The central gazette. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1820-1827, 1824-11-19

ana me srieDu o. man. II were useless
10 reciie in detail the peculiar circum-
stances under which you so callan,!y
quit your native land and few 10 the
aid Of this then infant country; in the
darkest and most perilous hour of her
struggle for liberty and independence /;
! or 10 dwell upon the Infinite value Of
the services, which you. as the compar /.
ion in arms of the illustrious leader of
our armies and the father of his eoun-
try. then rendered us in bringing to .
happy issue that unequal contest with
a gigantic foe. They exist in the live
lv recollection of all the survivors of
those scenes, are indeIibiy impressed on
he minds of the present generation
they have served TO adorn the histori-
ans page, are known to the world, and
will be waited on from heart TO heart.
from pen 20 pen. TO the latest periods of
time. Yes. General. when the names of
the principal actors i'm that eventrul
struggle, and in those "times which
tried mems souls" shall cease 10 be re-
memhered and revered, then indeed.
will true liberty cease to have friend
on this globe.
Virginia claims 10 owe you the lar
gest debt of gratitude; it was on her
soil and in her protection and defence
that your eXertions and tolls were emf
neatly useful and conspicuous; with no
pretence, however, of ability TO dis
charge the smallest part Of that debt
hut impelIed by the strongest feelings
of affection for your person, and of adj
miration for the uniform terror of your
illustrions life, so Zealously devoted as
it has ever been in support of the cause
we come in The fullness of our hearts.
and only to offer, as il is fit we should,
some manifestation that we are not nm
mindful Of how much we owe You for
past services and that we are not in
sensible 10 the Just claims of exalted
merit and high worth of character.
Accept. dear General. the further ten
der of our sincere wishes that your fu-
ture life may he as blissfpl as the past
has been virtuons and noble.
To this address the General made a
warm and feeling reply, full of expires
sions of gratitude and thanks for the at
ten';nrs paid him by the people. He
was conducted to chambers prepared for
his accommodation, passing between
two lines Of citizens extending from the
house "a distance Of an hundred yards
into the open ground IN front Of it. all
of whom respectfully salnied him. some
with an ardnur aud sensibility highly
honorable TO the best Of feelings Of the
human heart; these lines Of citizens
were terminated AT The door by upwards
Of thirty revolutionary soldiers. many
of hmm had served under La Fayeue
throughout his,FirGinia campaign, and
with him in other parts Of America, all
Of whom had been invited by order of
the Committee Of Arrangement 10 meet
their old General on this occasion. All
of these old veterans were individually
introduced. and scene ensued which
filed The bosnms Of hundreds Of Young
er men who stood around, with delight
full. ardent, aud intense emotion the
quick. close Grasp, the reluctant yield
ing OF tie hand. the swimming eye
which had NOT perhaps been moistencd
for years, the tears that flowed freely
prayers tn heaven for continuance of
lis smiles upon great bencfartor-
these incidents themselves. spoke in
melting tones TO the sinutcst heart-bm
they cannot be described. Gener La
Fayette having with his suite, partakcn
Of suitable Refreshments. was conducted
20 the drawing room. ~ which I've found
{, la ro,n aSspn,hiaup Of la Iicc In 20 oh =, f.
whom he was introduced here he seem
ed indeed. drsighting and delichted-
hut the scene was Of Too short duration.
When dinner was said tn be ready and
La Fafctte was about 10 separate from
his female friends. his attention uasar-
rested by The FIRST words OF the follow
ing valedictory lines, composed for the
occasion. and sung by several ladies
with fine effect
TuNE--TA MwoRTA, 4 SACRED PIECE.
Hear Us Her Ger then leave as,
Take our lingering. long farewell:
Thou who erst did'sl a,d 10 give tvs,
All the Joys we now can ten.
Veteran heroi friend OF freedom !
In our hearts, thcu'lt ever dwell.
Nav the richest boon of heaven.
Paw thee for the good thou'st done,
And to us may il be given,
To behold the setting sun.
Veteran hero Friend of frecdoHnl
Taste the fruits thy valour won.
Leave no moro these peerless mountains,
Every hearts home for thee;
All these plains. these chrystal fountains,
All, arc fraught with Liberty.
Veteran hero Friend of fr. ctiorn
Rest thee with the brave and free.