Memoirs of General Lafayette Part 13

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 ap.r.o.ns 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 a.s.sociation, 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 pa.s.sed, Lafayette! Lafayette! sprang from the voices of a mult.i.tude 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 pa.s.sed, and many of them were from the fairbands of Quakeresses.

After the procession had pa.s.sed through the princ.i.p.al 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, pa.s.sed 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, Hanc.o.c.k, Adams, Madison, Monroe, and Charles Thompson.-- The portrait of Washington, by Peale, occupied the first place, and was the most splendidly decorated. Here were a.s.sembled 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 a.s.sume for themselves the right of self-government; and that they and their posterity should thence forth a.s.sert 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 pa.s.sed away, but the remembrance of their virtues and their services, shall never pa.s.s 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 ill.u.s.trious dead to hail with heart-felt joy the ill.u.s.trious 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 circ.u.mstances 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 antic.i.p.ated 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 grat.i.tude."

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 a.s.sure 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 cla.s.ses of people are ent.i.tled 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 cla.s.s 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 grat.i.tude'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 a.s.sembled 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 Const.i.tuent a.s.sembly. You are right in thinking that this first impulse of 1789, has, notwithstanding our misfortunes, greatly meliorated the situation of the French people. I partic.i.p.ate 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 grat.i.tude 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 grat.i.tude 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 inst.i.tutions 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 a.s.sure 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 circ.u.mstances 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 grat.i.tude 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 pa.s.sed the Brandywine, and entered Wilmington, the capital of Delaware, on the 6th about noon. He was received with demonstrations of lively grat.i.tude 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 ech.e.l.lon_. 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 pa.s.sed the narrows opposite Fort M'Henry, and dropt anchor, forming a semi-circle near the northern sh.o.r.e.

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 pa.s.sing round in regular order under the stern, came along side to receive the pa.s.sengers.

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 pa.s.sing Federal Hall, a salute was fired. Descending the hall, the procession pa.s.sed 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 s.e.xes.