[357] The Marquis de la Fayette, born 1757, married the second
daughter of the Duc d'Ayen, eldest son of the Maréchal de
Noailles, and brother of the Marquis de Noailles, the French
ambassador. La Fayette came to London on a visit to his wife's
uncle early in 1777, and was presented to George III. A few days
later he returned to Paris, sailed from Passages with several
young Frenchmen for America, landed in June, and immediately
received the rank of major-general in the American army. A
_lettre de cachet_ was sent after him to Bordeaux; but he avoided
it by crossing into Spain.
[Sidenote: HIS STEPMOTHER'S GROUNDLESS FEARS.]
309.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, April the 14th, 1777.