Memoirs of General Lafayette Part 15

_"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 grat.i.tude with which our fellow-citizens, in all parts, are receiving this their antient and virtuous friend and benefactor; nor can any other more cordially partic.i.p.ate 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 a.s.surance 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 partic.i.p.ate with my distant brethren by sincerely sympathising in their warmest expressions of grat.i.tude 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 a.s.surance 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. Ba.s.sett, 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 a.s.sembled 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 grat.i.tude, affection and veneration for you; emotions rendered more intense in each, by the universal sympathy of others; these we cannot suppress. In the numerous a.s.sembly, 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 a.s.sociated 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 grat.i.tude. 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 a.s.signed 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, p.r.o.nounced 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 a.s.sist 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 a.s.sisted 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 grat.i.tude, 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 antic.i.p.ation 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 Fa.s.sett, 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 grat.i.tude, 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 hara.s.sing 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 const.i.tuted 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 a.s.sist and witness the accomplishment of American liberty and independence, I have been yet happier in the a.s.surance 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 pa.s.sed 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 a.s.sociate 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 inst.i.tutions, 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 pa.s.sed by him. Each person seized his hand as he pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sed, 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 n.o.bly 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 G.o.d 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 grat.i.tude."

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, a.s.sociated 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 emanc.i.p.ation 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 grat.i.tude and admiration for the gallant heroes, to whose n.o.ble exertions we owe the countless blessings which our free inst.i.tutions 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 n.o.ble 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 inst.i.tutions, and to improve human happiness.

Can we forget, that, deaf to the solicitations of power, of rank, and of pleasure, with a n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble minds to acts of generous daring, A wreath of laurel, or of oak, was at once the proof and the reward of ill.u.s.trious 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, ill.u.s.trious throughout, in this also is distinguished.--Time which dims the l.u.s.tre 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 grat.i.tude 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 grat.i.tude 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 grat.i.tude, 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_."