The Mail

Adam Gopnik, in his essay about the legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette, points out that Americans rarely understand why Lafayette does not enjoy the exalted reputation in France that he does in America (Books, August 23rd). As Gopnik mentions, supporters of the French Revolution blamed Lafayette for not preventing the royal family's flight from France, in June, 1791. He was responsible, as the commander of the Paris militia, for security at the palace. When the King's disappearance became known, Lafayette colluded in saying that he had been kidnapped, an explanation that quickly fell apart when the King's denunciation of the Revolution was published. Soon afterward, protesters gathered to rally behind a petition objecting to the restoration of the King to the throne, and the National Guard was ordered to disperse them.