** The marquis, in reply, after acknowledging the presentation of the sword, said: "In some of the devices I can not help finding too honorable a reward for those slight services which, in concert with my fellow-soldiers, and under the god like American hero's orders, I had the good luck to render. The sight of these actions, where I was a witness of American bravery and patriotic spirit. I shall ever enjoy with that pleasure which becomes a heart glowing with love for the nation, and the most ardent zeal for their glory and happiness. Assurances of gratitude, which I beg leave to present to your excellency, are much too inadequate to my feelings, and nothing but those sentiments may properly acknowledge your kindness toward me. The polite manner in which Mr. Franklin was pleased to deliver that estimable sword, lays me under great obligations to him, and demands my particular thanks. With the most perfect respect, 1 have the honor to be, &c., "Lafayette." [[[Memoir of La Fayette.--Pictorial Devices on his Sword.]]] {325}cause in which the Americans were engaged; their declared independence as a people, and various precedents which might justify his course, and petitioned for leave to proceed. His pleadings were in vain, and he resolved to risk the displeasure of his king. [Illustration: 8335] Stealthily mak- * I here give a fac simile of the pen-and ink sketches, made by a French artist, of devices for the guard of the sword presented to La Fayette. 1 copied from the originals in the archives of the State Department at Washington. Accompanying the sketches is the following description: * "On one side of the Pommel are the Marquis's army in low relief, and on the other the device of a New Moon reflecting Rays of Light on a Country partly covered with wood and partly cultivated--Symbol of the Republic of the United States--with this motto: Crescam ut prosim. By this it was intended modestly to express, "1. The present Mediocrity of Strength; as the Light of the Moon, though considerable, is weaker than that of the Sun. "2. Her expectation of becoming more Powerful as she increases, and thereby rendering herself more useful to Mankind. "3. The gratitude with which she remembers that the Light she spreads is principally owing to the kind aid of a great Luminary [the King of France, whose symbol is the Sun] in another Hemisphere. "On the Bow is the Legend, 'From the American Congress to the Marquis De La Fayette, 1779. "The Handle is ornamented with two medallions. In one, America, represented by a Woman, presents a Bunch of Laurel to a Frenchman. On the other, a Frenchman is treading on a Lion. "On the Guard are separately represented, in fine Relievo, "The affair at Gloucester [Yorktown]; "The Retreat on Rhode Island; "The Battle of Monmouth; "And the Retreat at Barren Hill.