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Accessories<br>Archives<br>SOLD   Lafayette at the Tomb of Washington
This schoolchild's watercolor rendering of Lafayette at the tomb of Washington was probably created in the middle of the 19th century. Following is an excerpt from "The Life of Gilbert Motier de Lafayette ..."
By Ebenezer Mack, Charles B. De Witt, published by Andrus, Woodruff & Gauntlett in 1843. The event took place in 1824.
" Three nephews of Gen. Washington took Lafayette, his son, and myself, to conduct us to the toinb of their uncle; our numerous companions remained in the house ; in a few minutes after, the cannon of the fort, thundering anew, announced that Lafayette rendered homage to the ashes of Washington. Simple and modest as he was during life, the tomb of the citizen-hero is scarcely perceived amid the sombre Cypresses by which it is surrounded: a vault slightly elevated and sodded over, a wooden door without inscriptions, some withered and some green garlands, indicate to the traveller who visits this spot, the place where rest in peace the puissant arms which broke the chains of his country. As we approached, the door was opened ; Lafayette descended alone into the vault, and a few minutes after reappeared, with his eyes overflowing with tears. He took his son and me by the hand, and led us into the tomb, where by a sign he indicated the coffin of his paternal friend, along side of which was that of his companion in life, united to him forever in the grave. We knelt reverentially near his coffin, which we respectfully saluted with our lips ; rising, we threw ourselves into the arms of Lafayette, and mingled our tears with his."
15½" by 12" overall. The frame is old but probably not original.
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Accessories<br>Archives<br>SOLD   Lafayette at the Tomb of Washington
Accessories<br>Archives<br>SOLD   Lafayette at the Tomb of Washington
Accessories<br>Archives<br>SOLD   Lafayette at the Tomb of Washington

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