The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-11
LA FAEETTE AT THE TOMB OF
WASHING TON.
70 the Editors.

the 18th inst. About one O'Clock the Gener-
al left the Steam Boat Petersburgh at anchor,
off Mount Vernon, and was received into a
barge manned and steered by Captains OF
vessels from Alexandria, who had handsom
ly volunteered their services for this inter
csting occasion. He was accompanied in the
barge by his family and suite, and Mr.. Secre-
tary CALHOUN On reaching the shore he
was received by Mr.. Lewis, the Nephew of
Washington, and by the gentlemen OF the
family of Judge Washington, [the Judge him
self being absent OH official dutes) and con
Quoted to the ancient mansion, where, forty
years ago, he took the last leave OF his 6 He
70, his friend, and our country's preserver.
After remaining few minutes in the house,
the General proceeded to the Vault, support
ed by Mr.. Lewis and gentlemen relatives of
the Judge, and accompanied by w. La
Fayette, and G. w. Gusts, the children Of
Mount Vernoa, both having shared the pa
ternal care of the great Chief. Mr. Gusts
wore the Ring suspended from Cincinnati
Ribbon. Arrived at the sepulchre, after a
pause, Mr.. Gusts addressed the General as
follows:
LAST of the Generals ofthe Army of indie
pendence! At this awful and impressive
moment, when, forgetting the splendor of
triumph greater than Roman Consul ever
had, you bend with reverence over the re
mains Of Washington, the child OF Mount
Vernon presents you with this token, con-
tanning the hair of him, whom, while living,
YOU loved, and to whose honored grave you
now pay the manly and affecting tribute of
Patriots and a Soldiers tear.
"The Ring has ever been an emblem ofthe
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 La Fayette now and hereafter; and when
YOUR descendants of distant day shall! be-
hold this valued relic. it will remind them
of the heroic virtues of their illustrous sire,
who received it, not in the palaces of princes,
or amid the pomp and vanites of life, but at
the laurelled grave OF Washington. Do you
ask
SIS this the Mausoleum, BETTING the ashes
of a Marcus Aurelius, or the good intonius
| 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 10 inn
mortalitys They have been long written
in the freedom and happiness of his country.
These are the monumental trophies Of Wash
ington the Great, and will endure when the
proudest works of Art have ''dissolved and
left not wreck behind"
"Nenerable man VIII you never tire in
the cause of freedom and human happiness ,
Is it not time that you should rest from Your
generous labonrs, and repose on the bosom
OF country which delights to love and hon.
or you, and will teach her childrcn's children
tobless your name and memorys Sure where
liberty dwells, there must be the country Of
La Fayette
"Our Fathers witnessed the dawn Of your
glory, partook oft meridian splcndor, and
oh let their children enjoy the benign radi-
ance of your setting sun ; and, when it Shall
sink in the horizon of nature, here, hero with
pious duty, we will form your sepulchrc,
and united in death, rs i'll life, by the side of
the Great Chief, you will rest in peace, till
the last trump awakes the slumbering world,
and calls your virtues to their great reward.
"The Joyous shouts Of millions of frecmcu
hailed your returned footprint OH our sands.
The arms of millions are opened wide to
hug you to their grateful hearts, ,and the pray
ers of millions ascend to the throne Of Al
mighty Power, and implore that the choicest
blessings of Heaven will cheer the latter days
of La Fayette''
The general having received the Ring,
pressed it to his bosom and replied:
"Ihefe feelings, which, at this awful moment
Cypress my heart, do not leave me the pow
er OF uttefanCe. can only tnank you, my
dear Gusts, for your rprecious gift, and pay /;
silent homage to the tomb of the creates.
and best of men, my paternal friend
The General affectionate embraced thc
donor and the other three gentlemen, ant
gazing intently ON the receptacle of departed
greatness, fcrvcntly pressed his lips to tht
door of the vault, while tears filled the far
rows in the veterans cheeks. The key was
low applied to the lock--the door flew open
and discovered the coffins, strewed viii
flowers and cvergreens.
The General descended the steps, ant
kissed the lcaden cells which contained thC
ashes of the great Chief and his venerabl,
consort, and then retired in an excess of feel
ing which language is too feeble to describe
After partaking of refreshments at tn,
house, and makinga slight tour in the grounds
the General returned to the shore. In dcs
cending the hill to the river, the horses be
came restive. Some spirited young me
rushed forward, removed the horses, an
would have drawn the carriage themselves
but this the General would not permit, ant
slighting, walked to the shore, a distance
nearly quarter of mile. Previous to It
embarkation, Mr.. Gusts presented the Cir
cinIiati Ribbon, which had borne the Ring {
the vault, to Major Ewell, a veteran Of til
Revolution, requesting him to take a part {
it, and divide the remainder among the youn
men present, which was done and geRer
Gus struggle ensued for the smallest porto
of it.