LETTERS TO MISS QUINCY. 285 



TO MISS QUINCY. 



NEW HAVEN, August 23, 1861. 



You are right in the impression that the biog- 

 raphy of your mother, besides its intrinsic merits, has a 

 peculiar attraction for me, as bringing into view many emi- 

 nent persons whom I have known personally, and many 

 more whose fame, and the events with which it was con- 

 nected, were familiar to me as they passed. When, in 1824, 

 Lafayette was approaching this town from New York, I 

 drove out upon the hills west and south, with my two older 

 daughters of the ages of fourteen and twelve, and my only 

 son of eight years. Lafayette was in an open barouche 

 carriage with his son ; and we, being in a similar vehicle, 

 which was drawn up by the side of the road, we all rose 

 erect, and were uncovered as the friend of Washington 

 approached, and made our obeisance, which was promptly 

 returned. Calling with the crowd of citizens at the recep- 

 tion in the hotel, with Mr. Wadsworth, who had lived in 

 Lafayette's family in Paris, he was instantly recognized and 

 warmly embraced. My little boy grandson of his early 

 friend and associate in arms, the second Governor Trum- 

 bull he kissed affectionately ; and he yielded to my in- 

 vitation to retire as soon as possible to my house, where he 

 would find Mrs. Trumbull, widow of his friend Governor 

 Trumbull. He went accordingly with his son and Secre- 

 tary and the Mayor of our city. He was refreshed by the 

 retirement ; and the two hours which he passed in my fam- 

 ily have ever remained a memorable epoch. 



At the ensuing Commencement of Yale, I was sent with 

 another gentleman to New York, to invite Lafayette to 

 honor the occasion by his presence. Our arrival by the 

 steamer was early in the morning, too early for an audi- 

 ence ; but, to secure it at a proper hour, I sent up a card 

 to the bedchamber, announcing our errand, and our readi- 

 ness to wait his convenience. He sent for us at once to 



