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