1S94.] OOd [Eosengarten. 



2he Chateau de Jioc?iambcau. 



By Joseph G. Rosengarten. 



(Read before the American PhilosopJdcal Society, December 21, IS94.) 



The home of La Fayette at La Grange has long been a point of attrac- 

 tion for many Americans, full of admiration for La Fayette and the part 

 he played in the American Revolution. The story of his services in be- 

 half of the struggling colonies, so well told by Mr. Charlemagne Tower, 

 Jr., in his noteworthy contribution to our history of the Revolution, will 

 undoubtedly strengthen and renew the strong affection always entertained 

 in this country for La Fayette, so markedly exhibited during his lifetime, 

 especially on his last visit to this country, and in the reception given 

 to his descendants, who came here to join in the celebration of the centen- 

 nial anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. In doing 

 honor to La Fayette and to his countrymen for their help in securing 

 American independence, we ought not to forget the Rochambeaus, father 

 and son, the former the General-in-Chief of the French Allied Army sent 

 to help the American colonies in their struggle against Great Britain, the 

 son his Aid decamp, who served with distinction, and was sent to France 

 to secure that final help, fleet, men and money, with which the long war 

 for Independence was brought to a successful termination by the closing 

 and crowning victory. A recent visit to the Chateau de Rochambeau 

 showed that it was full of interest for Americans, for there the present 

 owner, the Marquis de Rochambeau, piously preserves the historical relics 

 of the family, and prominent among them are those that marked the 

 Corate de Rochamheau's leading part in the American War of Inde- 

 pendence. The Chateau itself is of great interest. Situated on the banks 

 of the Loire, between I>lois and VendSme, it is easily accessible, and a 

 view of its fine grounds, its curious caves, its lovely outlook over the 

 valley of the Loire, its noble avenue and the beautiful river, is of itself a 

 delight to lovers of the picturesque. 



In the Massachusetts Historical Societj' Proceedings, 18S2-83, Vol. xx, 

 p. 100, the late Hon. Robert C. Winthrop describes his thea recent visit 

 to the Chateau de Rochambeau, where he found many relics of the old 

 Marquis and Count, as he then was, of Yorktown memory — the sword 

 which he wore in America, his badge as au honorarj' member of the Cin- 

 cinnati, his baton as a Marshal of France, with all his orders and decora- 

 tions, and a portrait of himself, one of a large series of family portraits on 

 the walls. On pedestals in the corners were two beautifully wrought 

 miniature cannon, inscribed as having been presented to the widow of the old 

 Marquis by Louis XVIII, to take the place of the two British cannon which 

 Washington had presented to Rochambeau after the victory at Yorktown, 

 which had been seized and probably recast during the French Revolu- 

 tion. In his bedroom was the original MS. of his Memoirs printed in 



