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