Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-11-16

rocessun disin0untrd, and were formed on r
DOT. The first objects that struck the view, b
we're three Gags a"a,ing an the top the ko- q
uuda. On the largest, in broad letters, the y
words, Welcome our Country's Guest
There was Il moral subiitniiy in the scene
which beggars description. On the ve:y spot
where now walked, arm in arm, hero of the
revolution, with two GIFTS sages; a spot where
The youngest scion Of science had been planted
hy the patriarchal hand OF Jefferson --his last
public care; we had almost said. his last CON
fort On this spot, thus consecratetl. were now
assembled all the beauty and chivslry Of the
ccunty, To bid the fathers of their country |
hail.
The procession moved slowly mp the lawn |
to the steps Of the Rotunda, the General grace
fully bowling tu the ladies' as he passed, where
Mr.. Gordon stood ready to receive him. As
the General advanced Mr.. Gordon descended
the steps Of the Portico, and thus addressed
him:
General La E,yeiie,
The Citizens Of Albemarle
again greet you their Friend and Benrfac-
tor. They tender you assurances of their
gratitude and veneratOn. They contemplate
| with affection. the moral submity Of the scene
| Of your return tn our country.
| Throughout our associated Republics, to
you, there is no enemy. VIZ refute the ca
lumny that men have more respect for their
d.sttOyers, than their benefactors. Whilst
with spontaneous gratitude, millions of free
men, resound To Heaven, the praises Of liberty
and La Fayette. The citizens OF Virginia.
hail with peculiar enthusiasm your arrival n
this spot. Ii is their University, their future
temple of literature and of srience,s erected
beyond the point where the flag ot the Invader
has ever luatpd a fruit of o"r glorious revn
i-.:,-..,. -,r'ana,on from that mind nich first
lsr.sa tE.
sovereign, and Independents" re
We associate with your being here, Gene
raj, the augury of its success. They look
back on the troubled night OF our revolutionary
war; and then 10 this very institution of Ii
berty. With grateful recollection for your gal
liant tolls in that, and with brighter anticipa-
tons, from your benedictions ON this.
Here, the sons of Virginia, whilst drinking
from the untrOubed fountain Of science, will
contemplate with in,lescribabe emotion, the
beauty and stability OF that cnrnthian pillar Of
reputation which you have erected il charms,
the more, from the solitary grandeur which
it exhibits, and the waste and destruction OF
the social and political elements, with which it
has elsewhere been surrounded. Fer the fti-
tu-e generations of our country, we know,
General, that you will unite with US the fer
vent invocation, that this University, erected
on the hills Of liberty, which you had defend
ed from the tread OF the invader, may be an
Everlasting watch-fre, to which her votaries
may look. That here may continue to blaze,
that bright constellation Of principles, which
guild ID our steps through an age of evolution
and refermafiun, TO which the wisdom of our
sages, and the blood of our heroes, mingled
with that of our ius,rious guest, have been
devoted.
For yourself, General we sincerely pray,
that lie which has been gloriously directed
TO the service and happiness ofmankind, whose
morning beam lighted the darkness of our for
tunes, may be very long profracted that its
evening ray may shine across the gloom and
oppression ofOther nations, and il.ulnine their
way 10 Liberty and safety.
| To which the General replied.
am happy, sir, once more to receive the
kind welcome Of the citizens of Albermarle,
and this day receive il under the beautiful
pantheon of this rising University, the advan
tages OF which, not only to this part of the
United States, but TO the cause of mankind
so eloqnentiy expressed by you, | rejoice to
acknowledge; nor do / in any thing more
Icordially sympathise with you, than in the
mention you have made Ofthe venerable friend
whom, If there was but one University in the
world, the enlightened men of both hemis.
pheres would In common elect, to preside
over universal information.
j Be pleased, Sir, to accept the tribute of INV
respectful gratitude to you, and your fellow
citizans Of AIbcmarle.
| The General then retired to apartments
prepared for him, for few moments.-After
which, with the two Elk Presidents, the Presi-
dent Of the day, &c. he walked on the terraces.
among the ladies, to many Of whom he was
introduced, and with whom he shook hands
in the most courteous, and graceful manner.
At three O'Clock the General was invited
to dinner prepared in the upper room ofthe
ROiunda, the whole size Of The House. The
tables were beautifully arranged in three con
centrick circles. Over the place assigned to
the General was an arch ofIving laurel, 6eau-
tifulIy entwiDed around two columns, that sup
ported the gallery. Mr.. ". w. Southall, in
the absence Of Col. Randolph, presided The
General 6rst on his rigbt-then Mr. Jefferson.
aud Mr.. Madson-On his left, George w.
La Fayette and his suite.
i The table was calculated to hold 400 per-
sons, and 1t was full-The meats were excel.
lent, and each eye around us beamed content
ment.-lt was cOnteniment arising from the
performance Of the most sacred. the most
grateful duty-lt was the Offering Of liberty to
him who bad gratuitOusly aided to achieve it.
10 the emphatic language OF Mr.. Madison, il
was " Liberty where virtue was the guest, and
gratitude the feast"
When the cloth was removed the following
| toasts were drank:
| !. The American Revoluton--The Star in
the West-that besmed over the cradle of
i Liberty.
2. Gen. WaslIngton--s His spirit walks
abroad and will conduct the world at last TO
| Freedom :,
y. ten. La Fayette--Be offered his SER
vices on the altar Of our country the sacri-
ice mas assembled to heaven--and drawn down