had become part of washingtons military family with men such as alexander hamilton, John Lawrence and others. I shared my views upon this, but it would not be until 1784, before my return to celebrate with all of you, the american people, the fact that you had achieved independence, that i wrote a letter to general washington stating that you, my dear general, would be considered an even greater man than you already are if you would set the example by emancipating the slaves, thereby others could follow this example and you could eradicate this horrible institution. He of course responded by saying that i was a credit to humanity for making such a suggestion, though i of course im not the only one who suggested such a thing. But he said it could not be done immediately. That it must be done slowly and through legislation. Of course, this greatly saddened me. This disappointed me. I believe actions speak louder than words. So this upon my return to france, my wife who is of like mind in views upon this awful institution, thought we could help set the example. So we purchased a plot of land in french guyana. There we thought to emancipate upwards of 90 slaves. Through education, through tools, equipment and supplies, we thought to establish a colony that they could all become productive members of society through this education. You know what occurred, my dear friend . Success. I was hopeful in the future to set more examples that others would follow, but of course, the revolution would come in france. So i was not able at that time to devote myself entirely to ending this institution, though i have always lent my voice, my right arm, my pen and my purse to ending this horrible institution. If i may, i will share one more anecdote with you. During the course of the war in america, i had a friend that was put in my service, a slave. James armistead. Indeed, his master was head of the Public Stores providing weapons and equipment for the war effort. But he put james in my service who did as i wished as a ballet the sharp, whatever it might be. But i soon discovered after an indepth conversation with the man, that he was quite intelligent. I was able to use his assistance and knowledge as a spy and much of the information he was able to procure from the enemy encampments was vital in bringing us our victory at your town. A promise have been made by the Virginia Legislature granting freedom for those slaves who had served in the course of the war. James had served as a spy. So through a technicality, they did not grant him his freedom. Believe it or not, i carry upon my person the same letter that i wrote on his behalf. It was written the 21st day of november, 1784. Its simply called a recommendation for james. This is to certify the d bear by the name of james has done essential services to me while i had the honor to command in the state. This intelligence is from the enemies camps, where he collected and most faithfully delivered. He appears to me entitled to every reward his situation can admit of, done in my hand, this 21st day of november, 1784, richmond virginia. He has but one man. He would be granted his freedom years later in 1787. And as a credit and honor to me, he changed his name from James Armistead to james lafayette. That is one man, but the difference he made. He was able to freak his family. He said he freed more people on two hands than he thought he could ever do in the course of his life. I find that a victory. And though we might not have achieved this emancipation for all the slaves, we shall endeavor to continue to do so. Well put, general maruis. You as one man, have done so much to enable so that another single man could be of influence himself. You may recall it was february of 1788 that we were all together in harris. Someone who is dedicated to the emancipation of slavery worldwide, collaborated with an englishman by the name of clarkson, thomas clarkson. They formed the friends of the black race. Am i correct . Yes. He became one of the coterie and you yourself, and when i was invited you may recall, as anxious as i was to become a member of such a normal organization, because the two of us share the same sentiments for the eradication of this barbaras system of slavery. I could not. I was in a particular post, a particular office, representing my nation. For me to have joined that would have had extensive repercussions throughout our new government. As we have corresponded these last several years with the admittance of maine and then the territory of missouri. When i was so shocked to learn that we had made a compromise, if you will, in 20, that we would accept main free and then missouri in slave. A fireball in the night could mean the death nail of our union. Not all could see the speck on the horizon. I must admit as i have written to you, perhaps then slavery will ultimately dissolve as it continues far to the west. It will no longer prove viable. I know you wrote me and said, mr. Jefferson, what if it does not dissolve . What if it just continues to empower itself . You may not realize this, but when i began my Second Administration as president of our nation, i invited you to become governor of the territory of louisiana. A hope then as we were doubling, some say tripling, the size of our nation. That we could ultimately eradicate the further spread of slavery. I knew that with you at the helm, that that might be achieved. Understandably, you turned down the invitation. But never forget, congress has bestowed upon you have some land here, some land in georgia that you might then sunday realize this is your home whenever you care to. I thank you, my friends. I have often said from the moment i set foot on american soil. I have two countries, france and the United States of america and i am hopeful, my friend, that because of the foundation that was built at the price of so much sacrifice and blood, by you the american people, that one day this nation shall serve as a beacon for all other nations to look to as the truest example of freedom and independence. Well said, general. Do we have any more questions, mademoiselle wagner . Gentlemen, we have time for just one last question. Several people want to know more about mr. Lafayette visit in the United States in 1824. Indeed, my visit to the United States of america after 40 long years in 1824. Believe it or not, mr. James monroe invited me back to be what you would call a guest of the nation. To tour all 24 of these United States and territories. Do you know mr. Jefferson . I still find it difficult to believe. 24 United States. The last time i was here you had but 13. Goodness, you will have as many as 51 day. Could you imagine . General, there are so many complaints about our government growing overly large. laughs indeed, i will be able to tour all 24 United States. Of course, my visit to not only the white house in washington city, but also to travel southwards to the georges and cross over to new orleans and louisiana. To travel up the Mississippi River to cross over the ohio valley into the upper part of the state of new york and then back down to the white house to meet, because you are having another election, so perhaps i shall meet with a new president of these United States. Yes, and someone you already know is my great hope. Is that John Quincy Adams . It is indeed. You know he says he cares not to be elevated to that station. But rest assured, i have my hope. In fact, the commonwealth of massachusetts has been turning in a rather jeffersonian direction. I wonder what mr. Adams will say if that . It found its rooting in the mind of the father. There is no question about that. True enough. Well, i enjoying this visit back to the americas and indeed seeing that this nation has prosper. It has endured so many difficulties. War, civil strife, turmoil, yet it has endured. That is a credit to the american people. A credit for sacrificing all to keep an existing and keeping it moving forward into the future. In fact mister general, i understand that as your son George Washington lafayette joins. You indeed, hes out in the carriage. That indeed the two of you are bringing about a longer travels a great inaudible head. I heard what you intend to do as you intend to visit various battlegrounds. Would you care to share with the people of your intentions . It is my greatest intention to acquire earth from the United States of america at many important sites that i had some connection with, such as york town and mount vernon, and bring back some of that earth to france in the hope that, upon my death, i might be buried in american soil. You make my eyes well up, general. I think this is a proper time, if you would allow, that i share with you one of my last bottles of bordeaux. They are saved for the time you will visit us at monticello. Im going to poor you, myself as well. If you will, general, this for you. This for me. And i cannot think of a better and then to coast. Along with france. Long live the United States. Long live the Great Alliance between our two great nations. Super. Indeed it is. It is french after all. I should not say adieu, rather or river. That means we will meet again. Now on American History tv. Historical interpreters portraying Thomas Jefferson and George Washington discussing their roles in the revolutionary war and the Constitutional Government that followed. We are pleased to partner with mount burning today to bring you a special q as session with Thomas Jefferson as portrayed by bill barker and George Washington portrayed as dean melissa. I will be moderating doing your
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