[ Autographs ] (MARIE JOSEPH DE LAFAYETTE) A French Revolution document, 1p. 8vo., Valenciennes, Aug. 22, 1792, a piece of propaganda regarding Lafayette's alleged desertion from the French Army. In part: "...The Municipality came to be informed that Lafayettehas deserted with many of his general officers: it had declared to notarrest...Lafayette who in a letter to the National Assembly said that he accepts all responsibility...The good face of near completeness of the army has been confounded...General. Alexander Lamath has disappeared from Mezieres; d'Aveyroult has burned his brains out in Sedan. By the care of the General and his...deserters, the army only has supplies for two or three days. The Commissioners are busy repairing this horrifying crime. There are only four general officers left...It is believed that the General deserted and traveled into Holland with his followers...". Lafayette has been placed in command of the Army of the Center in spring 1792, but Jacobin suspicion of himpropelled his dismissal later this year. He fled to Belgium, where he was indeed arrested and imprisoned first by the Austrians, then by thePrussians at Magdeburg, and finally at Olmutz. Released five years later, Lafayette returned to France but distrusted Bonaparte, retiringto his wife's estate at La Grange. An interesting document, worthy of further research, and in very good condition.