“I could wish that it was more worthy of the subject—more worthy of the place which I am desirous to see it occupy. Yes, sir, I could wish that the bust of our brave general, of our illustrious deputy, should be elevated on a pedestal in the audience chamber of Congress, near the monument erected to Washington himself; that the son be placed by the side of the father, or, if you please, that the two brothers in arms, the two companions in victory, the friends of order and of law, may be no more separated in our estimation than they were in their devotion to the cause of liberty and in the hour of peril. “La Fayette is one of the ties that unite the two worlds. He visited the new one to remain there for a few months, and to salute once more your sacred land of justice and equality, and has returned to us after having partaken of your feasts and received the honor and the benediction of your nation. “I hasten to render my homage in return—I present you with his image. It will be a memento that the original may often recall to the National Assembly those eternal principles upon which the independence of the state reposes, and which are the foundation of their safety. “I am, with profound respect, Mr. President, your very humble and obedient servant, “DAVID, “Member of the Institute of France, and professor in the School of Painting; member of the Legion of Honor.” [Illustration] The following is a description of the bust as given in the _National Intelligencer_:— “The bust is of a fine white marble, and is the work of P. J. David, of D’Angers, in France. “It is of a size larger than the life, and exhibits a fine likeness of that distinguished apostle of liberty. On the front is ‘_Au général La Fayette_,’ and the name and residence of the artist, with the year (1828) of its execution. On the left side is an inscription, indented in the stone, in the following words: ‘La Fayette’s speech in the House of Representatives, Dec. 10, 1824.—What better pledge can be given of a persevering national love of liberty, when these blessings are evidently the results of a virtuous resistance of oppression, and institutions founded on the rights of man, and the republican opinion of self-government?’ “On the right side is the following:— “‘La Fayette’s last words in his answer to the President’s farewell speech, Washington, Sept. 7, 1825: God bless you, sir, and all who surround us. God bless the American people, and each of their states, and the federal government. Accept this patriotic farewell of an overflowing heart; and such will be its last throb when it ceases to beat.’” The _New York American_ of December, 1828, says:—