Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-09-15
For the Massachusetts, Spy.

The General left Bolton at hall past
six o'clock, on Friday morning, the Sd
inst. and proceeded to Lancaster, under
the escort of the cavalry of the second
brigade, commanded by Col Bruce.
When he reached the boundary of the
town on the turnpike road, national
salute was fired. The turnpike gate
was dressed with wreaths of flowers
and evergreens, and had for an inscription
The Free aUelcome the Brars
In the middle of the town, nearly oppo-
site to the church, was erected wide
elliptical arch, thirty feet in height,
decorated by the ladies with much taste
and beauty, and bearing the following
inscription
Welcome, La Fayette.
The American Eagle in triumph shall wave
Its pinions Of glory, to welcome the Brave.
At short distance from the Church,
the General was met by the Leominster
Artillery and the standing company of
Infantry in Lancaster, who joined in the
escort. Lines were then formed by a
large concourse of ladies', citizens and
soldiers, through which the General
and his suite passed.
At the arch, he was received by the
Rev. DR.. Thayer and the Committee
of Arrangements, and was then conduct
ed to platform a little elevated above
the street, where the following appro-
pirate Address was made by Dr. Thayer.
General La Fayette-
,. In behalf of the inhabitants of Lancaster,
offer you their cordial congratulations on
your arrival in country, whose wrongs you
telt and resented, whose liberties you valiant
iy defended, and whose interests and pros
poets have always been dear to your soul.
We all unite with the few Surviving veterans
who were with, loved and respected you, on
the high places of the field, in giving you a
welcome to this village, once the chosen resi-
dence of savages, and the scene of their most
boasted triumphs, and rejoice that you visit
At under the improvements of civilized life,
IN prosperity and peace. 1t gladdens us,
that we and our children. may behold the
man, whom we have believed, and whom we
have taught them to believe, was second only
to his and our friend, the Immortal Washington.
We participate in your joy, on beholding
our institutions in vigour, our population ex-
tended, so that since you left us, from little
one We have become millions, and from a
small band strong nation that you see our
glory rising, our republic placed on an immove-
able basis, all of which are in part, under
Providence, to be ascribed to your sacrifices,
dangers, and tolls. We wish you health and
prosperity. We assure you that wherever
you shall go, you will be greeted by our fell
low countrymen as one of the chief deliverers
OF America, and the friend of rational liberty
and of man.
1T is especially our prayer, that on that
day in which the acclamations and applauses
OF dying men shall cease to reach or affect
you, you may receive from the Judge of char
acter and dispenser Of imperishablc honours,
as the reward Of philanthropy and incorrup-
t'ble integrity, crown Of glory which shall
never fade.n
This Address was listened to with
great attention and delight by large
collection of people, and excited strong
emotions in the General. The follow
ing is his reply, very nearly in the
words in which it was expressed.
"Accept my thanks, Sir, for the kind well
come you have here offered me, in the name
ofthe inhabitants Of Lancaster. In returning
TO this country after so long an absence, in re-.
ceiving such proofs of gratitude and affection
wherever go, in witnessing the prosperity of
the land, prosperity, you are pleased to say,
have been instrumental i'll promoting, feel
emotions for which no language is adequate.
In aoo,Y :.
ing the children and grandchildren of those
who were my companions in the war of our
revolution, feel qualification which no one
can express. beg you to accept, Sir, and to
offer to these people my acknowledgements"
The surviving soldiers of the revo-
luton, dwelling in town, were then in
troduced to the General, who received
them in the most cordial and touching
manner.
He expressed himself highly gratif-
ed with the interest which the ladies'
discovered, pressing forward with ca
gerness ogreet this distinguished friend
of mankind. After remaining on the
platform fifteen minutes, receiving the
various attentions, and reciprocating the
heartfelt delight experienced by the
assembly, he returned to his carriage
amid cordial huzzas, and the discharge
of a national salute from the Artillery.
The General fully appreciated the
feelings his presence occasioned. On
his way to Sterling he repeatedly ex-
pressed the pleasure he felt at the re-
ception he met with in Lancaster, and
mentioned, in the strongest terms, how
deeply he was affected with the adj
dress of Rev. DR.. Thayer. Nor was
he insensible 10 the beautiful scenery
in Lancaster-it came in for a full
share of his praise. He was highly