to defend Vilna from the Russians. For his service to the Russians in the Black Sea campaign, the Supreme National Council (central civil government of Poland, loyal to the Kościuszko Insurrection) initially accused Littlepage of being a traitor. Littlepage protested and sought letters from Tadeusz Kosciuszko and from King Stanislas; both strongly supported his loyalty to an independent Poland. This support for Polish causes cooled his relations with Catherine and Russia. Final years In 1795, the year of the third and final partition of Poland, Littlepage wanted to return to Virginia, bearing a letter of support from King Poniatowski to George Washington. However, he was forced by scarce resources to remain in Europe. During these years, he was nevertheless able to render financial assistance to the distressed Princess Gagarin and Adrienne de Lafayette. According to his own account, Littlepage wanted to accompany Poniatowski to Grodno even into house arrest. He was prevented from doing so by order of the Russian Empress Catherine II. After Catherine's death in late 1796, Paul I forced Stanislas to Petersburg, forever away from Poland. His death occurred in 1798 causing overwhelming grief for Littlepage. The Emperor Paul I reversed many of Catherine's decisions, probably resulting in Littlepage being promised his backpay in about 1800. Finally, in 1801, he was able to return to America. Since 1786 Littlepage had often corresponded with Thomas Jefferson concerning occurrences and perceptions in Europe. On his return, he went directly to the Federal City to meet with President Jefferson. Thereafter he took up residence back in Virginia. Before a year had passed Lewis Littlepage died in Fredericksburg, Virginia on 19 July 1802. References For extensive biographies see the books below and the references therein. Nell Holladay Boand, Lewis Littlepage, Whittet & Shepperson, 1970 Curtis Carroll Davis, The king's chevalier: a biography of Lewis Littlepage, Bobbs-Merrill, 1961 Further reading Mieczyslaw Haiman, Polacy wsrod pionierow Ameryki... 1762 births 1802 deaths People from Virginia American diplomats Diplomats of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth