FREDERICK II OF PRUSSIA (1712-1786). Letter signed ("Frederic"), Potsdam, 31 June 1785.

In French. One page, bifolium, 232 x 191mm

Frederick the Great invites the Marquis de Lafayette to observe Prussian military exercises -- where he would encounter Charles Cornwallis and discuss matters of liberty and equality with the Prussian monarch. Addressing the Revolutionary War as "Mr. le Marechal de Camp," Frederick writes that he would be delighted to make his acquaintance together with his comrade Lieutenant Colonel de Gouvain, who had served Lafayette in America (see Lots 150, 153 and 154). Frederick assures Lafayette that he can arrive at his convenience and that Major General Compte de Goertz had orders to introduce them. He adds that he was also granting them permission to view the military exercises that would then be taking place in Silesia, and that this letter would double as a safe-conduct pass.

The military exercises held by the Prussian Army in Silesia took plane in early August, lasting through the 25th, and Lafayette enjoyed the regular personal company of Frederick II over much of that time. On his arrival, he had met Frederick, Duke of York and second son of George III together with his old nemesis from Yorktown, General Charles Cornwallis. Frederick II seemed to take delight in seating Lafayette between them at his personal table as he peppered the Frenchman about Washington and American affairs in general. Lafayette did not shy away from politics in his dialogues with the aging monarch. One evening, he declared to the king that the United States would never suffer a nobility or aristocracy. To this clear affront, Frederick stared at Lafayette and asked him if he had heard what happened to the "young man who, after having visited countries where freedom and equality reigned, set himself to establish all this in his country. Do you know what happened to him?." No, replied Lafayette. "Monsieur," replied the king, smiling, "he was hanged." (See Étienne Charavay, Le Général La Fayette. (1898) pp.121-123)