Books: Memoirs of General Lafayette
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Lafayette >> Memoirs of General Lafayette
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"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.
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