“Washington, February 8, 1825. I arrived safely in this city last evening.  I find I have no time to lose, as the Marquis will leave here the 23d.  I have seen him and am to breakfast with him to-morrow, and to commence his portrait.  If he allows me time sufficient I have no fear as to the result.  He has a noble face.  In this I am disappointed, for I had heard that his features were not good.  On the contrary, if there is any truth in expression of character, there never was a more perfect example of accordance between the face and the character.  He has all that noble firmness and consistency, for which he has been so distinguished, strongly indicated in his whole face.

“While he was reading my letters I could not but call to mind the leading events of his truly eventful life.  ’This is the man now before me, the very man,’ thought I, ’who suffered in the dungeon of Olmuetz; the very man who took the oaths of the new constitution for so many millions, while the eyes of thousands were fixed upon him (and which is so admirably described in the Life which I read to you just before I left home); the very man who spent his youth, and his fortune, and his time, to bring about (under Providence) our happy Revolution; the friend and companion of Washington, the terror of tyrants, the firm and consistent supporter of liberty, the man whose beloved name has rung from one end of this continent to the other, whom all flock to see, whom all delight to honor; this is the man, the very identical man!’ My feelings were almost too powerful for me as I shook him by the hand and received the greeting of—­’Sir, I am exceedingly happy in your acquaintance, and especially on such an occasion.’”

Thus began an acquaintance which ripened into warm friendship between Morse and Lafayette, and which remained unbroken until the death of the latter.

“February 10, 1825. I went last night to the President’s levee, the last which Mr. Monroe will hold as President of the United States.  There was a great crowd and a great number of distinguished characters, among whom were General Lafayette; the President-elect, J.Q.  Adams; Mr. Calhoun, the Vice-President elect; General Jackson, etc.  I paid my respects to Mr. Adams and congratulated him on his election.  He seemed in some degree to shake off his habitual reserve, and, although he endeavored to suppress his feelings of gratification at his success, it was not difficult to perceive that he felt in high spirits on the occasion.  General Jackson went up to him and, shaking him by the hand, congratulated him cordially on his election.  The General bears his defeat like a man, and has shown, I think, by this act a nobleness of mind which will command the respect of those who have been most opposed to him.

“The excitement (if it may be called such) on this great question in Washington is over, and everything is moving on in its accustomed channel again.  All seem to speak in the highest terms of the order and decorum preserved through the whole of this imposing ceremony, and the good feeling which seems to prevail, with but trivial exceptions, is thought to augur well in behalf of the new administration.”