Cf. lettre XI, p. 233, n

diistriously watched, that was it not for *. . . Upon my déclaration that American money should no more be somisplaced, itbecame necessary for themto feed us, Avhich they do equally well, and I beg my friends to be on that point perfectly easy; with respect to the grand intended measure, provicled it cloes not interfère with any other American concerna I am not such a dissembler as to discourage it. And as Mr. Fox's character entitles liim to our unreserved confidence, I cannot help thinking the meeting of Parliament is a lucky circumstance. Indeed, my dear sir, whatever be the success, I shall pride and rejoice in the publicity of my obligations to the United States and their représentatives...

Don't you advise me, if ever I émerge from this hole, to get to London^? Am not I an American oflîcer, now unconnected with European service? Wa'n't I an American citizen long before there could be such things as citizens in France? With that, I think, and your friendship I can make my ground good ; in the meanwhile I take the liberty to inclose two letters to Mad..., two to Mr. de La Colombe^ and one to M. Short, ail of which I beg you will hâve, for reasons obvious, delivered in their own liands.

Altho' I hcar that the Philadelphian epidemy bas ceased, and that the accounts hâve been much exagerated, you may conceive what uneasiness such

1. La suspension est volontaire dans le texte. La fin de la pensée est dans les deux premiers alinéas de la lettre XI : la surveillance a subitement redotiblo d'activité, et les prisonniers se sont aperçus qu'on les croyait trop riches.

2. D.ins le projet d'évasion que La Fayette méditait alors, il s'agissait de s'embarquer déguisé à Ilamboui'f^ sur un bAtiment allant en Angleterre; mais il craignait d'y être repris avant d'avoir ou le temps d'en sortir.