Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-12-14

which then covered lis site, II oue terFe'
you behold us unalfered, and that ia in the
sentiment of continued devotion 10 liberty
and OF ardent affection and profound graz
lilude 10 ysur departed friend, the father
OF bis country, and to your iIiustrlous as
SOCRATES, in the field and in the Cabinet,
for the multiplied blessings which surround
US, and for the very privilege OF address,
ing you, which now exercise. This ssD>
timent, now icndly cherished by more
than ten millions OF people, will he trans
ierred with undated vigor, down the
tide oftime, through the countless millions
who are destined 10 inhabit this continent,
10 their latest posterty
To which address, General La Fayette
replied, IN a tone in which energy OF cha
racter and sensibiity OF feeling were most
interestingly blended, TO the following el'
feet
s'.,fr Speaker,
and Gentlemen oftke House Of Repre-
scntdtires
SEVILLE the People OF the United States
and their honorable Representatives 10
Congress have deigned TO make choice OF
me, one OF the American veterans. to sig-
pity in his person their esteem tor our JOINT
services and their attachment to The prln'
cipIes for which we have had the honor 10
FIGHT and bleed. am proud and happy
10 share those extraordinary fsvors with
nv dear Revolutionary companions-yet,
II would be, on my part, uncandid and
.nerateful not to acknowledge my person.
al ali are in those testimonies OF kindness,
az they excite in my breast emotions
which no adequate words could express.
.sMy obligations to the United States,
sir. far exceed any merit | might claim.
They date from the time when have had
the happiness TO be adopted as young
soldier. favored son OF America. they
have been continued to me during almost
hall a century OF constant affection and
confidence. and now sir, thanks 10 your
most gratifying invitation, find myself
greeted by series OF welcomes. one hour
OF which would more than compensate tor
the public exertioas and suferings OF a
whole life.
.'fhe appreciation OF the American
people and them Representatives, tor my
conduct during the vicissitu6es OF the Eu..
ropeaa Revolution, is the highest reward
could receive. Well may stand '.hrm
and erect" when, i'm their names, and by
you, ar. Speaker, l am declared to have
IN eyery instance, been faithful 10 those
American principles OF liberty, equality.
and true social order, the devotion TO
which. as it has been from my earliest
youth, so it shall continue to be 10 my la.
test breath
sYou have been pleased, Mr.. Speaker,
70 allude to The peculiar felicity OF my ST.
tuation. when, after so long al absence,
am called to witness the immense im.
provements, the admirable communica-
lions, the prodigi ous creations OF which we
find an example in this City, whose name
itself is a venerated Palladium; in word,
al the grandeur and prosperity of these
happy United States. which, at the same
time they nobly secure the complete as.
sert,on OF American independence, reflect
on every part of the world the light OF
| far superior political civilization.
NV hat better pledge can be given OF a
perse veriDg national love of liberty, when
| those blessings are evidently the result OF
| institutions founded on the rights OF man
and The Republican principle OF seif-go-
,ernment. No. Mr., Speaker, posterity
has not begun for Ene--since, 10 the sons OF
any companions and friends, hud the
same public feelings, and, permit me to
add, the same feelings in my behalt,wbIch
l have had the happiness 10 experience in
their fathers.
''Sir, | have been allowed, forty years
ago, before committee OF congress OF
| thirteen States, to express the fond wishes
OF an American beaIt On this day
have the honor, and enjoy The delight to
congratulate the Representatives OF the
Union, so vastly enlarged, on the reali-
cation Of those wishes, even beyond every
human expectation, and upon the almost
! infinite prospects we can with certainty
| anticipate,
Permit me, Nc. Speaker. and gentle
men of The House OF Representatives, TO
{! Join, to the expression OF those sentiments,
a tribute OF my lively gratitude, Affection
ale devotion, and profo und respect
After the General and the members
! had resumed their seats, and short
pause occurred,
Mr.. Mitchell, the organ Of the Com.
nittee of reception, moved an adjourn.
| mept.
The motion was agreed to, and the
House was adjourned to Monday.
The Speaker then descended from
the Chair, and most affec,ionately ga
lused the General. His example was
followed by the Members of the House,
individually, and some tin.e was spent
in this agreeable manner before the
1 General retired.