Autograph letter signed : Philadelphia, "To the Emperor of Germany", 1796 May 15.

Appealing to him, as a private citizen, for the release of Lafayette, who was held from 1792-1797 as a political prisoner in Olmütz prison. Washington had already directed a similar appeal to Friedrich Wielhelm II, the king of Prussia, in whose jurisdiction Lafayette was first imprisoned; see MA 54.1, dated January 15, 1794. An American envoy had been sent to Berlin to try to arrange for Lafayette's release, but even before he arrived, the prisoner was transferred to the Austrians. Since the United States did not have diplomatic relations with the Empire, George Washington could only address a personal letter to the Emperor.