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diff --git a/old/lfytt10.txt b/old/lfytt10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..78710fb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lfytt10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7833 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of General Lafayette, by Lafayette + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Memoirs of General Lafayette + +Author: Lafayette + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7449] +[This file was first posted on May 2, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, MEMOIRS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE *** + + + + +Stan Goodman, Marvin A. Hodges, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + +MEMOIRS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE + +WITH AN ACCOUNT + +OF HIS + +VISIT TO AMERICA, + +AND OF HIS RECEPTION BY THE + +PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES; + +FROM HIS ARRIVAL, AUGUST 15TH, + +TO THE + +CELEBRATION AT YORKTOWN, + +OCTOBER 19TH, 1824 + + + +by Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, + +MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE + + + +[Illustration: Lafayette] + + + + +_DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS--To wit_: + +_District Clerk's Office_. + + +Be it remembered, that on the 2d day of November, A.D. 1824, in the +forty-ninth year of the independence of the United States of America, E.G. +House, of the said district, has deposited in this office the title of a +book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to +wit--Memoirs of General Lafayette, with an account of his visit to America; +and of his reception by the people, of the United States, from his arrival, +Aug. 15. to the celebration at Yorktown, Oct 19, 1824. + +In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States entitled, "an +act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, +charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the +times therein mentioned:" and also to an act entitled "an act supplementary +to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing +the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of +such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits +thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical, and +other prints." + +JNO. W. DAVIS, _Clerk of the Dist. of Mass_. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT, + +BY THE EDITOR. + + * * * * * + +It is a poor apology to offer for any defect or omission in a work intended +for the information of the public, that it was prepared in haste. Yet in +the present case it can be offered with truth. The Editor of this volume +knew nothing of the plan, until it had been some time proposed, and many +subscribers obtained. The gentleman by whom it was first intended to have +been prepared, was suddenly taken away, without writing, or even collecting +any thing for the volume. It was undertaken with reluctance, as it was +known the public would he impatient for the work, and as the publisher was +also desirous it should be prepared in a few weeks. It is only fifty days +since the task was begun. It is believed, however, that several documents, +not yet published, will be found in this volume; and that many events and +incidents are preserved, which would otherwise have been lost to the +public. + +Everything relating to the life and character of this extraordinary man, is +certainly worthy of remembrance by the benevolent and intelligent through +the civilized world, and especially by Americans, to whom he has rendered +the most essential services. The endeavour has been to avoid panegyric; +though in this case, a plain statement of facts may be construed, by those +ignorant of the life of Lafayette, into a disposition to bestow extravagant +praise. + +It has been a source of much satisfaction to the Editor, to find so many +proofs of consistency and of principle, as well as of zeal in the cause of +rational liberty, which the life of this heroic and disinterested personage +affords. And if he shall appear in this hasty memoir, as the ardent, +undeviating, and sincere friend of civil freedom and of the rights of man, +it will be because he justly merits such a high character. + +In the account of his reception by the people of this country, in various +places, during his present visit, it may be thought that we have been too +particular. It was promised, however, in the proposals for the volume, that +such relation would be given. It is believed that it will be found to be +interesting, and that it will be a satisfaction hereafter, to recur to it. +This account embraces the time which elapsed after he landed at New-York, +August 15, 1824, to the celebration of the capture of the Brittish [sic] +army at Yorktown, October 19. These statements were, copied principally +from the public newspapers; and it was thought to be unnecessary to give +credit for them, or to insert the usual marks of quotation. + +_Boston, Nov_. 1, 1824. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + * * * * * + +Introductory remarks + +Birth and education of Lafayette + +His purpose to visit America in 1777 + +His arrival and early service in America + +Battle of Brandywine + +Washington's attachment to him + +Commands in northern department + +Escape from British near Philadelphia + +Battle of Monmouth + +Brave conduct of Lafayette + +A volunteer to R. Island + +Journey to Boston + +Proposal to visit France + +Resentment of the conduct of British Commissioner + +Visit to Boston + +Embarks there for France + +Resolve of Congress honorable to Lafayette + +Letter of Franklin + +Return to America in 1780 + +Services in France in behalf of America + +Letter of Gen. Washington + +Commands in Virginia in 1781 + +His services and bravery in that department + +Escapes from Cornwallis + +His troops deserting + +Critical situation + +His conduct approved by Washington + +He applauds Gen. Wayne + +Proposes to visit France again + +Resolves of Congress approving his conduct + +Letter to Congress + +His letter to S. Adams + +Mr. Adam's reply + +Doings of Massachusetts + +Details of service at Yorktown + +Events on his return to France + +Letter to Sir H. Clinton + +Visit to America in 1784 + +Arrives in Boston + +His reception + +Honorable notice of his services, by Congress + +His public conduct in 1786 + +Meeting of States' General, 1787 + +In favor of reform + +New Constitution in 1789 + +Supported by Lafayette + +Parties in France and civil commotions + +Commands the Militia of Paris + +The Parisian mob + +Struggle for power between monarchists and reformers + +Louis attempts to leave France + +Jacobin clubs + +Letter to Bouille + +His enemies cabal + +Commands part of the French army + +Letter to the national assembly, June 1792 + +Letter to the King + +Letter to the assembly + +Opposed and denounced by the Jacobins + +His firmness and patriotism + +His address to the soldiers + +Leaves France + +Arrested and confined + +Removed to prison at Olmutz + +His letter + +Washington seeks for his release + +Fox and others intercede for his release + +Bollman and Huger attempt his deliverance + +Failure, and subsequent confinement + +Madame de Lafayette + +Her imprisonment + +Lafayette released + +Reply to Emperor of Austria + +Proceeds to Holland + +Return to France 1800 + +Offered a seat in the Senate by Bonaparte + +His income and estates + +His letter to the First Consul + +Not a supporter of Bonaparte + +Neglected by Napoleon + +G. W. Lafayette + +Death of Madame de Lafayette + +Her character + +Retirement of Lafayette + +Louis XVIII restored + +Lafayette desirous of constitutional liberty + +His conduct after the battle of Waterloo and abdication of Napoleon + +Retirement to private life + +Correspondence with A. Hamilton + +His family + +Madame de Stael's opinion of him + +Elected a member of assembly 1819 + +His efforts for constitutional liberty + +His mode of life, and employment + +His Benevolence + +Gen. Washington's kindness to his son + +Visit of Mr. Fox to Lafayette + +Manners of Madame Lafayette + +Religion of Lafayette + +Charity among Christians + +His character and opinions + +His decision and consistency + +Invitation of Congress do. from Boston, &c. + +His replies + +His arrival at New-York + +His reception in New-York + +Journey to Boston + +His arrival in Boston + +Address of the Mayor + +His answer + +Address of Governer of Massachusetts + +Address of Cincinnati + +Answer to do. + +Commencement + +Visited by Bostonians + +Phi Beta Kappa + +Visit to Charlestown and Bunker Hill + +Bunker Hill Monument + +Visit to Gov. Brooks + +Evening Parties + +Brattle Street Church + +Visit to President Adams + +Military parade + +Apology for great rejoicings + +Militia + +Visit to Salem + +Address of Judge Story + +Visit to Ipswich, and Newburyport + +To Portsmouth + +Return to Boston + +Visit to Lexington and Concord + +Bolton, Lancaster + +Visit to Worcester + +Judge Lincoln's address + +Journey to Connecticut + +Reception at Hartford + +Return to New-York + +Lafayette's toasts + +Visit to the schools + +Grand ball at Castle Garden + +Visit to West-Point + +Visit to Newburgh + +His visit to Hudson + +Arrival at Albany + +Kindness to soldiers, in 1777 + +Returns to New-York + +Journey through New-Jersey + +Princeton + +Trenton + +Philadelphia + +Governor's address + +Reply to the same + +Address of Mayor + +The answer + +Illumination + +Vindication of Quakers + +Reply to Frenchmen + +Capt. Barron's address + +Answer to same + +Journey through Delaware + +Visit to Baltimore + +Address of Cincinnati + +Address of Gov. Maryland + +Answer + +Governor Sprigg + +Visit to Washington + +Reception by the President + +Address of Mayor of Washington + +Visit to Alexandria + +To the tomb of Washington + +Arrival in Yorktown + +Jefferson's letter + +Address of Committee of Virginia + +Answer of Lafayette + +Address of Governor of Virginia + +Reply of Lafayette + +His reception at Yorktown + +Address of Col. Lewis + +Answer to same + +Parade and ceremonies, on 19th Oct. + +Custis' address + +Departure for Norfolk + +Conclusion + + + + +MEMOIRS + +OF + +GENERAL LAFAYETTE + + * * * * * + +Among the many great men who have distinguished themselves in the present +age, for their attachment and devotion to the cause of civil liberty, +general LAFAYETTE is one of the most eminent. During the last fifty years, +great changes have been made or attempted in human governments, highly +favourable to political freedom and the rights of mankind. In some cases, +indeed, revolutions have not been conducted upon just principles nor by +prudent councils; and the immediate results have been disastrous rather +than beneficial. Changes have taken place without direct and visible +improvement; and efforts to meliorate the condition of man have produced a +reaction in the adherents to patient arbitrary systems, which have given +occasion to much suffering and great excesses. + +The struggle for freedom by the patriotic citizens of America, towards the +close of the last century, was successful; and has proved most auspicious +to human happiness. We have reason to hope, that its blessings will not be +confined to this western continent. A spirit of enquiry, indeed, has gone +abroad in the world. It is spreading in Europe: and though we devoutly wish +it may not prove the occasion of bloody contests, we shall rejoice to trace +its fruits in the gradual destruction of old despotic systems, and in the +general diffusion of knowledge among the people, and the enjoyment of those +equal and just rights, which mild governments are calculated to secure. + +In our own beloved country, we can boast of many sincere patriots and +heroes besides our 'paternal chief,' the revered WASHINGTON, "who was first +in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen;" others +will be recollected, who devoted themselves to the cause of liberty and +their country, with a sincerity and zeal almost without a parallel in the +annals of history. Their memories will not cease to be revered while +Americans are distinguished for a love of civil freedom. + +It must be acknowledged, however, that there was a _peculiar_ +disinterestedness in the services and sacrifices of the Marquis LAFAYETTE +in defence of American independence. It was from a noble and enthusiastic +love of liberty, that he was induced to cherish and advocate our cause. It +was for strangers and in a foreign land, that he went forth to defend the +rights of man, assailed by the hand of arbitrary power. He was not a +desperate adventurer, without fortune, or friends, or honors. He was +surrounded with all these in his own country. He belonged to very ancient +and noble family, and inherited a large estate. The original family name +was Motier; but for several generations back had assumed the addition of +_Lafayette_. Some of his male ancestors were distinguished for military, +and some of the females for literary talents. His income was 200,000 +francs. His property and influence were increased by a matrimonial +connexion with a lady of the truly illustrious house of NOAILES. He was +married at the age of eighteen. + +MARIE-PAUL-JOSEPH-ROCH-YVES-GILBERT-MOTIER DE LAFAYETTE was born at the +chateau de Chavagnac in the province of Auvergne, September 6th 1757. The +rank and affluence of his family secured for him the best education: and +this, according to the fashion of the times in France, was not only in +classical and polite literature, but united also a knowledge of military +tactics. At the age of sixteen, he was offered an honorable place at Court, +which he declined. + +His mind was early imbued with an ardent love of freedom. It is not known +whether his study of English writers who were friendly to civil liberty, or +an eager curiosity to learn the merits of the dispute between Great Britain +and the American colonies, lead him first thus to take a deep interest in +favour of our independence. That controversy excited the attention of +statesmen on the continent of Europe as well as in England. It has been +said that he was acquainted with some distinguished English characters in +1776, from whom he learnt the situation of America, and the object of our +revolution. In the latter part of this year, he applied to SILAS DEANE, our +agent then at Paris, for information, and encouragement in his plan, +already adopted, of rendering his personal service to the cause of America. +While he was at Paris, (Dec. 1776) with these views, Dr. FRANKLIN arrived. +The intelligence, received from him respecting our situation and prospects +at that period, was of a nature to discourage any one, who had not +cherished the most enthusiastic and resolute purpose to engage in our +behalf. Our almost desperate condition seems only to have increased his +zeal and devotion to the interests of America. "Hitherto, said he, I have +only cherished your cause; I now go to serve it personally." He believed +our cause to be just. He considered it the cause of civil liberty; and +gloomy as was the prospect, hazardous as was the enterprize, he was +determined to support it at the risk of life itself. In his situation, the +privations and sacrifices to be made and endured were incalculably great. +It is indeed a singular instance of an heroic enterprize for the good of +mankind. + +We cannot more justly describe his sentiments and views, than by quoting +his own language used at a subsequent period, in a letter to the President +of the Continental Congress--"The moment I heard of America, I loved her; +the moment I knew she was fighting for liberty, I burnt with a desire to +bleed for her." The sacrifices he made cannot be so well otherwise +estimated as by reflecting that he left an affectionate wife, in whom he +was most happy; and who, he was obliged to assure, that he would speedily +return, before she would consent to the enterprize. + +When LAFAYETTE made known his purpose to embark for America, under all the +appalling circumstances of our country, our Envoys were still unable to +furnish a passage for him. They had no vessels at command; and they were +not then in a situation to purchase one. Loans were the object of their +mission; but as yet they had not succeeded in obtaining them. And as the +French court had not acknowledged our independence, or openly espoused our +cause, it would have been improper for them to furnish a vessel for such +purpose. What was then done for America must be effected in secret; and at +most, only connived at by the French government. But the ardour of young +LAFAYETTE was not to be checked by any such considerations. He took council +rather of his feelings, than of that prudence by which ordinary minds are +governed. He therefore immediately engaged a vessel at his own charges, and +sailed for the United States, where he arrived in the month of January. He +landed at Charleston, S.C. and soon entered, as a volunteer, in the +American army. Soon after his arrival, he purchased clothing and arms for +the troops under General MOULTRIE in that quarter. He also early made an +advance to General WASHINGTON of 60,000 francs, for the public service. + +For several months, he continued to serve in this capacity. His zeal and +services were early appreciated by Congress; and in July, 1777, he was +created a Major-General. But he did not, at once, act under that +commission. In the battle of Brandywine, in September of the same year, +although he distinguished himself by his activity and undaunted bravery, it +does not appear that he acted as Major-General. He received a wound in his +leg, in this engagement, and his services were highly applauded. He +remained in the field till the close of the battle, inspiring the men by +his presence and active courage. The wound was severe and required +attention; but before it was entirely healed, he joined the army again +under WASHINGTON. In November, at the head of some Jersey militia, he +attacked a body of 300 Hessians and defeated them. General GREENE was +engaged in the same affair, a part of the time; and said of young +LAFAYETTE, "that he seemed to search for danger." Soon after this period, +he had command of a division in the Continental army; and frequently was +appointed the chief officer in separate departments of great importance and +responsibility. + +General WASHINGTON became greatly attached to him. He was an intelligent +judge of character; and was never known to bestow his confidence upon those +who were not worthy of it. He was so distinguished by the regard of the +Commander in Chief, that it became usual to call him "his adopted son." +WASHINGTON loved him for his goodness, and honored him for his bravery and +military talents. In the early part of 1778, when it was proposed to make +an attack upon Canada, and to endeavor to connect it with the thirteen +United States, Gen. LAFAYETTE was appointed to command the troops +collecting for that purpose at Albany. This plan originated in Congress, +and was said to be much favored by the French Ambassador; but WASHINGTON +ever doubted the propriety, or the feasibility of the scheme, and +eventually gave his opinion decidedly against it; and it was not +prosecuted. It was at this time, probably, that Brigadier General STARK +took the oath of fidelity to the American Congress and of renunciation to +the king and government of Great Britain, which had then been recently +required, before General LAFAYETTE; and which was administered by the +commanding officer in each separate Department. The original certificate of +this oath is said now to be in existence. It is a singular fact, that a +native American took this oath before a foreigner: or perhaps even then, +General LAFAYETTE had been declared by Congress to be entitled to all the +rights of a citizen of the United States. + +In May 1778, while the British main army was in Philadelphia, and the +American troops at Valley Forge, he was detached with about two thousand +five hundred men under his command, to a position in advance of the +continental camp and near the city, for the purpose of watching the motions +of the enemy. The British endeavored to surround and surprise him: but he +had timely notice of their plan, and retired in safety to the vicinity of +WASHINGTON'S head-quarters. Had he been surprised in this situation, the +result would probably proved fatal to our cause. For the continental troops +under WASHINGTON were few in number and poorly clothed and armed. But the +Commander in Chief, doubtless, was fully aware of the important and +critical nature of the service, and entrusted it to one, in whose judgment +as well as bravery he had perfect confidence. + +Soon after this, in the month of June, the British army left Philadelphia, +to return to New-York. It consisted of as large a number of well +disciplined troops, as they had in America at any one time; and though they +chose not to make a direct attack upon WASHINGTON, they seem to have had no +apprehensions of an attack from him. But he was resolved to avail of the +occasion of their march through the State of New Jersey, to attack and +annoy them. This he did on the memorable 28th of June, near Monmouth +court-house; and had his judicious plan been faithfully executed, or his +own personal activity and bravely been seconded by General LEE, who had the +command of the troops more immediately engaged on that day, a great and +decisive victory would in all probability have attended the daring +enterprize. General LAFAYETTE had a distinguished command on that critical +day. Lee, indeed, at first declined the command of the advanced corps, +detached by WASHINGTON to harass the rear of the enemy while on their +march; and it was given to the former: though; afterwards, when it was +found, that the enemy was preparing for a general engagement, a +reinforcement was ordered, and the whole placed under the command of +General Lee. In this whole affair, General LAFAYETTE conducted with +remarkable intelligence and bravery; and received the entire approbation of +the Commander in Chief. + +In August of the same year (1778) when the enemy had a large force on Rhode +Island, and were supposed to be meditating an attack on some place in the +vicinity, Lafayette (with General Greene) offered his services as a +volunteer. The expedition was not attended with success: the British troops +then were more numerous than we could collect against them; and what were +mustered were principally militia. The continental regiments were then all +needed near New-York. But General Lafayette assisted in conducting the +retreat of our men, with much skill and effect; and his behaviour on the +occasion received the particular notice and approbation of Congress. + +About this time, with the knowledge and consent of Congress, Lafayette made +a visit to Boston. The particular object of this journey is not known. It +is evident, however, from the resolve of Congress on the occasion, that it +was not from merely personal or private views. It was, no doubt, for some +purpose of a public nature, and for the welfare of the nation. The +following is the resolve alluded to; and is proof, that his visit at the +time, was designed for the promotion of some plan calculated for the +prosperity of the country. + +"In Congress, Sept. 9th, 1778. Resolved, That the President be requested to +inform the Marquis de Lafayette, that Congress have a due sense of the +sacrifice he made of his personal feelings, in undertaking a journey to +Boston with a view of promoting the interests of these States, at a time +when an occasion was daily expected of his acquiring glory in the field; +and that his gallantry in going a volunteer on Rhode Island, when the +greatest part of the army had retreated, and his good conduct in bringing +off the pickets and out sentries, deserves particular approbation." This +resolve was communicated to Lafayette by the President of Congress, with a +polite note; to which the Marquis replied as follows: + + +"SIR, + +"I have received your favour of the 13th instant, acquainting me of the +honor Congress has been pleased to confer on me by their most gracious +resolve. Whatever pride such approbation may justly give me, I am not less +affected by the feeling of gratitude, and that satisfaction of thinking my +endeavours were ever looked upon as useful to a cause in which my heart is +so deeply interested. Be so good, Sir, as to present to Congress my plain +and hearty thanks, with a frank assurance of a candid attachment, the only +one worth being offered to the representatives of a free people. The moment +I heard of America, I loved her: The moment I knew she was fighting for +liberty, I burnt with the desire of bleeding for her: and the moment I +shall be able of serving her, in any time, or in any part of the world, +will be the happiest of my life. I never so much wished for occasions of +deserving those obliging sentiments I am honored with by these States and +their representatives, and that so flattering confidence they have been +pleased to put in me; which have filled my heart with the warmest +acknowledgments and most eternal affection. + +"I pray you to accept my thanks for the polite manner in which you have +communicated the resolve of Congress; and I have the honor to be, &c. + +LAFAYETTE." + +During the year 1778, some propositions were made to Congress from the +British ministry, through three commissioners, who were sent over to +America. The object was to bring about a cessation of hostilities, and +peace, without acknowledging our Independence. They were, therefore, +immediately rejected. In the address of the commissioners to Congress, the +French King and ministers were mentioned with great disrespect, and +represented as secret enemies to America; and therefore, not to be believed +in their engagements and promises in our favour. The Marquis de Lafayette +highly resented this heavy charge against his king and government; and +wrote a very spirited letter on the subject, to Lord Carlisle, the +principal commissioner. He seemed ready to appear as the champion of his +abused Prince and country, in the chivalrous manner such attacks were met +in former ages, when disputes were settled between nations by single +combat. The indignation he expressed was honorable to his patriotic +feelings; but, probably, his maturer years and judgment would have +chastened and moderated it. + +Early in the year 1779, after an absence from his beloved family and +country of more than two years, Lafayette visited France: not however, +without the consent of Congress and also of General Washington, and a +determination to return to America at a future day. He embarked at Boston. +In waiting for a passage to France, the Marquis was several weeks in +Boston; and here became acquainted with John Hancock, Dr. Cooper, S. Breck, +Esq. and others, to whose families he became particularly attached. The +hospitable attention of the Bostonians, was not lost upon him. With warm +feelings and elegant manners, he was well qualified to appreciate their +patriotism and politeness; and impressions were made upon his generous +mind, favourable to their characters, which he has not forgotten to the +present day. In no place in America, perhaps, did he find the citizens more +congenial to his ardour of affection and devoted love for civil liberty.-- +It cannot be doubted, that to a man of his amiable and tender feelings, the +consideration of meeting with his family and friends influenced him to this +visit. But it appears also, from his letters at that time, that he +considered his duty to his King and country required him to go to France. +War was now declared between France and England; and he believed himself +bound to give his personal services for the defence of his own nation. With +all his zeal in favour of liberty and of America, which he considered +engaged in its sacred cause against an arbitrary power, he acknowledged his +obligations to asset in protecting his native country. If his King should +consent, he engaged to return to America, and devote himself again in +support of her rights. The following letters will justify this statement of +his views, at the time of which we are speaking. The first is from General +Washington to the President of Congress. + + +"_Head Quarters, Oct. 13th_, 1778. + +"SIR, + +"This will be delivered to you by Major General, the Marquis de Lafayette. +The generous motives which first induced him to cross the Atlantic, and +enter the army of the united States, are well known to Congress. Reasons +equally laudable now engage him to return to France, who, in her present +circumstances, claims his services. + +"His eagerness to offer his duty to his Prince and country, however great, +could not influence him to quit the continent in any stage of an unfinished +campaign; he resolved to remain at least till the close of the present; and +embraces this moment of suspense, to communicate his wishes to Congress, +with a view of having the necessary arrangements made in time; and of being +still within reach, should any occasion offer of distinguishing himself in +the field. + +"The Marquis, at the same time, from a desire of preserving a relation with +us, and a hope of having it yet in his power to be useful as an American +officer, solicits only a furlough, sufficient for the purposes above +mentioned. A reluctance to part with an officer, who unites to all the +military fire of youth, an uncommon maturity of judgment, world lead me to +prefer his being absent on this footing, if it depended solely on me. I +shall always be happy to give such a testimony of his services, as his +bravery and good conduct on all occasions entitle him to; and I have no +doubt that Congress will add suitable expressions of their sense of his +merits, and their regret on account of his departure. I here the honor to +be, &c. + +"GEO. WASHINGTON." + +From the Marquis to Congress. + + +"_Philadelphia. Oct. 8th_, 1778. + +"Whatever care I should take not to employ the precious instants of +Congress in private considerations, I beg leave to lay before them my +present circumstances, with that confidence which naturally springs from +affection and gratitude. The sentiments which bind me to my country, can +never be more properly spoken of, than in presence of men who have done so +much for their own. As long as I thought I could dispose of myself, I made +it my pride and pleasure to fight under American colours, in defence of a +cause which I dare more particularly call _ours_, because I had the good +fortune of bleeding for her. Now that France is involved in a war, I am led +by a sense of duty as well as by patriotic love to present myself before my +king, and know in what manner he judges proper to employ my services. The +most agreeable of all will always be such as to serve the common cause +among those, whose friendship I had the happiness to obtain, and whose +fortune I had the honor to follow in less smiling times. That reason, and +others, which I leave to the feelings of Congress, engage me to beg from +them, the liberty of going home for the next winter. + +"As long as there were any hopes of an active campaign, I did not think of +leaving the field. Now that I see a very peaceable and undisturbed moment, +I take this opportunity of waiting on Congress. In case my request is +granted, I shall so manage my departure, as to be certain before going, the +campaign is really over. Enclosed you will receive a letter from his +Excellency, General Washington, wherein he expresses his assent to my +obtaining leave of absence. I dare flatter myself, that I shall be +considered as a soldier on furlough, who most heartily wants to join again +his colours, and his most esteemed and beloved fellow soldiers. Should it +be thought I can be any way useful to America, when I shall find myself +among my countrymen, I hope I shall always be considered as one most +interested in the welfare of these United States, and one who has the most +perfect affection, regard and confidence for their representatives. With +the highest regard, &c. + +LAFAYETTE." + + +"_In Congress, Oct_. 21. 1778. + +"_Resolved_, That the Marquis Lafayette, Major General in the services of +the United States, have leave to go to France; and that he return at such +time as shall be most convenient to him,--Resolved, That the President +write a letter to the Marquis Lafayette, returning him the thanks of +Congress for that disinterested zeal which led him to America, and for the +services he hath rendered to the United States, by the exertion of his +courage and abilities on many signal occasions. + +"_Resolved_, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of +America, at the Court of Versailles, be directed to cause an elegant sword, +with proper devices to be made and presented in the name of the United +States, to the Marquis Lafayette." + +The foregoing resolves were communicated to the Marquis in the following +letter: + + +"_Philadelphia, Oct_. 24, 1778. + +"SIR, + +"I had the honor of presenting to Congress, your letter, soliciting leave of +absence: I am directed by them, to express their thanks for your zeal in +promoting that just cause in which they are engaged, and for the +disinterested services you have rendered to the United States of America. + +"In testimony of the high esteem and affection in which you are held by the +good people of these States, as well as an acknowledgment of your gallantry +and military talents displayed on many signal occasions, their +Representatives; in Congress assembled, have ordered an elegant sword to be +presented to you, by the American Minister, at the Court of Versailles. +Enclosed within the present cover, will he found an act of Congress of the +2lst instant, authorizing these declarations, and granting a furlough for +your return to France, to be extended at your own pleasure. I pray God to +bless and protect you; to conduct you in safety to the presence of your +Prince, and to the re-enjoyment of your noble family and friends. I have +the honor to be, &c. + +"H. LAURENS." + +To this note the Marquis made the following reply: + + +"_Philadelphia, Oct_. 26, 1778. + +"SIR, + +"I have received your excellency's obliging letter, enclosing the several +resolutions Congress have honored me with, and the leave of absence they +have been pleased to grant. Nothing can make me happier, than the +reflection, that my services have met with their approbation. The glorious +testimonial of confidence and satisfaction respectfully bestowed on me, by +the representatives of America, though much superior to my merit, cannot +exceed the grateful sentiments they have excited. I consider the noble +present offered me in the name of the United States, as the most flattering +honor. It is my most fervent desire, soon to employ that sword in their +service, against the common enemy of my country and their faithful and +beloved allies. That liberty, safety, wealth and concord may ever extend +and bless these United States, is the earnest wish of a heart glowing with +a devoted zeal and unbounded love for them, and the highest regard, and +most sincere affection for their representatives. + +"Be pleased, Sir, to present my thanks to them, and to accept yourself the +assurance of my respectful attachment. + +"LAFAYETTE." + +Letter of Dr. Franklin, to the Marquis Lafayette. + + +"_Passy, Aug_. 24, 1779. + +"SIR, + +"The Congress, sensible of your merit towards the United States, but unable +adequately to reward it, determined to present you with a sword, as a small +mark of their grateful acknowledgments. They directed it to be ornamented +with suitable devices. Some of the principal actions of the battles, in +which you distinguished yourself by your bravery and good conduct, are +therefore represented upon it. These, with a few emblematical figures, all +admirably well executed, make its principal value. By the help of the +exquisite artists France affords, I find it easy to execute every thing, +but _the sense we have of your worth, and our obligations to you_. For +this, figures and even words are found insufficient. + +"I therefore, only add, that, with the most perfect esteem, I have the honor +to be, &c. + +"B. FRANKLIN." + +The Marquis de Lafayette came again to the United States in April 1780, and +landed at Boston, though the vessel first touched at Marblehead on its way +to the former place. In his passage both to and from France, he was in +danger of capture from the British. The frigate, in which he returned to +this country, was chased by an English man of war; and when it was +supposed, they must come to action, LAFAYETTE was found at one of the guns, +preparing to act his part should they be attacked. In this visit to France, +he exerted himself with effect, to induce the Court of Versailles to afford +the United States more effectual aid; and especially, to send over a large +fleet, which rendered essential service to the American cause. His great +devotion to our interests would certainly lead him to advocate any measures +with his King, favourable to our wishes: and his influence, considering his +high rank and family, was undoubtedly attended with beneficial results. His +services in our behalf were particularly noticed by Congress. + +"When the Marquis de Lafayette obtained permission to revisit his native +country and offer his services to his sovereign, he retained, with his rank +in the American army, that ardent zeal for her interests, which the +affectionate attentions he had received, the enthusiasm of a soldier in the +cause of those for whom he had made his first campaigns and by whom he had +been highly distinguished, combined with a consciousness that he was +substantially promoting the permanent interests of France; were all so well +calculated to inspire in a young and generous mind, in favour of an infant +people struggling for liberty and self government, with the hereditary +rival of his nation. + +"He was received at the Court of Versailles with every mark of favour and +distinction; and all the influence he had acquired was employed in +impressing on the cabinet the importance and policy of granting sucors to +the United States. + +"Having succeeded in this favourite object, in which he was aided by +the representations of the former and present minister of France at +Philadelphia; and finding no probability of active employment on the +continent of Europe, he obtained permission to return to America, with +the grateful intelligence of the service he had rendered while in France, +to the country in whose cause his service had been first drawn. He arrived +at Boston in the month of April 1780, and hastened to Head Quarters. He +then proceeded to Congress with the information that the King of France +had consented to employ a large land and naval armament in the United +States, for the ensuing campaign. He was received by WASHINGTON with joy +and affection; and by Congress with those marks of distinction and regard +to which his _constant_ and _indefatigable_ zeal in support of the +American cause, as well as his signal service, gave him such just +pretnesions. The intelligence which he brought gave new impulse both to +Congress and to the State Legislatures. The lethargic slumbers into which +they seemed to be sinking yielded to resolutions of the most vigorous +character."--_Marshall_. + +The letters below, with the resolve of Congress, will show the sense +WASHINGTON had of the services of his "_adopted son_," the Marquis +Lafayette, and the personal attachment which he cherished for him, as well +as the high estimation; in which the disinterested zeal of that devoted +friend of liberty was held by the grand Legislature of America. + + +"_Head Quarters, Morristown, May_ 13, 1780. + +"The Marquis Lafayette does me the honor to take charge of this note. I am +persuaded Congress will participate in the joy I feel at the return of a +gentleman who has so signally distinguished himself in the service of this +country; who has given so many and so decided proofs of his attachment to +its interests; and who ought to be dear to it by every motive. The _warm +friendship_ I have for him conspires with considerations of public utility +to afford me a double satisfaction in his return. During the time he has +been in France he has uniformly manifested the same zeal in our affairs, +which animated his conduct while he was among us; and has been, upon all +occasions, an essential friend to America. He merits, and I doubt not +Congress will give him every mark of consideration and regard in their +power. + +"I have the honour to be, &c. + +"GEO. WASHINGTON." + + +_To His Excellency the President of Congress_." + +"_Philadelphia, May_ 16, 1780. + +"After so many favors, which, on every occasion and particularly at my +obtaining leave of absence, Congress were pleased most graciously to bestow +on me, I dare presume myself entitled to impart to them the private +feelings, which I now so happily experience. + +"In an early epoch in our noble contest, I gloried in the name of an +American soldier; and heartily enjoyed the honor I have of serving the +United States; my satisfaction is at this long wished-for moment entirely +complete, when putting an end to my furlough, I have been able again to +join my colours, under which I hope for opportunities of indulging the +ardent zeal, the unbounded gratitude, the warm, and I might say, the +patriotic love, by which I am forever bound to America. + +"I beg you, sir, to present Congress with a new assurance of my profound +respect and my grateful and affectionate sentiments. + +"I have the honour to be, &c. + +"LAFAYETTE" + +In Congress, May 16, 1780. "Resolved, That Congress consider the return of +the Marquis LAFAYETTE to America, to resume his command in the army, as a +fresh proof of the distinguished zeal and deserving attachment which have +justly recommended him to the public confidence and applause; and that they +receive with pleasure, a tender of further services of so gallant and +meritorious an officer." + +"Soon after his return to America the Marquis was entrusted with the +command of a select corps of the Light Infantry of the continental army. +This afforded him a new opportunity for the display of his munificence. He +presented each officer of the corps with an elegant sword; and the soldiers +were clothed in uniform, principally at his expense. He infused into this +corps a spirit of pride and emulation; viewing it as one formed according +to his own wishes and worthy of his entire confidence. They were the pride +of his heart, and he was the idol of their regard; constantly panting for +an opportunity of performing some signal achievement worthy of his and +their own character. The corps was probably equal for discipline and +bravery, to any in the world." + +Early in the year 1781, LAFAYETTE was detached with about twelve hundred +troops to Virginia; with a view to co-operate with the French fleet in +checking the plundering expedition of General Arnold, who had then recently +landed there with a body of British troops from New-York. The Marquis +performed this long and difficult march with great dispatch. Many of the +soldiers under his command were deficient in clothing: and it was by the +personal responsibility of General LAFAYETTE that funds were raised in +Baltimore and vicinity to remedy this evil. The credit of the continent was +very low; and its means of immediate payment of the public expenses known +to be entirely inadequate. The generosity of this distinguished friend of +liberty was as remarkable as his personal bravery. He was indeed, both as +to life and estate, wholly devoted to the cause of America; and +difficulties and dangers served only to manifest the sincerity and +intenseness of his zeal in behalf of a people struggling for freedom. + +Soon after this, in the month of May, 1781, Lord Cornwallis, in his +progress from North Carolina into Virginia, formed a junction with the +British forces under Arnold and Phillips. His object was immediately to +crush the Americans under LAFAYETTE, then encamped near Richmond. The +experienced British Commander thought it would be an easy matter with his +superior numbers to secure the "Young Frenchman." But the youthful soldier +was not wanting in prudence and foresight, though ardour and courage were +his predominant qualities. In these traits of character, as well as others, +he was not unlike the "paternal chief" of the American army. LAFAYETTE made +good a retreat; and escaped the net Cornwallis had prepared for him, with +such confident hopes of success. He directed his course northward; and soon +effected a junction with General Wayne, who had been ordered to reinforce +him with eight hundred men of the Pennsylvania line. + +The Light Infantry under Lafayette were chiefly eastern troops, who had +great objections to a southern climate, and many deserted. In this critical +situation, the Marquis adopted the following expedient. He gave out that an +expedition of great difficulty and danger was to be soon undertaken; and +appealing to the generous feelings of his soldiers, he expressed a hope +that they would not forsake him. If, however, any were desirous of +returning to their regiments, he said, they should have permission. The +effect was as he had hoped. The troops had too much honor and pride to +desert their brave commander in such an exigency. + +About this time, the main army of the British under Cornwallis, had taken +the precaution to cut off the direct communication between the American +troops and their stores, lately removed from Richmond to Albemarle. The +Marquis Lafayette, however, recrossing the Rappahannock, by forced marches, +arrived within a few miles of the British, when they were yet two days +march from Albemarle Courthouse; and opening in the night a nearer road, +which had been long disused, appeared the following, lay, greatly to the +surprise of Cornwallis, between the British army and the continental +stores. Thus disappointed in his plan of possessing the American stores, +the British commander retired to Williamsburg. The Marquis followed the +enemy at a prudent distance; and was soon so fortunate as to form a +junction with the Baron Steuben, who had been detached into that quarter, +to protect the public stores and assist in the general defence of the +country. The British forces, many of which consisted of cavalry, were than +very formidable in Virginia. + +This was a very critical period in the affairs of America. Washington was +satisfied that some decisive blow must be struck; for our finances were +low: and many began to despond as to the result of the contest. The British +were very powerful and resolute. The plan of Washington finally was to make +it appear to the enemy that an attack was intended against New-York; and at +the same time prepare for a general expedition to Virginia, and destroy the +British army in that quarter. This plan succeeded by the aid of the French +fleet, though its Admiral came with reluctance to the measure. Cornwallis +and his army were captured in October following; and the British ministry +soon after consented to listen to honourable terms of peace. + +Major General Lafayette acted a gallant and distinguished part in this +whole campaign. We have already witnessed his activity, promptitude and +bravery in the early part of the season. His efforts continued, and were +conspicuous on various trying occasions. In the affair near Jamestown, he +was in great personal danger, and one of his horses was shot under him. It +was owing to the to his uncommon vigilance and activity, that the American +troops under his command were able to keep a large British army in check; +and when a detachment under the brave General Wayne were in danger of being +taken, they were rescued by the prompt and skillful maneuvers of the +Marquis. His spirit and firmness were attended with the best effects upon +the men under his command; and seemed to inspire them with courage and +confidence, at this period of great embarrassment and gloom. He was +distinguished for humanity as well as courage. The sick and wounded were +always sure to receive his generous attentions. In the several engagements +which took place, previously to the capture of Lord Cornwallis, many of the +American soldiers were wounded, and he made immediate provision for their +relief and comfort. + +The military skill and bravery manifested by General Lafayette, and the +officers and men under his command in Virginia, at this period, will be +evident from his letters and orders here given. They speak particularly of +the courage and conduct of General Wayne, and his detachment; but they also +afford new proofs of the intelligence and activity of the commanding +officer. + + +Letter from General Lafayette, to General Greene. + + +_"Near James River, July_ 8, 1781. + +"SIR, + +"On the 4th, the enemy evacuated Williamsburgh, where some stores fell into +our hands, and retired to this place, under the cannon of their shipping. +The next morning we advanced, and a part of our troops took post about nine +miles from the British camp. The 6th, I detached an advanced corps under +General Wayne, to reconnoitre the enemy's situation. Their light parties +being drawn in, the pickets which lay near their encampment, were gallantly +attacked by some riflemen, whose skill was employed to great effect. + +"Having learnt that Lord Cornwallis had sent off his heavy baggage under an +escort, and posted his army in an open field, fortified by the shipping, I +returned to the detachment, which I found generally engaged. A piece of +cannon had been attempted by the vanguard, and the whole British army +advanced to the wood, occupied by General Wayne. His whole corps did not +exceed 800, part of which were militia, with three field pieces.--But at +sight of the British, the troops ran to the rencontre, notwithstanding the +very superior number of the enemy, and a short skirmish ensued, with a +warm, close and well directed fire. But, as both the right and left of the +enemy greatly out-flanked ours, I sent orders to General Wayne, to retire +to about half a mile, where Col. Vose and Barber's light infantry +battalions had arrived, by a most rapid movement, and where I directed them +to form. In this position, they remained till some hours in the night. The +militia under General Lawson also advanced; but during the night, the enemy +retired to the south of the river. + +"From all accounts, the enemy's loss is great. We had none killed, but many +wounded. Wayne's detachment suffered most. Many horses were killed, which +rendered it impossible to move the field pieces. But it is enough for the +glory of General Wayne, and the officers and men under his command, to have +attacked the whole British army, with only a reconnoitering party, and to +have obliged them to retreat over the river. I have the honor to be, &c. + +"LAFAYETTE." + +Under date of July 11th, an officer of rank gives some further account of +this affair. "The enemy had 300 men killed and wounded; and among the +latter were several officers. Their precipitate retreat the same evening, +to Jamestown Island, and thence to the other side of the river, is a tacit +acknowledgment, that a general action was not their wish. We hear that the +British officers are much mortified at the issue, and confess they were +out-generalled. Their numbers were far superior to ours; and they had the +advantage of a large corps of cavalry. We could not have extricated +ourselves from the difficulties we were in, but by the maneuver we adopted; +which, though it may have the appearance of temerity, to those unacquainted +with the circumstances, was founded upon the truest military principles; +and was a necessary, though a very bold and daring measure." + + +Extract from the general orders of the Marquis Lafayette, July 8th, 1781, +near James River. + +"The General is happy to acknowledge the spirit of the detachment under +General Wayne, in their engagement with the whole of the British army, of +which he was an eye witness. He requests General Wayne and the officers and +men under his command, to accept his best thanks. The bravery and +destructive fire of the riflemen, rendered essential service. The fire of +the light infantry checked the enemy's progress round our right flank. The +General was much pleased with the conduct of Captain Savage, of the +artillery, and is satisfied, that nothing but the loss of horses occasioned +that of the two field pieces. The zeal of Colonel Mercer's corps, is fully +expressed in the number of horses he had killed." + +His conduct at the siege and capture of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, received +the particular approbation of the commander in chief. Perhaps no officer in +the American line, contributed more than he did to the success which +attended our arms on that memorable occasion. When the British General was +confident of seizing him and his little party by stratagem, or of +overpowering them by numbers, he was on his guard, and had the good fortune +to elude every effort to destroy him. And, during the immediate siege of +Yorktown, he occupied one of the most dangerous posts, and was among the +foremost in the many vigorous assaults made upon the British army, before +it was compelled to surrender. He had the honor to be ranked with Lincoln, +Greene, Knox, Wayne and others, in the glorious exploits, which convinced +the enemy of our persevering bravery, and induced them at last to sue for +peace. + +In November following, the Marquis returned to France, having first +obtained the consent of Congress, and of the commander in chief. The +contest between Great Britain and the United States, was drawing to a +close. The former became satisfied of the impossibility of subduing +America: and the latter was anxious to terminate a war, which had exhausted +her finances, and occasioned an oppressive debt. The resolves of Congress, +with reference to the departure of General Lafayette at this period, +exhibits, in a very favorable light, the important services he had rendered +the country, in the critical situation in which it had been placed. + +In Congress, Nov. 1781. "Resolved, That Major General Lafayette have +permission to go to France, and to return at such time as may be most +agreeable to himself--that he be informed, that, on a view of his conduct +throughout the past campaign, and particularly during the period, in which +he had the chief command in Virginia, the many new proofs which present +themselves of his zealous attachment to the cause he has espoused, and of +his judgment, vigilance, gallantry and address in its defence, have greatly +added to the high opinion entertained by Congress of his merits and +military talents--that he make known to the officers and troops whom he +commanded during that period, that the brave and enterprizing services, +with which they seconded his zeal and efforts, and which enabled him to +defeat the attempts of an enemy, far superior in numbers, have been beheld +by Congress, with particular satisfaction and approbation.--That the +Secretary of foreign affairs acquaint the Ministers Plenipotentiaries of +the United States, that it is the desire of Congress, that they confer with +the Marquis Lafayette, and avail of his information, relative to the +situation of public affairs in the United States--That the Secretary for +foreign affairs, further acquaint the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court +of Versailles, that he will conform to the intention of Congress, by +consulting with, and employing the assistance of the Marquis Lafayette, in +accelerating the supplies which may be afforded by his most Christian +Majesty for the United Stakes--That the superintendent of finance, the +Secretary for foreign affairs and the board of war, make such +communications to the Marquis, touching the affairs of their respective +departments, as will best enable him to fulfill the purpose of the +preceding resolutions--That the superintendent of finance, take order for +discharging the engagements entered into by the Marquis Lafayette, with the +merchants of Baltimore, when he borrowed money of them on his own credit, +to supply our troops with necessaries." + +At the same time, Congress ordered that a conveyance be provided for +General Lafayette, in a public vessel, whenever he should choose to embark; +and voted to send a letter by him, to the King of France. + +The following is the reply of the Marquis, to the president of Congress, +who forwarded him the resolves. + + +"SIR, + +"I have been honored with the resolutions which Congress have been pleased +to pass in my favor. Testimonies of their esteem and their confidence that +are so very flattering to me, could not but excite those exalted sentiments +of gratitude, which I am unable sufficiently to express.--My attachment to +America, the sense of my obligations, and the new favors conferred upon me, +are so many everlasting ties that devote me to her. At all times, and in +every part of the world, my heart will be panting for opportunities to be +employed in her service. With unspeakable pleasure, I shall transmit the +resolve of Congress to the brave and virtuous troops, whom it has been my +happiness to command. + +"I have the honor to be, &c. + +"LAFAYETTE." + +When he transmitted the foregoing resolve of Congress, to the troops he had +lately commanded, he observed to them, "In the moment the Major General +leaves this place, he wishes once more to express his gratitude to the +brave corps of light infantry, who, for nine months past, have been the +companions of his fortunes. He can never forget, that, with them alone, of +regular troops, he had the good fortune to maneuver before an army, which, +after all its reductions, was still six times more numerous than the +regular force he had under command." + +The interest taken in favour of our country by General Lafayette, and the +anxiety he felt upon all occasions for the success of our contest with +England, are so strongly evinced by his letter to the Hon. Samuel Adams, +that we feel bound in justice to the character of this zealous apostle of +liberty, to present it to our readers, with the reply of Mr. Adams. It +shows, indeed, not only the disposition of Lafayette, in every possible +way, to rapport the cause of America; but his great knowledge of human +nature, and his regard for the honorable feelings of soldiers. + +The letter was written at Morristown, May 30, 1780, soon after the Marquis +returned from his visit to France, where he exerted himself with the French +Ministers to grant aid and supplies to the United States. + + +"_Dear Sir_,--Had I known that I would have the pleasure of meeting you +at Boston, and holding confidential conversations with you on public and +private matters, I should have anticipated the uneasiness I was put under +by the obligation of secrecy, or previously obtained the leave of breaking +that so strict law in your favor. Now, my dear sir, that Congress have set +my tongue at liberty, at least for such men as Mr. Samuel Adams, I will, in +referring you to a public letter from the committee of Congress, indulge my +private feelings in imparting to you some confidential ideas of mine on our +present situation. + +"As momentary visits did not entirely fulfill the purpose of freeing +America, France thought they would render themselves more useful, if a +naval and land force were sent for co-operating with our troops, and by a +longer stay on the coast of the Continent, would give to the states, a fair +opportunity of employing all their resources. The expectations are very +sanguine at Versailles, and ought to be more so, when that letter shall be +received, by which you know _Congress engaged to furnish on their part, +five and twenty thousand Continental troops, that are to take the field by +the beginning of the spring_. + +"On the other hand, my dear sir, all Europe have their eyes upon us: They +know nothing of us, but by our own reports, and our first exertions which +have heightened their esteem, and by the accounts of the enemy, or those of +some dissatisfied persons, which were calculated to give them a quite +different opinion: so that, to fix their own minds, all the nations are now +looking at us; and the consequence of America, in the eyes of the world, as +well as its liberty and happiness, must depend upon the ensuing campaign. + +"The succour sent by France, I thought to be _very important_ when at +Versailles: now that I am on the spot, I know it was _necessary_; and if +proper measures are taken, I shall more heartily than ever, enjoy the +happiness I had of being somewhat concerned in the operation. But if things +stood as they now do, I confess that whether as an American soldier, +whether as a private man that said a great deal, and knows Congress have +ordered much more to be said on the future exertions of America,--who took +a particular delight in praising the patriotic spirit of the United States, +I would feel most unhappy and distressed, were I to tell the people that +are coming over full of ardour and sanguine hopes, that we have no army to +co-operate with them, no provisions to feed the few soldiers that are left, +&c. But I hope, my dear sir, it will not be the case; and more particularly +depending upon the exertions of your state, _I know Mr. Samuel Adams' +influence_ and popularity will be as heretofore employed, in the salvation +and glory of America. + +"If proper measures are taken for provisions, if the states do _immediately_ +fill up the continental battalions by good drafts, which is by far the best +way; if all the propositions of the committee are speedily complied with, I +have no doubt, but that the present campaign will be a glorious, decisive +one, and that we may hope for every thing that is good: if on the contrary, +time be lost, consider what unhappy and dishonorable consequences would +ensue from our inability to a co-operation. + +"Your state began the noble contest, it may be gloriously ended by your +state's exertions, and the example they will once more set to the whole +continent. The reception I met with at Boston, binds me to it by the +strongest ties of a grateful affection. The joy of my heart will be to find +myself concerned in an expedition that may afford peculiar advantages to +them; and I earnestly hope it will be the case, in the course of this (if +proper measures are taken) glorious campaign. + +"I flatter myself you will be yet in Boston, and upon this expectation, I +very much depend for the success of the combined expeditions. Such a crisis +is worth your being wholly engaged in it, as it will be glorious, +important; and I may say it now, because necessary for the support of the +great cause in which you acted so early and decisive a part. What you +mentioned confidentially to me at Boston, I have duly noticed, and shall +ever remember with the attention of a friend. For fulfilling the same +purpose, I wish we may be under particular obligations to you on this +occasion. + +"Give me leave, my dear sir, to suggest to you an idea which I have lately +thought of: all the continental officers labor under the most shameful want +of clothing. When I say shameful, it is not to them, who have no money to +buy--no cloth to be bought. You can conceive what may be theirs and our +feelings, when they will be with the French general and other officers; and +from a general idea of mankind and human honor it is easily seen how much +we should exert ourselves to put the officers of the army in a more decent +situation. + +"I beg, my dear sir, you will present my respects to your family, and +believe me most affectionately, + +"Yours, + +"LAFAYETTE." + + +"_Boston, June_, 1780: + +"My Dear Marquis, + +"Yesterday your very obliging letter of the 30th May was brought to me by +Mons. Guinard. + +"The succour coming from France will be so seasonable and important, that if +America is not wanting to herself, she will have it in her power by the +blessing of heaven, to gratify the utmost of her wishes. His most Christian +Majesty's expectations from us must needs be great; and gratitude to so +generous an ally as well as a due attention to our own safety, interest and +honor, lay us under the strongest obligations to be in readiness to +co-operate with the greatest advantage. I have long been fully sensible of +your most cordial and zealous attachment to our great cause; and to your +personal representation to his Majesty, in addition to the benevolence of +his royal heart, I will take the liberty to attribute his design to afford +us such aid and for so long a time as may put it in our power to employ all +our resources against the enemy. + +"It fortunately happened that the General Assembly of this state was sitting +when the letter and inclosures from the committee of Congress came to the +President of the Council.--They were immediately laid before the Assembly +and I have the pleasure to assure you that the filling our battalions by an +immediate draft, furnishing the army with provisions, and every other +measure for the fulfilling of the just expectations of your sovereign and +of Congress, on this most important occasion, are the objects of their +closest attention. I had for several months past been flattering myself +with the prospect of aid. It strongly impressed my mind from one +circumstance which took place when you was at Philadelphia the last year. +But far from certainty, I could only express to some confidential friends +here, a distant hope, though as I conceived, not without some good effect: +at least it seemed to enliven our spirits and animate us for so great a +crisis. + +"If it were possible for one to be forgetful of our all important cause for +a moment, my particular friendship _for you_ would be a prevailing +inducement with me, to make my utmost feeble exertions to prevent your +disappointment after the great pains you have taken to serve us. I have +endeavored, and shall continue those endeavors while I stay here, to +brighten the dark side of the picture which your imagination has painted in +one part of your letter before me--God forbid that we should be obliged to +tell our friends when they arrive, that we have not a sufficient army to +co-operate with them, nor provisions to feed the few soldiers that are +left. I think I may venture to predict that this state will comply with the +requisition upon her to give the utmost respectability to our army on so +promising an occasion. I was in the Council Chamber when I received your +letter, and took the liberty to read some parts of it to the members +present. I will communicate other parts of it to some leading members of +the House of Representatives as prudence may dictate, particularly what you +mention of the officers' want of clothing. + +"I thank you my dear sir for the friendly remembrance you had of the hint I +gave you when you was here. Be pleased to pay my most respectful +compliments to the Commander in Chief, his family, &c. and be assured of +the warm affection of your obliged friend and very humble servant, + +"SAMUEL ADAMS." + +Marquis De Lafayette. + + +The Legislature of Massachusetts did immediately, viz, on June 5, 1780, +pass a resolve for raising four thousand men as a reinforcement of the +continental army. The preamble to the resolve was as follows;--"Whereas a +requisition has been made to this court for a reinforcement to the +continental army, in order that it may be able to act vigorously the +ensuing campaign, and the present situation of affairs requiring the utmost +exertions at this period, and affords the most flattering prospect of +putting an end to this distressing war, if the army is reinforced at this +juncture, and enabled to improve the great advantages offered." To carry +this resolve into effect, the Brigadier Generals through the State were +directed immediately on receipt of the resolve, to issue orders for calling +the companies together, and raising the men required from each town, by +voluntary enlistments, or by drafting them, on failure of a full number +being otherwise raised. Those thus drafted were to be fined if they refused +to march; but, a very generous bounty was granted, to induce men to enlist +voluntarily. The Selectmen were required to furnish the men with clothes +and traveling expenses; and both the Selectmen and Brigadier Generals were +liable to a heavy fine, if they neglected their duty. The patriotic efforts +of the Legislature, thus drawn into action, in consequence of the pressing +letter of Lafayette, and their own sense of the necessity of the case, were +every where met by a corresponding zeal on the part of the people of +Massachusetts; and the men were soon raised, and sent on to the +headquarters of the continental army, to fill the regular regiments of this +State, then in the service. + +At the siege of York-Town, where Lord Cornwallis with a large British army +was attacked and taken by the Americans, Lafayette was particularly +distinguished for activity and courage. And a more minute account of this +affair is necessary, in recording the useful and brilliant services of this +youthful hero in the cause of America, which her sons wish most gratefully +to recollect.--General Washington in person commanded the American army on +this occasion, in pursuance of a plan he had adopted, as already mentioned. +He proceeded to the camp in the vicinity of York-Town, where Cornwallis was +posted, the last of September. He was assisted by Major Generals Lincoln, +Steuben, Lafayette. Knox, &c. The French troops, who composed a part of the +army engaged in the capture of Cornwallis were under command of Count +Rochambeau, who had the character of an intelligent and brave officer. The +whole number of troops, both American and French, was estimated at twelve +thousand. To them, however, were occasionally added small detachments of +the militia from the vicinity. The British troops were computed to be about +seven thousand, and their commander had been strengthened in his situation +by fortifications, hoping to defend himself till he might receive succors +from New-York. The allied army was supported in this expedition by a large +French fleet which was in the Chesapeake. This afforded great confidence to +the Americans, for they had just then defeated the British fleet in those +waters, and thus effectually cut off all communication between Lord +Cornwallis and the British army in New-York. + +The French admiral had been determined to proceed at this time, to a +station in the West Indies, agreeably to orders which he had received from +the King his master, some weeks before. He was requested to remain, and +co-operate in this expedition, by Count Rochambeau, and by Washington +himself; but they could not prevail with him to relinquish his proposed +departure for the West Indies; and it was only through the most zealous +and repeated solicitations of Lafayette, with a solemn promise that he +would justify the measure to the Court of France, that the admiral, Count +de Grasse, was induced to continue on the station, by which the capture +of the British army was greatly facilitated. + +Under all these favourable circumstances, it is not unreasonable to +suppose, that the allied army cherished a strong confidence of success in +their enterprize. Washington had planned this expedition with great +intelligence and foresight; for he had been resolved to attempt some +decisive and effectual blow against the enemy. He had, however, to engage a +body of well disciplined and regular troops under an officer of great +experience and bravery; and all his own resources, together with the +courage and activity of the officers under his command were necessary to +ensure success. The American chief lost no time in preparing for a vigorous +attack upon the British. They were soon obliged to abandon their redoubts +and advanced posts, and to retire within the town. The light infantry, +under General Lafayette, and a party of the French troops, were ordered to +advance, and to take possession of the places they had abandoned, that they +might cover those of the besieging army who were engaged in throwing up +breast works. These advanced parties were much annoyed by a heavy cannonade +from the besieged; and Colonel Scammel, the officer of the day, while +viewing the ground recently left by the British, was surprised by a party +of their cavalry; and, after he surrendered, received a mortal wound, which +terminated his life in a few days. Scammel was a brave and accomplished +officer, and eminent as a disciplinarian. He was a native of Massachusetts, +a gentleman of public education, of elegant manners, and most honorable +character. He was greatly lamented by Washington, and by all the officers +of the American army.--Those who had been particularly associated with him, +long cherished the highest respect for his memory. + +Redoubts were thrown up by our advanced parties, for several successive +nights; and on the evening of the 7th of October, a large detachment under +General Lincoln were ordered out, to open entrenchments near the lines of +the British. Lafayette had an important command also in the enterprise. The +great interest felt for him by the Americans was shown by a request of the +Surgeon General, "that if the Marquis should be wounded, he might receive +immediate attention." + +The duties of our troops, at this time, were very arduous; but they were +most vigilant and active; and by the 9th several batteries were prepared to +open upon the town, in which the British General was besieged. General +Washington himself put the match to the first gun, and a furious cannonade +immediately followed, which was a serious salutation to Cornwallis. + +From the 10th to the 15th the siege was prosecuted with great vigor; an +incessant fire was kept up by the allied armies; and the enemy were not +backward in returning it. The Americans made further approaches to the town +and threw up other batteries in a second parallel. Many of our men were +killed and wounded in these operations. The enemy had two redoubts, several +hundred yards in front of their principal works, which greatly impeded the +approaches of the Americans. It became important to obtain possession of +them by assault. The one on the left of the enemy's garrison was given to +General Lafayette, with a brigade of light infantry of American troops. The +other redoubt was attacked by a detachment of French troops under commanded +of Baron de Viominel. The assailants, both on the right and left, exhibited +the greatest ardor and bravery. Powerful resistance was made by the enemy; +but was soon overcome by our gallant troops, inspirited by their still more +gallant officers; though with the loss of many of our men. Two field +officers were wounded in this affair; one of whom was Major Gibbs from +Massachusetts, who then belonged to the guard of the commander in chief. +The advanced corps of the detachment on the left, under General Lafayette, +was led on to the assault by the intrepid Colonel Hamilton, who during this +campaign had command of a regiment of light infantry. Our troops entered +the redoubt with charged bayonets, but without firing a gun. The Marquis +was indefatigable in pushing forward his men, and was constantly in +situations of great peril. Some of the American soldiers were ready to take +the lives of the captured after they had possession of the fort, in revenge +for the barbarous conduct of the British towards many of our men, and +especially for the mortal wound inflicted upon the brave and amiable +Scammel, after he had surrendered. General Washington with Lincoln, Knox, +and their aids were in the vicinity of this action, in very exposed +situations. The Americans under Lafayette, carried the redoubt which they +attacked, before the French made their assault upon the other. The latter +also, suffered a greater loss of men than the former. When the fort was +taken by the troops under the Marquis, he sent his aid, through the fire of +the whole British line, to give notice to Baron Viominel, "that he was in +his redoubt, and to enquire where the Baron was." The Baron returned for +answer, "that he was not yet in his, but should be in five minutes." + +General Washington expressed his sense of this brilliant affair in his +orders of the 15th, Head Quarters, before York-Town. "The Marquis +Lafayette's division will mount the trenches tomorrow. The commander in +chief congratulates the allied army on the success of the enterprise, last +evening, against the two important redoubts on the left of the enemy's +works. He requests the Baron Viominel who commanded the French grenadiers, +and the Marquis Lafayette, who commanded the American Light Infantry, to +accept his warmest acknowledgments for the excellence of their +dispositions, and for their own gallant conduct on the occasion. And he +begs them to present his thanks to every individual officer and to the men +of their respective commands, for the spirit and rapidity with which they +advanced to the points of attack assigned them, and for the admirable +firmness with which they supported them, under the fire of the enemy, +without returning a shot. The General reflects with the highest pleasure on +the confidence which the troops of the two nations must hereafter have in +each other: assured of mutual support, he is convinced there is no danger +which they will not cheerfully encounter; no difficulty which they will not +bravely overcome." + +If the Marquis de Lafayette was animated by an ardent love of civil +liberty, when he first came to America, his attachment to its principles +must have become more firm and settled, if not more intense, after an +acquaintance of five years, with the patriots and heroes of our revolution. +He had become acquainted with our institutions, and with the principles of +our government; and was probably led to believe that systems equally free +might be maintained in other countries. He was so enamoured, not only with +the theory, but with the practical effects, of republicanism, that he felt +it a duty to recommend systems of government more consonant to the rights +of mankind. We know not, if he justly appreciated the importance of the +general diffusion of knowledge among all classes of people, to ensure such +a happy state of society. It was probably owing to this consideration, +however, that he did not immediately attempt the reformation of the +political system under which his own nation had long been oppressed. That +Louis XVI. was mild, humane, and anxious for the good of his subjects, we +are not disposed to doubt. But the ancient regime was unquestionably +despotic; and in the hands of ambitious or selfish ministers, liable to be +an instrument of injustice and oppression. And those who have long been +accustomed to govern, without being accountable for their conduct, will not +easily be induced to relinquish power, from any considerations of abstract +right, or a belief that others will be more just. + +We will here present a letter of Lafayette, directed to Sir H. Clinton; to +show his regard to truth, and to his own reputation suffering in some +measure by a statement which had been publicly made by that military +officer. + +"Paris, April 29, 1783.--Sir, Upon a perusal of your printed correspondence, +I must beg leave to trouble you with an observation; not that I have claims +to set forth, or relations to criticise. A sentence in your letter of ---- +is the only one I intend to mention. "Having said to Lord Cornwallis, that +he may be opposed by about 2000 continentals; and, as Lafayette observes, a +body of ill-armed militia," you are pleased to add, "as spiritless as the +militia of the southern provinces, and without any service;" which reads as +if it was a part of my letter. How far your description is undeserving, I +think experience has proved; and that it came from me, no American will +believe. But your correspondence is so public that with full reliance on +your candour and politeness I have taken the liberty to transcribe the +passage, and to return it to you, Sir, as its true author. At the same time +permit me to assure you, &c. + +"LAFAYETTE." + + +The reply of Sir H. Clinton. + + +"_London, May_ 29, 1783. + +"Sir, In consequence of the letter you have done me the honor to write me, I +have read over the publication in question; and I confess the remark +alluded to, from the manner in which it is introduced, appears to make a +part of your letter. You have, certainly, Sir, a right to this +acknowledgment, and permit me, at the same time, to add the assurances, &c. + +"H. CLINTON." + + +In the summer of 1784, the Marquis de Lafayette once more visited America. +He came to witness the prosperity and improvements of the country; and to +enjoy the society of those brave and honorable men, with whom he had been +associated in fighting the battles of liberty. Associates in danger form an +attachment for each other, which time does not usually destroy. And when +they have long struggled together for just and generous purposes, the +attachment must be strong and permanent indeed. The heroic actors in our +glorious revolution were linked together by the most disinterested ties. +They will never forget each other's services and virtues: And we trust, +their children will never cease to venerate their characters, or to +acknowledge their exalted merit. + +When General Lafayette visited the United States in 1784, he was received +with an affectionate welcome, little less enthusiastic and splendid, than +that with which he has been lately greeted on landing again on our shores, +after a lapse of forty years. He then also arrived at the port of New-York; +and in October following made a visit to Boston, where he had so many +particular friends ready to receive him with the most cordial greetings. He +was met at Watertown by the officers of the (then) late continental army, +and addressed by his ardent friend, General Knox, in behalf of the whole +body, and a public dinner was provided for him on the occasion. The +feelings excited by the visit of their beloved fellow officer, will be best +described by giving the address; which was as follows: + +"We, the late officers of the Massachusetts line of the continental army, +embrace the first moment of your arrival, to welcome you with all the +sincerity and ardour of fraternal affection: an affection commenced in the +dark hour of our conflict, elevated and perfected through the successive +vicissitudes of the war. + +"We beg leave to observe, that we have had repeated occasions to witness +the display of your military talents, and of joining in the approbation and +applause which our beloved Commander in Chief so often expressed of your +conduct. We are deeply impressed, with a sense of the various and important +services you have rendered our country; and it will be the pride of some +patriotic and enlightened historian to enumerate your actions in the field, +and to illustrate your incessant efforts to promote the happiness of the +United States. + +"We shall ever retain a lively gratitude for the interposition of your +august sovereign and nation, at a time when America was oppressed by a +formidable enemy. By his influence and the powerful assistance afforded by +his land and naval forces, the war has been happily terminated, and the +independence of the United States firmly established, at a period much +earlier than the most sanguine patriot could have expected. + +"A mind like yours ennobled by a generous attachment to the rights of +mankind, must enjoy the highest pleasure in viewing the people, to whose +cause you so zealously devoted yourself; in full possession of that peace, +liberty and safety, which were the great objects of their pursuit. + +"Animated by virtue and the auspices of your own fame, may you go on to add +to the splendor of your character, and heighten the glory of your country, +by placing the name of Lafayette on the same list with Conde, Turenne and +her other immortal heroes. + +"In behalf of the officers of the Massachusetts line. + +"H. KNOX." + + +Reply of the Marquis. + + +"From the instant of our parting, Gentlemen, I have been eagerly looking +forward to this period. How far my pleasure is completed by your kind +welcome, I leave, my beloved friends, to your own hearts to determine. + +"While your affection and confidence ever made me happy, let me gratefully +acknowledge, that, for the marks of our beloved General's approbation, I +felt myself wholly obliged to the gallant troops I commanded. Could my +conduct, in any degree justify your partiality, it will be the pride of my +heart to think the American camp was my school, every one of you my +brothers, and that I was adopted as a disciple and son, by our immortal +Commander in Chief. + +"In the interposition of my Sovereign and nation, I enjoyed more than I +could express; every French citizen felt with a patriotic King in this +happy alliance; and from those troops who shared in our dangers, you meet +with a peculiar regard and attachment. + +"During my absence, gentlemen, my heart has been constantly with you. As an +army, we are separated. But forever, I hope, shall unite in a brotherly +affection: and now that a glorious peace has terminated your labours, I +rejoice to find your attachment to those principles for which you have +conquered, ranks you among the most virtuous citizens of the Commonwealth. + +"LAFAYETTE." + +At the public dinner given by the officers of the late army to this +distinguished friend of American Independence, were also invited the +Governor and Council, and many others of high rank and distinction. It may +be gratifying to some who peruse this volume to know the sentiments offered +as toasts on the joyful occasion. The following are selected: + +The United States--His most Christian Majesty. + +General Washington--The Cincinnati. + +The asserters and supporters of the rights of mankind through the world. + +May America never forget in prosperity those what were her fast friends in +adversity. + +May our country be as famed for justice and honor as she is for valour and +success. + +The Legislature of the State being in session, ordered, that the Marquis de +Lafayette be invited by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the +House of Representatives together with the Supreme Executive to meet the +two Houses of Assembly in the Senate room "to congratulate him on his safe +arrival in the United States, after the final establishment of peace, to +which his friendly influence in Europe had largely contributed." The +Marquis attended accordingly, when the Governor congratulated him in terms +of the highest respect and affection; to which the Marquis made a polite +and suitable reply. But Lafayette was too much beloved and his eminent +services in our cause too highly appreciated by the people of the patriotic +town of Boston, not to meet with a more general welcome. A dinner was given +him at Faneuil-Hall by the citizens; at which were present the Governor and +Council, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of +Representatives, the Clergy and other distinguished gentlemen, and seventy +five officers of the late continental army. When General Washington's name +was given for a toast, the Marquis rose from his seat, and with a tear +starting in his eye, began the act of applause, which was continued and +repeated again and again by the whole company. + +In other places, the Marquis also met a cordial and distinguished +reception. His ardent attachment to America and his great services in her +cause, were still fresh in the recollection of all. It was known, that be +had advocated our independence in Europe, and exerted his influence with +his generous Prince to aid in its support. It was remembered, "that in the +moment of our greatest misfortunes, he espoused the cause of America," that +his military talents and the ardour of his virtuous mind had been devoted +to our interest: and "while gratitude should be accounted a virtue, the +name of Lafayette," it was said, "would not cease to be dear to Americans." + +When about to leave the United States and return to France, Dec. 1784, the +Marquis de Lafayette addressed a note to Congress, and expressed a desire +to take a respectful leave of that body, before his final departure. A +committee was appointed on this request of the Marquis, of which the Hon. +Mr. Jay was chairman, and whose report was as follows--"That the merit and +services of General Lafayette render it proper that such opportunity of +taking leave of Congress be afforded, as may strongly manifest their esteem +and regard for him."--Whereupon it was resolved, "That a Committee to +consist of a member from each states be appointed to receive the Marquis, +and in the name of Congress to take leave of him--that they be instructed +to assure him, that Congress continue to entertain the same high sense of +his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, both here and in +Europe, which they have frequently expressed and manifested on former +occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention to their commercial +and other interests have perfectly confirmed. That as his uniform and +unceasing attachment to this country has resembled that of a patriotic +citizen, the United States regard him with particular affection, and will +not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and +prosperity, and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him." + +It was also resolved by Congress, at the same time; "That a letter be +written to his most Christian Majesty, and signed by the President of +Congress, expressive of the high sense which the United States entertain of +the real talents and meritorious services of the Marquis de Lafayette, and +recommending him to the particular favor and patronage of his Majesty." + +The committee received the Marquis in Congress Hall, and took leave of him +in the name of that honorable body, agreeably to the instructions given +there. They communicated to him the resolves before mentioned; to which he +replied-- + +"While it pleases the Congress of the United States so kindly to receive +me, I want words to express the feelings of a heart, which delights in +their present situation and in the public marks of their esteem. + +"Since I joined the standard of liberty to this wished for hour of my +personal congratulations, I have seen such glorious deeds performed and +virtues displayed, by the sons of America, that in the instant of my first +concern for them, I had anticipated but a part of the love and regard which +devote me to this rising empire. + +"During our revolution, I obtained an unlimited, indulgent confidence, +which I am equally proud and happy to acknowledge; it dates with the time, +when an inexperienced youth, I could only claim my respected friend's +paternal adoption. It has been most benevolently continued throughout every +circumstance of the cabinet and the field; and in personal friendships I +have often found a support against public difficulties. While on this +solemn occasion, I mention my obligations to Congress, the States, and the +people at large, permit me to remember my dear military companions, to +whose services their country is so much indebted. + +"Having felt both for the timely aid of my country, and for the part she, +with a beloved king, acted in the cause of mankind, I enjoy an alliance so +well riveted by mutual affection, by interest and even local situation. +Recollection ensures it. Futurity does but enlarge the prospect: and the +private intercourse will every day increase, which independent and +advantageous trade cherishes, in proportion as it is justly understood. + +"In unbounded wishes to America, I am happy to observe the prevailing +disposition of the people to strengthen the confederation, preserve public +faith, regulate trade; and, in a proper guard over continental magazines +and frontier posts, in a general system of militia, in foreseeing attention +to the navy, to ensure every kind of safety. May this immense temple of +freedom ever stand a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, a +sanctuary for the rights of mankind! And may these happy United States +attain that complete splendor and prosperity, which will illustrate the +blessings of their government, and for ages to come, rejoice the departed +souls of its founders. + +"However unwilling to trespass on your time, I must yet present you with my +grateful thanks for the late favours of Congress; and never can they oblige +me so much, as when they put it in my power, in every part of the world, +and to the latest day of my life, to gratify the attachment, which will +ever rank me among the most zealous and respectful servants of the United +States." + +On the return of the Marquis de Lafayette to his native country in 1785, he +spent some time in the bosom of his amiable family. With an affectionate +wife, of cultivated mind and accomplished manners, with a circle of +literary friends, and enjoying a high reputation for his heroic services in +America, he must have possessed all the ingredients of human happiness. He +received the smiles of the King and Court; was caressed by the gay and +chivalrous; and had the esteem and friendship of the first literary +characters in France. He was fond of agricultural pursuits; and as his +estates were extensive, he devoted a considerable portion of his time to +the cultivation and improvement of his lands. During this time his +hospitable attentions were shown to American travelers, who were always +sure of his friendly reception. + +The legislature of Virginia, in 1786, conferred upon Lafayette, an +honorable tribute of regard, in recollection of his very important services +in defence of American Independence; and particularly of his brave and +successful efforts during the campaign of 1781, against Cornwallis. This +was a resolution to place his bust in their capitol. Mr. Jefferson, then in +France, was authorized to have the like work of honor fixed in Paris, with +consent of the municipal authority of that city and accordingly, another +bust of Lafayette; was placed, by approbation of the King and of the Provot +of Paris, in one of the galleries of the city hall. + +In 1786, he traveled through various parts of Germany, and visited the +courts of Vienna and Berlin. He became acquainted with Frederick II. the +greatest royal tactician of Europe; and probably availed of the opportunity +of attending his reviews, to increase his knowledge of military discipline. +Soon after his return to France, we find him uniting his influence and +efforts with the celebrated philosopher, Malesherbes, who was zealously +engaged in favour of the French protestants. At this time, also, he joined +a society in Paris, whose object was the gradual emancipation of the +unfortunate Africans: so generous and active are the principles of liberty, +that they never cease to urge those, who yield to their influence, to deeds +of benevolence and humanity. In 1787, he was chosen a deputy to the +assembly of the States General, by the nobility of Auvergne, his native +province; and at this time he shared largely in the popular favour. But, +although subsequently found among the most zealous for a new constitution, +by which the power of the monarch was greatly curtailed, he now voted with +the other members of the order of nobles, and contended for their distinct +authority. + +At this meeting of the States General, however, he was active in procuring +a favorable decree for the protestants, and was the first to raise his +voice for the suppression of "_lettres de cachet_." This convocation of the +States General, composed of separate chambers or orders, had not been long +in session, when great difficulties arose in consequence of various plans, +and the conflicting opinions of different factions, (for factions were now +beginning to appear;) and it was proposed to call a "National Assembly." It +does not appear, that this was a favorite measure of Lafayette; though, +from his avowed sentiments respecting the equal rights of man, it cannot be +doubted, that he approved of the plan. For in 1789, he became a member of +this celebrated assembly, whose acts not only laid the foundation, for a +radical change in the government of France, but tended directly to destroy +the whole power of the monarch. Even here, indeed, he appeared as the +friend and advocate of Louis; and however ardent he was for an amelioration +of the condition of the people, by rendering the civil government more +mild, than heretofore, he was sincere and active in providing for the +personal safety of his Prince, and for the honor of his crown, conformably +to his views of political liberty. + +He had, in truth, a most difficult part to act. He was ardently attached to +the cause of freedom, and wished the people should have the public +enjoyment of their just and national principles. And he was equally +desirous, that his royal master should still retain such a portion of +authority, as would be requisite to the dignity of the first magistrate of +a great nation.--But the accomplishment of such generous sentiments was +utterly impossible. Neither Louis, nor his courtiers could consent to the +limitations of the royal authority, proposed by the reformers, and which +were necessary to a just exercise of power in the people, whose +representatives should share in the administration of the government. And +many of the leaders in the revolution, even in its incipient stage, on the +other hand, had such ambitious views, or visionary projects, that nothing +would satisfy them, but an entire relinquishment of power long claimed and +exercised by the Kings of this ancient nation. + +In 1789, the new constitution was proposed by the National Assembly, by +which the distinct and independent power of the monarch was almost +annihilated; and the whole legislative authority was given to the +representatives of the people. That Lafayette, and some others who +advocated this instrument, were actuated by a disinterested love of the +people, and believed that sufficient power was reserved to the King to +secure respect for him, as the political head of the nation, cannot be +doubted. We have only to lament, that subsequent events afforded proofs of +the unfitness of the French people, at that period, for the blessings of a +more popular government. It must also be admitted, that many who professed +republicanism, and boasted of their regard to the people's rights were +unprincipled and ambitious men, whom power had intoxicated, or who +entertained views of government utterly inconsistent with the just +authority of the laws, and the safety of individuals. Lafayette offered the +declaration of the rights of man, at this period, for the sanction of the +assembly: And though he was accused by the anti-revolutionists, as the +author of all the excesses and cruelties which followed, for this +proposition, it may justly be said in his behalf, that it contained no +other axioms, than are admitted, by all impartial writers, as essential in +free governments. The King and his courtiers condemned them; and jacobins +and demagogues afterwards abused them, in their wild notions of +republicanism, or their selfish projects of personal aggrandizement. + +Lafayette was charged with indiscretion and want of judgment, for the +active and zealous part which he took in the revolution, not only by +bigoted monarchists, but by some who were friendly to republican +institutions. He is said to have declared, "that when oppression and +tyranny were at their height, insurrection became a duty." This +declaration, however, when candidly considered, implies no more, than was +frequently expressed by the patriots of America, when opposing the +arbitrary power of the British ministry, and advocating independence as the +only remedy. The ardour and enthusiasm of Lafayette, probably, betrayed him +into some practical errors, and led him to utter expressions, which were +capable of being pressed into the service of jacobins and anarchists. We +only contend, that he had no selfish views to accomplish--and that he was +really friendly to the welfare and honor of his Prince, as well as to the +liberty and happiness of the French people. + +This is fully established by the fact, that, at this period and afterwards, +when jacobin clubs were formed and acted as dictators to the National +Assembly, he became obnoxious to them, for his firmness in adhering to +constitutional principles; and, though generally censured by the royalists +as an advocate for liberty and reform, was hated and opposed by the +factions, with the pretence of his being still attached to the ancient +regime. He retained his hold on the affections of the people for some time, +and enjoyed also, more of the confidence and regard of the King, then any +other who had favored the revolution. The court found him, at least, candid +and sincere; and he often exposed himself to imminent danger in their +defence. As proof of the former, he was chosen Vice President of the +national assembly, in the absence of the aged President, July 1789; and +appointed to the command of the citizens of Paris, to quell the riots, and +to restore tranquility to the city, when an alarming tumult existed, in +consequence of the want of bread among the lower classes. As evidence of +the latter, the King often consulted him in cases of difficulties and +danger; and entrusted his person and family to his custody, when threatened +by a lawless mob, though he well knew the sentiments of Lafayette, on the +great question of royal authority. + +When he was appointed to the command of the Parisian militia, (afterwards +denominated the national guard,) which had been promptly organized +according to a plan of his suggesting, it was a time of great confusion and +tumult. He accepted the appointment from the most patriotic motives. +Drawing his sword before an immense concourse of citizens then assembled, +"Lafayette made a vow to sacrifice his life, if necessary, to the +preservation of that precious liberty which had been entrusted to him." It +was then too, at the moment of his "brightest popularity," that he exhorted +those who pressed around him, "to love the friends of the people; but, at +the same time, to maintain an entire submission to the laws, and to cherish +a zeal for liberty." + +He manifested the highest respect for the civil power, even when he +commanded the national guard and Parisian militia, though with this immense +military force, and with his unbounded popularity, he might have safely +followed his own wishes. The Parisians were eager to march to Versailles, +where the King and court resided, to demand an immediate supply of bread. +The mob proceeded thither in great numbers, and still greater tumult. He +declined marching the military, until be had the express consent and order +of the National Assembly. And on his arrival, he immediately joined with +the king's body guard, in suppressing the riotous proceedings of the +promiscuous multitude, who had previously reached the place, and were +committing depredations even in the royal palace. This was a scene of great +confusion and alarm; and violence and bloodshed ensued. The enemies of +Lafayette pretended, that he might have prevented the mischief, by timely +and decisive measures. But impartial witnesses testified, "that, from the +first moment of the alarm, he had even exceeded his usual activity." He +appeared in every quarter. "Gentlemen," said he to the Parisian soldiers, +"I have pledged my word and honor to the King, that nothing belonging to +him shall receive injury. If I break my word, I shall no longer be worthy +of being your commander." The people insisted, that the King should go to +Paris; and on consulting with the Marquis, who gave assurances of +protection and respect, he proceeded to the city, accompanied by his +family, and was received with great acclamations of _vive Le Roi_. + +Lafayette still retained his great popularity and influence. The Court +party had perfect confidence in his integrity and honor, though they did +not approve of his revolutionary principles. And the friends of the +constitution found in him one of their most zealous and able supporters. +These, however, soon become divided into clubs and parties; some of whom +were aiming at more power for the representatives of the people, and for +divesting Louis of every thing but the name of King. To this description of +politicians, Lafayette, and others who constituted the majority of the +National Assembly at this time, were opposed. They considered the King as +still the fountain of all executive authority, and were willing that he +should also have a _veto_ upon their legislative proceedings--His +person, they declared, was inviolable, and his crown hereditary. Put the +more violent revolutionists, who soon became known by the distinctive +appellation of _Jacobins_, formed themselves into a club; where +extravagant measures were proposed and then presented to the assembly; and +frequently were adopted, through intrigue and threats, when a majority of +the members were dissatisfied with them. + +Attached to the constitution, a friend to justice and order, and an +advocate for the dignity and authority of the monarch, as limited and +defined by the constitution, Lafayette was among the most open and decided +in counteracting the views of the Duc de Orleans, Mirabeau, Petion, +Brissot, Robespeirre, and others of the jacobin faction, who aimed at +further changes to fulfill their own selfish and ambitious designs. Orleans +was an unprincipled and dangerous nobleman; of royal blood and cousin to +Louis: But his object was to bring about an entire revolution, and place +himself on the throne of France. He, therefore, hated and feared Lafayette; +who, he knew, was too honest to further his plans, and too powerful to +allow him to succeed: Orleans became obnoxious and was persuaded to leave +the kingdom. But he soon returned; and promoted or approved the shocking +excesses which were afterwards committed. + +During the years 1790 and 1791 great agitations existed in Paris, on +various occasions, through the changing opinions of political leaders, and +the collisions of individuals, who were rivals for power. The grand +confederation took place in July 1790, when the constitution received the +sanction of all classes; and when Lafayette, at the head of the national +guards, attracted as much notice and possessed as great influence as the +king himself. His popularity seemed unbounded; nor did he commit any act of +cruelty or injustice to injure his high reputation. He could not, in all +instances, command the military or restrain the mob; but he had the merit +of using his greatest efforts to preserve order, and to maintain the +authority of the laws. When the King proposed to visit St. Cloud, he was +opposed by the populace and the Jacobin clubs, under the pretence that he +intended to leave the kingdom. Lafayette attempted to disperse them and to +remove all obstructions to the intended visit of Louis. The troops were +disobedient to his orders, and refused to favor the King's journey. +Mortified by their insubordination, Lafayette resigned his command, but +afterwards resumed it, through the solicitations of the National Assembly, +and of the guards themselves, who regretted their disobedience of his +orders. + +On the attempt of the King, soon after, to depart from France, who had +become disgusted with the conduct of the revolutionists, and was in fear of +his personal safety, Lafayette was charged with being privy to the plan, +and subjected himself to the popular displeasure on this suspicion. That he +promoted the plan, was never proved, and is not probable. That he had +intimations of it, is possible; but that he gave strict orders to the +officers about the king's palace to guard against such an event is most +certain. He discharged his duty as a public agent; and it is not improbable +he might have supposed the king in immediate danger, and that by a +temporary absence from the capital, the ferment would subside, and he might +return in safety. No one, for a moment, believed that he wished, with the +emigrants and other enemies of the revolution, to have Louis surrender +himself to the hostile powers of the coalition, for the purpose of bringing +a foreign army to enslave France. He was, indeed, anxious for the safety of +his Prince; but he would never have compromitted the liberties of his +country, even for such an object. + +From this period, the Jacobin clubs became more popular, and had the chief +direction of all political affairs. In their desire to lesson the authority +of the King, and to secure power, they hesitated at no measures, however +unjust; and the new constitution, even which they had sworn to support, was +grossly violated in the prosecution of their selfish views. The influence +of Lafayette was rapidly undermined by these artful demagogues. He was +sincerely attached to the constitution; and was desirous of maintaining +inviolate; the power of the, monarch which it guaranteed. He was the friend +to law, and opposed all his influence to riots and excesses. He became an +object of dread to the Jacobins, and they resolved to destroy him. But for +a long time, the majority of the National Assembly supported him. In +attempting to suppress a dangerous riot, by which many of the citizens were +alarmed and threatened, when he commanded the military in 1791, he was shot +at by one of the mob. The man was taken, and he forgave him--But the +National Assembly decreed the death of the culprit, who had attempted the +life of "the hero of the day." And the municipality of Paris, also had a +gold medal struck off, in honor of Lafayette, and presented him with a bust +of Washington in approbation of his conduct. + +He was repeatedly denounced by individuals of the violent party, before +they succeeded in rendering him obnoxious to popular displeasure. And this +was finally effected, through misrepresentations and false reports. + +Letter of Lafayette, Feb. 1791, to M. de Bonille, one of the court, but not +then at Paris. + + +"Paris is divided by factions, and the kingdom oppressed by anarchy. The +violent aristocrats dream of a counter revolution--the clergy concur with +them. The impartial monarchists are looking for a part to play, without the +means of doing it. Among the friends of the revolution, you have many +honest men, some lose themselves in speculations--and some Jacobins, whose +leaders spread trouble everywhere. As to the ministers, they are merged in +the revolution; and have no rule, but to yield to the popular voice. The +Queen is resigned to the revolution,--hoping that opinions will soon +change. The King wishes the happiness of the people, and the general +tranquility, to begin his own. As to myself, I am attacked by all the party +leaders, who consider me an obstacle not to be overcome or intimidated. Add +to this, the hatred of the aristocrats and of the Orleans party; of the +Lameths, with whom I was formerly connected; of Mirabeau, who says I +despise him; the money distributed, the libels, the dissatisfaction I give +those whom I prevent from pillaging Paris-and you will have the sum of all +which is going on against me. But except a few ardent heads who are +mislead, the well meaning, from the highest to the lowest, are for me. + +"I stand well with the National Assembly, except a few disreputable +Jacobins. I have little connexion with the court, for I can derive no use +from it to my country; and yet I am aware advantage is taken of my neglect +to intrigue. Some friends are at work with me, upon a plan of conduct, by +which the revolution will be consolidated, the good basis of the +constitution established, and public order restored. The chief talents of +the assembly, Mirabeau himself, cannot but support this plan. Here then are +courts established, and juries are decreed; this is the moment to let our +voice be heard with force, propriety and utility. + +"You have accepted the coalition which my heart and my patriotism have +offered you. You lately said to one of my friends, "If Lafayette and I +understand each other well, we shall establish a constitution." + +"My first wish is to finish the revolution speedily and well, to secure the +constitution on solid foundations, to employ for that purpose, all I +possess of national confidense and personal means; and then to be nothing +more in France, than an active citizen. Adieu, + +"LAFAYETTE." + +But after he was persecuted by the Petions and Robespieres of the day, +because of his moderation, loyalty and attachment to the constitution, he +was held in high esteem by the friends of rational freedom, and still +enjoyed the confidence both of Louis and of the National Assembly. Toward +the close of the year 1791, by request of the King, he was appointed to +command the army of the centre, to oppose the foreign troops then invading +France. When he accepted the appointment, he assured the National Assembly +of his "determination to support the constitution." The President replied, +"the French nation, who have sworn to conquer and to live free, will +always, with confidence, present to their foes and to tyrants, the +constitution and Lafayette." + +As commander in chief of that department of the French army entreated to +him, he was assiduous to maintain proper discipline and order; a matter of +great difficulty, as a revolutionary spirit pervaded all ranks, and the +soldiers were disposed to insubordination, especially under a leader not +belonging to the popular party. He had several engagements with the enemy, +in which he was successful. But his operations and those of the other +generals, who commanded in other departments of the northern armies of +France, were greatly impeded by the injudicious and variable plans of the +assembly, then torn by factions, and disgraced by low intrigues. The evil +spirit extended to the military; and each faction had its partizans among +the soldiers. Lafayette saw and lamented this disastrous state of things; +and he dared to oppose his single efforts to avert the impending ruin. It +was at this time, that he wrote his celebrated letter to the National +Assembly, of June 16, 1792, in which he exposed the violence and the cabals +of the Jacobins, and conjured the moderates to cling to the constitution, +as the only means of safety. This letter is so important, in developing the +views and sentiments of Lafayette, and in detecting the causes of the +excesses, which eventually disgraced the French revolution of that period, +that it will be proper to record it in this connexion. He wrote to the King +at the same time, expressing great anxiety for his safety, and declaring +his wish to maintain the constitution. + + +Lafayette's letter to the Legislative body. + + +"_At the entrenched camp of Maubeuge_, 16_th June_, 1792. + +"GENTLEMEN, + +"At the moment, perhaps too long deferred, in which I am about to call your +attention to the highest public interests, and to point out among our +dangers, the _conduct of a ministry_, whom I have for a long time censured +in my correspondence, I learn that, unmasked in consequence of its own +divisions, it has fallen a sacrifice to its own intrigues. [This was the +Brissotin ministry.] It is not enough however, that _this branch_ of the +government has been delivered from its disastrous influence. The public +welfare is in peril--The fate of France depends principally on its +representatives--The nation expects from them its security. But in giving +them a _constitution_, France has prescribed to them the _only_ means by +which she can be saved. + +"Persuaded, gentlemen, that as the rights of man are the law of every +constituent assembly, a constitution ought to be the law of the +legislators, which that constitution shall have established. It is to you +that I ought to denounce the too powerful efforts which are making, to +induce you to depart from that course which you have promised to pursue. + +"_Nothing shall deter me from the exercise of this right of a free man, to +fulfill this duty of a citizen_; neither the momentary errors of opinion; +for what are opinions when they depart from principles: nor my respect for +the _representatives_ of the people; for I respect still more the _people_, +whose sovereign will it is to have a constitution: nor the benevolence and +kindness which you have constantly evinced for myself; for I would +_preserve_ that as I _obtained_ it, by an inflexible love of liberty. + +"Your situation is difficult--France is menaced from without, and agitated +within. Whilst foreign powers announce the intolerable (inadmissible) +project of attacking our national sovereignty, and avow it as a principle! +at the same time the enemies of France, its interior enemies, intoxicated +with fanaticism and pride, entertain chimerical hopes, and annoy us with +their insolent malevolence. You ought, gentlemen, to repress them; and you +will have the power so to do, _only when_ you shall become _constitutional_ +and _just_. You wish it, _no doubt_; but cast your eyes upon all that +passes within your own body and around you. Can you dissemble even to +yourselves, that a _faction_, (and to avoid all vague denunciations) the +_jacobin faction_, have caused all these disorders? It _is that which I +boldly accuse_--organized like a separate empire in the metropolis, and in +its affiliated societies, blindly directed by some ambitious leaders, this +sect forms a _corporation entirely distinct_ in the midst of the French +people, whose powers it usurps, by tyrannizing over its representatives and +constituted authorities. + +"It is in that body, in its public meaning, the _love_ of the laws is +denounced as aristocracy, and their _breach_ as patriotism. _There_ the +assassins of Dessilles receive their triumphs, the crimes of Jourdan find +panegyrists. There, the recital of the massacre which has stained the city +of Metz, has also been received with _infernal_ acclamations! Have they +become sacred because the emperor Leopold has pronounced their name? And +because it is our highest duty to combat the _foreigners_, who mingle in +our domestic quarrels, are we at liberty to refrain from _delivering_ our +country from domestic tyranny? + +"Of what importance is it, as to the fulfillment of this duty, that +strangers have their projects; and their connivance and concert with our +internal foes? It is I, who denounce to you this sect [the jacobins]; I, +who, without speaking of my past life, _can reply_ to those who suspect my +motives--"Approach, in this moment of awful crisis, when the character of +each man must be known, and see which of us, more inflexible in his +principles, more obstinate in his resistance, will more courageously +overcome, those obstacles, and those dangers, which traitors to their +country conceal, and which true citizens know how to appreciate, and to +brave for her." + +"And how could I delay longer to fulfill this duty, whilst every successive +day weakens still more the constituted authorities, substitutes the spirit +of party for the will of the people; whilst the audacity of the agitators, +[the disorganizers] imposes silence on peaceable citizens, throws into +retirement useful men, and whilst _devotion_ to the _sect_ or _party_ +stands in the place of _public_ and _private_ virtues, which, in a free +country, ought to be the austere [severe, or strict] and only means of +attaining to public office. + +"It is, after having opposed to all the obstacles, and to all the snares, +which were laid for me, the courageous and persevering patriotism of an +army, sacrificed perhaps to conspiracies against its commander, (Lafayette +was the commander) that I now oppose to this faction the _correspondence_ +of a _ministry, worthy_ representative of its _club_--a correspondence, the +calculations of which are false, its promises vain and illusory--its +information deceitful or frivolous--its advice perfidious or +contradictory--correspondence, in which _after_ pressing me to advance +without precaution--to attack _without means_--they finally began to tell +me that _resistance_ was _impossible_, when I indignantly repelled the +cowardly and base assertion. What a remarkable conformity of language, +gentlemen, between the factions whom the _aristocracy_ avow, and those who +_usurp_ the _name_ of _patriots_! They both wish to overthrow our laws, +rejoice in our disorders, array themselves against the constituted +authorities, detest the national guards (the militia)--preach +insubordination to the army--sow, at one moment, distrust, at another, +discouragement. + +"As to myself, gentlemen, _who embraced the American cause at the moment +when its ambassadors declared to me that it was perilous or desperate_-- +who from that moment have devoted my life to a persevering defence of +liberty and of the sovereignty of the people--who, on the 14th of July, +1789 after the taking of the Bastille, in presenting to my country a +declaration of rights dared to say "that in order that a nation should be +free, it is only necessary that it should _will_ so to be." I come, this +day, full of confidence in the justice of our cause--of contempt, for the +cowards who desert it, and of indignation against the traitors who would +sully or stain it with crimes; I am ready to declare that the French +nation, if it is not the vilest in the universe, can and ought to resist +the conspiracy of kings who have coalesced against it! + +"It is not in the midst of my brave army that timid counsels should be +permitted.--Patriotism, discipline, patience, mutual confidence, all the +military and civil virtues I find here. Here the principles of liberty and +equality are cherished, the laws respected, property held sacred. Here +calumnies and factions are unknown. And when I reflect that France has many +millions who can become _such_ soldiers, I ask myself, to what a degree of +_debasement_ must such an immense people be reduced, stronger in its +natural resources than in its artificial defences, opposing to a monstrous +and discordant confederation, simple and united counsels and combinations, +that the cowardly, degrading idea of sacrificing its soverignty, of +permitting any discussion as to its liberties, of committing to negotiation +its rights, could be considered among the _possibilities_ of a rapidly +advancing futurity! + +"But, in order that we, soldiers of liberty, should combat for her with +efficacy, or _die_ for her with any _fruit_ or advantage, it is necessary +that the number of the defenders of the country should be promptly made in +some degree proportionate to that of our opponents; that the supplies of +all descriptions should be increased so as to facilitate our movements; +that the comfort and conveniences of the troops, their clothes and arms, +their pay, the accommodations for the sick, should no longer be subject to +fatal delays, or to a miserable and misplaced economy, which defeats its +very end. + +"It is _above all, necessary_ that the citizens rallied round their +constitution, should be assured that the rights which that constitution +guarantees shall be respected with a _religious_ fidelity; which will of +itself cause more despair to our enemies than any other measure. + +"Do not repel this desire--this ardent wish. It is that of all the sincere +friends of your legitimate authority; assured that no _unjust_ consequence +or effect can flow from a _pure_ principle--that no tyrannical measure can +save a cause, which owes its _force_, aye, and its glory, to the sacred +principles of liberty and equality. Let criminal jurisprudence resume its +_constitutional_ power. Let civil equality--let religious freedom enjoy the +application of their true principles. In fine, let the reign of the _clubs_ +be _annihilated_ by you; let them give place to the laws--_their_ +usurpations to the firm and independent exercise of the powers of the +constituted authorities--their disorganizing maxims to the true principles +of liberty--their delirious fury to the calm and constant courage of a +nation which knows its rights, and is ready to defend them--in fine, their +sectarian combinations to the true interests of the country, of the nation, +which in a moment of danger ought to unite _all_, except those, to whom its +subjection and ruin are the objects of atrocious pleasure and infamous +speculation. + +"LAFAYETTE." + + +"_Camp of Maubeuge, June_, 16, 1792. + +"SIRE--I have the honor to send your Majesty the copy of a letter to the +National Assembly, in which you will find expressed the sentiments which +have animated me all my life. The King knows with what ardour and +perseverance I have at all times been devoted to the cause of liberty and +to the principles of humanity, equality and justice. He knows, that I have +always been the adversary of _faction_, the enemy of licentiousness, and +that no power which I thought illegal has ever been acknowledged by me. He +is acquainted with my devotion to his constitutional authority, and with my +attachment to his person. Such, Sire, were the grounds of my letter to the +National Assembly; such shall be those of my conduct to the nation and your +Majesty, amidst the storms raised around to by hostile or by factious +combinations. + +"It does not belong to me, Sire, to give greater importance to my opinions +and actions, than what is due to the individual conduct of a simple +citizen. But the expression of my thoughts was always a right, and on this +occasion becomes a duty; and though I should have performed it sooner, if, +instead of being in a camp, I had remained in that retirement from which I +was forced by the dangers of my country: yet I do not think that any public +employment or private consideration exempts me from exercising this duty of +a citizen, this right of a freeman. + +"Persist, Sire, supported by the authority delegated to you by the national +will, in the noble resolution of defending constitutional principles +against all their enemies. Let this resolution, maintained by all the +actions of your private life, as well as by a firm and complete exercise of +the royal power; become the pledge of the harmony, which, particularly, at +this critical juncture, cannot fail to be established between the _elected_ +representatives of the people and their _hereditary_ representative. It is +in this resolution, Sire, that glory and safety will be found for the +country and for yourself. With this you will find the friends of liberty, +all _good_ Frenchmen ranged around your throne, to defend it against the +plots of rebels and the enterprizes of the factious; and I, Sire, who in +their honorable hatred have found the reward of my persevering opposition; +I will always deserve it, by my zeal in the cause to which my whole life +has been devoted, and by my fidelity to the oath I have taken to the +nation, to the law and to the King. Such, Sire, are the unalterable +sentiments I present to your Majesty, with my respect. + +"LAFAYETTE" + + +Letter of Lafayette on leaving Paris to join his army, after having +appeared at the bar of the National Assembly, and protested against their +proceedings, the last of June. + + +"Gentlemen--In returning to the post where brave soldiers are ready to die +for the constitution, but ought not and will not lavish their blood except +for that, I go with great and deep regret in not being able to inform the +army, that the National Assembly have yet deigned to come to any +determination on my petition. [alluding to the request in his letter to the +assembly a short time before, to suppress the Jacobin clubs.] The voice of +all the good citizens of the kingdom, which some factious clamours strive +to stifle, daily call to the elected representatives of the people, that +while there exists near them a sect who fetter all the authorities, and +menace their independence; and who, after provoking war, are endeavoring, +by changing the nature of our cause, to make it impossible to defend it; +that while there is cause to blush at the impunity of an act of treason +against the nation, which has raised just and great alarms in the minds of +all the French, and universal indignation; our liberty, laws and honor are +in danger. Truths like these, free and generous souls are not afraid of +speaking. Hostile to the factious of every kind, indignant at cowards that +can sink so low as to look for foreign interposition, and impressed with +the principle, which I glory in being the first to declare to France, _that +all illegal power is oppression, against which resistance becomes a duty_, +we are anxious to make known our fears to the legislative body. We hope +that the prudence of the representatives of the people will relieve our +minds of them. As for me, gentlemen, who will never alter my principles, +sentiments or language, I thought that the National Assembly, considering +the urgency and danger of circumstances, would permit me to add my regrets +and wishes to my profound respect." + +Noble and generous sentiments, worthy of the disciple of our great +Washington--'worthy of the philanthropic hero and firm friend of civil +liberty'--worthy of the adopted citizen of free and independent America! +Such were the opinions and sentiments of Washington and his friends, in +1794, when our republic was assailed by foreign emissaries, and convulsed +by secret associations at home, who through ignorance or design were +advocates for measures which would have thrown our country into a state of +anarchy and misrule. + +There was still a small majority in the National Assembly who were the +friends of constitutional liberty, and advocates of Lafayette. But the +Jacobins were every day increasing; and they felt confident of the popular +favor. Enraged at his bold and independent conduct, and suspecting, perhaps +that he was a secret supporter of all the wishes of the King, they +denounced Lafayette as a traitor and an enemy to the republic. In this +state of extreme ferment, while he was openly threatened and every attempt +was making to render him odious to the populace, he had the courage (some +might say, the rashness) to proceed to Paris, and present himself to the +bar of the National Assembly. Few men, in such a situation, would have thus +hazarded their lives; but he was strong in conscious rectitude. He appeared +before his enemies with dignity and firmness. "He entreated the assembly to +come forward and save the country from ruin, by dissolving the factious +clubs and inflicting exemplary punishment on the authors of the late +disgraceful riots." His friends were numerous in the Assembly, and probably +the greater number condemned the violent transactions, against which he +raised his voice in the legislative hall of the nation. The national guards +in Paris, also, manifested their attachment to Lafayette. They assembled +before the hotel in which he lodged; and planting a tree of liberty before +the door, which they decorated with ensigns and ribbons, they greeted him +with enthusiastic applause. But he was destined to suffer a reverse of +fortune, and to be the subject of the most unjust and cruel persecution. +The violent party prevailed: Lafayette and constitutional liberty, were +proscribed; and the spirit of anarchy and misrule dictated the violent +proceedings which deluged France in blood. + +Lafayette, finding all his attempts to restore order and to maintain the +constitution in vain, speedily returned to the army on the frontiers. This +must have been a moment of great anxiety and suspense. Some suppose that, +attached as most of the military were to him and supported by his friends +of the moderate party, if he had marched his troops to Paris he might have +defended the King from indignity, and restored the reign of law. But this +is doubtful. The probability is, that with his love of justice and his +correct principles, he could not persuade himself "that the end would +justify the means;" and that he chose rather to submit to a cruel destiny, +than to violate the constitution he had sworn to support, by resorting to +physical force for the accomplishment of honorable purposes, and to be the +occasion even indirectly of increasing the misery, in which his unhappy +country was involved. He was, indeed, accused by his enemies of a design to +march to Paris with his troops and to force the assembly into a compliance +with his views. But this was a most unfounded calumny. When the minister +for the home department wrote to him on the subject, in the name of the +Assembly he replied--"If I were questioned respecting my principles, I +should say, that as a constant proclaimer and defender of the rights of +man, and the sovereignty of the people, I have every where and always +resisted authorities which liberty disavowed and which the national will +had not delegated; and that I have every where and always obeyed those, of +which a free constitution had fixed the forms and the limits. But I am +questioned respecting a fact--Did I propose to Marshal Luckner to march to +Paris with our armies? To which I answer in four words--_It is not true_." + +Under the pretence that General Lafayette was meditating some plan hostile +to the cause of liberty, or designed to aid the King in another attempt to +escape from France, three commissioners were sent to counteract his +movements. But he was notified of their appointment, and ordered their +arrest before they reached his army. He knew they were deputed by a +faction, and hoped the assembly would return to more moderate and just +views. He addressed the following letter to the troops under his command. +"It is no longer time to conceal from you what is going forward. The +constitution you swore to maintain is no more; a troop of factious men +besieged the palace of the Tuilleries; the national and Swiss guards made a +brave resistance, but they were obliged to surrender, and were inhumanly +murdered. The King, Queen and all the royal family escaped to the National +Assembly; the factious ran thither, holding a sword in one hand and fire in +the other, and forced the legislative body to supersede the King, which was +done for the sake of saving his life. Citizens, you are no longer +represented; the National Assembly are in a state of slavery; Petion +reigns; the savage Danton and his satellites are masters. Thus it is for +you to determine whether you will support the hereditary representative of +the throne, or submit to the disgrace of having a Petion for your king." + +The appeal was in vain. Though a momentary respond was given by the +soldiers to the sentiments of their magnanimous commander, the baleful +influence of faction had corrupted many of them; and finding himself robbed +of the confidence of the army, as well as of the assembly, and thus +deprived of all hope of being useful to his country, he quitted France, +with an intention of retiring to America, where he had just reason to +expect a grateful reception. + +Thus terminated the revolutionary career of Lafayette; through the whole of +which he appears to the impartial observer to have acted an honorable and +disinterested part. If he committed faults, they were those of opinion or +judgment; in sincerity and in zealous devotion to the liberty of his +country, he was exceeded by none. He may justly be considered "an +illustrious confessor of regulated liberty." His great object was to reform +existing abuses, to lay the foundation of constitutional freedom: and with +all his zeal for the recognition and the support of the rights of man, he +was desirous of preserving a just measure of authority in the crowns and +maintaining a sacred regard to law and justice. That he failed in his +wishes of introducing into France a more mild and popular government, is +matter of regret with the friends of civil liberty in America. But he +cannot justly be censured by them for the failure of his object, or for the +excesses which attended the revolution. The violent proceedings of the +jacobins, which excited so much horror among the friends of regulated +liberty in other countries, were opposed by him personally with singular +firmness and constancy. He distinguished, with great accuracy, between the +will of the people and the clamours of a faction; and between the +deliberate acts of the legislature sanctioned by the constitution, and the +hasty sentence or orders of a party, adopted without the usual forms of +law, so necessary to the order and welfare of society. + +Lafayette was arrested by an Austrian General, and delivered over to the +King of Prussia, who ordered him to be confined in a prison at Wesel and at +Magdeburg. Here he suffered some time, when he was removed to the fortress +of Olmutz. In this place he was kept under the most rigorous confinement-- +enduring the privations and severity fit only to be inflicted on the +greatest criminals. + +After a close confinement of several weeks in the common prison at Wesel, +he was removed to Magdeburg, and thence to Olmutz. At Magdeburg he was +confined for a year, in a dark and solitary dungeon; during which he was +offered his liberty, on condition of his joining with the enemies of +France. He spurned the proposal with indignation; and preferred +imprisonment and indignity, to treachery or hostility to his own country. +When first taken into custody, he was treated with insult by the people of +some places through which he was conducted; but afterwards, a deep interest +was manifested in his behalf, and the warmest sympathy was expressed for +his unfortunate condition. + +The following is an extract from a letter of Lafayette in 1793, while +confined at Magdeburg. + +"Since my captivity, but one political paper has reached me, and that is +yours for February. I appreciate, with deep sensibility, the justice you +render my sentiments, and the approbation you bestow upon my conduct. Your +commendations are greatly beyond my deserts; but your kind exaggerations +contain, at this moment, something so generous, I cannot withhold from you +my thanks, that you have enabled me to hear the voice of liberty honoring +my tomb. My situation is peculiarly strange. I have sacrificed my +republican partialities to the state and wishes of the nation: I obeyed the +sovereign power where I found it vested, in the constitution. My popularity +was as great as I could desire; for the legislative body defended me better +on the 8th of August, than it defended itself on the 10th. But I became +obnoxious to the _Jacobins_, because I reprobated their aristocracy, which +aimed at usurping all legitimate authority. + +"From Constantinople to Lisbon, from Kamschatka to Amsterdam, every +bastille is ready to receive me. The Huron and Iroquois forests are peopled +with my friends; the despots and the courts of Europe, they are the only +savages I fear. I am aware that the laws of England would protect me, +though the court of St. James is opposed to me: but I cannot seek +protection in a country at war with my own. _America_, the country of my +heart, would welcome me with joy. Yet my fears for the future destiny of +France, induce me to give the preference to Switzerland, at least for the +present." + +After this, he was confined about four years in the prison of Olmutz, when +Henry Bollman, a young German physician, and Francis Huger, an American, +(son of Colonel Huger, of South Carolina, who had first received Lafayette +when he arrived in the United States, in 1777,) made great personal +sacrifices, and exposed themselves to imminent dangers to effect his +escape. General Washington also, then President of the United States, +repeatedly solicited his release, on the ground of his being an American +citizen, as he really was by a legal adoption. But his requests were vain. +It was not consistent with the policy of the "Legitimates" of Europe, to +show any favor to such a friend of liberty as Lafayette, or to listen to +the honorable application of the chief magistrate of the American republic. + +We have already seen frequent proofs of the peculiar regard which +Washington cherished for Lafayette. He did not forget him when immured in +the prison at Olmutz. Such was the state of political affairs in Europe, +such the suspicions both of the jacobins in France, and the advocates for +monarchy in the surrounding nations, that a formal and public request for +the release of Lafayette, would have been of no avail. It would probably +have added to the severity of his treatment by his implacable enemies. The +American ministers residing at foreign courts were instructed, however, to +suggest on proper occasions, the wishes of the President of the United +States, for his enlargement. A confidential person was sent to Berlin to +solicit his discharge. But Lafayette had been placed in the custody of the +Austrian cabinet, before the messenger arrived. The American envoy at the +court of St. James, exerted himself in favour of the heroic friend of +Washington, but without effect. As the last resource, the President wrote +directly to the Emperor of Germany on the subject. Justice both to +Washington and Lafayette requires the recital of the letter. + +"It will readily occur to your majesty, that occasions may sometimes exist, +on which official considerations would constrain the chief of a nation to +be silent and passive in relation even to objects which affect his +sensibility, and claim his interposition as a man. Finding myself precisely +in this situation at present, I take the liberty of writing this private +letter to your majesty, being persuaded that my motives will also be my +apology for it. + +"In common with the people of this country, I retain a strong and cordial +sense of the services rendered to them by the Marquis de Lafayette; and my +friendship for him has been constant and sincere. It is natural, therefore, +that I should sympathize with him and his family in their misfortunes; and +endeavour to mitigate the calamities they experience, among which his +present confinement is not the least distressing. + +"I forbear to enlarge on this delicate subject. Permit me only to submit to +your majesty's consideration, whether his long imprisonment and the +confiscation of his estate, and the indigence and dispersion of his family, +and the painful anxieties incident to all these circumstances, do not form +an assemblage of sufferings which recommend him to the mediation of +humanity? Allow me, Sir, on this occasion to be its organ; and to entreat +that he may be permitted to come to this country, on such conditions as +your majesty may think it expedient to prescribe. + +"As it is a maxim with me not to ask what, under similar circumstances, I +would not grant, your majesty will do me the justice to believe that this +request appears to me, to correspond with those great principles of +magnanimity and wisdom, which form the basis of sound policy and durable +glory."--But his imperial majesty was either destitute of the _humanity_ +and _magnanimity_, to which Washington appealed; or was prevented granting +the request, through some promises to an "_holy alliance_," which even then +existed among the princes of Europe. + +Several members of the British Parliament made an effort, at this time, for +the enlargement of Lafayette and his three friends from the dungeon of +Olmutz. General Fitzpatrick moved for an address to his majesty, stating +"that the detention of Lafayette and others by order of the King of Prussia +and Emperor of Austria, was dishonorable to the cause of the allies, and +praying him to interfere for their release." In support of his motion, he +remarked, that although Lafayette was imprisoned by the allied powers on +the continent, yet the government of Great Britain would be implicated in +the cruel act, unless it should attempt his liberation, as it had now +become a member of the coalition against the anarchical conduct of the +French. He contended that justice and humanity required them to intercede +in behalf of this oppressed and injured man. The generous Briton insisted, +that Lafayette, though a friend to civil liberty, was a firm advocate for +constitutional principles, and was in favor of the power of the King as in +a limited monarchy: and made a powerful appeal to the generosity and honor +of his countrymen, to unite in soliciting for the freedom of Lafayette. +Colonel Tarlton, then a member of Parliament, who had been opposed to +Lafayette in America, in the campaign of 1781, supported the motion of his +military friend; and with great eloquence, urged the propriety and justice +of his liberation. Mr. Fox also spoke in favor of an address to the King, +for this humane purpose. But their arguments and their eloquence were vain. +It did not consist with the existing policy of the British cabinet, to +listen to the proposition. The motion was lost by a large majority. + +Bollman proceeded to Olmutz, and thence to Vienna, where he was so +fortunate as to meet with young Huger; and they cordially united in the +humane and chivalrous project of rescuing the generous Lafayette, They both +repaired immediately to Olmutz, and there became acquainted with two other +gentlemen, who favoured their benevolent scheme. But the difficulty of +effecting it can be easily imagined. A physician of Olmutz was engaged to +make known the plan to Lafayette, when he visited him in prison, then in +reality, or apparently in a debilitated state of health. He had, in fact, +been attacked with fever at Magdeburg, which at one time was feared would +terminate his valuable life, and from the effects of which he had not fully +recovered. By him a note was communicated to Lafayette, which he answered +with his blood. In a short time, the physician prevailed on the governor of +the city to permit his prisoner to take an airing, occasionally, in a +coach, attended by a guard. It was concerted, that in one of his short +excursions with the governor, he should leave the carriage under some +pretence, when he was to be joined by Bollman and Huger, and immediately +conducted under cover of a dark night, to the confines of Silesia, beyond +the territory of the Emperor of Austria. He alighted from the carriage, +near a small wood, and his generous friends, who were ready to protect him, +immediately attempted to convey him away on horseback; but the guard, which +accompanied the carriage, suspecting some design, pushed forward into the +wood, and attempted to seize the noble prisoner, and his brave friends. A +desperate struggle ensued, in which the Marquis was wounded; but they +succeeded in escaping from the guard. Huger was seen and followed by some +of the peasantry; and after a long pursuit was overtaken and secured. The +governor and his guard returned to Olmutz; alarm guns were immediately +fired, and the whole population for several miles was soon engaged in +search of Lafayette and Bollman. They were taken in the course of the +evening, at the distance of about ten miles from Olmutz, and conveyed back +to the prison, where a most rigorous confinement awaited them. Lafayette +was put in irons, and suffered the most excruciating torture. He was in a +feeble state, overcome by fatigue, and suffering greatly from the bruises +and wounds received in his late attempt to escape. "His anxieties, his +anguish (and despair we may almost say,) at finding himself again in the +power of his unrelenting jailor, so affected his nerves, that his fever +returned with increased and alarming violence. In this state he was allowed +nothing but a little damp and mouldy straw; irons were put round his feet, +and round his waist was a chain, fastened to the wall, which barely +permitted him to turn from one side to the other. No light was admitted +into his cell; and he was refused even the smallest allowance of linen. + +"The winter of 1794-95 was very severe, but his inhuman jailors did not +relax from the rigour of prescribed and systematic oppression. It seemed, +indeed as if their object was to put an end to their victim's existence by +this ingenious device of incessant cruelty. Worn down by disease and the +rigour of the season, his hair fell from his head, and he was emaciated to +the last degree. To these physical distresses were soon super added those +mental anxieties, which perhaps, were still more difficult to endure. The +only information he could obtain respecting the fate of his wife and +children, for whom he felt the greatest solicitude, was, that they were +confided in the prisons of Paris: and in reply to his enquiries concerning +his most generous friends, Bollman and Huger, he was informed by his +unfeeling tormentors that they were soon to perish by the hands of the +hangman." + +Bollman and Huger were kept in close confinement in the prison at Olmutz, +for some time, for having attempted to rescue Lafayette from his cruel +imprisonment. The keepers of the prison were unfeeling men; and instead of +slowing any favour to their prisoners, who ought to have received their +admiration, subjected them to unnecessary severity. They were subjected to +strict examination, after a long confinement, and the sentence of their +judges was in favour of their liberation, on paying a large amount to +government. By the aid of some generous friends, they were furnished with +the requisite sums, and discharged from the prison. But Lafayette was still +detained in prison, and in the same suffering and shameful condition as +before mentioned. It was several months before his irons and chains were +removed; which was effected through the very benevolent individuals, who +had secretly favoured his recent attempt to escape; but who, happily both +for him and themselves, were not suspected of any agency in the plot: these +were an opulent Jewish merchant, and the chief surgeon to the prisoners. +They prevailed also with the civil authority to grant permission to the +Marquis to walk an hour each day, in front of the prison, though in custody +of a strong guard of soldiers, and no one was allowed to speak to him. + +Unutterably painful and distressing must have been the situation of Madame +Lafayette ever after the fatal day, when her beloved and affectionate +husband felt it his duty to depart from France, and leave her and their +three children unprotected, and subject to the insults and severities of an +enraged and lawless mob. She and her two daughters, then about fifteen and +twelve, were cast into prison in Paris. The family estates were +confiscated, and most of his particular friends fell by the stroke of the +guillotine. In this agonizing condition, she maintained the most wonderful +fortitude and patience; without uncommon firmness and sincere trust in +providence, she must have sunk under such deep and complicated distress. +While she was in prison, she was often found in a retired spot, engaged in +holy and humble supplication to heaven. When she was released from the +prison, after about twenty months of degrading confinement, her +constitution was greatly enfeebled, and her friends and physician advised +her to seek repose at some retired place in the country. But she refused, +and feeble and emaciated as she was, she resolved to proceed immediately to +Olmutz, and to bury herself in prison with her husband, unless she could +possibly procure his liberation. With this purpose in view, she went first +to Vienna, to endeavour to concilitate the favor and influence of the +Emperor. Through the friendly interposition of two noble females, +acquainted at court, she was admitted to an audience with the Emperor. + +He received her graciously, and professed a desire that her request might +be fulfilled; but gave no positive orders for the liberation of Lafayette +because his _political_ engagements with other courts prevented it. He, +however, consented that she might visit her husband. She accordingly +repaired to Olmutz, to minister, as an angel of light, to his comfort, +though not clothed with power to give him that liberty, which they ardently +hoped. She and her daughters shared with him the confinement of a dreary +prison, for nearly two years. It was not until 1797, that they were set at +liberty: and this was immediately owing to the influence of General +Bonaparte, on his victories over the Austrians in that year. Lafayette +expressed his gratitude for this generous interference; but he made no +sacrifice of principle, and was never his admirer or supporter. + +While confined in the prison of Olmutz, with her husband, Madame Lafayette, +whose health was much impaired by her sorrows and suffering, requested +leave to visit Vienna for a week. She was informed her request would be +granted on condition, that her daughters should be kept in a separate +apartment from their father, and that she herself would never again enter +the prison. She declined the offer, with indignation. Her letter on the +subject, concludes thus-"Whatever may be the state of my own health and the +inconvenience attending the stay of my daughters in this place we will most +gratefully take advantage of the goodness his imperial majesty has +expressed towards us, by the _permission to share in the miseries of this +captivity_." + +When the Emperor of Austria agreed to his liberation, he proposed certain +conditions, to which Lafayette refused his assent. One was that he should +immediately leave Europe and embark to America. "This", said the +noble-minded Marquis, "has often been my desire and intention: but as +my consent to this proposition, at the present moment, would be an +acknowledgment of his right to impose such a condition, I cannot comply +with the demand."--The other was, that as the principles which Lafayette +professed were supposed to be incompatible with the safety of the Austrian +government, the Emperor could not consent that he should again enter his +territory without a special permission. To this Lafayette replied, "that +there already existed antecedent obligations, of which he could not divest +himself; partly towards America, but chiefly towards France; and that he +could not engage to do any thing, which should interfere with the rights of +his country to his personal services. With these exceptions, he assured the +Emperor's ambassador, that it was his firm resolution not to set foot again +on any part of his Majesty's dominions." + +When he was set free from the long and severe incarceration at Olmutz, +Lafayette proceeded to the neutral city of Hamburg, with his family; where +he received the kindest and most respectful attentions from some American +gentlemen, then in that place, and also from many of the distinguished +citizens, who cherished the highest regard for his character, and his +meritorious services in the cause of liberty. It was at this time, that his +son, George Washington Lafayette, joined the family, on his return from the +United States, where he had just then passed several years. After a short +residence in Hamburg, Lafayette accepted the invitation of an Hanoverian +nobleman, and passed some time at his elegant chateau in Holstein, where +his eldest daughter was married to Latour Maubourg, a brother of one of the +Marquis' staff officers, who retired with him from France, August 1792; and +had shared with him the severities of the prison of Magdeburg and Olmutz. +He then resided some time in the family of a French emigrant, living in +that vicinity, and who was a distant relative of Madame Lafayette. In this +situation he studied the agriculture of Holstein; and gave particular +attention to the raising of merino sheep, an object in which he was also +engaged after his return to La Grange, his country seat near Paris. + +In 1800 a new revolution took place in the French government. The Directors +were found to be incompetent to the support of order; cabals and factions +still existed, and confusion prevailed through the nation. General +Bonaparte, who had led the armies to victory in several campaigns, was +ambitious of the sole direction of public affairs. The executive power, by +the new constitution, was to be placed in three Consuls, of whom Napoleon +was elected chief. A Conservative Senate, so called, was to constitute a +part of the Legislature and to be joined with the Consuls also in providing +for the public welfare in cases of particular emergency. By the +constitutionalists and those opposed to the violent factions, by which +France had been long agitated and disgraced, this change was considered as +auspicious to the cause of rational liberty. They hoped that a more stable +government would be now formed, and that their country would enjoy a season +of repose. Lafayette seized this favorable moment to return to France, +after an absence of nearly eight years. His patriotic feelings had not +abated, though he had suffered so long and so intensely from the hatred of +those who directed the destinies of his country. His love of liberty was +not weakened, though many of his countrymen, with its sacred name on their +lips, had committed excesses almost without a parallel in the most despotic +governments. The First Consul incited Lafayette to take a seat in the +Conservative Senate; but he declined; by which he gave new proofs of his +disinterested and sincere attachment to the constitutional liberty and the +rights of the people. After several conversations with Bonaparte, he was +satisfied of the ambitious views of this military adventurer. He perceived +that the constitution was to serve as an apology for the exercise of +unlimited power in the First Consul; and that representatives and senators +were to be the humble ministers of his will. He saw that the constitution +did not emanate from the will of the people; and was not calculated to +secure and promote their welfare. Bonaparte also had discernment to learn, +that Lafayette was too sincere a friend to civil liberty and to the +interests of the people, to support his purposes, or to submit to his plans +of personal aggrandizement. + +We shall have a more just estimation of the noble sentiments with which +Lafayette was animated, in declining the generous offers of the First +Consul, when it is considered, that, in addition to his self-banishment to +private life, he also refused an honorable salary of 7000 dollars, when the +estates which remained in his possession yielded only 2000 dollars. He had +a grant of land from the American Congress, in consideration of his +important services in the revolution, estimated to be worth 100,000 +dollars. Before the revolution, his income was 50,000 dollars: but the most +valuable of his patrimonial property, as well as that which accrued to him +in consequence of his marriage, had been seized by the lawless robbers of +the revolution. + +It was in conformity to the principles, which he had long professed and by +which he was constantly guided, that he soon after opposed the election of +Bonaparte as Consul for life. He would have consented, perhaps, to the +claims of the aspiring Napoleon to be the First Magistrate of France, under +a constitution, which expressly defined and restricted his power, and at +the same time provided a sufficient guaranty of the liberties of the +people. + +On this occasion he wrote thus to the First Consul--"When a man, who is +deeply impressed with a sense of the gratitude he owes you, and who is too +ardent a lover of glory to be indifferent to yours, connects his suffrage +with conditional restrictions, those restrictions not only secure him from +suspicion, but prove amply, that no one will more gladly than himself +behold in you the chief magistrate for life, of a free and independent +republic. + +"The eighteenth Brumaire saved France from destruction and I felt myself +reassured and recalled by the liberal declarations to which you have +connected the sanction of your honor. In your consular authority there was +afterwards discerned that salutary dictatorial prerogative, which under the +auspices of a genius like yours, accomplished such glorious purposes--yet +less glorious, let me add, than the restoration of liberty would prove. + +"It is not possible, general, that you, the first among that order of +mankind, which surveys every age and every country, can desire that a +revolution, marked by an unexampled series of stupendous victories and +unheard of sufferings, shall give nothing to the world but a renovated +system of arbitrary government. The people of this country have been +acquainted with their rights too long, to forget them forever: but perhaps +they may recover and enjoy them better now than during the period of +revolutionary effervescence. And you, by the strength of your character and +the influence of public confidence, by the superiority of your talents, +your power, and your fortunes, in re-establishing the liberties of France, +can allay all agitations, calm all anxieties and subdue all dangers. + +"When I wish, then, to see the career of your glory crowned by the honors +of perpetual magistracy, I but act in correspondence with my own private +sentiments, and am influenced exclusively by patriotic considerations. But +all my political and moral obligations, the principles which have governed +every action of my life, call on me to pause before I bestow on you my +suffrage, until I feel assured that your authority shall be erected on a +basis worthy of the nation and yourself. + +"I confidently trust, general, that you will recognize here, as you have +done on all other occasions, a steady continuance of my political opinions, +combined with the sincerest prayers for your welfare, and the deepest sense +of all my obligations towards you." + +Here closed all connexion between Lafayette and Bonaparte. The First Consul +not only avoided all intercourse with one so sincerely devoted to the cause +of liberty; but he treated him with that studied neglect, which was little +short of persecution. There was indeed nothing congenial either in the +character or principles of these two distinguished men. The one was aiming +at power by any means, without regard to the rights or happiness of his +fellow men; the other was anxious for the permanent establishment of a mild +government in his native country, for the true welfare and liberty of the +people; and was willing to make every sacrifice for the attainment of such +great objects. + +The unfriendly feelings of Bonaparte were extended even to the younger +Lafayette. This patriotic youth, with much of the public spirit of his +noble father, engaged in the service of his country soon after his return +from America. He was an aid of the brave Grouchy, general of division; an +active, intelligent, meritorious officer, and distinguished on various +occasions. But he received neither advancement nor distinction from the +Emperor. It was, on the contrary, the wish of Napoleon, that young +Lafayette would send in his resignation, and retire from the army. When +this was made known to him, he observed, "that as long as his country was +involved in war, he should not disgrace himself by a resignation; and that +he should be ashamed to think of it, while his companions were daily +exposing themselves to danger. It was true, he was an American citizen, but +he was first of all a Frenchman and a loyal Frenchman." + +G. W. Lafayette was much esteemed by the officers who knew him, of all +ranks; and they frequently solicited his promotion; but the Emperor +disregarded alike the merits of the youthful hero and the entreaties of his +military friends. He continued in the army until the treaty of Tilsit. + +To a man of his great sensibility and warmth of affection, the severest +affliction which Lafayette has been called to endure, great and various as +have been his sufferings, now awaited him. His amiable, his attached and +devoted wife was torn from him, in his retreat, within a few years after +his return to France; when he more than ever, perhaps, needed her company +and solace, to fortify his mind under the multiplied disappointments from +the world. + +She had never enjoyed perfect health after her imprisonment at Olmutz. But +possessed of uncommon fortitude and imbued with religious sentiments, she +was still instrumental in promoting the happiness of her husband and +family. Her patience, her equanimity, her sweetness of temper never forsook +her. But her constitution was broken, and a sudden paralysis deprived her +of her physical strength and almost of speech. At the urgent request of her +husband, though with reluctance, she was conveyed to Paris for medical +assistance; but it proved in vain. She died in December 1807. + +While Madame de Lafayette was in the prison in Paris, though treated with +the greatest severity by Robespierre and his party, she had the consolation +of sharing in the sympathetic kindness and assistance of many individuals, +who were willing to expose themselves to the hatred of her cruel +persecutors for her relief. A gentleman from Boston, Joseph Russel, Esq. +then a resident in Paris, made great efforts for her liberation; although +by this generous interference he hazarded his own life. It was through his +friendly assistance, that her son G. W. Lafayette, then about fourteen +years of age, was conveyed to the United States, where he remained till the +discharge of his parents from the dungeons of Olmutz. + +About this period, and soon after the death of his amiable wife, General +Lafayette received a severe fracture in one of his legs, by a fall, which +occasioned his confinement for nearly twelve months, and was the cause of +his present lameness. He had been transacting business with the minister of +the marine; and in going from the office to his carriage, a distance of two +hundred paces, late in the evening, after a heavy rain and sleet, which had +rendered it dangerous walking, he fell suddenly and broke a bone. + +For six or seven years, till 1814, when Louis XVIII. returned to France to +mount the throne of the Bourbons, Lafayette resided at his chateau of La +Grange, an inactive spectator of the political changes which took place. No +doubt he had a sufficient apology for this inaction and voluntary retreat +from public affairs. He was too honest and too candid, too much an enemy to +the anarchy of the jacobin factions, and to the despotism of the Emperor, +to support either, or to be received into their confidence. He would +probably have been satisfied with the restoration of a Bourbon to the +throne, if the throne could be founded in a constitution, admitting the +representatives of the people to a share in legislation, and defining the +extent and the measure of the executive authority. He was animated by the +same principles and sentiments which governed him in the part he acted in +1789 and 1792: and although he might acquiesce in a different government, +either under the First Consul, or under Louis XVIII. he could not, +consistently, and therefore he chose not to forward their views by his own +personal influence and support. He was still calumniated by some agents of +the Bourbons, yet he declared, on the return of Bonaparte from Elba, to +gain the throne of France, "that in all measures, which should promote or +be consistent with the liberties of the people, he would aid the cause of +the legitimate heir of the crown." The views of Louis' friends and allies +were too arbitrary to lead them to expect his approbation and aid. + +Louis XVIII. had not been long in France, before great discontent was +manifested among the citizens at the prospect of his being placed on the +throne of his brother. Napoleon and his friends took advantage of this +state of things: he left his retreat in the Island of Elba, and returned to +Paris. Louis was obliged to retire. Bonaparte, through his brother Joseph, +the ex-king of Spain, solicited of Lafayette to accept of a peerage. But he +promptly declined; but observed, "that if there should be a convocation of +a chamber of representatives," which he strenuously urged, "he would +consent to take a part in public affairs, should he be elected." His +independence and his want of faith in Napoleon, were preserved, +notwithstanding the urgent advances of the latter; and he resolutely +refused to go near him till after his final abdication. Yet even at this +time, Lafayette thought he might rely on "his cordial opposition to all +foreign invasion and influence, and to any family or party which should +avail itself of such assistance in order to attack the independence and the +liberties of France." Much as he distrusted the views of Bonaparte, and +desirous as he was of some explicit guaranty, from him and his supporters, +for the liberty of the French people, he would not unite with the Bourbons, +who were resolved to place Louis XVIII. firmly on the throne of his +ancestors, by any means in their power, and who had collected an army of +one million two hundred thousand foreigners to accomplish their object, at +the risque of a civil war, and a general slaughter, similar to that with +which the unprincipled, revolutionary Jacobins had before afflicted the +nation. + +Lafayette was now elected a member of the chamber of deputies from his own +department, though he had protested against the articles of the +constitution of the empire, and of the additional act which conspired +against the _sovereignty_ of the people, and the rights of the citizens. +This was a strong proof of the sense the people had of his integrity and +his patriotism. After the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon returned to Paris, +in consternation, and undecided as to the course he would pursue on this +signal reverse of fortune. Some of his friends advised him again to +abdicate the office of Emperor, which he held by so precarious a tenure; +others suggested decisive and bold measures, with a view to fortify himself +in power, even in apposition to the will and wishes of the deputies. He +attempted to prorogue the chamber of representatives, and have himself +proclaimed perpetual dictator. Lafayette was then present in the chamber; +and with his usual independence and energy, made the following +observations. + +"When, for the first time for many years, I raise my voice; which the old +friends of liberty will recognise again, I feel constrained to address you, +gentlemen, on the imminent danger of the country, which you alone are able +to prevent. + +"Disastrous reports have been circulated and are now unhappily confirmed. +Now is the time to rally round the old tri-coloured standard of 1789, of +liberty, of equality, and of public order. It is this alone which we are +bound to defend against foreign pretensions and domestic factions. Allow a +veteran in this holy cause, who has always been an enemy to the baneful +spirit of dissension, to submit the following preliminary resolutions" of +which I hope you will admit the necessity. + +"_First_. The Chamber of Representatives declare that the independence of +the nation is endangered. + +"_Second_. The Chamber declare themselves in continued session--That every +attempt to prorogue the Chamber shall be considered high treason--That any +one guilty of such an attempt shall be deemed a traitor to his country, and +be instantly proceeded against as such. + +"_Third_. The army of the line and the national guards, who have fought and +are still fighting for the independence of France, deserve the gratitude of +their Country. + +"_Fourth_. The minister of the interior is directed to assemble the general +staff, the commandants and majors of the legion of the national guard of +Paris, to consult on the means of supplying them with arms, and to render +complete this citizen-guard; whose zeal and patriotism having been proved +for twenty-six years, offer a sure guaranty of the liberty, the property +and the tranquility of the capital, and of the inviolability of the +representatives of the nation. + +"_Fifth_. The ministers of war, of foreign relations, of the interior and +of the police, are invited to attend the assembly immediately." + +When the Emperor was informed that Lafayette was in the tribune, and +engaged in the discussions on the proposition of constituting him dictator +for life, he expressed great alarm and anxiety. He knew the sentiments of +Lafayette too well, not to feel assured of his opposition to such a +measure. For this consistent and zealous advocate for the rights of the +people had always been hostile to a chief magistrate, under any title, who +should possess absolute power; and contended for a constitution to limit +and define the executive authority. It was then that. Bonaparte exclaimed, +"Lafayette in the tribune!" and his great agitation betrayed the belief, +that his power was at an end. In this situation, his armies defeated, and +the representatives of the people opposed to his wishes of a _perpetual_ +dictatorship, he gave formal notice of his purpose to abdicate the imperial +authority. Lafayette was at the head of the deputation appointed by the +chamber of representatives, to wait on the Emperor, to accept and thank him +for his abdication, A few days before this, when the deputies were accused +of being capricious and ungrateful, by a friend of Napoleon, Lafayette +observed, in reply, "go tell him that we can trust him no longer; we +ourselves will undertake the salvation of our country." + +Although he opposed the ambitious views of Bonaparte, and boldly and +decidedly remonstrated against his intention of again assuming absolute +power, yet he moved in the chamber of Representatives, at this time, that +the liberty and person of the late Emperor Napoleon should be placed under +the protection of the French nation; expecting, probably, that the allied +princes of Europe, already in the vicinity of Paris with powerful armies, +would take his life, or cause him to be imprisoned. + +Lafayette was one of the Commissioners appointed by the Chamber of Deputies +to propose to the allied powers a suspension of hostilities. His object was +to provide for the liberty of the people and to exact a promise of some +limitations and restrictions to the royal authority. But the friends and +supporters of the Bourbon dynasty, the hereditary princes of Europe, had a +powerful army in the suburbs of Paris, and they refused to make any terms +with the most moderate and honorable advocates of popular rights. Though +one tyrant was overthrown; another was to be _forced_ upon them: not +precisely an usurper indeed; but who, without a constitution for his guide, +and surrounded by men of arbitrary principles might be instrumental in +their oppression and degradation. When he returned to Paris, he found the +invading armies in possession of the city. Napoleon escaped, and _nominal_ +tranquility was restored to the capital of France. But it was a tranquility +produced by a military force; and not that which is the effect of a wise +and energetic government founded in the will of the people. The doors of +the assembly were closed against the representatives of the people, by the +_gens d'armes_, the agents who restored the Bourbon dynasty. Many of the +deputies then assembled at the house of Lafayette; at whose instance they +repaired to the President's to record their testimony to this forced and +unjust exclusion, and to sign the _proces verbal_. + +As he alike disapproved of Louis or Napoleon assuming the power of King or +Emperor, without a bill of rights securing the privileges of the people, +and a constitution as the rule and measure of executive acts, it was no +longer in his power to render service to his country is a public station: +nor did the favorites of Louis XVIII. invite him to take part in the +administration of government, which they proposed to establish. It may +appear surprising, on the first view of the subject, that the friends of a +monarch of the reputed mild character of Louis, who must wish the greatest +happiness of his subjects, should refuse to such men as Lafayette, all +share in the government; and at the same time, take into their employment +and confidence, many of the creatures of Bonaparte, who were destitute +alike of principle and patriotism. But it is often found to be the fact, +that the sincere and honest, who will not flatter, and do not approve all +the projects of an ambitious aspirant, or an arbitrary Prince, are less +courted, than those who have no settled principles, or one ever ready to +support the successful candidate for power. + +Except the short and occasional engagements in political concerns, just +above related, Lafayette, after his return to France in the year 1800, +generally remained at his estate, about thirty miles from Paris. But though +retired from the more active scenes of public life, he enjoyed the +friendship of several eminent characters in his own country; and was +visited by all distinguished Americans, and many British statesmen and +scholars, whose business or amusement led them to travel through France. He +was always particularly desirous to learn the affairs of America, his +adopted country; and was careful to procure all the publications from the +United States. Besides literary pursuits, he was occasionally occupied in +attending to the cultivation and improvement of his family estate. Such has +frequently been the employment and solace of eminent men, when they have +retired from high public stations, in which their services and exactions +have met the mistaken censure or the neglect of the world. During several +of the first years of this retirement, he was blessed with the society of +an amiable and affectionate wife. And after her much lamented death, which +has been before noticed, he still enjoyed the pleasure of being surrounded +by his children and grand children, in whose education and improvement he +always took a truly paternal interest. + +At the time the federal constitution was in discussion by conventions in +the several states, and when it first went into operation, Alexander +Hamilton, who was its zealous advocate, corresponded with Lafayette on the +subject. The letters have not been published; but it is probable they would +be highly interesting to the politician and statesman, and serve fully to +develop the views of both these eminent men on the science of civil +government. This was about the period of the commencement of the French +revolution. The particular extent of the change in the monarchical +government of France, contemplated by Lafayette, may appear by this +epistolary discussion. If not wholly confidential, it may be expected, that +the letters will be given to the American public. + +His second daughter, Virginia, married Monsieur de Lasteyrie, a young +gentleman of eminent literary attainments; and who distinguished himself, +also, as an officer in the French army, during the reign of Napoleon; +particularly in the campaign of Jena, Eylau, Friedland, &c. But this brave +and meritorious officer shared, with his brother-in-law, G. W. Fayette, the +constant neglect and hatred of Bonaparte. G. W. Fayette was married to a +daughter of Count de Tracy, one of the party of moderates, or liberals, as +often denominated, and sometime a member of the conservative senate. The +son and sons-in-law of General Lafayette, reside at the same chateau with +their father; which is sufficiently spacious, not only for the respectable +accommodation of the four united families, the father, son and two +sons-in-law; but for the reception and occasional residence of family or +other particular friends, who often pass much time in this hospitable +mansion. Monsieur de Maubourg, an old and intimate friend of General +Lafayette, with his lady, usually spend the greater part of the year at the +chateau of La Grange. The son, and eldest daughter, who married Charles +Latour Maubourg, have each several children, who are peculiar objects of +affection and interest with their respected grandsire: + +The following remarks of Madame de Stael, who personally knew much of +General Lafayette, [Footnote: She was also an intimate friend of Madame de +Lafayette. They were accused, in the days of suspicion and terror, of being +too much engaged in political affairs.] and who was well acquainted with +characters and events connected with the French revolution, are deemed +worthy of being presented to the reader of these hasty memoirs. + +"M. de Lafayette, having fought from his early youth for the cause of +America, had early become imbued with the principles of liberty, which form +the basis of that government. If he made mistakes with regard to the French +revolution, we are to ascribe them all to his admiration of the American +institutions, and of Washington, the hero citizen, who guided the first +steps of that nation in the career of Independence. Lafayette, young, +affluent, of noble family, and beloved at home, relinquished all these +advantages at the age of nineteen, to serve beyond the ocean in the cause +of that liberty, the love of which has decided every action of his life. +Had he had the happiness to be a native of the United States, his conduct +would have been that of Washington: the same disinterestedness, the same +enthusiasm, the same perseverance in their opinions, distinguished each of +these generous friends of humanity. Had General Washington been, like the +Marquis de Lafayette, commander of the national guard of Paris, he also +might have found it impossible to control the course of circumstances; _he_ +also might have seen his efforts baffled by the difficulty of being at once +faithful to his engagements to the king, and of establishing at the same +time, the liberty of his country. + +"M. de Lafayette, I must say, has a right to be considered a true +republican: none of the vanities of his rank, ever entered his head: power, +the effect of which is so great in France, had no ascendancy over him: the +desire of pleasing in a drawing room conversation, did not with him +influence a single phrase: he sacrificed all his fortune to his opinions, +with the most generous indifference. When in the prisons of Olmutz, as when +at the height of his influence, he was equally firm in his attachment to +his principles. His manner of seeing and acting, is open and direct. +Whoever has marked his conduct, may foretell with certainty what he will do +on any particular occasion. His political feeling is that of a citizen of +the United States; and even his person is more English than French. The +hatred, of which M. de Lafayette is the object, has never embittered his +temper; and his gentleness of soul is complete: at the same time nothing +has ever modified his opinions; and his confidence in the triumph of +liberty, is the same as that of a pious man in a future life. These +sentiments, so contrary to the selfish calculations of most of the men who +have acted a part in France, may appear pitiable in the eyes of some +persons--"it is so silly" they think, "to prefer one's country to one's +self; not to change one's party when that party is worsted; in short, to +consider mankind, not as cards with which to play a winning game, but as +the sacred objects of unlimited sacrifices." If this is to form the charge +of silliness, would that it were but once merited by our men of talents! + +"It is a singular phenomenon, that such a character as that of M. de +Lafayette, should have appeared in the foremost rank of the French +_noblesse_; but he can neither be censured nor exculpated with +impartiality, without being acknowledged to be such as I have described +him. It then becomes easy to understand the different contrasts which +naturally arose between his disposition and situation. Supporting monarchy +more from duty than attachment, he drew involuntarily towards the +principles of the democrats, whom he was obliged to resist; and a certain +kindness for the advocates of the republican form, was perceptible in him, +although his reflection forbade the admission of their system into France. +Since the departure of M. de Lafayette for America, now forty years ago, we +cannot quote a single action or a single word of his, which was not direct +and consistent. Personal interest never blended itself in the least with +his public conduct: success would have displayed such sentiments to +advantage; but they claim the attention of the historian in spite of +circumstances, and in spite of faults, which may serve as a handle to his +opponents." + +M. Lafayette was returned a member of the chamber of deputies from his own +department, in 1819, though his election was opposed by the ministerial +party. Some members rejoiced to see again among them, the "friend and +disciple of Washington;" while others, the adherents of monarchy, viewed +him with distrust and jealousy, as "the veteran general of the revolution." +He was not a very active member of this legislative body; for he was +convinced it would be in vain to attempt restoring the constitution of +1789. He seldom attended the assembly: but on several questions, when he +was present, discovered the same political sentiments which directed his +conduct in the early days of the revolution. The minister offered a +proposition for establishing a censorship over the public journals, and for +arresting persons suspected of being inimical to the restoration of the +Bourbons. Lafayette spoke against the proposed law, "as subversive of all +order, of all right, and of the natural and just privileges of the +citizens." He referred to the evils consequent upon all arbitrary +proceedings against persons merely suspected of being unfriendly to the +government, and to the probable mischiefs which would arise from a severe +restriction upon the liberty of the press. The minister himself +acknowledged, that the proposition was not wholly consistent with the +national rights of the citizens; but insisted upon its expediency in the +present state of the nation. At this time, also, he reminded the ministers +of promises, which had been made by the political friends of Louis XVIII. +in favor of the liberties of the people. He "conjured them to maintain the +liberties of France, within the limits prescribed by the constitution." "To +violate it," said he, "is to dissolve the mutual guarantees of the nation +and of the throne; it is to give ourselves up to a total primitive freedom +from all duties and all laws." This discussion was unusually animated, and +Lafayette was very decided in his opposition to the measure. The course +pursued by the court was condemned; and some severity of remark was +indulged in, as to the designs of ministers. The ministerial party obtained +but a small majority in favor of the law; and some fermentation was excited +in Paris in relation to this subject. The _liberals_, or the friends of +constitutional freedom, were insulted, and the life of Lafayette was openly +menaced. + +This year, a society was formed among the friends of constitutional +freedom, for the relief of those, who were arrested on mere suspicion, or +on a charge of violating the restrictions on the press; but who were +believed to be unjustly suspected, and who had been found entirely +innocent, even in the eye of the law, rigid as were its provisions. This +was a numerous society; consisting of fifty four members of the chamber of +deputies, and many other opulent and literary citizens; at the head of +which we find the name of M. Lafayette. + +The distinguished Americans and Englishmen who have visited Lafayette, at +his family mansion of La Grange, describe his residence and its inmates as +most beautiful and interesting. "It is situated in the fertile district of +La Brie, thirty miles from Paris, remote from any common road, and far +distant from the bustling world. In the midst of a luxuriant wilderness, +rising above prolific orchards and antiquated woods, appears the five +towers of La Grange, tinged with the golden rays of the declining sun. The +deep moat, the draw bridge; the ivied tower and arched portals, opening +into a large square court, has a feudal and picturesque character; and the +associations which occur, on entering the residence of a man so heroic, so +disinterested, so celebrated, fill the mind with peculiar admiration, and +excite the most lively interest." The family party, partaking more of +patriarchal than of courtly manners, is composed of individuals mutually +attached, and anxious only for mutual improvement and happiness. It +represents the younger members, as employed in their studies or engaged in +innocent recreations so salutary to the youthful temper and constitution: +and the older, as occupied in useful and literary pursuits, or devoted to +the more enlivening pleasures of conversation. + +"The venerable head of this happy family, at the age of sixty seven, is in +the full possession of every talent and faculty. His memory has all the +tenacity of youthful recollection. On his person, time has yet made little +visible impression. Not a wrinkle furrows the ample brow; and his unbent +and noble figure is still as upright, bold and vigorous, as the mind which +informs it. Grace, strength and dignity still distinguish the fine person +of this extraordinary man; who, though more than forty years before the +world, engaged in scenes of strange and eventful conflict, does not yet +appear to have reached his grand climactic. Active on his farm, graceful +and elegant in his _salon_, it is difficult to trace, in one of the most +successful agriculturists, and one of the most perfect fine gentlemen of +France, a warrior and a legislator. But the patriot is always discernible. +His conversation is enriched with anecdotes of all that is celebrated in +character or event, for the last fifty years. His elegant and well chosen +collection of books, occupies the highest apartments in one of the towers +of the chateau; and, like the study of Montaigne, hangs over the farm yard +of the philosophical agriculturist. It frequently happens, said M. +Lafayette, to one of his visitors as they were looking from a window on +some flocks, which were moving beneath, that my merinos and my hay carts +dispute my attention to Hume or Voltaire." + +Of the benevolent affections of Lafayette, his whole life affords abundant +proofs. He was possessed of the most patriotic and generous feeling. +Numerous instances are also related of his kindness to individuals, and of +his private benefactions. The children of his tenants, and neighbours were +objects of his generosity and complacency. And those who are unjustly +oppressed or defrauded, were sure to find in him, an able advocate. The +widow of an American officer, of French parentage, who was left destitute +at the death of her gallant husband, had a claim for patrimonial estates in +France. The legal evidence to substantiate her claim was exceedingly +difficult to be procured. The case was made known to Lafayette, and he +never ceased his exertions until he recovered the greater part of the +estate. + +Soon after the arrival of young Lafayette in Boston, 1795, he wrote to +General Washington, then President of the United States, informing him of +his situation, and requesting advice and counsel from the friend of his +father. As the chief magistrate of the nation, it would not have been +prudent in Washington, publicly to interfere in his behalf--Lafayette, at +this period, was almost equally obnoxious to the rulers of France, as any +one of the royal family. He had, indeed, been most _unjustly_ denounced and +proscribed by the dominant party; but they pretended he was attached to a +monarchy; and a public official act of patronage in the President, towards +young Lafayette, would have furnished a pretext for complaint against the +government. Washington had already given proof, that he did not approve of +the conduct of the French Directory, nor of the proceedings of their +minister in America. But though a prudent policy forbid all official +attention and aid to the son of Lafayette the generous & noble feelings of +Washington induced him to give assurances of personal regard, and of a +readiness to afford all proper assistance towards the education and support +of this youthful subject of political persecution. He wrote to his friend, +Hon. George Cabot, stating the reasons for declining to act officially or +publicly in the case; but requesting Mr. C. to assure young Lafayette that +he might consider him as a father, a friend and protector. Washington +expressed a desire in this letter, that he should become a member of the +university in Cambridge, if qualified for admission, where he would be +under the inspection and tuition of excellent men; for he was aware that +want of employment would lead to dissipation; and that the season of youth +was to be diligently improved for the cultivation of the mind. He desired +Mr. C. to call on him to meet any expenses which might accrue in his +education and support. The French tutor, who attended young Lafayette, +chose to have him under his own private instruction; and he did not enter +the university. The kindness and generosity of Washington were not the less +meritorious in the appeal made to him by the son of his own, and of his +country's friend. + +Among the many eminent characters by whom General Lafayette was visited in +his retirement at La Grange, after his return to France, (in 1800) was +CHARLES J. FOX, the celebrated British statesman. The family of Mr. Fox, +for several generations, was ranked among the whip party in England, and +firm friends of the glorious revolution of 1689; when the House of Stuart +was excluded from the throne, and William and Mary acknowledged as the +legitimate sovereigns. Mr. Fox was of the same political school with the +elder PITT, whose powerful talents were successfully exerted for the glory +of Great Britain, in the latter part of the reign of George II. and who was +a firm and decided advocate for the rights of the British colonies in 1775. +When Lafayette and family were confined in the dungeons at Olmutz, Mr. Fox, +with others, then members of the British Parliament, pleaded the cause of +these unhappy sufferers, with great eloquence, but without effect. He had +been personally acquainted with the celebrated French philanthropist, +before this period; and was attached to his character and principles, as a +zealous friend of civil liberty. The interview between these two highly +distinguished reformers is represented to have been peculiarly interesting. +Perhaps, the plans of reform proposed by Mr. Fox, could not have been +carried into effect, at that time, without danger to the stability of the +British government; but the general character of Fox, gave evidence of the +sincerity of his upright purposes; and of the purity of the motives by +which Lafayette was actuated, in the course he pursued in France, in 1789, +and subsequently, cannot be justly doubted, though the revolution did not +result in the, political benefits be had anticipated. + +When Mr. Fox was in Paris, some time in 1802, Lafayette hastened from his +retired residence, at La Grange, to call on him. The writer, who gives an +account of this meeting, observes, "that a stranger of an interesting and +graceful figure, came gently in," where he and Mr. Fox were sitting, at the +hotel in Paris, "advanced rapidly; and, embracing Mr. Fox, showed a +countenance full of joy, while tears rolled down his cheeks; Mr. Fox +testified equal emotion. It was M. de Lafayette, the virtuous and unshaken +friend of liberty. He had come from the country to see Mr. Fox, and to +invite him to his house. In a few moments their sentiments were +interchanged. The review of the past was taken in a moment; and they soon +appeared to be affectionate friends, who having parted for a few days, were +now reunited. Lafayette viewed the new state of things with regret; not +from any personal dislike of the first consul, but from a rooted and +principled conviction, that arbitrary power is injurious to the happiness +of mankind. + +"In his retirement, and filled with gloomy prospects of the republic, he +lived in the most private and simple manner. In the bosom of an amiable and +affectionate family, he found every consolation. He frequented no place of +amusement; and, with a very limited fortune, exhibited the bright example +of a public man, content with a little, free from all envious and angry +feelings: and willing to live in dignified silence, when he had not the +power or influence to do good." + +The visit of Mr. Fox and his friend to La Grange, is thus described--"The +towers and wood of the chateau appeared in peaceful repose, as we drove +near; and when we gained a full view of the building, I felt great emotion; +it was the residence of a great and good man--a patriot and friend of +mankind, whose life had been consecrated to virtue and liberty; the family +came to the hall to meet us, happy in themselves, and rejoicing to see the +illustrious friend of Lafayette! I cannot forget that moment--no silly +affectation, no airs of idle ceremony were seen at the residence of him, +who had gloriously struggled for America, and had done all he could for +France. + +"M. de Lafayette and Madame received Mr. and Mrs. Fox with the heartiest +welcome. The family consisted of two daughters, and a son and his wife, all +young and elegant; all living with M. de Lafayette, as a brother and +friend. His graceful and manly form, his benevolent countenance, his frank +and warm manners, which made him almost adored by his family, and a placid +contentedness, nearly allied to cheerfulness; altogether had an +irresistible effect, in gaining the affections and esteem of those admitted +to his more intimate society. + +"Madame de Lafayette, of the noble family of Noailes, was a superior and +admirable woman, possessing the high polish of the ancient nobility, +eloquent and animated. Fondly attached to M. de Lafayette and her family, +she regretted nothing of past splendor; she possessed an affectionate +husband, and was happy in retirement. The son was a pleasing young man, and +his wife engaging and interesting; the daughters were charming women, +entirely free from the insipid languor or wretched affectation, which in +young ladies of fashion so much destroys originality of character, and +makes us find, in one of the fashionables, the prototype and pattern of +thousands. In a word, this amiable and happy family seemed united by one +bond of affection, and to desire nothing beyond the circle of their own +tranquil mansion. + +"The chateau and estate of La Grange, which Madame, who was an heiress, had +brought with her, was all that remained of his fortune. He had lost every +thing besides in the madness of revolutionary confiscation; and had not yet +been able to procure restitution or compensation. To add to the interest of +the scene, General Fitzpatrick who had known Lafayette in America, and had +vainly attempted, in the British house of Commons, to rouse the ministry to +a sense of humanity and justice for him, joined the party at La Grange, at +this time. That accomplished man was an addition to our society, and was +received most affectionately by the family of Lafayette. I have often +contemplated with great pleasure, Mr. Fox, General Fitzpatrick and M. de +Lafayette walking in the long shady grove near the chateau, speaking of +past times, the war in America, and the revolution in France. The rare +sight of three such characters was grateful to any one who felt friendly to +the cause of civil liberty, and valued men for their services to humanity, +rather than for successful ambition. + +"Lafayette spoke a good deal of America; and we learnt from him something +of his various and useful services for that country, at the court of Louis, +as well as of his personal efforts, during the struggle for independence. +His political career in France had not the same happy result, as in +America; but it should be considered, that his situation in the former was +arduous beyond measure. A friend to limited monarchy, and to the legitimate +rights of the people, at a time when the support of one was deemed +hostility to the other, he found it impossible, consistent with his +principles, to follow the mania of the nation. A king of integrity and +firmness, with Lafayette as his counselor, might have been safe, even in +the tumultuous times preceding the seizure of civil power by sanguinary +demagogues. But Louis, it is feared, wanted both these qualities; certainly +the latter. Lafayette failed, therefore, in his patriotic views; not as +Bonaparte is said to have insinuated, because he aimed at what was +impracticable; but because those whose interest it was to second his views, +did not support him. A ruined throne and desolate country subsequently +attested the purity of his principles, and the soundness of his judgment." + +General Lafayette is of the _Catholic_ religion, which has been long +established, and is still generally professed, in France. But he discovers +nothing of that exclusive and intolerant spirit which has distinguished the +church of Rome, more especially in ages past. He took an active part in +favor of the proposition, in 1789, for securing the rights of conscience +and the privileges of worship to the protestants of France, according to, +their own particular belief. It was not to be supposed that one of his +enlightened views, and knowledge of human nature, would be a bigot in +religion; or would attach undue importance to the external forms and the +mere ceremonies of worship. He is not, however, to be classed with many +learned men in Roman Catholic countries, in modern times, who merely +_profess_ the papal system because it is the religion of the state, while +they are real infidels; or skeptical as to the essential doctrines of +christianity. It is not improbable that his intercourse with liberal and +candid yet pious men is America, in his early years, served to produce in +his mind charitable sentiments toward those who were educated in a system +differing somewhat from that which he had been taught to revere, in its +ceremonies and even in some of its dogmas. He was several years intimately +acquainted with Washington, Lincoln and other military characters, who were +men of sincere, though of unostentatious piety; as well as with many of the +clergy of our country, whom he could not but esteem and respect; and the +natural effect of such intercourse would be a liberality of opinion on +religious subjects. It is, indeed, a consideration, creditable, in some +measure, to those who admit it, and tending also to prove that christianity +is calculated and designed to be an universal religion, that intelligent +men of different countries and sects unite in receiving all the essential +and practical doctrines of revelation. In a word, "that God is no respecter +of persons; but that in every nation he who _feareth_ him and _worketh +righteousness_ is accepted of him." + +Having followed Lafayette through many years of an active and eventful +life, and having witnessed his course in various critical and responsible +situations, we may be prepared to form a correct estimate of his talents, +his wisdom and his virtues. It is far from our wishes to pronounce an +unqualified or exaggerated panegyric on his character. But for the honor of +our species and in justice to this eminent philanthropist, it is proper +that his heroic and generous actions, and his firmness and perseverance of +purpose in the cause of civil liberty and of the rights of mankind, should +be duly appreciated. And when we reflect upon the ardour and constancy of +his efforts in favour of American Independence; upon his personal +sacrifices and exposure to danger in our behalf, in the field, and his +solicitations as our advocate at the court of Louis; upon his warm +attachment to Washington, and to the other patriots and heroes of our +glorious revolution; upon his attempts afterwards to improve the government +of his own country and to place some check upon the despotic power of a +selfish, calculating ministry; upon his uniform resolute, and fearless +opposition to the wild projects of factious men, who obtained ephemeral +influence in France, but whose conduct was equally hostile to the rights +and welfare of the people as that of the agents of an absolute monarch; +upon his steady and firm support of the constitution, formed by the +deputies of the people, and designed to guarantee their liberties; upon his +desire to support the dignity of the monarch, in unison with the rights of +the citizens, and his wishes to afford security to the person of Louis; and +upon his efforts to restore related and constitutional liberty, at the time +the present king returned to France, and when Napoleon was aiming at +unlimited power as perpetual dictator, are we not obliged to acknowledge, +that few men; very few, indeed, have done so much for the social happiness +of their fellows; that very few deserve the gratitude and applause, which +may be justly claimed for this very eminent asserter of the rights of man. +Success is too often made the criterion of human merit. It is matter of +great congratulation, that our revolutionary struggle was successful; and +it is believed, that Lafayette, by his influence in France, and his +personal exertions here, contributed very much to its happy termination. In +his own country, afterwards, he was not so fortunate in attaining and +securing the object at which he aimed. But to the accurate and deep +observer of character and events, it will probably be apparent, that no +one, however resolute, could have established a government in France in +1790, upon the just recognition of the rights of man, and the exercise of +power, (even limited power) in the reigning Prince. That Lafayette was +upright and disinterested in his purpose, perhaps, no candid impartial man +will deny; that any one could have produced a more fortunate issue, is at +least very doubtful. He did not want decision, or energy. He often acted +with great promptness, and gave proof of ready mental resources. He was +also brave, and fearless of personal danger. Other men might have conducted +with more energy; but it would have been at the hazard of a thousand lives +and in violation of constitutional principles. That Lafayette was not more +efficient, or more despotic, when he commanded the national guards, and the +populace of Paris went to Versailles and insulted the royal family; or when +the Jacobin faction, in June 1792, were ready to denounce him and to +prostrate the constitution, did not argue want of energy but the influence +of principle and a salutary love of order. + +When it is recollected what important and disinterested services the +Marquis de Lafayette had performed for America, in the most critical +periods of our revolutionary war, and how active and uniform he had been, +through all the changes and excesses in his own country for upwards of +thirty years, it cannot be thought unreasonable, that the citizens of the +United States held his character in high estimation, and were desirous of +greeting him once more, on their own territory, which he had assisted by +his zeal and valour to defend. In his letters to his friends here, and in +the interviews, which he had with American gentleman at his own hospitable +mansion, he frequently expressed a wish and an intention of again visiting +this favored land of liberty. He cherished precious recollections of the +times, long since past, when he joined with many brave and honorable +spirits in the sacred cause of freedom. To the patriots and heroes who +achieved our independence, he had a most sincere and cordial attachment; +and his military associates who survived, and their children, who had often +heard of his heroic and generous deeds, were eager on their part to welcome +him to their country and their affections; and to show to him and to the +world, that they entertained a high sense of his sacrifices and efforts in +securing to them the privileges and blessings they so richly enjoy. + +The feelings of General Lafayette will appear by the letters he wrote +to his friends in this country, when he was expecting to make his +long-intended visit. The following is an extract from one addressed to an +old revolutionary friend, who had previously written to Lafayette. "I am +deeply affected by your kindly remembrance. No one among the survivors, +who sharedin our glorious cause and military fraternity, can be attached +more than I am, to the memory of our departed brethren, and to the ties +which bind together the surviving American companions in arm. Since our +youthful revolutionary times, many vicissitudes have passed over our +heads. But in every situation, I have enjoyed, with great delight, the +recollection of our struggle so glorious and so pure; of our Columbian +country, so excellent and promising; of our brotherly army, so gallant, so +virtuous and so united. How happy for us to see the present prosperous +result of the contest, which our toils and our blood have shared the honor +to support." + +In January 1824, when it was known, that General Lafayette proposed to take +passage for the United States, the Representatives of the nation, in +Congress assembled, requested the President "to offer him a public ship for +his accommodation; [he declined this offer, and chose to embark in a +private vessel;] and to assure him, in the name of the people of this great +Republic, that they cherished for him a grateful and affectionate +attachment." + +The Legislature of Massachusetts also, at its session in June last, adopted +a resolve, "requesting the Governor to make such arrangements, as would +secure to this distinguished friend of our country, an honorable reception, +on the part of this State, and authorising him to draw any sum from the +public treasury to meet the expenses arising thereupon." + +The Society of Cincinnati of Massachusetts, at their anniversary meeting on +the fourth of July, it being then expected that General Lafayette would +soon visit the United States, unanimously passed the following vote. "It +being reported, that General Lafayette, an original member of the Society +of Cincinnati, intends visiting the United States in the course of the +present year, voted, that a Committee be appointed to consider what +measures it will be proper for this Society to adopt on the arrival of this +our distinguished brother; whose meritorious and disinterested services to +our country, in the war of the revolution, cannot be too highly +appreciated, and whose whole life has been devoted to the vindication of +the rights of man." A committee was then appointed for the purpose, of +which Hon. John Brooks (late Governor) was the chairman. + +Letters were written to General Lafayette, before he left France by several +distinguished individuals, and by the Mayor of New-York and of Boston, in +the name and behalf of those corporations, expressing a strong desire, that +he would visit America, as it was reported he intended, and informing him +of the universal and sincere disposition of the citizens, to present him a +tribute of esteem and gratitude. + +In a letter dated at Paris, May 26, in reply to the invitation of the +citizens of Boston, communicated to him by the Mayor, in their name, under +date of March 20th, 1824, he observed, "that amidst the new and high marks +of benevolence which the people of the United States and their +Representatives had lately deigned to confer upon him, he was proud and +happy to recognize those particular sentiments of the citizens of Boston, +which had blessed and delighted the first years of his public career, the +grateful sense of which had ever been to him a most valued reward and +support." "I joyfully anticipate the day," he added, "not very remote, +thank God, when I may revisit the cradle of American, and in future, I +hope, of _universal_ liberty. Your so honorable and gratifying invitation +would have been directly complied with, in the case to which you are +pleased to allude. [Footnote: This was the particular request that he would +land at Boston, if he did not come in a public ship, and feel obliged to +arrive at Washington.] But while I profoundly feel the honor intended by +the offer of a national ship, I hope I shall incur no blame, by the +determination I have taken, to embark as soon as it is in my power, on +board a private vessel. Whatever port I first attain, I shall with the same +eagerness hasten to Boston, and present its beloved and revered +inhabitants, as I have now the honor to offer it to the City Council and to +yourself, the homage of my affectionate gratitude and devoted respect." + +When this letter of Lafayette was communicated to the Common Council of the +city, a large and respectable committee was chosen "to make suitable +arrangements for his reception, should he first arrive at the port of +Boston; and that on his visiting this city, should he disembark at some +other place in the United States, the committee provide for his +accommodation, during his residence here; and to adopt all such measures as +they might deem proper, to extend to him the hospitality of the city, and +to exhibit the feelings of gratitude, which the whole body of citizens +entertain for the splendid services, ardent patriotism and private worth of +the illustrious visitor." + +Hon. Mr. Lloyd, Senator from this State in the Congress of the United +States, and particularly attached to Lafayette from family alliances, on +hearing of his intended visit to America, also addressed a friendly note to +him, at an early day, requesting the honor of receiving him at his +hospitable mansion. But the city authorities were desirous, that General +Lafayette, who might be justly considered the guest of the people and of +the nation, should be accommodated by the city in a more public manner: and +Mr. Lloyd, with his usual courtesy and regard to public opinion, resigned +his particular claims, although he was among the first and most eminent of +the citizens of Boston, to show peculiar and distinguished attention to the +favorite of the American people. + +In his answer to the letter of Mr. Lloyd, he says, "in whatever part of the +United States I shall find myself, on reaching the beloved shore of +America, I shall lose no, time in my eagerness to revisit the city of +Boston, and answer the flattering invitation I have received. You do +justice to the delight I shall feel, at the sight of the felicity and +prosperity, which is the reward of a virtuous revolution, founded on the +principles of true liberty and self-government." + + + * * * * * + + +VISIT OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE + +TO THE + +UNITED STATES--IN 1824 + + +His arrival was anticipated with great interest and impatience. +Preparations were in contemplation, particularly in New-York and Boston, +several weeks before he arrived, to receive him with such public marks of +veneration and joy, as were justly due to one so distinguished by an ardent +love of liberty, and by meritorious exertions for the welfare of our +country. + +General Lafayette arrived in the harbour of New-York on the morning of the +15th of August, accompanied by his son, George W. Lafayette, and his +friend, M. Le Vasseur. A steam boat was in waiting, at the entrance of the +harbour, and they were immediately conducted to Staten Island, the +residence of the Hon. Mr. Tompkins, Vice President of the United States, +where he passed the remainder of the day, being Sunday. This is but a short +distance from the city of New-York: here many public characters and other +distinguished citizens repaired; on the day of his arrival, to offer him +their respectful salutations. The next day he entered this populous city; +and his reception was most splendid and cordial. Perhaps no hero of ancient +or modern times, if we except the respectful and universal attention paid +to Washington, when he made the tour of the United States in 1789, was ever +greeted with such a sincere and enthusiastic welcome. + +"At an early hour, the whole city was in motion; almost every man, woman +and child was preparing to witness the landing of their much respected +guest. The shops and stores were closed, and all business was suspended for +the day. The ringing of bells, the roar of cannon, and the display of the +national flag, at all public places and on board the shipping, proclaimed +that it was a day of joy, in which all were anxious to partake. Before 12 +o'clock, the battery, the adjoining wharves and every place commanding a +view of the passage from Staten Island, were crowded to excess. It was +supposed there were nearly 50,000 persons upon the battery, including the +troops. This elegant promenade, since its enlargement, is said to be +capable of holding nearly the whole population of the city, (130,000) but a +large portion of the front was occupied by the brigade of artillery and +other troops. The castle garden, almost contiguous to the battery, and its +gallery, were also crowded by the citizens. + +"Between 10 and 11 o'clock, a large steam ship, manned with about 200 +United States seamen, and decorated with the flags of every nation, sailed +for Staten Island. She was followed by six large steam boats, all crowded +with passengers, decorated with flags, and enlivened by bands of music. In +one of them, which exhibited only flags of the United States and of the +State of New-York, proceeded the committee of, arrangements of the city, +the officers of the United States army and navy, the general officers of +the militia, the committee of the Society of Cincinnati, &c. On board this +steam boat, General Lafayette embarked at Staten Island, for the city, at +about one o'clock. This was announced by a salute from the largest steam +ship, manned by the national troops, and from fort Lafayette. The +procession then moved for the city, and presented to its inhabitants, a +most beautiful and magnificent scene. About two o'clock the General landed +at the battery, where he was received by a salute from the troops, and the +hearty and reiterated cheers of the immense throng which had assembled to +welcome him to our shores. + +"It is impossible fully to describe the enthusiasm of joy which pervaded +and was expressed by the whole multitude. Here the General had a fair +specimen of the affection and respect, which is felt for him by every +individual of this extended country. He seemed much moved by these +expressions of attachment, and bowed continually to the people who pressed +about him. After resting a few moments at the castle garden, he proceeded +in an elegant barouche drawn by four horses, escorted by the dragoons and +troops, through Broadway to the City Hall. The windows, balconies, and even +the roofs of the houses were filled with ladies, all welcoming the General +as he passed, by their smiles and waving of handkerchiefs. + +"At about 4 o'clock, the procession arrived at the City Hall, where General +Lafayette was received by the Mayor and Common Council, and formally +welcomed and congratulated on his safe arrival in the country. After +receiving the marching salute of the troops in front of the City Hall, he +was conducted to the City Hotel, where he dined with the members of the +corporation. In the evening, the front of the City Hotel, and many other +adjoining buildings, were handsomely illuminated. The theatres and public +gardens displayed transparencies; fire-works and rockets in honor of the +occasion."--The committee of the Cincinnati waited on General Lafayette, at +Staten Island; and were received by him with peculiar marks of affection +and friendship. The committee consisted of several field officers of the +revolutionary army, some of whom were upwards of eighty years of age. + +The following is the address of the Mayor of New-York, to General +Lafayette, when he arrived at the city Hall: + + +"In the name of the municipal authority of the city, I bid you a sincere +welcome to the shores of a country, of whose freedom and happiness you will +ever be considered one of the most honored and beloved founders. Your +contemporaries in arms, of whom indeed but few remain, have not forgot, and +their posterity will never forget the young and gallant _Frenchman_, who +consecrated his youth, his talents, his fortune and his exertions to their +cause; who exposed his life, who shed his blood, that they might be free +and happy. They will recollect with profound emotions, so long as they +remain worthy of the liberties they enjoy, and of the exertions you made to +obtain them, that you came to them in the darkest period of their struggle; +that you linked your fortune with theirs, when it seemed almost hopeless; +that you shared in the dangers, privations and sufferings of that bitter +struggle; nor quitted them for a moment till it was consummated on the +glorious field of Yorktown. Half a century has elapsed since that great +event, and in that time your name has become as dear to the friends, as it +is inseparably connected with the cause of freedom, both in the old and in +the new world. + +"The people of the United States look up to you as to one of their most +honored parents--the country cherishes you as one of the most beloved of +her sons. I hope and trust, Sir, that not only the present, but the future +conduct of my countrymen, to the latest period of time, will, among other +slanders, refute the unjust imputation, that republics are always +ungrateful to their benefactors. + +"In behalf of my fellow citizens of New-York, and speaking the warm and +universal sentiments of the whole people of the United States, I repeat +their welcome to our common country." + +To this address, General Lafayette replied as follows:-- + + +"SIR, + +"While I am so affectionately received by the citizens of New-York and +their worthy representatives, I feel myself overwhelmed with inexpressible +emotions. The sight of the American shore, after so long an absence; the +recollection of the many respected friends and dear companions, no more to +be found on this land; the pleasure to recognize those who survive; the +immense concourse of a free republican population, who so kindly welcome +me; the admirable appearance of the troops; the presence of a corps of the +national navy; have excited sentiments, to which no language is adequate: +You have been pleased, Sir, to allude to the happiest times, the unalloyed +enjoyment of my public life. It is the pride of my heart to have been one +of the earliest adopted sons of America. I am proud, also, to add, that +upwards of forty years ago I was honored with the freedom of this city. I +beg you, Sir; I beg you; gentlemen, to accept yourselves, and to transmit +to the citizens of New-York, the homage of my profound and everlasting +gratitude, devotion and respect." + +On the two following days after his arrival in New-York, General Lafayette +received the gratulations of a great number of the citizens; and on the +latter, was addressed by committees of the society of Cincinnati, and of +the Historical Society; and also visited the navy yard of the United +States. On board of the ship Washington, of 74 guns, his reception was very +splendid, and a sumptuous repast was provided. On Thursday, deputations +from the Frenchmen resident in the city, and from the gentlemen of the Bar, +waited on him, and presented congratulatory addresses. + +In his answer to the committee of the Historical Society, he +observed,--"The United States are the first nation on the records of +history, who have founded their constitution upon an honest investigation +and clear definition of their natural and social rights. Nor can we doubt, +but that, notwithstanding the combinations made elsewhere by despotism +against the sacred rights of mankind, immense majorities in other countries +will not in vain observe the happiness and prosperity of a free, virtuous +and enlightened people." + +To the gentlemen of the Bar, he replied--"Testimonies of esteem from so +respectable a body as the Bar of New-York, are highly flattering. I most +deeply sympathize, gentlemen, in your regret for the friend (Hamilton) +whose prodigious talents made him as eminent in your profession, as he had +been is our military, when he deserved Washington's most intimate +confidence. The truly republican form of the American constitutions, cannot +but endear them to every citizen of the United States. Yet, to any one, who +with an American heart, has had opportunities of a comparison with other +countries, the blessings of these institutions must appear still more +conspicuous." + +The address of the French gentlemen in New-York, was very affectionate and +respectful, referring, in highly complimentary style, to the services of +Lafayette both in France and America. His reply is indicative, at once, of +patriotism, of attachment to the cause of rational freedom, and of his +regard for the United States, the land of his adoption. "It is a great +happiness for me, on my arrival in this land of liberty, to receive the +congratulations of my countrymen. At the moment of my departure, the +testimonials of affectionate attachment of many of my fellow citizens, the +parting accents from the shores of France, left in my heart the most +grateful emotions. I delight to participate with you the feelings which I +experienced in this happy American land, to which I am bound by so many +ties. We also, patriots of 1789, sought to establish the national dignity, +the security of property and the happiness of our beautiful France, upon +the sacred foundations of liberty and equality. Notwithstanding our +misfortunes, the cotemporaries of that epoch will inform you, that the +revolution of 1789, has greatly ameliorated the condition of an immense +majority of the people. Do not let us despair of the cause of liberty: It +is still dear to the hearts of Frenchmen; and we shall one day have the +felicity of seeing it established in our beloved country." + +During the four days he remained in New-York, all gentlemen and ladies of +the most respectable families were individually introduced to him; and he +manifested great pleasure at the cordial welcome, with which he was +universally greeted. Splendid evening parties were given in honor of the +"nation's guest," at which he met many individuals whom he had known more +than forty years before. His interviews with "the war-worn veterans," with +whom he had been associated in times of danger, for the liberties of the +country, were peculiarly interesting and affecting. He embraced them; but +his feelings were so powerful, that he could not give utterance to his +sentiments for many minutes. + +After his arrival at New-York, he early announced his intention to visit +Boston, where he had been particularly invited by distinguished +individuals, and by the city authorities; especially as the commencement at +the University in Cambridge, the literary jubilee of the State, was to be +celebrated in a few days. While in New-York, he received invitations by +committees or letters from Philadelphia, Albany, New Haven and some other +cities, to make a visit to those places respectively; but his desire was +first to visit Boston, if possible. Accordingly, he left New-York, where +his reception had been so very gratifying to his feelings, and where the +citizens were still eager to show him honorable civilities, on Friday +morning, for Boston, through New Haven, New London and Providence. He was +attended by a committee of the Common Council, the Major General of militia +and his suite, the General and field officers of the artillery and +infantry, and by strangers and citizens of distinction on horseback, and +escorted by the Huzzars of the 2d and 14th regiments, to Harlem, where he +was saluted by the 3d regiment of infantry. On leaving this place, he was +saluted by the Lafayette guards of the 2d regiment. The principal part of +the troops then returned; and the first regiment of horse artillery +continued the escort to the line of Connecticut. A salute was fired at a +place called Putnam's hill, on account of the memorable feat performed +there by General Israel Putnam, in the revolutionary war. The suite of +Lafayette consisted of his son and M. Le Vasseur, who accompanied him in +his voyage from France, and four of the Aldermen of New-York. The city +corporation had provided an elegant carriage to accommodate him in his +journey to Boston, and deputed four of their number to attend him in his +route. He traveled with great rapidity, passing the distance of thirty +miles in three hours. He appeared perfectly capable of enduring fatigue, +and discovered the activity and sprightliness of vigorous manhood. + +They reached New Haven about midnight, on his approach to which he was met +by the governor's guard, and escorted into that city. Most of the buildings +on the principal streets were illuminated, and a national salute was fired. +"The night was almost turned into day, and the scene was very brilliant and +impressive." He was detained at all the villages on the road from New-York +to New Haven, through the eagerness of the citizens, to see and be +introduced to this distinguished hero of the revolution. The public road +was thronged with multitudes of both sexes and youth, who greeted him with +reiterated acclamations; and continued "welcome, welcome." They prepared +sincere, though simple offerings of respect to the man, "who fought not for +honor or for pay;" but in imitation of his political, American parent, was +devoted, life and property, to the cause of our country's freedom. After a +public breakfast, a visit to the college, and calls upon Mrs. Trumbull, the +widow of the late governor of the state, Hon. Mr. Daggett, senator in +Congress, and some other eminent characters, he left New Haven, for New +London, Saturday morning, attended by the city authorities and escorted by +a company of cavalry, a part of the distance, until met by another troop of +horse, by which General Lafayette and suite were then attended to Saybrook, +on Connecticut river, about forty miles from New Haven. Part of the Sabbath +was passed in New London; and at this place, he attended public worship. He +expressed a desire to avoid traveling on that day, as much as possible. At +New London, and at most other places on his journey, he met some of his old +revolutionary companions, who were delighted to see again in their own free +and happy country, a man who had devoted his earliest days and zealous +efforts to secure its independence. + +He reached Providence on Monday, the 23d, at 12 o'clock, having been met at +an early hour, on the boundary line between Connecticut and Rhode Island, +by the aids of the Governor of the last named state. When he arrived at the +limits of the town of Providence, an immense crowd of citizens were +assembled to bid him welcome, and to offer him their hearty gratulations. +The houses and streets in the western part of the town, where he entered, +were filled with citizens, who greeted him as he passed with reiterated +cheers. "When he arrived in front of the State House, he alighted, and was +received in a very interesting manner. The avenue leading to the building +was lined with female youth, dressed in white, holding in their hands +branches of flowers, which they strewed in his path, at the same time +waving their white handkerchiefs. Lafayette appeared much gratified and +affected by this simple, but touching arrangement. In the senate chamber, +he was introduced to the Governor and many other distinguished characters; +among whom were several late officers of the revolutionary army. These he +embraced with much affection; and his emotions were so great, he was unable +to address them. He recognized Captain Olney, the moment he saw him, among +a crowd of citizens. This gentleman commanded a company under General +Lafayette, at the siege of Yorktown, and was the first to force the +redoubts thrown up by the British troops, and carried by our light +infantry, in a most brilliant manner, when led on to the assault by their +commander in person. At this interview, so affecting and interesting, a +thrill ran through the whole assembly, and not a dry eye was to be found +among the throng of spectators; while the shouts of the multitude, at first +suppressed, and then uttered in a manner tempered by the scene, evinced the +deep fueling and proud associations it had excited." Another respectable +veteran, of eighty-five years of age, was found among the multitudes +assembled to render their affectionate homage to Lafayette. He was a +volunteer in the expedition on Rhode Island, in the autumn of 1778, and +assisted in conducting the retreat from that place; under direction of the +Marquis, when the militia were in great danger from the superior number of +the British forces. The aged patriot was overwhelmed with joy, on beholding +once more, his beloved general. + +On account of a previous engagement to be in Boston, Monday night, or early +on Tuesday morning, General Lafayette was obliged, though reluctantly, to +leave Providence the afternoon of the day he arrived there. As he left the +town he walked some distance, in order to view the troops, which were drawn +up in the public street leading towards Boston; and then entered his +carriage, accompanied by the Governor and several other public characters; +and amidst the cheers of the people proceeded on his journey. He was also +attended by the society of Cincinnati of the State of Rhode Island, as far +as Pawtucket river, the southern bounds of Massachusetts. When some one +expressed an apprehension, that he might be _fatigued_ by his rapid +traveling and the various scenes through which he passed in the course of +the day, he quickly replied, that he experienced too great pleasure, to be +sensible of any fatigue. + +At Pawtucket, he was met by the aids of Governor Eustis, the Chief +Magistrate of the State of Massachusetts, who had been dispatched, the day +before, to receive him at the line of the Commonwealth, and to escort him +on his way to the capital. Although it was now evening, at several places +on the road, large bodies of the militia were collected to salute him; and +assemblies of ladies and gentlemen were occasionally met, who offered this +illustrious stranger, but respected friend of their country, their tribute +of applause and affection. He was too sensible of their sincerity and +warmth of their felicitations, not to delay his journey at several +villages, and to reciprocate their kind and cordial salutations. It was +nearly midnight when he reached the town of Dedham, about ten miles from +Boston. Most of the houses in this pleasant village were handsomely +illuminated; and a great number of the inhabitants of both sexes were +assembled to greet him. During the short pause he was able to make here, he +was introduced to many of the principal citizens of the town and vicinity, +who had been anticipating his arrival for some hours. When he passed +through Roxbury, at about 1 o'clock, he was accompanied by a large +cavalcade of citizens of that place and from Boston; and a salute was fired +by the Roxbury corps of artillery. His arrival here was also announced by +the ascent of rockets from an eminence in the centre of the town; and the +note of preparation was thus given for the parade and pleasure of the +succeeding day, which had been anticipated with uncommon interest and +delight. Lafayette and suite proceeded to the mansion of his Excellency the +Governor, to which they had been invited; and the meeting between them was +truly affectionate and cordial. + +On Tuesday the 24th the inhabitants of Boston hailed the morning light +with peculiar emotions, and were abroad at an early hour, preparing for +the general testimonies of gratitude and respect to be presented to the +"nation's guest." Many of the older citizens recollected him in his +youthful days; when he visited the town, _forty-six_ years ago, at the +request of Congress and Washington, to prevail on the French admiral to +co-operate with his fleet in some contemplated attack upon the British +Forces. They had not forgotten his zeal and ardor in the cause of America. +They knew his great attachment to and respect for the _immortal_ chief of +the American army, and the confidence, which Washington cherished for +Lafayette. Here too were many revolutionary officers and soldiers, who had +often witnessed his unwearied activity and personal courage in seasons of +difficulty and danger. The Society of Cincinnati in this State contained +many of his personal friends, who shared with him in the toils and honors +of the war of independence; they had assembled, also, to offer the hand of +friendship and affection to their distinguished brother in arms; and to +tell him of the happiness which he had been instrumental, with others, in +securing to _ten millions_ of freemen. The curiosity of the young was +awakened to hear of the generous deeds and meritorious services of this +celebrated visitor from the old world. They were eager to learn his worth +and, his virtues. For they knew their grave and sober sires would not be so +greatly moved by the approach of any ordinary character, whatever might be +his title or his fame. The sensibility of the female breast was excited to +a lively glow, in reflecting upon the character of this eminent foreigner, +who had not only given proofs of great devotion to the cause of America, +and to the interests of civil liberty, but whose moral and social virtues +claimed for him the respect and admiration of all those who loved innocence +or commiserated distress. And all classes, without intending to lessen the +pre-eminent services and virtues of Washington, who, under providence was +the great and chief agent in achieving our independence, and in preserving +it, after it had been once established--or to undervalue the important +efforts and courage of many other revered heroes and patriots, too numerous +to be here named. All, all, were eager to join in the spontaneous offering +of gratitude and affection to one so justly celebrated and so _greatly +beloved_. + +He entered the city, the capital of the state, about 11 o'clock; "and his +reception was a triumph and a jubilee. The day was as bright as his +laurels, and as mild as his virtues. The various bodies designated to +compose the procession, and perform the honors of the day, assembled at an +early hour, and at the time appointed." The cavalcade was formed in Common +street, at 9 o'clock. It was very numerous, and consisted of the citizens +of Boston, of all ranks and classes, on horseback. Proceeding to the +extreme southerly part of the city, near the line of Roxbury, they were +joined by the Mayor and Aldermen, and members of the Common Council, the +Society of Cincinnati, a great number of public civil characters and +strangers of distinction, all in carriages; by the general and field +officers of the first division of militia, and officers of the army and +navy of the United States. An innumerable concourse of people on foot lined +the side walks of the spacious street, where the procession was to be +formed, the entrance to the city from Roxbury, and fortunately named +WASHINGTON-STREET. The cavalcade then proceeded to the mansion of Governor +Eustis, which is a short distance, within the town of Rosbury, and escorted +General Lafayette and suite to the line, where the city authorities and +others, who were to compose the procession, were in waiting to receive him. +Here he was greeted by the immense assemblage of citizens, with repeated +and enthusiastic acclamations, for several minutes, when the mayor welcomed +him with much feeling, in the following speech. + + +"SIR--The Citizens of Boston welcome you on your return to the United +States; mindful of your early zeal in the cause of American Independence, +grateful for your distinguished share in the perils and glories of its +achievement.--When urged by a generous sympathy, you first landed on these +shores, you found a people engaged in an arduous and eventful struggle for +liberty with apparently inadequate means, and amidst dubious omens. After a +lapse of nearly half a century, you find the same people prosperous beyond +all hope and all precedent; their liberty secure; sitting in its strength; +without fear and without reproach. + +"In your youth you joined the standard of three millions of people, raised +in an unequal and uncertain conflict. In your advanced age you return and +are met by ten millions of people, their descendants, whose hearts throng +hither to greet your approach and rejoice in it. + +"This is not the movement of a turbulent populace, excited by the fresh +laurels of some recent conqueror. It is a grave, moral, intellectual +impulse. + +"A whole people in the enjoyment of freedom as perfect as the condition of +our nature permits, recur with gratitude, increasing with the daily +increasing sense of their blessings, to the memory of those, who, by their +labors, and in their blood, laid the foundation of our liberties. + +"Your name, sir,--the name of LAFAYETTE, is associated with the most +perilous, and most glorious periods of our Revolution;--with the +imperishable names of Washington, and of that numerous host of heroes which +adorn the proudest archives of American history, and are engraved in +indelible traces on the hearts of the whole American people. + +"Accept, then, sir, in the sincere spirit in which it is offered, this +simple tribute to your virtues. + +"Again, sir, the citizens of Boston bid you welcome to the cradle of +American Independence, and to scenes consecrated with the blood shed by the +earliest martyrs in its cause." + +General Lafayette then rose in his carriage, and in a most interesting and +felicitous manner, replied as follows:-- + +"The emotions of love and gratitude, which I have been accustomed to feel +on my entering this city, have ever mingled with a sense of religious +reverence for the cradle of _American_, and let me hope it will hereafter +be said, of _Universal_ Liberty. + +"What must be, sir, my feelings, at the blessed moment, when, after so, +long an absence, I find myself again surrounded by the good citizens of +Boston--where I am so affectionately, so honorably welcomed, not only by +old friends, but by several successive generations; where I can witness the +prosperity, the immense improvements, that have been the just reward of a +noble struggle, virtuous morals and truly republican institutions. + +"I beg of you, Mr. Mayor, Gentlemen of the City Council, and all of you, +beloved citizens of Boston, to accept the respectful and warm thanks of a +heart, which has, for nearly half a century, been particularly devoted to +your illustrious city." + +The reply of the General was received with new plaudits of the assembled +people; and "welcome, welcome Lafayette! friend of Washington! friend of +America! Friend of liberty!" was repeated again and again; and the heights +of Dorchester and Roxbury echoed with the joyful acclamation. + +The procession was then formed, and passed through Washington, Milk, Broad, +State, Court and Common-streets; to Boylston-street, adjoining the south +part of the Common, in the following order--"Three marshals, the Boston +corps of Light Dragoons, a battalion of Light Infantry, composed of the +Fusiliers, Boston Light Infantry, Winslow Blues, Washington Light Infantry, +New-England Guards, Rangers, and City Guards; and a full band of music. +Then followed the chief marshal, attended by aids; members of the City +Council, Committee of Arrangements, the President of the Common Council and +senior Alderman, all in carriages. Here was placed another marshal, +immediately preceding the elegant barouche, drawn by four beautiful white +horses, in which rode the distinguished GUEST of the city and of the +nation, accompanied by the mayor, with marshals also on either side. The +son and friend of Lafayette, and gentlemen aldermen from New-York, next +followed in carriages; and these were succeeded by the society of the +Cincinnati, public characters, Judges and Legislators, and distinguished +strangers, in carriages also. Immediately after, two marshals; field and +staff officers of the militia, mounted on horseback, and followed also by +two marshals. The cavalcade of citizens, of all ranks and in great numbers, +with marshals attending, closed the voluntary but triumphant procession. + +The dwelling houses and stores on the streets through which the procession +was conducted, were crowded with inhabitants in every part. The ladies thus +situated, caught the enthusiasm of the occasion, waved their white +handkerchiefs, and, with smiles and gladness, greeted the veteran hero, who +appeared affected and delighted by these demonstrations of a joyful +welcome. The moment Lafayette arrived at the line of the city, the bells +struck, and rang merry peals, while the procession was passing through the +streets. + +Excepting the cavalcade, the procession passed through the Common from +Boylston to Park street, on the eastern margin, and between too lines of +children of both sexes, belonging to the several schools in the city. Their +ages were from about eight to twelve, and nearly three thousand in number. +Their dress was neat and uniform; the misses in white, and the masters in +white pantaloons and blue spencers. They also wore ribbons in their +breasts, stamped with a miniature likeness of Lafayette. As the carriage, +in which the general rode, was passing, one of the misses darted from the +line where she was standing, and begged to speak with him. She was handed +into the carriage, and by the Mayor presented to Lafayette, who pressed an +affectionate kiss on her blooming, yet blushing cheek. She had confidence, +however, to address him, and to place a wreath of flowers, which she held, +on his head. He made her a short but affectionate reply, and placed the +wreath on the seat of the carriage. Attached to the wreath of flowers was a +small piece of paper, carefully folded, which contained these lines: said +to be composed by the mother of the child. + + "An infant hand presents these blushing flowers, + Glowing and pure as childhood's artless hours, + Where roses bloom, and buds of _promise_ smile, + Repaying with their charms the culturers toil. + + Oh! _take them_ FATHER, they were culled _for you_! + (Still bright with warm _affection's_ sacred dew--) + O let them _live_ in thy benignant smile, + And o'er thy _brow of glory_ bloom awhile! + 'Twined with the _laurel_ Fame on thee bestowed + When thy _young heart_ with patriot ardor glow'd; + + _Self exiled_ from the charms of _wealth_ and _love_, + And, _home_, and _friends_, thou didst _our champion + prove_, + And, by the side of Glorious WASHINGTON, + Didst make our grateful country _all thine own_! + + Go, fragile offering, speak the ardent joy + Our bosoms feel, which _Time_ can ne'er destroy!" + + +Arches were thrown across several of the principal streets, through which +Lafayette was conducted, covered with evergreens and flowers, and +containing appropriate mottos. There were two in Washington-street, the +largest, and part of the distance, the widest street in the City.--On one +of these was very legibly written--"1776--WASHINGTON and LAFAYETTE. +_Welcome Lafayette--A Republic not ungrateful_." On the other + + "WELCOME LAFAYETTE." + + "The Fathers in glory shall sleep, + Who gather'd with thee to the fight; + But the sons will eternally keep + The tablet of gratitude bright. + We bow not the neck + And we bend not the knee, + But our hearts, LAFAYETTE, + We surrender to thee." + + +The lines were from the pen of a citizen of Boston, whose poetic talents +had often delighted the public, and who had received the highest praise +from those capable of appreciating the productions of genius. + +When the possession arrived at the steps of the State House, near the head +of Park Street, salutes were fired by a battalion of artillery on the +eminence on the western part of the Common, and at the Navy Yard at +Charlestown. Salutes were also fired by a battalion of artillery, placed on +the heights of Dorchester, (now South Boston,) when General Lafayette +reached the line of the city, at 11 o'clock. The President of the United +States had caused an order to be issued, on the first arrival of Lafayette, +at New-York, requiring, that he be received by the military officers of the +nation, at all public posts, with the salutes and honors due to one of the +highest rank in the army. + +The Governor and Executive Council of the Commonwealth, were assembled in +the spacious Senate Chamber to receive Lafayette in the name of the +Representatives of the people, and in pursuance of their resolve of June +preceding, as well as in accordance with their own personal feelings and +wishes. His Excellency the Governor, here addressed him with great feeling, +[Footnote: Governor Eustis was so affected, that he had to call on one of +the aids to read the greater part of the address.] in the following concise +and pertinent speech: + + +"SIR, OUR FRIEND,-- + +"In the name of the government, and in behalf of the citizens of +Massachusetts, I have the honor to greet you with a cordial, an +affectionate welcome. + +"We thank God, that he has been pleased to preserve you through the scenes +of peril and of suffering, which have distinguished your patriotic and +eventful life, and that we are indulged with this occasion of renewing to +you our grateful acknowledgements for the important services which you have +rendered to our common country. + +"In the last surviving Major General of the American revolutionary army, we +recognize a benefactor and friend, from a distant and gallant nation; who, +inspired by a love of liberty, subjected himself in his youth, to the toils +and hazards of a military life, in support of our rights. Under our +illustrious Washington, you were instrumental in establishing the liberties +of our country, while your gallantry in the field, secured to yourself an +imperishable renown. + +"With the enjoyment of the blessings of independence, we shall never cease +to associate the name of Lafayette, and our prayer to heaven will be for +his health and prosperity." + +To which the General, with much animation, replied:-- + + +"SIR, + +"When, in the name of the people and government of this State, your +Excellency is pleased so kindly to welcome an American veteran, I am proud +to share the honors and enjoyments of such a reception with my +revolutionary companions and brother soldiers. Sir, I am delighted with +what I see, I am oppressed with what I feel; but I depend upon you, as an +old friend, to do justice to my sentiments." + +Afterwards, a great number of gentlemen were introduced to Lafayette, in +the Senate Chamber; of whom were the Judges and other public officers of +the United States, of the State and of the City; members of the society of +Cincinnati, with their venerable and distinguished President, Hon. John +Brooks, late Governor of the Commonwealth. Lafayette recognized his old +military and personal friend, at the first sight, and embraced him with +great cordiality and affection. Some other veterans of the revolutionary +army, who were present, he also recollected; and discovered strong emotions +as they approached him and took his hand. Indeed, he was so eager to meet +them, that he very generally first seized them, and clung to them with all +the affection of a brother. The scene was inexpressibly affecting. There +was not a heart untouched--not a cheek unmoistened by the falling tear. To +weep then was not weakness; it was proof of gratitude and of a generous +feeling, which is an honor to human nature. + +By particular request, and to gratify the wishes of the people collected in +front of the State House, General Lafayette appeared in the colonnade of +this superb edifice, where he was greeted with loud and continued cheers. +He was then conducted by the committee of arrangements, to the residence +provided for him at the head of Park Street. A public dinner was given by +the city authorities, in honor of their noble guest; and the invitation was +extended to Senators and members of Congress, the Governor and Ex-Governor +of the Commonwealth, judicial and other public characters. + +A committee of the society of Cincinnati Called upon General Lafayette at +the residence of the Governor, in Roxbury, and before his entrance into +Boston. They were anxious to offer him their congratulations at the +earliest moment; and to bid him welcome to the land they had unitedly +struggled to defend. And a few days after his arrival, the whole society +waited on him, when their President made the following address:-- + + +"SIR, + +"The Society of Cincinnati of the State of Massachusetts seize the earliest +moment after your arrival in this city, of extending to you the hand of +friendship and affection. We offer you our most cordial congratulations on +your safe arrival again, after the lapse of forty years, on the shores of +our favored country, once the theatre of our united toils, privations, and +combats with a powerful foe, but now the peaceful domain of a great, a +free, and independent people. We hail you, sir, in unison with the millions +of our fellow citizens; most respectfully hail you as a Statesman, as a +Philanthropist, and as the early, inflexible, and devoted friend, not only +of our beloved country, but of the sacred principles of civil liberty and +human rights. But we greet you under more tender and hallowed associations; +in the endearing relation of a brother-soldier, who, in the ardor of youth +commenced in the field with us your career of glory, in the holy cause of +Liberty and American Independence. + +"But here recollections crowd upon our minds too powerful for utterance. +Words would but mock the deep emotions of our hearts should we attempt to +express them, in contemplating the character, attributes, and services of +the parental Chief, under whose auspices we trod together the field of +honor. To the profound veneration and love for his memory that penetrates +your bosom, we refer you as to a transcript of our own. It would be vain to +imagine the joy that would swell the great mind of Washington, were he +still living to recognize with our nation, the generous disinterestedness, +the glowing ardor, the personal sacrifices, and the gallant achievements of +his much loved Fayette. But it is equally vain to endeavor on this +occasion, to exclude such interesting reflections from the mind, or to deny +it the melancholy pleasure of lingering on the solemn reality, that not a +single individual of the General Staff of the army of the American +Revolution now survives to participate in the joy that your presence in the +United States has awakened. + +"To us it is peculiarly grateful that you are permitted after a lapse of so +long a period, to witness the consummation of the principles of our +revolution. You will perceive, sir, that the hopes and predictions of the +wise and good men who were your particular associates in the arduous +struggle, have been fulfilled and surpassed. You will behold a great people +united in their principles of jurisprudence, cemented together by the +strong ties of mutual interests and happy under the fostering influence of +a free and energetic government. + +"You will, therefore, allow us to reiterate our felicitations on your safe +arrival among us, and to welcome you once more to the good land which your +youthful valor contributed to elevate and distinguish. + +"May your future life be as tranquil and happy as your past has been +useful, uniform, and glorious." + +To which the General returned the following answer: + +"Amidst the inexpressible enjoyments which press upon my heart, I could not +but feel particularly eager and happy to meet my beloved brothers in arms. +Many, many, I call in vain; and at the head of them, our matchless paternal +Chief, whose love to an adopted son, I am proud to say, you have long +witnessed--But while we mourn together, for those we have lost, while I +find a consolation, in the sight of their relations and friends, it is to +me a delightful gratification, to recognise my surviving companions of our +revolutionary army--that army so brave, so virtuous, so united by mutual +confidence and affection. That we have been the faithful soldiers of +independence, freedom, and equality, those three essential requisites of +national and personal dignity and happiness; that we have lived to see +those sacred principles secured to this vast Republic, and cherished +elsewhere by all generous minds, shall be the pride of our life, the boast +of our children, the comfort of our last moments.--Receive, my dear brother +soldiers, the grateful thanks, and constant love of your old companion and +friend." + +On Wednesday was the anniversary of commencement in Harvard University, at +Cambridge. The corporation had requested the president, to send a +particular invitation to General Lafayette, to be present on the occasion. +He had expressed a wish, soon after his arrival at New-York, to attend that +literary anniversary. The corporation heard of his intention with great +satisfaction. They were sensible of his love of literature, and of his +attachment to this ancient seminary. And they remembered, that the +governors of the college appreciated his merits _forty years_ before, by +conferring upon him the highest honors they could bestow. At a meeting +of the corporation on the 21st of August, it was voted-- + +"That the corporation learn with peculiar satisfaction, the intention of +General Lafayette to visit this part of our country, at the period of the +approaching commencement, and regard the event as auspicious to that joyous +and interesting anniversary; and respectfully request, that he will favor +the university with his company on that occasion; and thereby afford to the +members of the university, and to those who are candidates for its honors, +the opportunity of seeing and honoring the distinguished patriot and +soldier, whose willing sacrifices and valuable services were devoted to the +cause which has secured to the successive races of American youth, the +blessings of education in a land of freedom; and whose virtuous and +glorious career holds forth to the rising generation, a bright example of +the qualities which ought to adorn those, who aspire to aid in the +councils, or maintain the rights and interests of a free people." + +General Lafayette was escorted from Boson to Cambridge, on Wednesday +morning, by a company of cavalry, and accompanied by the Governor and +Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth. In passing through Cambridge +Port, he was gratefully cheered by the assembled citizens, and eloquently +addressed by one of the most distinguished, in the name of the whole. The +reply of Lafayette was characteristic and affectionate. He was met by the +Corporation and Professors, on his arriving within the precincts of the +college, and thus addressed by the learned President Kirkland-- + +"We bid you welcome, General Lafayette, to the most ancient of the +seminaries of our land. The Overseers and Fellows of the University, the +Professors and other officers, the candidates for the academic honors of +this day, and the students, tender you their respectful, their affectionate +salutations. We greet you with peculiar pleasure, at this literary +festival, gratified that, you regard the occasion with interest, and +espouse the attachment, which as members of a republic, we cannot fail to +cherish to the cause of learning and education. + +"As a man, sustaining his part through various scenes, prosperous and +adverse, of an eventful life, your character and course, marked by moral +dignity, have challenged particular respect and sympathy. As the patron, +the champion and benefactor of America, you have a relation to us, by which +we call you our own, and join gratitude and affection to exalted esteem. +The early and costly pledges you gave of devotion to the principles and +spirit of our institutions, your adoption of our perilous and uncertain +contest for national existence, your friendship in the hour of our greatest +need, have associated your name in the minds and hearts of Americans, with +the dearest and most affecting recollections. The fathers teach their +children, and the instructors their pupils, to hold you in love and honor; +and the history of these states takes charge of your claims to the grateful +remembrance of all future generations. + +"It is a pleasing reflection attending the progress of these communities, +that it justifies our friends and supporters; and that the predilections +and hopes in our favor, which you indulged in the ardor of youth, have been +followed by good auspices till your advanced age. We are, indeed, happy in +presenting you the fruit of your toils and dangers, in the kindly operation +of the causes, which you did so much to call into action, and we rejoice in +every demonstration we are able to give, that your care for us has not been +vain. Knowing how you feel yourself to have a property in our welfare, and +sensible of the enjoyment accruing to your generous spirit from our +prosperity, we find in these considerations, new motives to maintain +liberty with ardor; and in the exercise of our functions, feel bound to +endeavour to send out from our care, enlightened and virtuous men, +employing their influence to secure to their country the advantages, and +prevent and remedy the evils attending the wide diffusion among a people of +political power. + +"Accept our wishes and prayers for your health and happiness. May the +Invisible Hand which has been your safeguard thus far, continue its +protecting care. May the Supreme Disposer, the Witness and Judge of +character and conduct, having appointed you a long and tranquil evening of +days, receive you to the final and glorious reward of the faithful in a +perfect state." + +The following is the substance of the General's reply:-- + +"It is with real pleasure, sir, that I find myself again at this +University, which I visited for the first time, more than forty years ago. +The great improvements which have been made here during the interval, are +striking evidences of the tendency of liberal political institutions, to +promote the progress of civilization and learning. I beg, you to accept my +warmest thanks for your kind expressions of personal civility to myself, +and my best wishes for the continued prosperity of the valuable +establishment over which you preside." + +When he entered the place provided for the celebration of commencement, +where a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen had assembled, to attend +the ceremonies and literary performances of the day, there was an +instantaneous and universal acclamation; not stunning and boisterous; but +the decorous and chastened greeting of an intelligent audience. When he, +reached the stage, he bowed repeatedly to the assembly, with great apparent +sensibility. Several of the young gentlemen, alluded to him in their +orations; and some dwelt particularly on his early devotion to the cause of +America in the struggle for independence, with great effect. These notices, +though short and indirect, were calculated to excite the grateful +recollections of the audience; who responded to the sentiments with +enthusiastic acclamations. + +Thursday and Saturday mornings, for several hours, he received the personal +compliments and congratulations of a great number of the inhabitants of +Boston and vicinity, of both sexes. They were presented to him, on the +spacious area of the ground floor of the State House. The house provided +for his residence while in the city, though unusually large, was not well +adapted for such crowds of visitors as pressed to behold him. Many aged +people were presented, who had served with him in the revolutionary war, or +recollected events of that period, which they were desirous to relate. Some +were on crutches, and others bared their arms to show the honorable scars +occasioned by the bayonet or ball of the enemy, in the "glorious fight" for +freedom. Some could boast of having fought under his command, or by his +side, at Brandywine and Monmouth; and others, that followed in his path of +peril and glory in Virginia, in 1781, and assisted in successfully storming +the redoubt at Yorktown, on the memorable evening of the 15th of October, +which decided the fate of Cornwallis. + +He seized the hands of these his old companions in arms, with great +eagerness and emotion; and while they, in the honest pride of their souls +related their "hair-breadth escapes," which led the spectators almost to +envy their claims to such honourable boasting, the veteran hero exclaimed, +"O my brave Light Infantry! My gallant troops!"--Several aged citizens who +were personally engaged in opposing the British forces who marched to +Lexington and Concord, for the purpose of destroying the Provincial stores +collected at the latter place, were present at this interview. A gun was +also shown to General Lafayette, from which was fired the ball, which +killed the first of the regular troops slain on that memorable occasion. +These meetings revived recollections important to be preserved, and served +to remind the rising generations of the principles and deeds of their +fathers. We trust they did not awaken any angry or hostile feelings towards +an ancient enemy; but served only to kindle our gratitude to Almighty God, +for his gracious interpositions in our behalf, and to perpetuate our +respect for the remains of those who offered up their lives for our freedom +and welfare. + +On Thursday, by particular request of the literary society of "_Phi Beta +Kappa_," so called, in the university, General Lafayette attended the +celebration of their anniversary at Cambridge. It was never known before, +that any one, however distinguished either for literature or virtue, was +invited to dine with the society, unless a member of some other branch of +the association. The departure in this case, from the invariable usages and +rules of the society, is proof of the very high estimation in which +Lafayette is held, and of the disposition, in all classes of citizens, to +manifest their respect for his character. He proceeded to the university, +about 1 o'clock, when he was again greeted with the hearty cheers of the +citizens, as he passed the high-way, and when he arrived. The public +performances on this occasion, were an oration and a poem. The latter was +prepared at very short notice, and had particular reference to the visit of +the illustrious hero and philanthropist, Lafayette. It purported to be the +vision of the _Genius of Liberty_. It was a felicitous effort of the poetic +muse. The gradual but certain dissolution of ancient despotic systems was +predicted, as by the spirit of inspiration; and the blessings and joys of +well regulated freedom were described with a masterly pencil, as extending +and spreading in all parts of the civilized world. It was the electrifying +voice of genius speaking to hearts full of gratitude and swelling with +joyous emotions. + +The orator was not less happy in his subject, nor less ingenious and +eloquent in its illustration. His object was to present, in all its force, +the motive to intellectual and literary effort. He assumed the progressive +nature of the human mind; referred to the advances already made in science +and the arts, and in civil governments; noticed the tendencies in society +to higher improvements; and glanced at the facilities for social happiness +and intellectual and moral excellence, in this western world, under our +mild and republican institutions. It was an uncommon display of talent and +research, and of profound observations on the present, improved and +improving condition of man. He pointed out the happy destiny which awaited +the United States, which a powerful imagination had predicted, but which +sober facts also authorize us to expect; and called upon the literary and +patriotic youth of our country to use all honorable efforts for hastening +on this glorious issue. In speaking of the wisdom, firmness and courage of +our patriotic fathers, by whom our liberties were secured, and our +independence established, he paid a just tribute to the disinterested and +heroic services of Lafayette, who cherished and aided our cause in the most +gloomy periods of the war. The reference was most appropriate; and the +statement of his zeal and efforts in our behalf, produced such a deep +conviction of his devotion to America, and of his influence in obtaining +the support of France, which, probably, saved our country from subjugation, +that a deep and strong emotion was produced in the whole immense concourse; +which, subdued as it was for a time, burst forth, at last, in overwhelming +and almost convulsive agitations. The orator seemed not to aim at such an +extraordinary impression. He reminded his hearers indeed of "truths +surpassing fiction;" he brought to their recollection past scenes of danger +endured, the generous and heroic deeds performed--he spake of the "Paternal +Chief," who was the guide and support of other brave spirits, now laid low +in the silence of death--The effect was wonderful: the whole audience were +melted into tears of mingled gratitude and respect; gratitude for such +patriotic services, and of respect for the memories of men, who had secured +the blessings of civil liberty to the immense and increasing population of +this extensive country. Lafayette was very sensibly affected, by this +unexpected expression of gratitude for his early services, and by the +strong emotions manifested by the assembly, at the name of Washington. The +hours passed in the dining hall were consecrated to reminiscences of the +interesting events which occurred in the revolutionary contest, to grateful +recollections of the statesmen and heroes, who advocated and defended the +cause of freedom, and thus led the way in the glorious march of human +improvement and happiness, which the present generation is so rapidly +pursuing. Here were assembled the judges of the land, the ministers of +religion, the legislators of the state and nation, several of the heroes of +the revolution, and numerous eminent literary characters from various parts +of the United States, to unite with the younger sons of Harvard, in +offerings of affectionate gratitude to a man, who had no gifts of power or +titles of honor to bestow; but whose useful services and uniform course of +honorable and benevolent purpose, in their estimation, claimed a higher +tribute than was due to sceptered princes, or the most renowned conquerors +of ancient or modern times. + +On Friday morning, committees from Portsmouth, Portland, Newport, +Haverhill, Newburyport, Plymouth, and from Bowdoin College, inviting him to +visit those respective places; where the people were desirous to see him, +and to offer personally their welcome salutations. He was unable to comply +with these flattering invitations, as he had engaged to return to New-York, +at an early day. But he received these testimonies of attachment with great +sensibility; and expressed a hope to visit them before his final departure +from the United States. He left his place of residence in Boston at 10 +o'clock, accompanied by Governor Eustis and suit, Governor Brooks, the +deputation from New-York, the Mayor and committee of arrangements of +Boston, and proceeded to Charlestown, which he previously engaged to visit, +at this time. As he passed through the streets in the north part of the +city, the people pressed around him, testifying their regard, and cheering +him on his way with repeated acclamations. Raised arches, wreathes of +evergreen, and variegated colours added to the brilliancy of the scene. He +was met at the centre of the bridge, which is the dividing line between +Boston and Charlestown, by the Chief Marshal and his aids, and conducted to +the square, where a committee of the citizens of that town was in waiting +to receive him. A procession was then formed, headed by two marshals, and +escorted by a regiment of light infantry, and a battalion of artillery, +with martial music, consisting of the committee of arrangements, General +Lafayette, his son and friend who accompanied him from France; the Governor +and suite, Governor Brooks and General Dearborn, Judges of the Courts +and members of the Supreme Executive Council of the State; deputation +from New-York, Mayor and committee of Boston, officers of the army and +navy of the United States, and of the militia of the State; strangers of +distinction, and civil officers of the town of Charlestown. It proceeded to +Bunker Hill, where the chairman of the committee of the town, addressed +Lafayette as follows:-- + + +"SIR, + +"In behalf of the inhabitants of Charlestown, the committee of arrangements +present their respectful salutations to General Lafayette, and bid him a +cordial welcome to this town. This joyful occasion revives high national +feelings and recollections, and touches the springs of gratitude by +reminding us of that interesting period of our history, which gave to our +country a gallant hero, and to the rights of mankind a steadfast champion. +While we participate in the thrill of delight, which every where hails the +visit of our illustrious friend, we cannot suppress the peculiar emotion of +our hearts on receiving you, sir, on the memorable heights of _Bunker_. On +this holy ground, immortalized by the dead, and sacred to the manes of +revolutionary heroes: Over these heights, liberty once moved in blood and +tears;--her chariot on wheels of fire. Now she comes to her car of peace +and glory; drawn by the affections of a happy people, to crown on these +same heights, with civic honors, a favorite son, whose early strength was +given to her sacred struggles, and whose riper years are now permitted to +behold the splendor of her triumphs. In the fullness of our hearts we give +thanks to Almighty God, who has guided and guarded your high career of +peril and renown. + +"Permit us, beloved General, again to welcome you to our borders;--to +express our ardent hopes, that your valuable life may be prolonged to the +utmost limits of earthly happiness;--that the land which has been enriched +with the dew of your youth, may be honored as the asylum of your old age;-- +that the country which now blends your fame with the mild lustre of +Washington, may henceforth hail you as a citizen of Washington's country;-- +and that, during the residue of your years, you may live amidst the +attentions, as you will forever live in the hearts of a grateful and +admiring people." + +To this address the General replied-- + +"With profound reverence, sir, I tread this holy ground, where the blood of +American patriots--the blood of Warren and his companions, early and +gloriously spilled, aroused the energy of three millions, and secured the +happiness of ten millions, and of many other millions of men in times to +come. That blood has called both American continents to republican +independence, and has awakened the nations of Europe to a sense, and in +future, I hope, to the practice of their rights. Such have been the effects +of a resistance to oppression, which was, by many pretended wise men of the +times, called rashness; while it was duty, virtue;--and has been a signal +for the emancipation of mankind. + +"I beg you, sir, and the magistrates, and the citizens of Charlestown, to +accept the homage of my gratitude for your kind welcome, and of those +sentiments of affection and respect, which, for so many years, I have +cherished toward their town." + +While on this memorable eminence, he was informed by Governor Brooks, of +the recent association for erecting a monumental pillar on that hallowed +spot, to perpetuate the remembrance of the justly celebrated battle of the +17th of June, 1775; when a few regiments of undisciplined militia, made a +brave stand against a large regular British force, commanded by generals of +great experience and courage. This great event, so important in the annals +of our country, as it convinced the English government of the resolution of +the colonies to maintain the liberty which they claimed, and of the daring +courage of the American people. This event is to be commemorated in June +next, when fifty years will be completed, by an oration, and other public +appropriate services and ceremonies. General Lafayette expressed great +satisfaction of the proposal. He requested that he might be considered a +subscriber for the monument; and assured the gentlemen present, that it +would be his wish and endeavour to attend the celebration. + +General Lafayette availed of this opportunity to visit the navy yard, in +Charlestown, belonging to the United States, in compliance with a previous +invitation from the officer commanding on the station: and he appeared +highly gratified with the establishment in all its departments. He agrees +entirely with those enlightened politicians of our own country, who have +always considered a naval force of great advantage to America, if not +absolutely necessary to our Independence. He dined this day with his +Excellency the Governor, in company with several revolutionary veterans, +and a large number of public characters of this and the neighbouring +states, who were then on a visit to the capital. + +Saturday, after receiving the salutations of the citizens, who were +desirous of being presented to him, he set off for Medford, to visit his +particular and valued friend, Governor Brooks. His reception in this +beautiful village, is represented as very interesting. The citizens had +comparatively short notice of the visit to that place; but they greeted him +with great cordiality, and the honors bestowed were not unworthy of their +distinguished guest. The main streets and the houses which he passed before +he reached the mansion of Governor Brooks, were filled with children and +people, who repeatedly bid him welcome, with great cordiality, and +expressed their gratitude and joy on beholding the man, who they had +learned, had done so much for their beloved country; and who was the +respected friend of one among them, whom they always delighted to honor. A +company of artillery fired a salute, as he entered the village; and several +arches were thrown across the street, decorated with flags, and wreaths of +flowers and evergreens. Under one of them he was met by the selectmen, one +of whom thus addressed him-- + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"The selectmen of Medford, as the representatives of the town, deem it a +grateful and honorable part of their duty to bid you welcome. + +"They are proud, sir, that Medford is the birthplace of one of your +companions in arms--a man, who by his bravery in the field, his patriotism +and civic virtues, contributed to acquire as much glory to our country, as +honor to himself. + +"We rejoice, sir, that you both live to meet again, and to enjoy together +the consolations fairly derived from your virtuous and heroic deeds. + +"The minds of our countrymen traced your course with anxious solicitude, +through the French revolution, from your first success in the cause of +liberty, until the spirit of oppression confined you to a dungeon; and +their hearts were gladdened, when, by the influence of our great and good +Washington, their friend was at last set free. In the rich harvest you are +now gathering of the expressions of esteem and gratitude of this numerous +people, whose freedom and happiness your exertions so essentially +contributed to establish, we hope you will find some compensation for all +your trials, sacrifices and sufferings; and we feel much complacency, that, +in this respect you have gained so complete a triumph over the monarchs of +the world. + +"Again sir, we bid you a most cordial welcome; and hope, the testimonials +of approbation you are receiving from every heart and every tongue, will +forever retain an instructive lesson to mankind, that patriots who endure. +faithfully to the end, shall not lose their reward." + +The General said in reply--"I am most happy in visiting my old brother +soldier and friend, General Brooks, to be received with so kind a welcome: +You speak of _compensation_, sir; the smallest part of the delight which I +have experienced in America, would more than repay me for all my services +and all my sufferings." + +Several evening parties were given in honor of Lafayette, while he was in +Boston, by some of its most distinguished citizens. On these occasions, he +manifested great pleasure on meeting the children or relatives of the +patriots of our revolution, with many of whom he had a personal +acquaintance. It was delightful to observe the eagerness with which the +ladies, old and young, pressed around him and the pride with which they +boasted of hawing taken his hand. His countenance and manner discovered the +joy which filled his heart, in cherishing recollections of past services, +which he might indulge without vanity; and in perceiving the gratitude, +which a deep sense of those services excited among all classes. He +manifested a desire to attend the religious service of the Sabbath at the +church in Brattle-street, where he had formerly joined in worship with +Bowdoin, Hancock and Cooper; he was accordingly conducted there, +accompanied by the Mayor of the City and Chief Justice of the State. The +sermon, by the learned and pious pastor of that Church, which was an +occasional one, was happily calculated to direct and chasten the feelings +of the audience. He inculcated the sacred duty of confidence and joy in the +providence and moral government of God, and of gratitude to those who had +been raised up to be instruments of extensive blessings to our country. The +most ardent were gratified, while the more sober and devout were pleased, +that no complimentary panegyric was pronounced incompatible with the +solemnity of the place and day. In the afternoon he visited. Hon. John +Adams at Quincy; the truly venerable patriot of 1775; a decided, zealous +advocate for independence in 1776; the able and faithful minister of the +nation, at foreign courts; and sometime President of the United States. Mr. +Adams is eighty-eight years of age, and his constitution much debilitated +within a few years. But his powerful mind is still bright and vigorous; and +he dwells with great enthusiasm upon the glorious prospects of our rising +empire. His highly valuable services to the country can never be forgotten. +For no one, if Washington be excepted, among the many firm asserters of our +rights in the struggle for independence, could justly claim a greater +portion of gratitude and praise from the present generation. + +Desirous of offering all due honors to General Lafayette, and knowing his +taste for military exhibitions, the Governor ordered the militia of Boston, +which constituted a brigade, of the first division, and an equal number +from Essex and Middlesex, which included the second and third divisions, to +assemble on the Common in the city of Boston, on Monday, the 30th of +August; This was really a proud day, particularly for the citizen soldiers +of Massachusetts; but _all_ classes of the people enjoyed this imposing and +honorable display. For our militia are justly considered the ornament as +well as the defence of the republic. Citizens of all professions take an +interest in their appearance, their discipline and their reputation. The +ranks are composed of our valuable and industrious population; and their +officers are to be found among our respectable mechanics, merchants and +professional gentlemen. The exhibition was the most splendid of the kind +recollected by the oldest inhabitants. There were above five thousand men +armed and equipped, and their appearance and movements would have done +credit to regular troops. Their officers are men of talents and ambition. +The impression made upon the minds of a great concourse of distinguished +citizens, in the civil department, who were present, was highly creditable +to our military system, and to those, whose duty it is to attend to the +execution of laws on the subject. The Governor, as Commander in Chief, had +ordered a spacious marque to be erected, where upwards of fifteen hundred +people were accommodated in partaking of an abundant collation; rations +were also dealt out to all the troops on duty at the expense of the State. +The spectacle was most magnificent. The officers and soldiers did +themselves and the State great honor by their exact discipline and +soldierly appearance; and by the promptness and regularity of their +movements. The illustrious visitor was highly pleased, the strangers were +gratified; and the militia themselves felt a conscious pride, in having an +opportunity to offer appropriate salutations to one who was both a soldier +and a philanthropist. + +Should it be supposed by the sober citizens of other countries, or by those +in our own, who did not join in these offerings of grateful admiration to +Lafayette, and who therefore could have felt nothing of the enthusiasm +which such scenes are calculated to produce; that there was too much parade +or an undue measure of sensibility manifested on this occasion; it may be +proper to observe, that no conclusion is to be drawn from this great +rejoicing, that the people of Boston, or in fact of the United States, are +disposed to pay higher regard to eminent men of the military than in the +civil department; or that they have so little discrimination, as to bestow +applause upon merely splendid achievements. It is believed to be a fact, +that the most intelligent and sober part of the community were as ready to +engage in these processions and ceremonies as those of the more common and +uninformed class of citizens. How could it be otherwise? These are +convincing proofs of the zeal, disinterestedness and devotion of General +Lafayette to the cause of American liberty and independence--of his +bravery, activity, judgment, constancy and fidelity--of his attachment to +Washington and other patriots, and of their regard for him; and of his +uniform support of regulated liberty in his own country. In his early days, +he had risked every thing and had done every thing which an individual +could possibly endure or attempt, in our behalf. He had now in advanced +life, left his own beloved retirement in a distant hemisphere, to visit +this land of liberty, and of his affections; to behold the prosperity, +order, enjoyment and felicity of a great people. His character, too, is +unstained by bloodshed and crime; it is consecrated on the contrary by the +prayers, and tears and benedictions, of all good men in America and Europe. +Who then will censure or wonder, that he should be received by the moral +and sober people of America, with all that cordiality and enthusiasm, which +were discovered on his arrival among us? We do not forget Washington; our +beloved, and almost adored Washington--nor are we insensible to the merits +and virtues of other statesmen and heroes of our own country. But, surely +we may be allowed to greet this old distinguished benefactor, with a +cordial welcome, without subjecting ourselves to the charge of extravagance +or caprice. + +The character of the militia in Boston, and generally through the state, +has been much improved within the last fifteen years. They have recently +adopted a cheap uniform; and great improvements have been made in adopting +the modern system of tactics. The independent companies need not decline a +comparison with regular troops; and, what is very important to the +respectability of the militia, their officers are intelligent and +ambitious, and actuated by a patriotic spirit, which is a pledge of +fidelity and a stimulus to honorable exertion. The high praise bestowed +upon the militia at this review, was justly merited. + +General Lafayette left Boston on Tuesday morning for Portsmouth, in the +state of New Hampshire, intending to pass through Marblehead, Salem and +Newburyport, on his way to the former place. A number of distinguished +citizens, and a Committee of the City Council accompanied him to the +northern line of the city; and the governor's aids attended him to the +extreme part of the state adjoining New Hampshire. On his route, he was +greeted by the inhabitants of Chesea, Lynn and Marblehead, with great +feeling and respect, alike honourable to themselves and gratifying to the +friend and guest of the nation. Addresses were also made to him, in these +several towns, expressive of their gratitude for his services, and of the +lively sense they had of his present visit to the country. He took +breakfast at Marblehead, where almost the whole population of this +industrious and patriotic town were presented to him. He also met here, +some gentlemen celebrated for their naval exploits in the war of the +revolution. + +His reception at Salem was very distinguished and splendid. At the entrance +of the town, he was met by the selectmen and committee, a numerous +cavalcade, and a large body of citizens in carriages, and received a salute +of artillery; on advancing a short distance within the bounds of the town, +the bells commenced ringing, and the escort was joined by a battalion of +light infantry, and a body of seamen, of about two hundred, in blue jackets +and white trousers, with ribbons on their hats, stamped with the name of +Lafayette. + +"With the hearty cheers of these hardy sons of Neptune, the General +appeared to be peculiarly impressed. Over South Salem bridge were two +tastefully decorated arches--one bearing the inscription "WELCOME +ILLUSTRIOUS CHIEF! _Receive the pledges of thy Children to sustain with +fidelity the principles that first associated_ LAFAYETTE _with the +destinies of America_." These arches were surrounded by an immense number +of citizens, who made the air ring with their huzzas and welcomes. The +figure of an Indian Chief characteristically dressed, bore labels inscribed +"_Lafayette and Liberty. Welcome generous Lafayette_." + +"The procession passed through the principal streets, which were thronged +with spectators; while the windows of the houses were crowded with females, +all eager to see and welcome the heroic visitor. + +"Civic Arches, historical and patriotic Inscriptions, memorable eras, +wreaths of flowers and evergreens, banners and flags, were displayed in +many of the streets, enlivening the scene, animating the cheers, and +affording grateful recollections. + +"Central street was gaily dressed in colours, and on an elegant arch were +inscribed the names of distinguished patriots of the revolution, crowned +with those of WASHINGTON and LAFAYETTE. In North-street a similar arch bore +the inscription:--"_Honor to him who fought and bled for the peace and +happiness we now enjoy_." On an arch at Buffum's corner, was inscribed, +"LAFAYETTE, _the friend of Liberty, we welcome to the land of liberty. He +did not forget us in our adversity--In our prosperity we remember his +services with gratitude_." Near the above, another arch bore a likeness of +Lafayette, surmounted by an eagle. + +"Near the avenue leading to the bridge at which, in February, 1775, Col. +LESLIE, with a detachment of the British 64th regiment, met with a repulse +in an attempt to carry off some canon deposited in the vicinity, were +banners, with the following inscription:-- + + _"Leslie's Repulse_, 1775. + _Lafayette's Renown_, 1824." + +"In Winter-street an arch bore the following inscription on American duck, +made at the factory in Salem-- + + AMERICAN DUCK + + "While winds shall blow, and seas shall roll, + While aught remains that's good and great, + Our _Native Duck_, from pole to pole, + Shall waft the fame of Lafayette." + +"Washington-square was decorated with two arches, tastefully ornamented, +one bearing the name of the General in oaken characters and the second a +bust of Washington. + +"On Washington-square the General passed between two lines of boys, about +one thousand in number, arrayed under their respective instructors, all +bearing Lafayette badges. One of the gates of the square bore this +inscription.--"_The children welcome with joy, the illustrious benefactor +of their fathers_." And as the General passed, they shouted "_Welcome +Lafayette_." + +"Notwithstanding the heavy rain, this youthful band could not be prevailed +upon to leave the ground, but remained bravely at their post until they had +shared with their parents in the honor and happiness of greeting the +nation's guest. + +"From Washington-square the procession passed to the Coffee-House, now +named _Lafayete Coffee-House_ (late _Essex;_) where, on a temporary stage, +erected in front of the house, the Committee of Arrangements received their +illustrious guest, and Judge Story, the president of the day, in the most +interesting and eloquent manner, welcomed him in the following address:-- + + +"General LAFAYETTE. + +"SIR--Forty years have elapsed since the inhabitants of this town had the +pleasure to welcome you within its limits. Many, who then hailed your +arrival with pride and exultation, have descended to the grave, and cannot +greet you on your long desired, return. But, thanks to a good providence, +many are yet alive, who recollect with grateful sensibility, the universal +joy of that occasion. Your disinterested zeal in embarking is a cause, +deemed almost hopeless--your personal sacrifices in quitting a home, +endeared by all the blessings with which affection and virtue can adorn +life--your toils and perils in the conflicts of war, and the vicissitudes +of a discouraging service--your modest dignity and enthusiasm on receiving +the homage of a free people--these were all fresh in their memories, and +gave an interest to the scene, which cannot be described, but which time +has hallowed with his most touching grace. I stand now in the presence of +some, venerable in age and character, who were the delighted witnesses of +that interview, and whose hearts again glow with the feelings of that happy +day. + +"To us of a younger generation--the descendants of your early friends and +companions in arms, a different but not less interesting privilege belongs. +We are allowed the enviable distinction of meeting in his riper years, one, +whom our fathers loved in their youth. We welcome you to our country, to +our homes, to our hearts. We have read the history of your achievements, +your honors, and your sufferings! They are associated with all that is dear +to us--with the battle-grounds, consecrated by the blood of our heroes-- +with the tender recollections of our departed statesmen--with the +affectionate reverence of our surviving patriots. Can we forget that our +country was poor and struggling alone in the doubtful contest for +Independence, and you crossed the Atlantic at the hazard of fortune, fame +and life, to cheer us in our defence? That you recrossed it to solicit +naval and military succors from the throne of France, and returned with +triumphant success? That your gallantry checked in the southern campaigns, +the inroads of a brave and confident enemy? That your military labours +closed only with the surrender at Yorktown, and thus indissolubly united +your name with the proud events of that glorious day? We cannot forget +these things if we would--We would not forget them if we could. They will +perish only when America ceases to be a nation. + +"But we have yet higher sources of gratification on the present occasion. +You have been not merely the friend of America, but of France, and of +liberty throughout the world. During a long life in the most trying scenes, +you have done no act for which virtue need blush or humanity weep. Your +private character has not cast a shade on your public honors. In the +palaces of Paris and the dungeons of Olmutz, in the splendor of power, and +the gloom of banishment, you have been the friend of justice, and the +asserter of the rights of man. Under every misfortune, you have never +deserted your principles. What earthly prince can afford consolation like +this? The favor of princes, and the applause of senates, sink into absolute +nothingness, in comparison with the approving conscience of a life devoted +to the good of mankind. At this very moment you are realizing the brightest +visions of your youth, in the spectacle of ten millions of people +prosperous and happy under a free government, whose moral strength consists +in the courage and intelligence of its citizens.--These millions welcome +your arrival to the shores of the west with spontaneous unanimity; and the +voice which now addresses you, feeble as it is, repeats but the thoughts +that are ready to burst from the lips of every American." + +The General's reply was in his usual manner.--It was brief, affectionate, +and full of feeling. + +An impressive circumstance occurred in the delivery of the address.--When +the Judge came to that part which says, "_We could not forget them if we +would; we would not forget them, if we could_;" the spontaneous assent of +the assembled people to the sentiment, was given by "_No, never_;" repeated +by thousands of voices, and accompanied by deafening shouts of applause. + +A great number of introductions to the General took place. Of them, were +several revolutionary officers and soldiers. + +At Beverly and Ipswich he received from the assembled inhabitants, the same +cordial welcome with which he had been greeted in other towns, through +which he passed. The selectmen of these places waited on him, and offered +him the congratulations of their fellow citizens; the people greeted him +with repeated cheers of "_welcome, welcome Lafayette_;" and arches were +erected at several public places, containing appropriate mottoes. The +houses of the villages through which he passed, after the evening set in, +were brilliantly illuminated. + +It was evening when he arrived at Ipswich, and the weather was very +inclement. The inhabitants had, therefore, assembled in the meeting house +to receive him. Thither he was conducted by a committee of the town; and on +his entrance, he was greeted with great exultation and joy. One of the +committee addressed him as follows:-- + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"Accept from the people of Ipswich, their cordial congratulations on your +arrival in their country and within their own borders. To this ancient +town, sir, we bid you a joyful welcome. + +"Having devoted to our beloved country, in her weak and critical situation, +the vigor of your youth and the resources of a mind intent on the cause of +freedom and humanity, and committed to a common lot with her, your own +destinies,--that country can never forget the services you rendered, and +the sacrifices you incurred, for her defence and protection, when assailed +by overbearing power. + +"We rejoice in having an opportunity of presenting ourselves in this house, +consecrated to the worship of the God of our fathers, who has kindly raised +up friends and patrons of the cause of our country and of liberty, to pay +to you our grateful respect for your eminent labours. + +"Most of those who acted in, or witnessed the great scenes in which you +bore so conspicuous a part, have now descended to the tombs of their +fathers. The present generation can rehearse only what they have heard with +their ears, and their fathers have told them. But the name of Lafayette is +not confined to any generation. While the liberties of America shall +endure, it will descend from father to son, associated with those of the +immortal Washington, and other heroes and sages of our revolution, as the +friend of our country, of liberty, and of man. + +"Illustrious benefactor--may the blessing of Heaven ever attend you, and +may your remaining days be as happy, as your past have been perilous, +useful and honorable." + +To which the General made the following reply:-- + + +"SIR, + +"The attentions paid me by my American friends, I receive with +inexpressible gratitude. I regret that so many of my friends here, should +be exposed on my account to this storm. I have ever considered it my pride +and my honor, that I embarked in the cause of Independence in this country; +and I rejoiced when I found myself again landed on the American shores. +You, kind sir, the people of this town, and all who are assembled in this +solemn place, will please to accept my thanks for this expression of your +attachment, and receive my best wishes for your individual prosperity and +happiness." + +He reached Newburyport a little past ten o'clock, where he passed the +night. His lodgings were the same which Washington occupied, when he made +his tour through the northern states, in 1789, the first year of his +presidency. The following address was made to him, by the chairman of a +committee of that town:-- + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"The citizens of Newburyport are happy in this opportunity of greeting, +with the warmest welcome, a distinguished benefactor of their country. + +"The important services, which you rendered this people in the day of their +distress; the devotedness which you manifested in their perilous cause, and +the dangers which you _sought_ for their relief, are incorporated in our +history, and firmly engraved upon our hearts. + +"We would lead you to our institutions of learning, charity and religion; +we would point you to our hills and valleys covered with flocks, and +smiling in abundance, that you may behold the happy effects of those +principles of liberty, which you was so instrumental in establishing. + +"Our children cluster about you to receive a patriot's blessing. Our +citizens press forward to show their gratitude. Our nation pays you a +tribute, which must remove the reproach that republics are ungrateful. + +"As the zealous advocate for civil liberty, we bid you welcome; as the +brave defender of an oppressed people, we make you welcome; as the friend +and associate of our immortal Washington, we bid you welcome." + +General Lafayette replied in his usually courteous and animated manner, and +evincing his great sensibility to the kind and friendly greetings with +which he had been received. He here also met several veterans of the +revolutionary army; a gratification which he enjoyed in almost every place +he visited. Though the number is rapidly lessening, a few remain in most of +the populous towns of the Commonwealth. + +He left Newburyport Wednesday morning for the capital of New-Hampshire. The +escort contemplated to have attended on his way to the bounds of the state, +was prevented by the heavy rain. It was at his urgent request that it was +dispensed with. The committee of the town however, accompanied him to +Hampton; where he was met by a deputation from Portsmouth, and conducted on +his intended route. When passing through Greenland, a procession of the +citizens was formed, by which he was attended through the villages. Here he +was welcomed also by salutes from an artillery company, by civic arches and +repeated acclamations of the assembled people. One of the arches was +supported by two young ladies, representing LIBERTY and PEACE. One +presented him a wreath, adorned with flowers, and said, "_Venerable sire, +condescend to receive this emblem of the hero's glory, as the token of a +nation's gratitude and love_." The other presented him the olive branch, +saying, "_Good and faithful servant, peace and happiness await you_." He +received these with complacency, took each young lady by the hand, and made +an affectionate reply. + +He then proceeded to Portsmouth, where he arrived about noon. He was +conducted into this town by an escort on horseback, and a procession of +carriages, (the whole extending two miles) composed of the civil, +judicial and legislative authorities; officers of the United States and of +New-Hampshire, &c. &c. The margins of the avenue leading to the centre of +the town, was lined with children, with the inhabitants of both sexes in +the rear; who greeted him with their cordial welcomes and repeated +acclamations. Salutes were fired, and the bells rang a joyous peal; and the +streets through which the procession passed, were crowned with arches, +decorated with wreaths of evergreen and garlands of flowers. The procession +moved through several streets to Franklin Hall: and here, when General +Lafayette alighted, the chairman of the selectmen addressed him thus:-- + + +"SIR, + +"The selectmen of Portsmouth, in behalf of their fellow citizens, most +respectfully and heartily bid you welcome. + +"Enjoying, as we do, the happiness of a free government, we cannot but feel +grateful to all, by whose exertions it was obtained. Those intrepid men +among ourselves, who in the hour of danger stood forth in defence of their +country's rights, have a lasting claim upon our regard. But in contending +for the liberty of their country, they were striving to secure their own +happiness, and the prosperity of their children. _They_ found a motive for +exertion in their own interest; which, while it derogates nothing from +the value of their services, places in a strong light, the pure zeal and +contempt of private advantage, which led _you_ to our aid, from the shores +of a foreign land. _Their_ love of liberty was necessarily the sentiment of +patriotism; _yours_ was an ardent desire for the general welfare of +mankind. + +"After an absence of forty years from our country, most of which have been +passed in scenes of unexampled excitement and perplexity, it gives us +peculiar pleasure to find you still the firm and consistent friend of +liberal principles. We have watched the progress of your eventful life, +with unaffected sympathy; and whether at the head of the National Guards, +in the dungeons of Magdeburg and Olmutz, or in the Chamber of Deputies, we +have found nothing to lessen our esteem for _the early friend of America_. + +"Permit us then to receive you as our guest; and to pay you such honors as +are in our power to bestow. They are the voluntary tribute of warm and +grateful hearts. We wish our children to learn, that eminent virtue affords +the highest claim to honorable distinction; and that among a free people, +merit will not fail of its appropriate reward. + +"We beg you to accept our sincere wishes for your health and happiness, and +our prayers will be offered, that your example may animate the wise and +good in every nation, to contend manfully and perseveringly for the freedom +and happiness of the world." + +To which the General made the following reply:-- + + +"GENTLEMEN, + +"It would have been to me an inexpressible gratification on this first +visit to the eastern parts of the Union, after so long an absence, to have +been able to present the several towns of New-Hampshire with my personal +respect, and to have witnessed the great improvement of a State, to which I +am bound by early sentiments of attachment and gratitude. + +"Obliged as I find myself, to take a southern course towards the seat of +government, at Washington, I am happy to revisit at least the town of +Portsmouth, where the remembrance of past favors, mingles with most +grateful feelings for your present affectionate and flattering reception. + +"I thank you, gentlemen, for your constant concern in my behalf, during the +vicissitudes to which you are pleased to allude. The approbation of a free, +virtuous and enlightened people, would be the highest reward for any one +who knows how to value true glory; still more so, when it is bestowed on an +adopted son. + +"To the citizens of Portsmouth and their worthy selectmen, I offer my most +respectful and affectionate acknowledgments." + +Gov. Morril gave him the hearty welcome of the State, in the following +address:-- + + +"GENERAL, + +"Forty years have rolled away since you left this asylum of liberty, for +your native country. During this eventful period our cities have advanced, +and villages have been reared; but our Langdon, our Cilley, our Poor, our +Sullivan, and our Washington have passed from the stage of human action, +and are gone to the land of their fathers. Although they are gone, their +sons survive, and the patriotism and love of liberty which animated their +breasts and excited them to those glorious acts, during our revolution, in +which you, sir, shone so conspicuously, are now cherished in the bosoms of +their posterity;--and we rejoice to be numbered among them;--and in the +name of the patriotic citizens of New-Hampshire generally, allow me to say, +that it is with no ordinary emotions we receive and welcome you to our +State. + +"We receive you, sir, as the friend of our nation, of liberty, and the +rights of man. + +"We welcome you as the magnanimous hero, who in early life, from the most +pure and disinterested motives, quitted your native country, and repaired +to these Colonies, then the seat of war, (contending for Independence) to +embark in the struggle for the preservation of those rights, and the +achievement of those privileges, which are more precious to the patriot +than life itself. And, sir, it is our ardent desire, that the gratitude of +Republics, but more especially of the Republic of the United States, and +the smiles of Heaven, may rest upon you to the last period of your life." + +The General, in his characteristic reply, alluded very affectionately to +his departed associates; and the interesting changes which have taken place +since he left the country. It is not necessary to add, that he expressed +with emotion his acknowledgments for the cordiality of his welcome. + +There was a very splendid ball in the evening, in honor of Lafayette, which +he attended, and where a great number of ladies were presented to him. He +left Portsmouth, 11 o'clock at night, to return to Boston, having engaged +to be there on Thursday morning. While at Portsmouth he received pressing +invitations to visit Exeter and Dover, but was obliged to decline them. He +reached Boston about 7 o'clock, Thursday morning; and after taking some +necessary repose, he received a number of revolutionary officers and +soldiers; and deputations from several towns in the interior, lying on his +rout to Connecticut. He then repaired to the Council Chamber, and took +leave of the Governor and other members of the Supreme Executive: and +afterwards set off for Lexington and Concord, and thence to Boston on his +way to Worcester. He left Boston at about two o'clock, in a carriage +provided by the State for his accommodation, and attended by the committee +of arrangements of the city, and by the Governor's aids, who waited on him +to the bounds of Connecticut. When he left the City, he expressed the +gratification and delight he had experienced from the interesting +recollections which had occurred to his mind, and from the great cordiality +and affection with which he had been received. The Mayor assured him, that +he and others were happy in the opportunity they had to manifest their +attachment and respect to the early and faithful friend of the nation, and +the firm and uniform friend of civil liberty. + +When he passed through West Cambridge, the whole population of the town +were assembled to honor the friend and guest of the nation, and to gratify +their patriotic feelings by beholding this justly celebrated personage. +Artillery corps stationed on the eminences adjoining the public road +saluted him as he passed; and the country rung with loud huzzas and joyful +acclamations. At the line of Lexington, he was received by a troop of horse +and cavalcade of citizens, who conducted him into that ancient town. On his +way, he passed under an arch, bearing this inscription--"_Welcome, friend +of America, to the birth place of American liberty_." Salutes were again +fired, and he was then conducted to the monument erected in memory of the +attack of the British troops upon the militia of that place, April 19, +1775. He was here welcomed and addressed by one of the citizens in behalf +of the town. Near the monument, he was introduced to _fourteen_ of the +militia company, which had assembled at that time, and on whom the regular +troops fired, when eight of the number were slain. + +After this very interesting scene, General Lafayette proceeded to Concord, +and was met at the line between that place and Lexington, by a committee of +the town and a respectable cavalcade of the intelligent yeomanry of the +vicinity; there was also an escort composed of several companies of +militia. The procession, thus formed, moved forward to the village, and the +distinguished visitor was conducted to a spacious bower prepared for his +reception, and tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers by the +ladies of Concord. As he entered the village, he received a salute from the +artillery corps, and the vocal salutations of the inhabitants of both +sexes, who had assembled to present him their grateful offerings. The peals +of the village bell prolonged the acclamations of the admiring throng. The +following inscription was to be seen in a conspicuous place in the +arbor--"_In 1775, the people of Concord met the enemies of liberty; In +1824, they welcome the bold asserter of the rights of man, LAFAYETTE_." A +sumptuous repast was provided for the occasion; and the tables were covered +with all the delicacies the season and country could afford. + +When General Lafayette had entered the arbor, one of the citizens addressed +him by the following speech:-- + +"The inhabitants of Concord, by this delegation, welcome you, General, to +their village. We thank you for affording us an opportunity here to offer +our humble tribute of gratitude for services long since rendered, but still +held in lively recollection. You, sir, now behold the _spot on which the +first forcible resistance_ was made to a system of measures calculated to +deprive the whole people of these States of the privileges of freemen. You +approved this resistance. A just estimate of the value of rational liberty +led you disinterestedly, to participate with strangers in the toils, the +privations, and the dangers of an arduous contest. From the 19th day of +April, 1775, here noted in blood, to the memorable day in Yorktown, your +heart and your sword were with us. Ten millions of grateful people now +enjoy the fruits of this struggle. We can but repeat to you, sir, the +cordial, affectionate, respectful welcome offered to you at your first +arrival on our shores, and which we are assured will be reiterated wherever +you move on American ground." + +The General was, as usual, extremely happy in his reply, and alluded with +sensibility to the memorable scenes of April 19, 1775. + +The ladies of Concord and vicinity were present at this civic and patriotic +repast; and it added much to the interest and splendour of the scene. +Coffee was served up, as a counter-part of the entertainment; and Lafayette +appeared to be highly pleased with the hearty reception which he met in +this hospitable town. Some revolutionary characters called upon him here, +who had not before seen him since he arrived; and were received with great +cordiality. He spoke of the gun which had been shown him in Boston, by an +inhabitant of Concord or vicinity, and which was first fired against the +ministerial troops of Britain. He said, "it was the alarm gun to all Europe +and to the world. For it was the signal, which summoned the civilized world +to assert their rights, and to become free." + +The visit at Concord was necessarily short as he had engaged to pass the +night at Bolton, about twenty miles distant. He left Concord at sun-set; +and was escorted on his route to Bolton, by a company of cavalry and +several gentlemen of distinction belonging to that place and vicinity. He +was every where greeted by the people, who collected in companies at +various places, to offer him their hearty welcome. The houses on the road +were illuminated, and bonfires were kindled on the adjoining hills. The +militia of Bolton were assembled to receive him, though it was late in the +evening when he arrived. The selectmen offered him their salutations and +welcome in the name of the town. He passed the night at the hospitable +mansion of Mr. W----, where taste, variety and elegance contributed to +render his reception very distinguished. Mr. W---- had resided much in +France, and was particularly acquainted with Lafayette and family. +Committees from Lancaster and Worcester waited on him at Bolton, to learn +his plans and the probable hours of his being in those places, and to +communicate the desires of the people to present him their tribute of +affection and regard. He visited Lancaster early on Friday morning, where +all classes of the inhabitants were assembled to bid him welcome, and to +express the affectionate sentiments by which their glowing bosoms were +animated. A corps of cavalry still escorted him--a national salute was +fired--and the turnpike gate, at the entrance of the village, was +ornamented with garlands of flowers and evergreens, and displayed this +inscription, "_The_ FREE _welcome the_ BRAVE." He was conducted through +lines formed by the citizens of both sexes, to an elevated platform, +prepared in the centre of the village, and near the church; where he was +addressed by the Reverend Pastor-- + + +"General LAFAYETTE, + +"In behalf of the inhabitants of Lancaster, I offer you their cordial +congratulations on your arrival in a country, whose wrongs you felt and +resented; whose liberties you valiantly defended; and whose interests and +prospects have always been dear to your soul. + +"We all unite with the few surviving veterans, who were with, loved, and +respected you on the high places of the field, in giving you a welcome to +this village, once the chosen residence of savages, and the scene of their +most boasted triumph; and rejoice that you visit it under the improvements +of civilized life, in prosperity and peace. + +"It gladdens us, that we and our children may behold the man, whom we have +believed, and whom we have taught them to believe, was second only to his +and our friend, the immortal Washington. We participate in your joy, on +beholding our institutions in vigor, our population extended, so that, +since you left us, from a little one we have become millions, and from a +small band a strong nation; that you see our glory rising, our republic +placed on an immoveable basis, all of which are in part, under Providence, +to be ascribed to your sacrifices, dangers and toils. + +"We wish you health and prosperity. We assure you that wherever you shall +go, you will be greeted by our fellow countrymen, as one of the chief +deliverers of America, and the friend of rational liberty, and of man. It +is especially our prayer, that on that day in which the acclamations and +applauses of dying men shall cease to reach or affect you, you may receive +from the Judge of character and Dispenser of imperishable honors, as the +reward of philanthropy and incorruptible integrity, a crown of glory which +shall never fade." + +It is unnecessary to add, that this eloquent and pious greeting excited +strong emotions in the General, and had an impressive effect on the +assemblage who heard it. + +The following is a report of General Lafayette's reply:-- + +"Accept my thanks, sir, for the kind welcome you have offered me in the +name of the inhabitants of Lancaster. In returning to this country after so +long an absence; in receiving such proofs of gratitude and affection +wherever I go; in witnessing the prosperity of this land,--a prosperity you +are pleased to say, I have been instrumental in promoting;--I feel emotions +for which no language is adequate. In meeting again my former friends, in +seeing the children and grand children of those who were my companions in +the war of the revolution, I feel a gratification which no words can +express. I beg you to accept, sir, and to offer to these people, my +grateful, my affectionate acknowledgments." + +In passing through Sterling and Boylston, he was saluted by the artillery +companies in those respective towns, and hailed by the cordial salutations +of the people, who crowded from the neighbouring country to behold the man, +whom all delighted to honor. The whole population seemed to be in motion; +and both old and young were eager to offer him their personal greetings. +Several arches were thrown across the public road, at short notice; but +indicative of the grateful dispositions of the citizens. This motto was +observed on one of them--"_Welcome_ LAFAYETTE, _friend of_ WASHINGTON, _and +adopted son of America_." + +His _entree_ and reception at Worcester was highly interesting. He remained +in this village several hours. The taste and wealth and patriotism of this +flourishing _shire_ town were unitedly and spontaneously put in requisition +to prepare due honors for the "nation's guest." The number and neatness of +the military, arches spacious and highly ornamented, extensive lines of the +citizens and of youth expressing their gratitude in frequent and loud +acclamations--all conspired to render the scene particularly brilliant. +Here, as in other places, the ladies were eager to manifest the high +estimation, in which they held the character of this eminent friend of +liberty and virtue. He was addressed with great eloquence and feeling, by +Judge Lincoln, in behalf of the citizens of the town and county of +Worcester. + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"The citizens whom you see assembled around you, have spontaneously +thronged together, to offer you the tribute of their affection, their +respect, their gratitude. + +"In the name of the inhabitants of Worcester, the _shire_ of an extensive +county of more than 75000 population, in behalf of all who are present, and +in anticipation of the commands of those, whom distance and want of +opportunity occasion to be absent from this joyous scene, I repeat to you +the salutations, which elsewhere have been so impressively offered upon +your arrival in this country, and your visit to this Commonwealth. Welcome, +most cordially welcome, to the presence of those who now greet you! + +"Your name, sir, is not only associated with the memorable events of the +American revolution, with the battle of Brandywine, the retreat from Valley +Forge, the affair near Jamestown, and the triumph at Yorktown; but the +memorials of _your_ services and _our_ obligations exist, in the +Independence of the nation which was accomplished, in the government of the +people which is established, in the institutions and laws, the arts, +improvements, liberty and happiness which are enjoyed. The _sword_ was +beaten into the _ploughshare_, to cultivate the soil which its temper had +previously defended, and the hill-tops shall now echo to the sea shore the +gratulations of the independent proprietors of the land, to the common +benefactor of all ranks and classes of the people. + +"Wherever you go, General, the acclamations of Freemen await you--their +blessings and prayers will follow you. May you live many years to enjoy the +fruits of the services and sacrifices, the gallantry and valor of your +earlier days, devoted to the cause of freedom and the rights of man; and +may the bright examples of individual glory and of national happiness, +which the history of America exhibits, illustrate to the world, the moral +force of _personal_ virtue, and the rich blessings of civil liberty in +republican governments." + +The General, in reply, said in substance, "That he received with much +sensibility, the expressions of kind attention with which he was received +by the inhabitants of the town and county of Worcester; that he was +delighted with the fine country which he had seen, and the excellent +improvement and cultivation which he witnessed; that he saw the best proofs +of a great, prosperous and happy people, in the rapid advancement of the +polite and useful arts, and in the stability of our free institutions; that +he was especially much gratified in the great improvements of the face of +the country, because he was himself a farmer; that he felt happy to observe +such decided proofs of industry, sobriety and prosperity.--He begged the +citizens to be assured of his affectionate and grateful recollection of +their reception of him; he thanked them for all they had manifested towards +him, for the kind expressions; which had been offered him by the committee, +and, in a feeling impressive manner, reciprocated their good wishes." + +Speaking to an individual of the attentions he had received, he observed. +"It is the homage the people pay to the _principles_ of the government, +rather than to myself." + +The inhabitants of Sturbridge and other places through which General +Lafayette passed, on his way to Hartford, in Connecticut, assembled in +their respective towns, and presented him the ready homage of affectionate +and grateful hearts. Companies of artillery fired salutes; ladies and +gentlemen gathered round him to bid him welcome to America, and to express +their deep and lively sense of his past services; and many veterans of the +revolutionary army pressed upon him, without ceremony or introduction, +expecting, as they found, a friendly and cordial reception. + +General Lafayette was received at Hartford, in Connecticut, where he +arrived on Saturday morning, with similar marks of affection and esteem to +those so cordially bestowed on him in the towns he had already visited. He +was expected by the citizens on Friday evening, and arrangements were made +for a general illumination. He was escorted into the city by the military, +and a large procession of the citizens received him soon after he entered +within its bounds, and conducted him to the State House, where he was +addressed by the Mayor of the city, who assured him of the affectionate +welcome, with which the people received him, and referred to the past +services of Lafayette, which were still highly appreciated. And he +expressed great happiness in beholding so many proofs of the prosperous +state of the country, and in witnessing the invaluable effects of our free +institutions. The greater part of the inhabitants of both sexes were +personally presented to him; and there was an assemblage of children of +about eight hundred, the misses all dressed in white, wearing badges with +the motto, "_Nous vous aimons_ LAFAYETTE." A gold medal was presented him +by one of the children, which was enclosed in a paper containing these +lines. + + Welcome thou to freedom's clime, + Glorious Hero! Chief sublime! + Garlands bright for thee are wreath'd, + Vows of filial ardour breathed, + Veteran's cheeks with tears are wet, + "_Nous vous aimons_ LAFAYETTE." + + Monmouth's field is rich with bloom, + Where thy warriors found their tomb. + Yorktown's heights resound no more, + Victor's shout or cannon's roar. + Yet our hearts record their debt, + "_We do love you_ LAFAYETTE." + + Brandywine, whose current roll'd + Proud with blood of heroes bold, + That our country's debt shall tell, + That our gratitude shall swell, + Infant breasts thy wounds regret, + "_We do love you_ LAFAYETTE." + + Sires, who sleep in glory's bed, + Sires, whose blood for us was shed, + Taught us, when our knee we bend, + With the prayer thy name to blend; + Shall we e'er such charge forget? + No!--"_Nous vous aimons_ LAFAYETTE." + + When our blooming cheeks shall fade, + Pale with time, or sorrow's shade, + When our clustering tresses fair + Frosts of wintry age shall wear, + E'en till memory's sun be set, + "_We will love you_ LAFAYETTE." + +In comparison with the population of Hartford, a greater portion of his +revolutionary companions were here presented to him than in any place he +had visited. The number was nearly one hundred. These marched before him, +in the procession, in a connected column and attended by their own music. +It is hardly necessary to say, that their beloved general gave them a most +cordial greeting. By one of the citizens, a sash and pair of epaulets were +produced, which were worn by Lafayette when he entered the American army. +The _sash was stained with blood_ from his wound received in the battle of +Brandywine. He left Hartford late in the afternoon, and proceeded to +Middletown, where he embarked in a steam boat for New-York. The citizens of +this place regretted, that he could not pass some time with them; and +receive the attentions, which their grateful feelings would induce them to +bestow on a zealous and able friend of American independence. + + + + +HIS RETURN TO NEW-YORK. + + +General Lafayette reached New-York on the following day, about noon; and +was conducted to the City Hotel by the committee of arrangements, who were +in waiting to receive him, when he arrived at the wharf. Multitudes +assembled, who greeted his return, and renewed their joyful acclamations on +meeting him again as a guest of their city. On Monday, the Cincinnati of +the State of New-York gave a public dinner, in honor of "their old +companion in arms," at which were also present several other persons of +distinction, and the members of the City Council. This was the anniversary +of the birth of Lafayette; and the circumstance increased the interesting +associations of the interview. The hall of meeting was richly decorated +with appropriate emblems, and portraits of some of the heroes of the +revolution, and bearing the hallowed name of Washington. In the toasts +given on this occasion, were illusions to the important events which +occurred in the war of the revolution, and to many of the distinguished +characters, who conducted it to a successful issue--Washington, Greene, +Lincoln, Steuben, Knox, Gates, Clinton, Kosciusco, De Kalb, Hamilton and +others. + +The first volunteer toast was by the President of the Society, and was, +"_Our distinguished guest_;" when a transparent painting was suddenly +illuminated and unveiled, and displayed a "WELCOME;" and over the head of +Lafayette a beautiful wreath of flowers was suspended. He rose and +said,--"with inexpressible delight at our brotherly meeting, with my +affection to you all, my very dear friends and companions in arms, I +propose the following sentiment; The sacred principles for which we have +fought and bled--_Liberty, equality and national independence_; may every +nation of the earth in adopting them, drink a _bumper_ to the old +continental army." [Footnote: Some of the toasts given by General Lafayette +on other occasions are here recorded, as they are indicative of the +opinions and sentiments which probably predominate in his mind. At the +public dinner in Boston, on the day of his arrival--"The city of Boston, +the cradle of liberty; may its proud Faneuil Hall ever stand a monument to +teach the world that resistance to oppression is a duty, and will, under +true republican institutions, become a blessing." In the College Hall at +the dinner of the Society of _Phi Beta Kappa_--"_The Holy Alliance_ of +virtue, literature and patriotism: It will prove too powerful for any +_coalition_ against the rights of man." At the military dinner on the +Common in Boston, when the brilliant parade took place before +mentioned--"The patriotic troops who have paraded this day, they excite the +admiration of every beholder, and fill the heart with delight." At the +dinner given by the citizens of Salem--"The town of Salem: may her +increasing prosperity more and more evince the blessings of popular +institutions, founded on the sacred basis of natural and social rights." +And at Portsmouth, he gave that town, and added, "may the blessings of +republican institutions furnish a refutation of the mistaken and selfish +sophistry of European despotism."] + +On the next day, he visited the public Schools, the College, the Hospital, +and Academy of Fine Arts; and on Wednesday, embarked in a steamboat to view +the fortifications in the harbor of New-York. In the evening following, he +attended the theatre, and was received with universal and repeated +acclamations. Many eminent persons from distant parts of the United States +visited New-York, at this time, for the sole object of meeting the +celebrated friend of America. Among these were Mrs. Lewis, a niece of +General Washington; and Mr. Huger of South-Carolina, the brave and generous +youth, who attempted the liberation of Lafayette from the dungeon of +Olmutz, at the imminent hazard of his own life; and who suffered a long and +severe imprisonment for his disinterested interference. He also visited the +widowed ladies of Generals Montgomery and Hamilton. Of the latter general, +he was the personal and ardent friend. + +A public dinner was given to Lafayette by the French gentlemen resident in +New-York; many of whom were among the constitutionalists in France in 1783; +and who manifested equal respect and veneration for this distinguished +confessor of regulated liberty, as the citizens of America. Several of the +Aldermen of the city also gave splendid entertainments to the guest of the +nation, who could justly claim to have acted an important part in the +establishment of our freedom and independence. + +He consented to attend the examination of several of the free schools--and +appeared highly gratified by the evidence given of the improvement of the +pupils. At one of the schools, consisting of 400 misses, after the +examination, the following lines were chanted by the pupils: + + Welcome, Hero, to the West, + To the land thy sword hath blest! + To the country of the _Free_, + Welcome, _Friend of Liberty_! + + Grateful millions guard thy fame, + Age and youth revere thy name, + Beauty twines the wreath for thee, + Glorious _Son of Liberty_! + + Tears shall speak a nation's love, + Whereso'er thy footsteps move, + By the choral _paean_ met-- + Welcome, welcome, Lafayette! + +The _African_ free school was not overlooked. While on his visit here, one +of the trustees announced, that General Lafayette had been elected a member +of the Manumission Society of New-York. The truly venerable John Jay is +President of this benevolent association. One of the children stepped +forward, and expressed their sense of the honor of the visit, and of their +satisfaction in reflecting, that he was friendly to the abolition of +slavery. + +But the most splendid scene exhibited in this proud city, was the _fete_ at +Castle-garden. This was an evening party and ball, at which _six thousand_ +ladies and gentlemen were present. It was the most brilliant and +magnificent scene ever witnessed in the United States. Castle-garden lies +at a very short distance from Battery-street, which is a spacious and +elegant promenade, on the south westerly part of the city. It was formerly +a fort, and is about one hundred and seventy feet in diameter, of a +circular or elliptical form. It has lately become a place of great resort +in the warm season of the year. Everything which labor and expence, art and +taste could effect was done to render it convenient, showy and elegant. An +awning covered the whole area of the garden suspended at an altitude of +seventy-five feet; the columns which supported the dome were highly +ornamented, and lighted by an _immense_ cut glass chandelier, with thirteen +smaller ones appended. + +The General, made his appearance about 10 o'clock; when the dance and the +song was at an end. The military band struck up a grand march, and the +Guest was conducted through a column of ladies and gentlemen to a splendid +pavilion. Not a word was spoken of gratulation--so profound, and +respectful, and intellectual was the interest which his presence excited. +The interior of the pavilion which was composed of white cambric, +ornamented with sky blue festoons, was richly furnished. Among other +interesting objects was a bust of Hamilton, placed upon a Corinthian pillar +and illuminated with a beautiful lamp. In front of the pavilion was a +triumphal arch, of about 90 feet span adorned with laurel, oak, and +festoons, based upon pillars of cannon fifteen feet high.--A bust of +Washington, supported by a golden eagle, was placed over the arch as the +presiding deity. Within the arch was a symbolic painting nearly 25 feet +square, exhibiting a scroll inscribed to Fayette, with the words:-- + + "_Honored be the faithful Patriot_." + +Soon after the General entered, the painting just alluded to was slowly +raised, which exhibited to the audience a beautiful transparency, +representing La Grange, the mansion of Lafayette. The effect was as +complete as the view was unexpected and imposing. Another subdued clap of +admiration followed this tasteful and appropriate and highly interesting +display. + +Universal harmony and good feeling prevailed; and about half past one +o'clock, the General left the Castle, and embarked on board the steamboat +James Kent, in his excursion up the North River, amidst renewed and +prolonged acclamations. Eighty sets of cotillions were frequently on the +floor at the same time. + +A writer concludes the account of this fete thus; "Taking into view the +immense space of the area, the gigantic ceiling of which was lined with the +flags of all nations, festooned in a thousand varied shapes, and the whole +most brilliantly illuminated, we can safely assert that there was never any +thing to equal it in this country. + +"The seats now erected around the area will accommodate about 3000 persons. + +"There were 200 servants employed on this occasion, dressed in white under +clothes, and blue coats, with red capes and cuffs." + +He did not arrive at West-Point until about noon, having been detained some +hours on the passage, by the steam boat getting on the flats in a thick +fog. Before he reached this memorable spot, and as he passed near the banks +of the Hudson, the people collected in great numbers, at several places, +tendering him the hearty _welcome_ of freemen, and expressing, by loud and +long acclamations, their joy at his presence. On his arrival at West-Point, +the whole establishment were in readiness to greet him. He was received +under a national salute. Generals Brown and Scott of the army of the United +States were also here, to bid him welcome, and bestow those honors due to +the highest general officer in the national service, as well as to one who +justly merited the nation's gratitude. He passed several hours at this +celebrated spot; highly pleased with the appearance of the cadets, and with +the evidences exhibited of improvements in military science. The +recollection of times long since gone by gave a deep interest to the visit +at this memorable post, some time the Head-Quarters of the American army; +and the place where the infamous Arnold attempted to barter away the +independence of the country. Some of the cadets wear the swords presented +by Lafayette to a corps of American troops in the war of the revolution. + +At a late hour in the afternoon, he proceeded up the river to Newburgh, +where nearly 20,000 people were collected to greet him. They had been +waiting his approach with great eagerness, and arrangements had been made +to receive him with due honors, and expressive of their unbounded affection +and regard. The lateness of the hour prevented their being carried into +full effect. A splendid ball was given, and a sumptuous repast prepared; +and he was addressed in behalf of the town, by one of the principal +citizens. Arches were thrown across the principal street, and most of the +buildings were illuminated. He regretted, that he had not more time at +Newburgh; for this, too, is memorable as the residence of WASHINGTON, and a +part of the continental army in 1781. He embarked on board the steam boat, +at twelve o'clock, and proceeded up the river, on his way to Albany. He +reached Poughkeepsie at the rising of the sun. But the militia were +assembled, the banks of the river, and the wharves were crowded by a happy +population, impatient to present their offerings of gratitude and esteem to +their heroic and benevolent visitor. Their repeated cheers made the +_welkin_ ring. When he landed, he was received by a battalion of the +militia, in full uniform. A procession being formed, he was conducted +through the most populous part of the town, to the city hotel, receiving as +he passed, the constant greetings of the people. + +The spacious hall in which breakfast was provided for him, was tastefully +ornamented, and in various public places, inscriptions and mottos were +displayed, which were expressive of the affection and respect of the +inhabitants for their distinguished guest. A number of his old companions +in arms were presented to him, both at this place and at Newburgh; among +them was one who had served with much credit as an officer through the war, +who was _ninety-five_ years of age, with all his faculties unimpaired. + +The reception of Lafayette at Catskill, Hudson and Livingston's manor, was +highly gratifying to him, and honorable to the sensibility and patriotism +of the people. He was every where met with demonstrations of joy. The +overflowing gratitude, the sumptuous hospitality, the military pride, which +were manifested wherever he paused, if but for an hour, were new proofs of +one universal feeling of affectionate attachment to the friend of +WASHINGTON and adopted son of the nation. + +Very splendid preparations were made in Albany for his reception: and a +great number of people had assembled from all the neighbouring towns. He +did not enter the city till evening, which prevented in some measure, the +brilliant honors which had been intended to be offered. A committee +proceeded to meet him several miles from the city, and to conduct him on +his way. They were attended by an escort of dragoons, and a great number of +the citizens in carriages. The roar of cannon announced his approach, and +the houses in the city were at once illuminated. The procession moved on to +the capitol, amidst the cheers and _welcomes_ of 40,000 people. General +Lafayette was here addressed by the mayor of the city; and being introduced +to the governor, he also offered him the salutations of the state. A number +of the revolutionary officers and soldiers were then presented to him. The +interchange of greetings was most affectionate between the parties, and +most interesting to the spectators. A standard of Gansevort's regiment, +which had waved at Yorktown, under the command of Lafayette, attracted +particular attention among the numerous decorations in the capitol. In the +course of the evening, he was conducted to the splendid ball room, where +the ladies appeared in all their attractions, and were anxious to show +their respect to the far-famed hero, who almost fifty years ago, had +devoted his life and his all, to the cause of America. + +On the following day, many of the inhabitants of both sexes were introduced +to him, at the capitol. The old soldiers of the revolution were among them. +One, when he took his hand, said, "General, I owe my life to you; I was +wounded at the battle of Monmouth. You visited me in the hospital--you gave +me two guineas, and one to a person to nurse me. To this I owe my recovery, +and may the blessing of heaven rest upon you." + +He afterwards visited Troy and the great canal, recently made in the state +of New-York, the commencement of which is not far from the city of Albany. +He was accompanied by the governor, Hon. De Witt Clinton, the chief +projector and patron of this great work, by a deputation of the city +council, and several other gentlemen of distinction. When passing to the +canal, he was greeted with repeated _welcomes_ by the people who crowded +the streets and the public roads. The steam boat which he entered, was +commanded by a captain of the revolutionary army. On passing the arsenal, +he was saluted by _three field pieces captured at _Yorktown_. Here he was +also shown the field train taken from _Burgoyne_, and some French field +pieces which he was instrumental in procuring to be sent to the United +States, in 1779. At Troy, he was received by a deputation of the city, and +one of them addressed him in the name of the inhabitants; referring to his +meritorious services, and declaring the joy they experienced in beholding +him in this favoured land of peace and freedom. He also received an +affectionate address from the Free Masons, and one still more affectionate +from the ladies of Troy. They bid him _welcome_, and acknowledged that to +him, with others, they were indebted for the blessings of social, and the +joys of domestic life. The misses of the academy were then presented to +him, and sang a hymn prepared for the occasion. He made a short reply, but +was so much affected, that it was not sufficiently understood to be +preserved. He then returned to Albany, followed by the cheers and blessings +of the people, who crowded about him on the water and on the land. + +In the evening he embarked on board a steamboat for the city of New-York, +"amidst the melody of music, the shouts of the people, and the roar of +cannon." His departure excited deep regret, but it was matter of joy, that +they had had opportunity to present their offerings of respect, to such a +pre-eminent friend of America. + +In the winter of 1777-8, General Lafayette was a short time at Albany, as +commander of the troops stationed in than quarter, after the capture of +Burgoyne. There was a plan in contemplation at this time, to make an attack +upon Canada, but it was not prosecuted. The recollection of this +circumstance, no doubt, added to the pleasure which swelled the joyful +hearts of the good people of Albany. For his conduct in that department, as +well as on all other occasions, manifested his great regard for the comfort +and the improvement of the soldiers. When he first arrived, he was not very +cordially received; he was young, being then only about twenty; and they +were full of respect also for their victorious general Gates. But his +attention was immediately given to improve the condition of the troops; he +was constant in his personal anxiety to provide clothes, provisions and +comfortable quarters for them, of which they were sadly deficient. He +visited the hospital, and furnished cordials for the sick, from his own +private resources; and was also duly careful of the discipline and order of +those, who were able to perform military duty. The feeling of the soldiers +was soon changed; they became personally and warmly attached to him, in a +short time, and many, at this day, have a deep and grateful remembrance of +his kindness as a man, as well as of his fidelity and energy as an officer. + +General Lafayette passed three days in the city of New-York, on his return +from Albany. The society of Free Masons gave him a public dinner, which was +uncommonly sumptuous and splendid, and the mayor of the city entertained +him with distinguished hospitality. Wherever he appeared, many of the +citizens attended him, and all expressed their joy at his presence. One of +them presented him a cane, worn by FRANKLIN, and left in his will to +Washington. + +He left New-York on Thursday, the 23d of September, attended by a +deputation of the city and the Society of Cincinnati. When he reached the +shore of New Jersey, the Governor of that state was ready to receive him. +He bid him welcome in the name of the state, and offered him his own +cordial salutations. He was conducted on his way by squadrons of horse, and +a large cavalcade of the citizens, and his progress was announced by +frequent salutes. His reception at Newark was unusually splendid; three +thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry were paraded and reviewed by +him. A spacious bower was prepared to receive him, which was highly +ornamented, and he was addressed by the Attorney General of the state. +After partaking of a collation, he proceeded for Elizabethtown, accompanied +by the governor, with a military escort. A procession of the citizens was +formed to receive and conduct him into the centre of the city; arches and +bowers were erected, military parade exhibited, salutes were fired, and +bells were ringing; the people cheered, the ladies welcomed him; collations +were prepared, and public officers were eager in their attentions and +assiduities. + +Pursuing his route towards Philadelphia, he reached _New Brunswick_ the +next day, and the day following, arrived at _Princeton_. He was detained on +his way, at several places, by the earnest solicitations of the people, who +were desirous of manifesting the grateful sense they cherished of his +meritorious services and exalted worth. At Princeton, he was met by a +deputation from _Trenton_, a place rendered memorable by the victory which +General Washington obtained over a large body of the British troops in +December, 1776, when he had under his command a much smaller number, many +of which were militia. He was escorted to that place by the citizens and a +company of cavalry, as in other parts of his journey. When he arrived, he +was addressed by the mayor, in a very affectionate manner. We can only +furnish the following extract:-- + +"To receive upon this spot, where your Friend, our illustrious WASHINGTON, +raised the first successful barrier against the relentless tide of +oppression, which, in the eventful period of seventy-six, was rolling over +our country; the hero who, in the succeeding stages of our revolutionary +struggle, acted so conspicuous a part, and contributed so essentially to +its glorious termination, cannot fail to awaken the most agreeable +sensations. Next to our beloved Washington, there is no name entwined with +deeper interest in the hearts of Jerseymen, than LAFAYETTE--None, which +they will transmit to their posterity, encircled with a wreath of nobler +praise, or embalmed with the incense of purer love, than that of the +interesting stranger who embarked his life and fortune open the tempestuous +ocean of our revolution--and who fought at Brandywine, at Monmouth and at +Yorktown, to procure for Americans, those blessings you now see them so +fully, and we trust, so gratefully enjoy." + +The following is the General's answer to the address at Princeton:-- + + +"GENTLEMEN, + +"While the name of this city recalls important military remembrance, it is +also connected with that of the illustrious college, which, in diffusing +knowledge and liberal sentiments, has greatly contributed to turn those +successes to the advantage of public liberty. Your library had been +destroyed; but your principles were printed in the hearts of American +patriots. I feel much obliged, sir, to your kind recollection of the +diploma, which the signature of my respected friend Doctor Witherspoon, +renders still more precious to me; and I beg you, gentlemen, and you, +interesting grand sons of my contemporary friends, to accept my +affectionate acknowledgments." + +The civic arch reared at Trenton to his honor was the same, which 35 years +before, was erected to receive the revered Washington.--A sumptuous dinner +was served up to him, his family, and the deputations which attended on +him. He spent the evening with his brother-soldiers of the Cincinnati, and +other revolutionary worthies. + +On the Sabbath he attended divine service in the forenoon, and visited +Joseph Bonaparte in the afternoon. The latter apologized for not making the +first call, on the ground that it would necessarily involve him in public +associations, which it was his duty and his wish to avoid.--He added, "_I +am in adversity and misfortune--You, General, are full of honor and glory, +and deserving of both_." + +After passing the Delaware, thirty miles from Philadelphia, he was met by +the Governor of Pennsylvania and suite, with an escort of two hundred and +fifty cavalry. For his accommodation, a splendid barouche was provided, +drawn by six cream coloured lofty steeds. "The guest of the nation entered +its former capitol" about noon, on Tuesday, the 28th of September. When the +Governor met Lafayette, as above mentioned, he welcomed him to the State in +the following address:-- + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"The citizens of Pennsylvania behold, with the most intense feeling and +exalted regard, the illustrious friend and companion of Washington. + +"With sentiments of the highest veneration and gratitude, we receive the +early and great benefactor of the United States; the enlightened statesman, +philanthropist and patriot of both hemispheres. + +"The sincere and universal joy which your arrival has diffused over the +nation, is no where more deeply or enthusiastically felt, than in +Pennsylvania; whose fields and streams are rendered memorable by your +achievements; whose citizens were the followers of your standard, and the +witnesses of your sacrifices and toils, in the defence of American liberty. +The eventful scenes of your useful life are engraved on our hearts. A +nation has rejoiced at your successes, and sympathized with your sorrows. + +"With ardent pleasure we have ever observed your strenuous exertions as the +friend of man; and whilst your great services, rendered in the cause of +humanity, have commanded our admiration, the purity of your motives has +insured the love and affection of Americans. + +"With the best feelings of the heart we now approach you, with the +assurance that, if any thing could add to our happiness on this interesting +occasion, it would be the hope of enjoying the distinguished honor of your +permanent residence among us, and that a long and splendid life of +usefulness may be closed in the State, whose soil has been moistened with +your blood, generously shed in the cause of virtue, liberty and +independence." + +Answer of General Lafayette. + + +"On the happy moment, long and eagerly wished for, when I once more tread +the soil of Pennsylvania, I find in her affectionate welcome, so kindly +expressed by her first magistrate, a dear recollection of past favors and a +new source of delightful gratifications. The very names of this state and +her capitol, recall to the mind those philanthropic and liberal sentiments, +which have marked every step of their progress. + +"Pennsylvania has been the theatre of most important events; a partaker in +the arduous toils and meritorious sacrifices, which insured the success of +our glorious and fruitful revolution, I particularly thank you, sir, for +your gratifying mention of my personal obligations to the Pennsylvanian +line; nor will I ever forget, that on Pennsylvania ground, not far from +this spot, I enjoyed, for the first time, the delight to find myself under +American tents, and in the family of our beloved commander in chief. Now, +sir, Pennsylvania is in full possession, and reaps all the prosperities and +happy consequences of that great national union, of those special +institutions, which by offering in a self-governed people the most perfect +example of social order that ever existed have reduced to absurdity and +ridicule the anti-popular arguments of pretended statesmen in other +countries. In whatever way I may he disposed of by the duties and feelings, +in which you have been pleased to sympathise, I shall ever rank this day +among the most fortunate of my life; and, while I beg you, sir, personally +to accept my cordial acknowledgements, I offer through you a tribute of +profound gratitude and respectful devotion to the citizens of +Pennsylvania." + +His entrance into the fair city, founded by the wise and benevolent _Penn_, +is described as most magnificent in all its accompaniments. The population +poured forth to meet him at an early hour. Carriages, horsemen and +pedestrians filled every avenue for a distance of five miles; and the +windows and stagings were thronged with ladies eager to welcome him. Just +at the entrance of the city, a division of militia, composed of cavalry, +artillery and infantry was drawn up in a hollow square, on a piece of land +of about forty acres, to receive the Patriot Hero, whose approach was +announced by a salute of 100 rounds of artillery. Lafayette, uncovered and +standing up in the barouche, was seen by the whole field. The car of +Saladin could not have exceeded that of Lafayette. The troops were nearly +six thousand. After the review, which the general made on foot, he received +the saluting honors in his barouche. + +The line of march into the city was then taken up. It extended nearly three +miles, and passed through numerous streets. More than six hours were +consumed in proceeding from Frankfort to the State House, a distance of +about four miles. A full description of the procession, and the decorated +arches, &c. under which it passed, would occupy too great a portion of this +volume--we can only give the outline of the procession. + +A cavalcade of 100 citizens preceded; followed by 100 general, field and +staff officers. Then came a _square_ of cavalry; a band of music, mounted, +and a corps of 160 cavalry. Next a brigade of infantry, with flank +companies. + +Committee of arrangements. General Lafayette and Judge Peters, in the +splendid barouche. + +Then followed four other barouches, drawn by four horses each, with +Governors Shulze and Williamson, and suites, the general's family, and +distinguished individuals. + +Then three cars, of large dimensions, containing 120 revolutionary heroes +and worthies, each car characteristically decorated; bearing on their front +"WASHINGTON," on the rear "LAFAYETTE," and on the sides, _"defenders of our +country," "The survivors of 1776_." + +Then advanced 400 young men. After these the procession of trades, led by a +car, containing a body of printers at work at case and press--the latter +striking off, and distributing, copies of an ode on the occasion--followed +by the typographical society, with a banner, with the inscription: +"LAFAYETTE--_the friend of universal liberty, and the rights of the +_press_." + +Then followed 200 cordwainers (with banners, badges, emblems, &c. The other +trades were also decorated;)--300 weavers;--150 ropemakers;--150 lads, +uniformly dressed;--100 shipbuilders;--700 mechanics of different +professions, not enumerated;--150 coopers, with a car containing a cooper's +shop, the workmen fitting staves and driving hoops:--Then came 150 +butchers, well mounted and neatly dressed in their frocks;--then 260 +carmen, mounted, with aprons trimmed with blue; and a body of 150 riflemen, +in frocks, dressed with plaids, leopard skins, &c. A company of artillery, +with two pieces; a brigade of infantry and the New Jersey cavalry. A body +of 300 farmers closed the procession. + +Besides the above, there were the Red Men of the state, the Lafayette +Association, the True Republican Society, the Washington and Lafayette +Society; and the German American Society. + +The appearance of the whole of this truly grand procession was august and +imposing. As it passed, Lafayette! Lafayette! sprang from the voices of a +multitude that rolled on, and on, and on, like wave after wave of the +ocean, in numbers we shall not presume to name, (but which were estimated +at 200,000.) Lafayette beat in every heart--Lafayette hung on every +tongue--Lafayette glowed on every cheek--Lafayette glistened on every +swimming eye--Lafayette swelled on every gale. The whole city and country +appeared to have arrayed themselves in all their glory, and beauty, and +strength, at once to witness and adorn the majesty of the spectacle; and +the fashionable part of the community seemed determined to exhibit the +perfection of taste in the beauty of the decoration of their persons, and +the richness of their attire. In Chestnut-street wreathes were cast into +the barouche, as it passed, and many of them were from the fairbands of +Quakeresses. + +After the procession had passed through the principal streets, the front +halted at the old State-House, which contains the hall in which the +_Declaration of Independence_ was signed in 1776. + +Here the general alighted, passed under a most magnificent triumphal arch, +and was conducted to the hall, which is 40 feet square and was decorated in +the most splendid manner. Among the decorations was a statue of Washington, +and portraits of William Penn, Franklin, Robert Morris, Francis Hopkinson, +Greene, Wayne, Montgomery, Hamilton, Gates, Rochambeau, Charles Carrot, +M'Kean, Jefferson, Hancock, Adams, Madison, Monroe, and Charles Thompson.-- +The portrait of Washington, by Peale, occupied the first place, and was the +most splendidly decorated. Here were assembled the city authorities, the +society of Cincinnati, the judges, officers of the army and navy, and the +committee of arrangements, all seated on superb sofas. + +The Governor of the State having been presented, General Lafayette, Judge +Peters, and George Washington Lafayette were introduced, the company all +standing. The Mayor of the city then welcomed the guest, in the following +address:-- + + +"GENERAL, + +"The citizens of Philadelphia welcome to their homes, the Patriot who has +long been dear to their hearts. + +"Grateful at all times for the enjoyment of a free government, they are, on +this occasion, peculiarly anxious but unable to express a deep felt +sentiment of pure affection toward those venerated men whose martial and +civil virtues, under Providence, have conferred upon themselves and their +descendents, this mighty blessing. + +"Forty-eight years ago, in this city, and in this hallowed hall, which may +emphatically be called the _birth place of independence_, a convention +of men, such as the world has rarely seen, pre-eminent for talents and +patriotism, solemnly declared their determination to assume for themselves +the right of self-government; and that they and their posterity should +thence forth assert their just rank among the nations of the earth. A +small, but cherished band of those who breasted the storm and sustained the +principles thus promulgated to the world, still remains--In the front rank +of these worthies, history will find, and we now delight to honor, General +Lafayette, whose whole life has been devoted to the cause of freedom and to +the support of the inalienable rights of man. + +"General--Many of your co patriots have passed away, but the remembrance of +their virtues and their services, shall never pass from the minds of this +people; their's is an imperishable fame, the property of ages yet to come. +But we turn from the fond recollection of the illustrious dead to hail with +heart-felt joy the illustrious living, and again bid welcome, most kindly +and affectionately welcome, to the guest of the nation, the patriot +Lafayette." + +The general made the following answer: + +"My entrance through this fair and great city, amidst the most solemn and +affecting recollections, and under all the circumstances of a welcome which +no expression could adequately acknowledge, has excited emotions in my +heart, in which are mingled the feelings of nearly fifty years. + +"Here, sir, within these sacred walls, by a council of wise and devoted +patriots, and in a style worthy of the deed itself, was boldly declared the +independence of these vast United States, which, while it anticipated the +independence, and I hope, the _republican_ independence, of the whole +American hemisphere, has begun, for the civilized world, the era of a new +and of the only true social order founded on the unalienable rights of man, +the practicability and advantages of which are every day admirably +demonstrated by the happiness and prosperity of your populous city. + +"Here, sir, was planned the formation of our virtuous, brave, revolutionary +army, and the providential inspiration received, that gave the command of +it to our beloved, matchless Washington. But these and many other +remembrances, are mingled with a deep regret for the numerous +cotemporaries, for the great and good men whose loss we have remained to +mourn.--It is to their services, sir, to your regard for their memory to +your knowledge of the friendships I have enjoyed, that I refer the greater +part of honors here and elsewhere received, much superior to my individual +merit. + +"It is also under the auspices of their venerated names, as well as under +the impulse of my own sentiments, that I beg you Mr. Mayor, you gentlemen +of both councils, and all the citizens of Philadelphia, to accept the +tribute of my affectionate respect and profound gratitude." + +General Lafayette remained in Philadelphia a week; and the repeated and +constant attentions shown him by public societies and by distinguished +individuals, were such as might have been expected from the celebrated +hospitality and civism of that city, and such as was not unworthy of their +eminent guest. The governor of the state was attentive and courteous to him +during his whole visit; and other public functionaries, both civil and +military, were eager of the honor of manifesting their great respect for +his character. That portion of the citizens, who belong to the religious +society of Friends, appeared equally cordial and happy in an opportunity to +assure him of their esteem. It is not consistent with their principles to +make a great parade, or to prepare expensive and useless ceremonies. They +did not all approve of the plan of illumination. In the wish to have it +general, some ardent citizens censured the _friends_ for declining to do +it--But this was a mistaken zeal. The religious opinions and conscientious +scruples of all classes of people are entitled to respect. It would have +been altogether unjustifiable, had there been an attempt to force the +_friends_ into the measure. They are a very respectable class of citizens; +and we trust, that for no purposes of parade or ceremony, they will ever be +required to violate their consciences, or be subjected to insult for any +non-compliance. The following lines were written by one of that religious +society, on the occasion, and cannot fail to be acceptable to every liberal +mind. + + TO LAFAYETTE. + + O! think not our hearts void of gratitude's glow, + For the friend of our country, for _liberty's friend_, + Tho' we do not with others loud praises bestow, + The kind hand of friendship we freely extend. + + We welcome thee back to the land where thy name, + In boyhood we lisp'd, and in manhood revere; + Tho' we bind not thy brows with the chaplet of fame, + Accept, beloved guest, a warm tribute--a tear! + + Yes--a tear of affection which starts to the eye, + When tracing thy storm-beaten pathway through life; + That thy principles pure could ambition defy, + Thy humanity prompt thee to stay the fierce strife. + + In thee we behold not the chieftain whose sword + Delighting in bloodshed is ever unsheath'd; + But the friend of mankind, whose mild actions afford + A proof that his lips no hypocrisy breath'd. + + Then welcome once more to the land where thy name + In boyhood we lisp'd, and in manhood revere; + Tho' we twine not thy brows with the war-wreath of fame, + Accept, beloved guest, a warm tribute--A TEAR. + +While in Philadelphia, General Lafayette visited the navy yard. The +Governor accompanied him in this visit, and he was also attended by a large +escort and procession. He was addressed by commodore Barron, in a very +appropriate and feeling manner. A great number of ladies were presented to +him at the commodore's quarters. On his return, he attended a splendid +entertainment provided for him by the Free Masons. A ball was also given in +honor of Lafayette, while he was in Philadelphia, the must brilliant and +the most numerous ever known in the city. The Miss Bollmans, daughters of +Dr. Bollman, who generously attempted the rescue of Lafayette from the +prison at Olmutz, were present. On one day, 2000 children assembled at the +State House to be presented to him; and one of them addressed him. The +scene was said to be uncommonly interesting.--The following was his reply +to the address of the Frenchmen in Philadelphia:-- + + +"MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN, + +"Amidst the enjoyments with which my heart is filled in this happy country, +I experience a very great one in seeing myself surrounded by the +testimonies of your friendship. It was in the hall in which now receive +you, that the sacred sovereignty of the people was recognized by a French +Minister, eleven years before it was proclaimed on the 11th of July, 1789, +in the bosom of the Constituent Assembly. You are right in thinking that +this first impulse of 1789, has, notwithstanding our misfortunes, greatly +meliorated the situation of the French people. I participate in your wishes +and your hopes for the freedom of our country. This hope is well founded, +these wishes will be fulfilled. In the mean while I am happy in tendering +to you this day the expression of my lively gratitude and tender +affection." + +We give here also the address of Captain Barron to Lafayette, when he +visited the navy yard near Philadelphia:-- + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"To receive you at this naval station with the highest honors, is not less +in obedience to our instructions, than to the impulse of our hearts. + +"We rejoice in the opportunity of testifying to you, and to the world, our +gratitude to one distinguished among that band of glorious heroes, to whom +we are indebted for the privilege we now enjoy. + +"You, sir, whose whole life has been devoted to the extension of civil +liberty, must at this period be enriched by feelings which rarely fall to +the lot of man. + +"Turning from the old world, whose excesses have been almost fatal to the +cause of liberty, to the new, where that cause has prospered to an +unexampled degree, you see a proof, that political liberty is not +visionary. + +"The soldier will here behold the nation for which he has fought, not +exhausted by his triumphs, nor sacrificed to idle ambition, but raised by +his valor to liberty and independence; and while enjoying these blessings +themselves, securing them for the remotest posterity. + +"The patriot will here see a people, not distracted by faction, nor yet +regardless of their political rights, making the most rapid strides to true +greatness, and displaying in their happiness and security, the wisdom and +power of institutions engraved on their hearts. + +"To you, sir, the soldier and patriot, we offer this cheering picture; and +if ever you can be recompensed for your generous devotion to us in our +revolutionary struggle, it must be in the pleasure with which you witness +our national happiness. + +"Permit me then, dear General, to assure you that among the ten millions +that bid you welcome, none do it with more sincerity than those of the +navy." + +Answer of General Lafayette. + + +"The extraordinary honors of which an American veteran is now the happy +object, I consider as being shared in common with my surviving companions; +and for the greater part, bestowed as an approbation of the principle, and +a tribute of regard, to the memory of the illustrious patriots with whom I +have served in the cause of America and mankind. + +"It is with the most lively feelings of an American heart, that I have +sympathised in all the circumstances relative to the United States' Navy, +and proudly gloried in the constant superiority of the American flag over +an enemy, justly renowned for bravery and maritime skill. + +"I am happy, my dear Commodore, in your affectionate welcome; but whatever +may be my feelings of personal gratitude to the Navy of the United States, +I feel myself under still greater obligations to them, for the honor they +have done to the American name in every part of the globe." + +The 5th of October, Lafayette left Philadelphia, on this journey to the +south, by the way of Wilmington, Baltimore and Washington. He passed the +Brandywine, and entered Wilmington, the capital of Delaware, on the 6th +about noon. He was received with demonstrations of lively gratitude and +joy; and a sumptuous repast was provided for him. He then proceeded to +Newcastle in that state, and was present at the marriage of Colonel V. +Dupont, formerly one of his aids in France. From this place he proceeded to +Frenchtown, where he was received by the aids of the Governor of Maryland, +with a battalion of horse as an escort for their honorable guest. He was +waited on, also, by deputations both civil and military, from the city of +Baltimore, each of which offered him their cordial salutations in the name +of those whom they represented. General Harper was at the head of the +military deputation; and having given him a hearty welcome, introduced his +Brother officers, amounting to two hundred. Several revolutionary officers +and soldiers, who had repaired to this place for the pleasure of an early +meeting, were also introduced to him. The joy of the meeting was +reciprocal. Among the many former personal friends, he met here with M. Du +Bois Martin, who procured the ship in which Lafayette first came to America +in 1777. The interview must have been extremely interesting. + +Lafayette embarked at Frenchtown in the steamboat United States, for +Baltimore, furnished for his accommodation by that city. On his arrival in +the river, columns of smoke in the direction of Baltimore, announced to +those on board, the approach of a squadron of steam boats; and in three +quarters of an hour the Virginia, the Maryland, the Philadelphia, &c. swept +gallantly by, two on either side, crossed immediately under the stern of +the United States, and took their positions _en echellon_. The Maryland and +Virginia then came close along side, their decks crowded with spectators, +who saluted the General with continued shouts. The whole fleet then +proceeded slowly up the river, all elegantly decorated with flags closed +into the centre as it passed the narrows opposite Fort M'Henry, and +dropt anchor, forming a semi-circle near the northern shore. + +Just as the anchor was let go a signal gun was fired, and a squadron of +eight green and white barges, which had been awaiting the coming of +Lafayette, shot across the bows of the United States, and passing round in +regular order under the stern, came along side to receive the passengers. +The first was handsomely carpeted and cushioned, manned by masters of +vessels, and intended for Lafayette. + +The General embarked in this boat amidst the repeated cheering of all +around, and pushing off made way for the others, which took on board the +committees and proceeded in order to the wharf. + +The General was received on the way by the commander of the garrison, and +proceeded to the star fort. The Governor of the State was here introduced +to the General, who addressed him, to which the General made a feeling +reply. He was afterwards conducted to the tent of Washington by Governor +Stevens, within which he was received by the society of Cincinnati. The +scene was impressive. As soon as the first emotions had subsided, the hero +of the Cowpens, Colonel Howard, President of the society, addressed the +General, who, in reply, said language could not express his feelings. He +then embraced his old companions in arms. The General and invited guests +then retired to an adjoining marquee, and took refreshments; after which he +was seated in an elegant barouche, attended by Mr. Carroll, and Generals +Smith and Howard, drawn by four black horses, with two postillions in white +silk jackets, blue sashes and black velvet caps, led by four grooms +similarly dressed. At the outer gate, the procession was received by about +1000 cavalry. On passing Federal Hall, a salute was fired. Descending the +hall, the procession passed under an elegant arch, and another at the head +of Market-street, where his friends left the carriage, and the General +alone proceeded down the military line, in presence of thousands of both +sexes. + +After this he descended at the Exchange, where he was received by the Mayor +and Councils, with an appropriate address and answer. He thence proceeded +in his carriage to Light-street, across which, at the entrance into Market- +street, an elegant pavilion had been erected, and where he was received by +a fine military assemblage. Here there was a truly splendid ceremony, in +presentment by the Mayor, to the General, with Pulaski's standard, made +during the revolutionary war by a Moravian Nun, at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, +which belonged to Pulaski's legion, raised in Baltimore in 1778. In 1779, +Count Pulaski was mortally wounded at the attack on Savannah; and these +colors, at his decease, in 1780, descended to the Major, who was sabred to +death in South Carolina. The venerable Paul Bentalou, Esq. now marshal of +the district of Maryland, and at that time captain of the first troop of +light dragoons, and senior surviving officer, inherited the standard of +the legion, which he has preserved with Great care to this day, with all +the fond recollections and attachments of the veteran soldier. + +In the evening, the city was brilliantly illuminated, and many of the +public and private buildings exhibited appropriate transparencies. + +On Friday, hundreds of citizens were presented to the General, in the Hall +of the Exchange; and in the afternoon he dined with the Mayor and +Corporation. In the evening, he attended the ball and supper given to him +by the citizens, which was truly splendid, and occupies many columns in the +description. + +The General was also waited upon, and addressed in the most feeling manner, +by the French residents, to whom he replied in the most affectionate +manner. + +At seven o'clock in the evening the General was received at Masonic Hall, +by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, in the presence of eight hundred brethren, +The General dined with the Cincinnati on Saturday. "On Monday he was +presented with a medal from the young men of Baltimore, with inscriptions +expressive of their gratitude. He afterwards presented several colors to +the fifth regiment, under Colonel Stewart, in his behalf, which were +received with the highest military honors. The General then reviewed the +regiment.--At eleven o'clock he left his lodgings, and proceeded in his +barouche to Whetstom Point, for the purpose of reviewing the third +division, under the command of Major General Harper. He partook of a +splendid military banquet. His honors on leaving the city were magnificent +as those of his reception. He departed under escort on Monday, over the +Washington turnpike. He was to pass the night 30 miles from Baltimore, and +enter Washington city on Tuesday at noon." + +In no city which General Lafayette visited, had he met with a more cordial +welcome, or a more splendid reception, than in Baltimore. All were desirous +to do him honor and to express their feelings of gratitude and respect for +the guest of the nation. Many interesting recollections must have been +brought to his mind when in this city. It was here he passed some time in +1781, when he commanded the American light infantry in that quarter--when +the British had a large army in the vicinity, and our troops were destitute +of clothing, and in a state of great despondence. By his own personal +influence and responsibility, he obtained a loan here for the use of his +troops, which was necessary to their comfort, and served to render them in +a measure contented with their situation. The address of his old friend +Colonel Howard, in behalf of the Cincinnati of Maryland, who were assembled +in the Tent of Washington to receive his adopted son, and their beloved +brother soldier, was as follows:-- + + +"GENERAL, + +"A few of your brother soldiers of Maryland, who remain after a lapse of +forty years, and the sons of some of them who are now no more, are +assembled in the Tent of Washington, to greet you on your visit to the +United States; and to assure you of their affectionate and sincere regard. +This Tent will call to your recollection many interesting incidents which +occurred when you associated in arms with Washington, the patriot and +soldier, saviour of his country, and friend of your youth. + +"Accept, General, our cordial sentiments of esteem for you, and of +gratitude for services rendered by you to our country--services which will +never be forgotten by the free and happy people of the United States." + +To which General Lafayette replied-- + +"The pleasure to recognize my beloved companions in arms; the sound of +names, whose memory is dear to me; this meeting under the consecrated +_Tent_, where we so often pressed around our paternal commander in chief; +excite emotions which your sympathizing hearts will better feel than I can +express. This post also nobly defended in the late war, while it brings the +affecting recollection of a confidential friend in my military family, +associates with the remembrance of the illustrious defence of another fort, +in the war of the revolution, by the _friend_ now near me. [Colonel Smith.] +It has been the lot of the Maryland line, to acquire glory in instances of +bad as well as of good fortune; and to whom can I better speak of that +glory, than in addressing Colonel Howard? My dear brother soldiers, my +feelings are too strong for utterance. I thank you most affectionately." + +The meeting of this Society was rendered peculiarly interesting,--there +being present, besides many other worthy veterans of the revolutionary +army, Colonel John F. Howard, the celebrated hero of the battle of the +Cowpens, January 1781, to whom Congress presented two medals, in testimony +of his singular bravery-General (formerly Colonel) Samuel Smith, who +bravely defended Mud-fort, and many years senator in Congress; and Paul +Bentalou, Esq. now marshal of Maryland district, who was the senior captain +of light dragoons, belonging to Pulaski's legion, in 1778. Here also the +very venerable Charles Carroll, one of the signers of the declaration of +independence, was introduced to Lafayette. + +We give also an extract from the address of Governor Stevens, to the +General. + + +"SIR, + +"In bidding you a hearty welcome to the state of Maryland, whilst I gratify +the feelings of my own heart, I express, though feebly, those of the +people, whom it is my pride and pleasure, on this occasion to represent. +Beneath this venerable canopy, many a time have you grasped the friendly +hand of our illustrious Washington, aided his council with your animating +voice, or shared with him the hardy soldier's meal. The incidents which the +association so forcibly recalls, however inspiring, it were needless to +dwell upon. The recollection of them fills the mind with gratitude; a full +measure of which is justly due to you, as the generous companion of our +fathers, the gallant and disinterested soldier of liberty--You are about to +enter the city of Baltimore, which you have known in other days. In her +growth and embellishment, you will behold a symbol of our national +prosperity, under popular institutions and a purely representative +government.--Welcome, thrice welcome, General, to the soil of Maryland. +Nothing which we can do, can too strongly express to you the affection and +respect which we entertain for your person and your principles, or the joy +with which we receive you among us, as a long absent father on a visit to +his children." + +To this address Lafayette replied-- + + +"While your Excellency is pleased so kindly to welcome me in the name of +the citizens of Maryland, the lively gratitude, which this most gratifying +reception cannot fail to excite, associates in my heart, with a no less +profound sense of my old obligations to this state, both as an American +General and a personal friend. I am happy, sir, to have the honor to meet +you in this fort, so gallantly defended in the late war, in presence of the +brave colonel of the worthy volunteers, whose glory on that occasion I have +enjoyed with the proud feelings of an American veteran. It was by a +Maryland colonel in the year 1777, that the British received, in the +gallant defence of an important fort, one of the first lessons of what they +were to expect from American valour and patriotism. The Maryland line, sir, +in the continental army has been conspicuous, not only in days of victory, +but on days either unfortunate or dubious. This tent, under which I now +answer your affectionate address; the monument erected to the memory of our +great and good commander in chief; the column of a later date, bearing +testimonies of a glorious event; my entrance into a city long ago dear to +me, and now become so beautiful and prosperous; fill my heart with +sentiments, in which you have had the goodness to sympathize. + +"Accept, sir, the tribute of my respectful and affectionate gratitude to +the citizens of the state, and their honored chief magistrate." + + +There was an incident connected with General Lafayette's escort to the +boundary of Baltimore, which deserves to be particularly noticed. The +cavalry troop was commanded by Samuel Sprigg, Esq. who, two years ago, +ended a full term of service in the capacity of Governor of the state of +Maryland, of which he was Captain-General and Commander in Chief. Returned +to private life, a wealthy planter, in the midst of all that can render +life easy and pleasant, he is proud of resuming his character of a citizen, +and becoming a member of a troop of horse, in which he enrolls himself with +his neighbours, who choose him their commander. In that capacity, he has +had the pleasure of receiving General Lafayette at the boundary of his +county, and escorting him through it. This incident, we say, deserves to be +noted as a fine practical illustration of the principles of republican +government. + +General Lafayette arrived in the city of Washington, according to previous +arrangement, about 1 o'clock on Tuesday the 12th. + +About 9 o'clock, on Tuesday morning, the General and suit left Rossburg, +and proceeded to the District of Columbia, at the line of which he was met +by the committee of arrangements from the city of Washington, and a number +of revolutionary officers, escorted by a handsome troop of city cavalry, +and a company of Montgomery cavalry. The meeting of the General with his +revolutionary compatriots, and with the committee, was affectionate and +impressive in the extreme. After many embraces were exchanged, the General +was transferred to the elegant landau provided by the city for his use, +drawn by four fine greys, in which he was accompanied by Major General +Brown and Commodore Tingey, members of the committee; and his son George +Washington Lafayette, his Secretary, Col. Vassieur, and Mr. Custis, of +Arlington, were placed in another carriage provided for the purpose. The +whole then advanced to the city, Capt. Sprigg's company in front, the +remaining companies proceeding and flanking the carriages containing the +General, his suite, the committee, &c. On rising to the extensive plain +which stretches eastward from the capitol to the Anacosta river, the +General found himself in front of the most brilliant military spectacle +which our city ever witnessed, being a body of 10 or 1200 troops, composed +entirely of volunteer companies of the city, Georgetown, and Alexandria, +some of them recently organized, clad in various tasteful uniforms, and +many of them elegant beyond any thing of the kind we have before seen. +Brigadier Generals Smith and Jones were in the field with their respective +suits and the field officers of the first brigade. These troops, together +with the large body of cavalry, the vast mass of eager spectators which +overspread the plain, and the animation of the whole, associated with the +presence of the venerated object of so much curiosity and affection, gave a +grandeur and interest to the scene which has never been equaled here on any +former occasion. After the General had received the respects and welcome of +our military chiefs, the whole body of troops tools took up the escort, for +the capitol, wheeling into column, in East Capitol-street, and then into +line upon the leading division. The General and suite then passed this line +in review, advancing towards the capitol, and receiving the highest +military honors as he passed. + +After the military procession had reached the east end of the market house, +on East Capitol-street, which was handsomely adorned with proper emblems, +and the Declaration of Independence, above which perched a living eagle of +the largest size, the committee of arrangements and General Lafayette and +suite alighted from their carriages and preceded by the committee, the +General and suite passed through the market house, which on each side was +lined with anxious and delighted spectators, to the east entrance of the +Capitol Square, over which was thrown a neat arch, decorated with +evergreens and other ornaments, with appropriate labels, expressive of the +esteem and gratitude of the citizens to the national guest; on the pinnacle +stood another eagle. On entering the gate, the General was met by a group +of 25 young girls, dressed in white, intended to represent the 24 States +and the District of Columbia, each wearing a wreath of flowers, and bearing +in her hand a miniature national flag, with the name of one of the States +inscribed upon it; when the one representing the district advanced and +arrested his progress, and, in a short speech, neatly and modestly +delivered their welcome to the nation's guest. After which each of the +young ladies presented her hand to the General, which he received in the +most affectionate manner, and with the kindest expressions. He then passed +a double line of girls, properly dressed, from the schools, who strewed his +way with flowers. Leaving the girls, he passed lines of the students of the +colleges and seminaries, with their respective banners, and a company of +Juvenile Infantry, dressed in uniform, and armed in a suitable manner; and +then the younger boys from the schools. All these formed a numerous and +highly interesting assemblage. Arriving at the north wing of the Capitol, +the General was conducted by the committee of arrangements through the +great door, up the grand staircase, into the central rotunda of the +Capitol, which though of immense size, was filled with ladies and +gentlemen; and, through it, received, on every side, demonstrations of the +most ardent and grateful respect. On leaving the rotunda, he passed under +the venerable tent of Washington, also filled with ladies, revolutionary +officers, and other gentlemen, to the front of the portico of the Capitol, +neatly carpeted, on which was erected the tent. He was introduced to the +Mayor, who introduced him to the Mayor of Georgetown, the members of the +corporation, and other gentlemen present, when advancing to the front of +the portico, in the presence of many thousand spectators, the Mayor +delivered an address, to which the General replied. + +The General was then invited by the Mayor of Georgetown to visit that town, +in a chaste and neat address. + +To which the General replied, in a few words, that Georgetown was an old +acquaintance of his, where he had found many valuable and esteemed friends, +and he would visit it with the greatest delight, and thank its citizens for +their kind regards. + +After this, John Brown Cutting, Esq. at the request of the committee of +arrangements, and in behalf of himself and other revolutionary officers, +delivered a short address and complimentary poem, in a handsome and +appropriate manner. + +After having made a reply to this address, the General was introduced to +some other gentlemen; and was then conducted by the Mayor, attended by the +committee of arrangements, in the way by which he had ascended, to the +front door of the north wing of the Capitol, where the military passed in +review before him, saluting as they passed. Immediately after his reception +in the portico, a grand salute was fired in the neighborhood of the Capitol +by a company of Alexandria artillery. The review being finished, the Mayor +ascended the landau with the General, attended by Gen. Brown and Com. +Tingey, and the procession was resumed in the same order as before; and +passing through Pennsylvania Avenue, proceeded to the President's house. In +this passage the streets were lined with spectators; but the most pleasing +sight was the windows on each side of it filled with ladies, in their best +attire and looks, bestowing, with beaming eyes, their benedictions on the +beloved Chief, and waving white handkerchiefs, as tokens of their +happiness. + +On passing the centre market, another salute was fired from a battery south +of the Tiber, by a company of artillery. + +The General, with his son, the Mayor, committee of arrangements, &c. thus +escorted, having reached the President's house, (distant from the Capitol +more than a mile) passed into the gate of the enclosure, and thence to the +portico of the mansion. The General, on alighting, was there received by +the Marshal of the District of Columbia, and, supported by Gen. Brown and +Com. Tingey, and accompanied by the Mayor and others of the committee of +arrangements, was, with his son conducted into the drawing room where the +President was prepared to receive him. + +The President, stationed at the head of this circular apartment, had on his +right hand the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, on his +left the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy, and, ranged on +each side the room, were the other gentlemen invited to be present at this +interview. The whole number of distinguished persons present being fifty or +sixty. + +On the General's reaching the centre of the circle, the President advanced +to him, and gave him a cordial and affectionate reception, such as might +have been expected from the illustrious representative of the American +people, to one of those early friends of theirs, whom, like himself, they +delight to honor. + +After the interchange of courtesies between the guest and the President, he +was welcomed by the Heads of Departments. Between him and Mr. Crawford, +with whom he had in France an intimate acquaintance, the meeting was that +of old and affectionate friends: and by all he was respectfully and kindly +greeted. Subsequently, the General was introduced in succession, by the +Chief of each Department of the Government, to the officers attached to +each. Liberal refreshments were then offered to the company, and fifteen or +twenty minutes were spent in delightful conversation. After which the +General took his leave, well pleased with his reception, and, remounting +the landau, proceeded to rejoin his escort. + +Retiring from this affecting scene, the General passed in review, and was +saluted by the whole body of troops, which had been wheeled into line, and +extended from the President's square to the General's quarters. On his +alighting, he expressed his thanks to them for the honor bestowed on him, +and then another grand salute was fired by a company of artillery: after +which, the military were dismissed. He retired, for a short time, to his +private room; and, when he returned into public, was, with his suite; +introduced to a great number of citizens, anxious to express their +heartfelt respect to the disinterested champion of their country's liberty. + +To an address from the Mayor, full of fine feeling, the General made the +following reply:-- + + +"The kind and flattering reception with which I am honored by the citizens +of Washington, excite the most lively feelings of gratitude; those grateful +feelings, sir, at every step of my happy visit to the United States, could +not but enhance the inexpressible delight I have enjoyed at the sight of +the immense and wonderful improvements, so far beyond even the fondest +anticipations of a warm American heart; and which, in the space of forty +years, have so gloriously evinced the superiority of popular institutions, +and self government, over the too imperfect state of political +civilization, found in every part of the other hemisphere. In this august +place, which bears the most venerable of all ancient and modern names, I +have, sir, the pleasure to contemplate, not only a centre of that +constitutional Union so necessary to these States, so important to the +interests of mankind; but also a great political school, where attentive +observers from other parts of the world may be taught the practical science +of true social order. + +"Among the circumstances of my life, to which you have been pleased to +allude, none can afford me such dear recollections, as my having been early +adopted as an American soldier; so there is not a circumstance of my +reception in which I take so much pride, as in sharing those honors with my +beloved companions in arms. Happy I am to feel that the marks of affection +and esteem bestowed on me, bear testimony to my perseverance in the +American principles I received under the tent of Washington, and of which I +shall, to my last breath, prove myself a devoted disciple. I beg you, Mr. +Mayor, and the gentlemen of the Corporation, to accept my respectful +acknowledgments to you and to the citizens of Washington." + +To the address and poem presented by John Brown Cutting, Esq. the General +made the following reply:-- + + +"While I embrace you, sir, and make my acknowledgments to those of our +revolutionary comrades, in whose name you welcome me to this metropolis, be +assured that I reciprocate those kind expressions of attachment, which from +them are peculiarly gratifying. And although, in doing this, it cannot be +expected that I should command such beautiful language as you employ, yet I +speak from the bottom of my heart, when I assure you that the associations +of time and place, to which you allude, exalt the interest which I shall +ever feel in your prosperity, and that of every meritorious individual who +belonged to the revolutionary army of the United States." + +After the ceremony of the procession, &c. a public dinner was provided, at +which the Mayor of Washington presided, assisted by the Presidents of the +boards of Aldermen and the Common Council; and at which were present, the +heads of departments, revolutionary officers, military and naval officers +of the United States, members of the City Council, and many distinguished +characters from different parts of the nation. + +His reception by Mr. Monroe President of the United States, was most +cordial and honorable. He called on the President, the day of his arrival +in Washington, as before mentioned. The next day he was with Mr. Monroe +both at breakfast and dinner, and on Thursday, the President gave a public +dinner in honor of Lafayette, at which were present, the Heads of +Departments, many distinguished public characters from various parts of the +Unified States, and the principal officers of the army and navy. While in +Washington, he also visited the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, and +of War, and Major General Brown, of the United States army. + +Gen. Lafayette rode over to Georgetown, on Thursday, having been earnestly +invited by the Mayor and corporation to visit the city. And the citizens +demonstrated their gratitude and joy on the occasion, by a military escort, +and a respectable precession. But the most acceptable offering was such as +he had received in all other places, the spontaneous and cordial +salutations of the whole people. On Friday, he visited the navy yard, by +invitation of the veteran Commodore Tingey. His reception here was +remarkably brilliant and impressive; he was accompanied by many +distinguished citizens and public functionaries; and the attentions of the +naval veteran were honorable to himself and highly gratifying to General +Lafayette. He dined again, this day (Friday) with President Monroe; and on +Saturday proceeded on his proposed visit to Alexandria, and Yorktown. He +was accompanied as far as the Potomac by the Mayor and committee of +arrangements from Washington, escorted by the Georgetown cavalry. On the +south side of the river, he was received by the deputation of Alexandria, +attended by many other citizens, and several officers of the army and navy +of the United States. He was received in Alexandria with the highest +military honors, and escorted through the town amidst the welcomes and +shouts of many thousands of inhabitants. A public dinner was given him; and +the highest regard manifested by all classes of people for this +disinterested friend of American freedom and independence. + +Sunday morning he visited the tomb of Washington, at Mount Vernon, +accompanied by Mr. Custis, the nearest male relative of that most +distinguished patriot. Lafayette spent an hour at this hallowed spot, +where, were deposited the mortal remains of his most respected friend, whom +he loved, venerated and was ever desirous to imitate. It was a moment of +sacred recollection; and while the living patriot and hero reflected with +mingled emotions of joy and sadness at the grave of one who was his leader +and examplar, in youth, he could not but anticipate, with deep solemnity, +the approaching period of his own departure. Mr. Custis here presented him +with a ring containing some of the hair of his immortal relative. General +Lafayette then proceeded on his way to Yorktown, where he arrived on +Monday; and was received with great demonstrations of respect and joy. A +steamboat was dispatched from Yorktown down the river to meet the United +States steam boat, which had Lafayette on board. He entered the former near +the mouth of the river, where he was received by the committee from +Yorktown, and conveyed to that place, attended by four other large boats, +crowded with citizens anxious to see and welcome "the guest of the nation." +One of the committee addressed him, in a very affectionate and impressive +manner, as soon as he came on board of the Virginia steamboat. A great +concourse of people from the neighbouring towns were collected, and many +from far distant places, together with the most distinguished public +characters in the whole state of Virginia. There were also present on this +occasion, many officers of high rank of the army and navy of the United +States. + +Great preparations had been made by the citizens of Virginia, and by the +state authorities, to celebrate the anniversary of the capture of the +British army, under Lord Cornwallis, at this place, on the 19th of October, +1781; an event, in which Lafayette took a very active and useful part; +perhaps no general in the siege, under Washington, was more active and +useful--an event, also, which had great and immediate influence with the +English government, to acknowledge our independence and offer terms of an +honorable peace. General Lafayette had been invited, some weeks before, to +be present in Yorktown, at this time. The Ex-Presidents Jefferson and +Madison, were also invited to attend, but they both declined. Mr. Madison's +want of health prevented; and Mr. Jefferson declined on account of age and +infirmity. We give his letter in reply to the invitation. + + +_"Monticello, Oct_. 9, 1824. + +"SIR, + +"I received, on the 2d instant, your favor of September 27, conveying to me +the obliging invitation of the volunteer companies of the state, to meet +them and their distinguished guest; Gen. Lafayette, at York on the 19th +instant. No person rejoices more than I do at the effusions of gratitude +with which our fellow-citizens, in all parts, are receiving this their +antient and virtuous friend and benefactor; nor can any other more +cordially participate in their sentiments of affection to him. Age and +infirmities, however, disable me from repairing to distant occasions of +joining personally in these celebrations; and leave me to avail myself of +the opportunity which the friendship of the General will give by his kind +assurance of a visit. He will here have the pleasure of reviewing a scene +which his military maneuvers covered from the robberies and ravages of an +unsparing enemy. Here, then, I shall have the welcome opportunity of +joining with my grateful neighbors in manifestations of our sense of his +protection peculiarly afforded to us and claiming our special remembrance +and acknowledgements. But I shall not the less participate with my distant +brethren by sincerely sympathising in their warmest expressions of +gratitude and respect to their country's guest. + +"With this apology for my inability to profit of the honorable invitation +of the volunteer companies, I pray you to accept for them and yourself the +assurance of my high respect and consideration. + +TH: JEFFERSON." + +Hon. Mr. Marshall, the Chief Justice of the United States, Major-General +Taylor of the Virginia militia, Mr. Bassett, many years a member of +Congress from the state, and a committee from Yorktown, went in the +steamboat to meet General Lafayette. The address of one of the committee, +on his entering the Virginia steamboat, was as follows: + + +"We are deputed by our fellow citizens now assembled at Yorktown, to +welcome you to Virginia. + +"We will not recount, in your presence, the real services you have rendered +this republic, and the virtues that so endear you to us, lest even the +simple voice of truth might pain the delicacy of a mind like yours. But the +emotions we all feel, of gratitude, affection and veneration for you; +emotions rendered more intense in each, by the universal sympathy of +others; these we cannot suppress. In the numerous assembly, now anxiously +awaiting your arrival, they are swelling in every bosom, and hanging on +every tongue, and beaming from every eye. + +"Yes, sir, you "read your history in a nation's eyes." A whole people unite +in one deep and glowing sentiment of respect and love towards you. +Wheresoever you go, the old greet you as their leader in arms, and their +companion in toil and danger; the partaker, too, of their triumph. The +young have been taught, from their earliest childhood, to honor and to +bless your name. The mothers and the daughters of the land shed tears of +joy at your approach. Your name is associated in the memory of us all, with +every name, and wish most of the events in our annals, dearest to the +American heart; with the illustrious and revered name of Washington, and +with the most glorious achievements of the revolution. + +"But, of all the states in the Union--though we will not say that Virginia +is the most grateful--yet she certainly owes you the largest debt of +gratitude. This state was the chief scene of your services. In the day of +her greatest peril, in the darkest hour of her distress, when invading +armies threatened to overrun the country, and all the horrors of war were +pointed against our very dwellings; Washington selected you, his youthful +friend, for the chief command, and securely entrusted the defence of his +native state to your courage and conduct. How zealously you undertook, how +well you fulfilled the arduous part assigned you, with what honor to +yourself, and with what advantage to us, no time shall obliterate the +remembrance. The general of the enemy, in effect, pronounced your eulogium, +when conscious of his own abilities, and confiding in the superiority of +his forces, he vauntingly said, "The boy cannot escape me." History +records, not only that our youthful general did escape him, but that he +held safe the far greater part of the country, in spite of his utmost +efforts; and came at last to yonder spot, to assist in the capture of his +army; to witness the downfall of his hopes, the humiliation of his pride, +and the last effort of British power against American freedom. And now, +after the lapse of forty-three years, he visits the name spot again--happy +to renew there the glorious recollections of the past; and yet, happier, we +hope, to see how dearly we appreciate the blessings of liberty and +independence which he assisted us to achieve. + +"On that spot, sir, we are most proud to receive you. We hail you as the +hero of liberty and the friend of man. We greet you as the bosom friend of +Washington. We greet you as one of the father's of the republic." + +General Lafayette answered-- + + +"I am happy, sir, to find myself again, after a long absence, and to be so +kindly welcomed, on the beloved sail of the state of Virginia; that state, +to which I am bound by so many old ties of gratitude, devotion, and mutual +confidence. It is to the patriotic support I found in the civil authorities +of this state, whose generous spirit had already shone from the beginning +of the revolutionary contest; it is to the zeal, the courage, the +perseverance of the Virginia militia, in conjunction with our small gallant +continental army, that we have been indebted for the success of a campaign +arduous in its beginning, fruitful in its happy issue. Nothing can be more +gratifying to my feelings, than the testimonies I receive of my living +still in the hearts of the Virginians; and I beg you, sir, to be pleased to +accept, and transmit to the citizens of this state, the cordial tribute of +my grateful, constant and affectionate respect." + +The beach and the heights of Yorktown were filled with anxious spectators: +the anticipation was intense. The Governor and Council were stationed on a +temporary wharf, erected for the occasion, to receive him. Judges, +revolutionary patriots, officers of the army, invited guests and citizens, +were also in waiting, in a separate group. Lafayette landed with his +companions, and supported by Colonels Fassett, Harvie, Peyton and Jones; +who introduced him to the Governor of the State. The latter received him +with the following speech:-- + + +"GENERAL LAFAYETTE, + +"SIR--On behalf of the people of Virginia, I tender to you a most cordial +and hearty welcome to our State. + +"In you we recognise the early, the steadfast, the consistent friend. +Whilst the United States in general, owe you so large a debt of gratitude, +for the liberal tender of your purse, your person and your blood in their +behalf, the state of Virginia, is, if possible, still more deeply indebted +to you.--You were her defender in the hour of her greatest trial. At the +early age of twenty four years, with an army greatly inferior in numbers, +and still more in equipments and discipline, you conducted your military +movements with so much judgment, that the ablest officer of the British +army could never obtain the slightest advantage over you; and whilst that +officer spent his time in harassing our distressed state you maneuvered +before him with the most unceasing caution and vigilance, with a steady +eye, to that grand result, which brought the war to a crisis on the plains +of York. + +"Forty-three years from that period, we have the happiness to find you in +our country, the vast improvement of which is the most conclusive evidence +of the correctness of the principles for which you contended by the side of +Washington. + +"I will conclude, sir, by the expression of a sentiment, which I believe to +be strictly true; It is, that no man, at any time has ever received the +effusions of a nation's feelings, which have come so directly from the +heart." + +The General advanced, and grasping the Governor's hand, said,--"I am +gratified sir, most highly gratified, by the reception you have given me on +the part of the state of Virginia. The happy conduct and the successful +termination of the decisive campaign, in which you have the goodness to +ascribe to me so large a part, were attributable much more to the +constituted authorities and people of Virginia, than to the general who was +honored with the chief military command. I have the liveliest recollection +of all the scenes of my services in this state, and of all the men with +whom it was my happiness and honor to serve--and happy as I was to assist +and witness the accomplishment of American liberty and independence, I have +been yet happier in the assurance that the blessings which have flowed from +that great event, have exceeded the fondest and most sanguine +expectations." + +The General was then successively introduced to the councilors, the judges, +the revolutionary officers, and a number of citizens. The procession then +advanced--Gen. Lafayette, the Governor, Chief Justice, and Mr. Calhoun, the +Secretary of War, seated in the barouche. Next Lafayette's son and suite, +and the Council, &c. &c. in regular succession. It advanced (the General's +head uncovered) amidst the salutes from the artillery company stationed on +the heights and from the steamboats and small craft--and amid the full +swell of music. It passed through the long lines of citizens and old +revolutionary soldiers arranged in two columns. It wound up the hill; and +finally terminated at the General's quarters.--On entering the house (Gen. +Nelson's) he was cheered by a crowd of citizens. + +The introduction of a number of ladies and citizens followed--receiving all +with interest and the quiet dignity of a spirit at peace within itself, and +pleased with all the world. The most interesting of these interviews were +with the soldiers of the revolution. One of them advanced, seized the +General by the hand, exclaiming, "I was with you at Yorktown. I entered +yonder redoubt at your side. I too was at the side of the gallant De Kalb, +your associate in arms, when he fell in the field." The tears streamed from +the veteran's eyes; and Lafayette showed by his countenance the sympathy he +felt. "Yes, my brave soldier, I am happy to have lived, to meet you once +more." + +After a short time, Lafayette, respecting that inestimable spirit of +equality which pervades over free institutions, went forth to salute the +crowd of citizens who stood in the street. He was stationed at the gate, +and the long line of gratified spectators passed by him. Each person seized +his hand as he passed him. To all Lafayette extended some mark of kindness +and consideration. The spectacle was deeply impressive. The variety of +manners in the different spectators was singularly striking. Some as they +approached, fixed their eyes on his face, and lingered after they had +passed, as if to drink in the last expression of its countenance. Others +advanced with the deepest feelings of awe, with their eyes cast upon the +earth. + +On Monday, Lafayette dined with a select company of some 20 or 30, +consisting of the revolutionary officers, &c. At night, some transparencies +were exhibited over the door of his house, and under the Richmond marquee." + +In truth, the scene exceeded all rational expectation: The committee of +arrangements deserve much encomium for their enterprising spirit and +judicious efforts. It is a seem which no man who saw it will ever forget. +The Virginians appeared in their true colours.--The moral effects of this +spectacle were sublime. There was an effect in it, which no words can +describe, "tears streamed from an hundred eyes. The sentiments it diffused +through several thousands of spectators, were of the loftiest character. + +On this day, Monday 18th, the reception was purely civic, not a soldier +appeared under arms. But on the 19th the military spectacle was imposing +and brilliant. Soon after breakfast, Lafayette walked from his quarters, to +the tent of Washington, surrounded by the committee of arrangements and +others. Numbers were then introduced to him--many ladies, the veteran +soldiers of the revolution, citizens from other states and all quarters of +Virginia. + +Col. Wm. I. Lewis, of Campbell, was introduced to him, and delivered the +following address:-- + + +"GEN. LAFAYETTE, + +"The sons of the mountains join most cordially their low land brethren in +welcoming your return to this country, they are the more delighted at this +particular period, because after an absence of about forty years, you will +now be a witness of the happy effects of self government, founded on the +natural rights of man--rights, which you so nobly contributed to establish. +Little did you think when in youthful age, you voluntarily put your life in +your hand, and crossed the stormy billows of the deep, to fight and bleed +for the independence of America that the results would have been so +wonderful. At that period we were only a handful of people, for in +everything of military import, except an invincible love and attachment for +liberty--we fought, and thanks to Lafayette and his native nation, we +conquered!--Now we see the result--we have nearly by the offspring of our +own loins increased to more than 10,000,000 of people cleared the +immeasurable forests of savages, and wild beasts, and in their places are +cultivating rich fields, building villages, towns, and cities; our commerce +is spread over every sea, and our navy rides triumphant on the ocean. Such +are the effects of free government, founded on equal rights, supported by +wise and merciful laws faithfully executed!--There is but one alloy to our +pleasure of meeting you--we dread your return to Europe. The despots of +that country envy your increasing glory, founded on virtue, which they +cannot imitate; and their political fears may again incarcerate you in the +grated walls of a dungeon! Stay then with us, Lafayette--stay with us--here +in every house you will find a home and in every heart a friend--we will +with filial affection rock with gentleness the cradle of your declining +age; and when it shall please the God of universal nature to call you to +himself, crowned with the blessings of at least one free and mighty nation, +we will then with holy devotion bury your bones by the side of your adopted +and immortal father, and moisten your tomb with the tears of love and +gratitude." + +The costume and whole appearance of Col. Lewis were striking and +interesting; he had on the mountain dress. On the conclusion of the +address, the General grasped him with both hands, and in the most touching +manner, begged him to convey to his mountain friends his, most affectionate +acknowledgments for this testimony of their kindness. He recounted the +services which their gallantry had formerly rendered him. He dwelt with +delight upon the interest they now manifested in his happiness. + +About 11 o'clock, the procession began to form for the triumphal arch, +erected on the ruins of the Rock Redoubt, standing within six yards of the +river's bank. The ceremony of the reception at that most interesting point, +was pathetic beyond expression. The old General advanced up the hillock +which leads to the redoubt, limping and supported by the Governor, with his +aids and members of the committee of arrangement. A large column of +officers and citizens followed them. When Lafayette had reached the +triumphal arch, General Taylor stepped from the semicircular group, which +was formed near the river's bank, saluted him with profound respect, and +addressed him in the following manner: + + +"GENERAL, + +"On behalf of my comrades, I bid you welcome. They come to greet you, with +no pageantry, intended to surprise by its novelty, or dazzle by its +splendour: But they bring you. General, an offering which wealth could not +purchase, nor power constrain. On this day, associated with so many +thrilling recollections; on this spot, consecrated by successful valour, +they come to offer you this willing homage of their hearts. + +"Judge, General, of their feelings at this moment by your own. Every thing +around them speaks alike to their senses and sensibilities. These plains, +where the peaceful plow-share has not yet effaced the traces of military +operations; these half decayed ramparts, this ruined village, in which the +bombs' havoc is still every where visible, tell us of past warfare; and +remind us of that long, arduous and doubtful struggle, on the issue of +which depended the emancipation of our country. + +"On yonder hillock, the last scene of blood was closed by the surrender of +an army; and the liberty of our nation permanently secured. With what +resistless eloquence does it persuade our gratitude and admiration for the +gallant heroes, to whose noble exertions we owe the countless blessings +which our free institutions have conferred upon us? + +"The spot on which we stand was once a redoubt occupied by our enemy. With +how rapid a pencil does imagination present the blooming chieftain, by whom +it was wrested from his grasp. Can we be here and forget, that superior to +the prejudices which then enchained even noble minds, he perceived in the +first and almost hopeless struggles of a distant and obscure colony, the +movement of that moral power, which was destined to give an new direction +and character to political institutions, and to improve human happiness. +Can we forget, that, deaf to the solicitations of power, of rank, and of +pleasure, with a noble prodigality, he gave to our country his sword, his +treasure, and the influence of his example. + +"And when in the aged warrior who stands before us, we recognise that +youthful chieftain, with what rapidity does memory retrace the incidents of +his eventful life? With what pleasure do we see his manhood realize the +promise of his youth? In senates or in camps, in the palaces of kings, or +in their _dungeons_, we behold the same erect and manly spirit. At one time +tempering the licentiousness of popular feeling; at another restraining the +extravagance of power, and always regardless of every thing but the great +object of his life, the moral and political improvement of mankind. + +"General--In the brightest days of antiquity, no artificial stimulus of +rank or power, or wealth, was required to excite noble minds to acts of +generous daring, A wreath of laurel, or of oak, was at once the proof and +the reward of illustrious merit. For this, statesmen meditated, warriors +bled, and eloquence soared to its sublimest heights. The prize was +invaluable; for, it was won only by merit. It detracted, however, somewhat +from its worth, that it was conferred by the partiality of compatriots, and +in the fervor of admiration inspired by recent success. + +"Your life, General, illustrious throughout, in this also is +distinguished.--Time which dims the lustre of ordinary merit, has rendered +yours more brilliant. After a lapse of nearly half a century, your triumph +is decreed by the sons of those who witnessed your exploits. + +"Deign then, General, to accept the simple but expressive token of their +gratitude and admiration. Suffer their leader to place upon your veteran +brow the only crown it would not disdain to wear, the blended emblems of +civic worth and martial prowess. It will not pain you, General, to perceive +some scattered sprigs of melancholy cypress intermingled with the blended +leaves of laurel and oak. Your heart would turn from us with generous +indignation, if on an occasion like this, amid the joyous acclamations +which greet you, every where, were heard no sighs of grateful recollection +for those gallant men who shared your battles, but do not, cannot share +your triumph. The wreath which our gratitude has woven to testify our love +for you, will lose nothing of its fragrance, or its verdure, though time +hang upon its leaves some tears of pious recollection of the friend of your +early youth; In war the avenger, in peace, the father of his country. + +"In behalf then, of all the chivalry of Virginia; on this redoubt which his +valour wrested from the enemy at the point of the bayonet; I place on the +head of Major General Lafayette this wreathe of double triumph:--won by +numerous and illustrious acts of martial prowess, and by a life devoted to +the happiness of the human race. In their names, I proclaim him alike +victorious in arms and acts of civil polity. In bannered fields, a hero--in +civil life, the benefactor of mankind." + +Lafayette was deeply affected. There was a solemn earnestness in his +manner, a touching sensibility in his whole countenance which most deeply +impressed every observer. Many wept--all were moved. When Gen. Taylor had +closed his address, he was about to fix the civic wreath upon the General's +head. But the considerate veteran, always himself, always attentive to the +slightest proprieties of word and action, caught the hovering wreath as it +approached his brow with his right hand, and respectfully bowing, dropt it +to his side, when he thus replied: + +"I most cordially thank you, my dear general, and your companions in arms, +for your affectionate welcome, your kind recollections, and the flattering +expressions of your friendship. Happy I am to receive them on these already +ancient lines, where the united arms of America and France have been +gloriously engaged in a holy alliance to support the rights of American +Independence, and he sacred principle of the sovereignty of the people. +Happy also to be so welcomed on the particular spot where my dear light +infantry comrades acquired one of their honorable claims to public love and +esteem. You know, sir, that in this business of storming redoubts, with +unloaded arms and fixed bayonets, the merit of the deed is in the soldiers +who execute it, and to each of them, I am anxious to acknowledge their +equal share of honor. Let me, however, with affection and gratitude, pay a +special tribute to the gallant name of Hamilton, who commanded the attack, +to the three field officers who seconded him, Gimat, Laurens and Fish, the +only surviving one, my friend now near me. In their name, my dear general, +in the name of the light infantry, those we have lost as well as those who +survive, and only in common with them, I accept the crown with which you +are pleased to honor us, and I offer you the return of the most grateful +acknowledgements." + +When he had closed, he gave a new proof of the rapidity of his conceptions, +the generosity of his soul, the uniform modesty of his character. The very +moment he concluded, (never having been prepared for such a scene, never +having seen the address, never having suspected the presentation of the +wreath) he turned round and drew Col. Fish to the front. "Here," he +exclaimed, "half of this wreath belongs to you." "No sir, it is all your +own." "Then" said Lafayette, putting it into Col. Fish's hand, "take it and +preserve it as our _common property_." + +The whole scene was strongly marked by the moral sublime. This ceremony +over, the grand review commenced. Lafayette stood near the arch, and the +volunteer companies, and the U. S. troops passed him in regular succession, +with flags flying and music floating in the air. The troops then formed +themselves again in line, and Lafayette on foot, passed down the line. He +was carried to the obelisk, situated on the spot where Vimionel had stormed +the second redoubt.--The review over, and Lafayette having seen and been +seen by all the troops, be mounted his barouche in company with the +governor, and was followed by the other carriages. The whole body of +military and citizens then moved to the field, near to which the British +troops had grounded their arms in 1781. Between these, and the +amphitheatre, where at least one thousand ladies sat, the barouche passed +on near to the ladies, who continued to wave their white handkerchiefs as +he slowly moved on. "Ladies, receive my warm thanks for your kind welcome," +was constantly upon his lips. + +The whole scene defies description. Here were the fields, which forty-three +years ago, had witnessed the tread of a conquered enemy! A thousand +associations of this description rushed upon the mind. Now, filled with an +animated and joyous throng of from 10 to 15,000 persons. The spectacle +surpassed all expectation; all expression. + + +When at the tomb of Washington, Mr. Custis addressed him as follows:-- + +"Last of the generals of the army of Independence! At this awful and +impressive moment, when forgetting the splendour of a triumph greater than +Roman consul ever had, you bend with reverence over the remains of +Washington, the child of Mount Vernon presents you with this token, +containing the hair of him, whom while living you loved, and to whose +honored grave you now pay the manly and affecting tribute of a patriot's +and a soldier's tear. + +"The _ring_ has ever been an emblem of the union of hearts from the +earliest ages of the world; and _this_ will unite the affections of all the +Americans to the person and posterity of Lafayette, now and hereafter. And +when your descendants of a distant day shall behold this valued relic, it +will remind them of the heroic virtues of their illustrious sire, who +received it, not in the palaces of princes, or amid the pomp and vanities +of life, but at the laurelled grave of Washington. + +"Do you ask--Is this the Mausoleum befitting the ashes of a Marcus +Aurelius, or the good Antonius? I tell you, that the father of his country +lies buried in the hearts of his countrymen; and in those of the brave, the +good, the free, of all ages and nations. Do you seek for the tablets, which +are to convey his fame to immortality? They have long been written in the +freedom and happiness of their country. These are the monumental trophies +of Washington the great; and will endure when the proudest works of art +have "dissolved and left not a wreck behind." + +"Venerable man! will you never tire in the cause of freedom and human +happiness? Is it not time that you should rest from your labours, and +repose on the bosom of a country, which delights to love and honor you, and +will teach her children's children to bless your name and memory? Surely, +where liberty dwells, there must be the country of Lafayette. + +"Our fathers witnessed the dawn of your glory, partook of its meridian +splendour; and oh, let their children enjoy the benign radiance of your +setting sun. And when it shall sink in the horizon of nature, here, here +with pious duty, we will form your sepulcher; and, united in death as in +life, by the side of the great chief you will rest in peace, till the last +trump awakes the slumbering world, and call your virtues to their great +reward. + +"The joyous shouts of millions of freemen hailed your returning foot-print +on our sands. The arms of millions are opened wide to take you to their +grateful hearts, and the prayers of millions ascend to the throne of the +Eternal, that the choicest blessings of heaven may cheer the latest days of +Lafayette." + +General Lafayette having received the ring, pressed it to his bosom, and +replied-- + +"The feelings, which at this awful moment oppress my heart, do not leave +the power of utterance I can only thank you, my dear Custis, for your +precious gift. I pay a silent homage to the tomb of the greatest and best +of men, my paternal friend." + + +General Lafayette was escorted to his quarters by the troops, and a +sumptuous dinner provided for him, and the distinguished civil and military +characters who were present on the occasion. The following morning, the +officers of the volunteer companies present, prepared a military breakfast. +The table was spread in the tent of Washington, which was pitched at the +volunteer's encampment. He left York Wednesday afternoon, and reached +Williamsburg in the evening, where he was received with open arms by the +citizens. Hence he proceeded to Norfolk, where he had been previously +invited, and where great preparations were made to receive him according to +his distinguished merit, and his highly important services to the country. +From Norfolk he was to proceed to Richmond; and thence farther south +through North and South Carolina, to Georgia. Invitations have been given +him to visit Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio; but it is probable he will +decline them. For he intends returning to Washington in December, and to +spend most of the winter season in that city. Early in the spring, he will +probably visit the northern states again; and embark for France at Boston, +some time in June or July. + +There is a strong and very general desire that Lafayette should pass the +remainder of his life in the United States; and that the national +government should provide a respectable establishment for him and his +family in this country. That the representatives of the people will be +ready to grant an honorable stipend, there cannot be a doubt. But France is +his native country and his home. There are his children and his grand +children. There, it is natural, he should desire to pass his few remaining +years. And such an intention, we believe, he has expressed. What will be +his final resolution on the subject, we will not conjecture. + + * * * * * + +From the New-York Commercial Advertiser. + +LAFAYETTE. + + O deep was the gloom on our sad land descending, + And wild was the moan from the tempest's dread form, + While the heroes and sires of our country were bending + Their souls to their God, and their brows to the storm. + + Who bounds to the shore from the dark bosom'd ocean, + In the sparkle and pride of his beauty and youth? + His ardent mind burning, his soul all devotion, + To the high cause of liberty, justice and truth? + + He joins the bold band, who, with spirits undaunted, + Strive to guard and to win, all man's bosom holds dear; + It is done! they have triumph'd! and heaven has granted + Fair freedom to crown their majestic career. + + How lovely the land where the bright sun is flinging + The purple and gold from his throne in the west! + There millions of hearts in their gladness are singing, + There finds the poor exile contentment and rest. + + The eagle that rush'd on a torn, bloody pinion, + And soar'd to the sky 'mid the clamors of light, + Now wings his proud way in untroubled dominion, + While the nations all silently gaze on his flight. + + Who comes o'er the billow with head bent and hoary, + With full throbbing heart, and with glistening eye + Past years roll before him--the scene of his glory + Fills his heart with emotions, deep, solemn and high. + + Great man! thy lov'd name to the skies is ascending, + A name whose remembrance no time can destroy, + While gladness and grief are within us contending, + For all _thou_ hast suffer'd, and all _we_ enjoy. + + We will rank thee with him, who was sent us by heaven; + Ye shall meet in our hearts as in glory ye met: + Spread, ye winds, the glad news! to our wishes is given + The friend of our WASHINGTON, brave LAFAYETTE. + + * * * * * + +TO LAFAYETTE. + + We'll search the earth, and search the sea, + To cull a gallant wreath for thee; + And every field for freedom fought, + And every mountain-height, where aught + Of liberty can yet be found, + Shall be our blooming harvest-ground. + + Laurels in garlands hang upon + Thermopylae and Marathon;-- + On Bannockburn the thistle grows;-- + On Runnymead the wild rose blows;-- + And on the banks of Boyne, its leaves + Green Erin's shamrock wildly weaves. + In France, in sunny France, we'll get + The Fleur-de-lys and mignonette + From every consecrated spot, + Where ties a martyr'd Huguenot;--. + And cull _even here_, from many a field, + And many a rocky height, + Bays, that our vales and mountains yield, + Where men have met to fight + For law, and liberty, and life, + And died in freedom's holy strife. + Below Atlantic seas,--below + The waves of Erie and Champlain, + The sea-grass and the corals grow + In rostral trophies round the slain; + And we can add to form thy crown, + Some branches worthy thy renown. + Long may the chaplet flourish bright, + And borrow from the heavens its light! + As with a cloud that circles round + A star, when other stars are set, + With glory shall thy brow be bound, + With glory shall thy head be crowned, + With glory-starlike tinctured yet:-- + For air, and earth, and, sky, and sea, + Shall yield a glorious wreath to thee. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, MEMOIRS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE *** + +This file should be named lfytt10.txt or lfytt10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, lfytt11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, lfytt10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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