Paris, leaving me with four Spanish officers, to superintend the departure of the officers and soldiers for Bayonne. The plan of hiring a ship to make a descent upon the north of Spain, which had been determined upon by Valdes, being found impracticable for want of funds, the men were obliged to walk to Bayonne, a distance of 700 miles. This and other business detained me at Havre nearly a fortnight, during which time I was enabled partially to learn the Spanish language…
"September the 8th saw me at Paris. Finding I was in good time for the movements which were to take place in Spain, I resolved to comply with the request of Colonel Pinto to remain some days with him to assist in the English correspondence.
"The glorious and successful struggle which the Parisians had made on 'The Three Days' was marked in a variety of ways and places.
"On the 14th I had the honour of an interview with General Lafayette. I was introduced by Colonel Pinto, and remained with the General for nearly three hours. The General, who is in his 73rd year, was still in good health and tolerably active. His appearance commands respect, but there is a blandness in his manner which places those who are with him perfectly at ease. He received me very cordially, and on being told that I was going to fight for the constitutional cause in Spain, was warm in his congratulations. At the conclusion of a long but interrupted interview, he invited me to his house on the following Tuesday, and desired me to remember that in leaving Paris I left a friend who would be always glad to see me. From his long residence in America and his frequent interviews with English people, the General speaks the English language remarkably well. Speaking of revolutions, he said it was only necessary to 'teach a soldier he is a citizen, and rather a citizen than a soldier,' to effect any useful salutary change that may be desired.
