Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-11-16
NECEpTlON OF GEN. LA FAYETrE
A., nh m. RE

lay the Albcmarlr La Fayet,- Guards, pre-
~dcd by ~ dpputaiiOn from the COmmIter
II Arrangements, marched tn the county line u
~ receive With the hunOrs 0f n nations g'aii-
,,,i-, the Nations Gu.s,.' At II o'clock 1t
vas aun"u,,c, d, by All ad<ancsL guard "f his ,
'scott tr"m Fiuvanna. that the General ~as
approaching. The citizens were drawn up IN
, line under thu directions Of Major Clarke,
and the toup or Cavalry formed an imposing
appearance in full linr, and a handsome cirie
uniinrnn, On thr opposite side 81 the road.-
When the General approached he was salnted
hy three loud and enthusiastic shouts of" Wei
c,.nr La Fayettr." The Cnmm,ttee Of Ar
engagements advanced In meet him, and al the
c-n'rr of thr line he aiight~d from his CARR
age, drawn t.y 4 elegant bays-Capt. Craven /
immediately Turned his troop in hollow !
square, "r which the General was the centre
MIR. KNt-, in q graceful and impressive man
Ter, ad,!res I'd him in The following words;
GIN. LA FAyErrE,
We ARE cnme hithtr, in the name oi 'he
people of Albrnarir, to meet you, at the
threshold az our county, with cordial and AZ
frciion,tr welcome, and tn assure sou OF the
lively sentiments of joy, with which your arri-
val amongst US is anticipated by every heart.
In c,m,n"n with our fsllow-Citizens through
out the United States, we cherish the most
grateful recollection Of the generous and de-
voted z-al which, in the darkest aspect OF
our revolutionary fortunes, enlisted you in the
support Os our cause, and which, at the sacri-
lice Of every present enjoyment and at the
hazard Of Ill your future prospects, retained
yOn in it, till, by your aid, it WAS crowned with
The most Curious success. Ii was not the
spirit Of chi,alry, bowever magnaninous. NOR
yet the love of fame, however honnrahir,
which impelrd ycn To this eS,.fpfsv o. r; "o
s ds,iir Won ms;l animated by the love of assriy
AIone, watnurd and kindled into action by the
spectacle Of a brave, hut infant people con-
tending for their rights, in unequal conflict,
against an "old and naughty nation, proud in
arms" Great, and incapable Of adequate ex-
preston, as our obligations tn you ara for the
services you rendered us in this eventlul peri
cd Of our annals, the measure of our gratitude
would he yet far short Of your deserving. fit
found IFS limits here. In peace as well as war,
in prosperity and adversely, through every
change of "ur political destinies, you have
been the constant friend, the faithful guardian
nj America. The diplomatic records ofthe
nation shew that, after the close of our revo-
dictionary struggle, your influence with the
government of your native country was zeal
Uusly and efficiently exeSted, in aid of the H.
lnstrious citizenA who now waits TO receive
yOu, under his hospiiabe roof, with the enthu.
.issm Of aniient friendship, in securing for us
important advantages in the future CONNER
rial intercourse Of the two countries and
that IN whatever has, at any time, concerned
the interest, the power, or the glory of these
States, wherever your voice could be heard or
your inlurnce inirrphsed, you have manifest
cd. in our behalf, the vigilance and activity Of
paiernal seliciIude.-In addition TO these obi
cations, which are common to US and oar
brethren Of the other States, and which, we
trust, are felt alike by all, we owe you, as c,ti-
-ens Of VTg1nM, particular and extraordina-
~ debt of gratitude. To your care was en-
trusted by the confidence of Washington, land
the fact iiseifis your best eulogy) the defence
Of Virginia against tho legioDs OF an invading
foe; and so happily did you prove yourself
worthy OF his choice, that, although your force
scarcely amounted TO one-sxth of the enc
,ny's, yet by the sagacity and promptitude of
yonr manenvres you kept him perpet IaIly in
check, aud extended the shield Of protection
over ev'ry part Of our territory. As of all
the States of this confederacy. Virginia is
:nost indebted to you, so, of all portions Of
Virginia, that, in which we have now the
happiness 10 receive you, experienced most
largely the benefit Of your services. In the
neishbou,hood Of this spot, you terminated
painful aud Luxurious march through then
Irackiess forest, and by the terror of your ap-
proach, rescued our habitatiOns and our fields
from impending desolation. History has re-
corded the movement AS one Of cOusummate
enterprise and Judgement, and The faithful ira
diflon Of our ancestors has ideptifed the scene
Of II by the adjunct of your name,t which has
continued to distinguish it, to the present day,
and by ITS Interesting associations, has tended
30 preserve in our hearts liz ely remembrance
Of the services of our benefactor.-W are
proud, General, exultingly proud, ofthis op-
pOftunity Of testfying to you, in person, the
sentiments Of gratitude, veneraion and affec-
ZION. with which these, your various and OK
allied merits, have inspired us: and if we could
venture, for moment, to intrude upon the
privacy of your domestic feelings, il would
Dc, to breath a wish that we might be permit
I'D 10 some small degree, to requite the gen.
rrous care you took of our infancy, by teod
us your age, with fiiial assiduity, in the bosom
81 cousfry, which would feel itself Iso,iored
Ivy your residence, as it has been blessed BY
yOur exer,iOps.
The General grasped his hand and warmly
replied:
When after an absence of three and forty
years, find yself in this county Of Abe
marie, inhabited by dear, and honOred friend,
ne recOilecions, and feelings tbat-croud upon
my mind, cannot but be enhanced by your
lind welcome, and your fsttering expressions
che honor had to be early admitted among
the soldiers of our sacred cause, the choice
1ade Of me by our venerated Commander in
ahief, 10 defeod this, his native State, the small.
,ess, in the beginning of the campaign, of our
,rces, disproportion 30 honorable 10 the
!foops bad the honor to command, are cir
1nmstances you have been pleased to mention
the most gratifying manner. Let me add,
ri. the remembrance Of my obligations to the
;'ilanI ons of upper Virginia, who, instead OF
:. ing dsrnayed by the inrosds of the enemy,
Il Innpd IN hrinn "a Exnd Al.