Returning home to France from the American Revolution, Lafayette and Adrienne settled in Paris with their children.
AMERICAN NIGHT ON MONDAYS
Prominently on the wall hung the Declaration of Independence, seen by all who visited on Monday nights, known as American Night, that was attended by the likes of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
FRENCH DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Meanwhile, the situation in France grew from bad to worse.
With the help of Thomas Jefferson, in 1789, Lafayette drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, extending freedom to all, including serfs.
ESCAPE
While Lafayette pursued a constitutional monarchy, everyone on both sides turned against him.
Destined for the guillotine, Lafayette quickly formed a plan.
Joining the path of other escapees from the guillotine, Lafayette planned an escape route via Belgium, Holland, then England, where his family would join him to board ship for America.
IMPRISONED
Nevertheless, when Lafayette crossed the border in 1792, he was recognized and imprisoned.
Meanwhile Adrienne was also sent to a prison in Paris, during which many prisoners were executed, including Adrienne’s mother and sister.
ADRIENNE FREED
After the evil Robespierre was executed and a more moderate government took over in 1794, Adrienne was freed from prison.
GEORGE WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE SENT TO AMERICA
She sent her son, George Washington Lafayette, to America for safety with President Washington.
Yet due to the tenuous situation of America’s need for non-involvement, the president was strongly advised not to take in the son of Lafayette, whom none in Europe or France trusted.
After nearly a year, Washington couldn’t bear the situation any longer.
He brought Lafayette’s son into his home, with no bitter consequences for America.
Meanwhile letters continued to be written on Lafayette’s behalf.
ADRIENNE AND DAUGHTERS JOIN LAFAYETTE IN PRISON
President Washington wrote many letters to the leaders of Europe to seek freedom for the Lafayette family, since Adrienne and her daughters freely chose to join him in prison, her love for him was so great.
These two years in jail seriously impacted her health.
FREED BY NAPOLEON
One day, they were all free…because of the intervention of Napoleon!
