The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-10-07
LAFAYETTE AT WILMINGTON.

In FAYETTE AT WILMINGTON.
Yesterday was proud day for the citizens of
Wilmington, and the surrounding country. Al
though the day was disagrccably wet, they turn
ed out with merry feelings and glad hearts to wei
come to our state the Nations Guest.
About Z o'clock the mounted citizens, styling
themselves '.Thc La Fayettc Guards" compos-
ed principally OF young men, uniformly dressed,
in blue coats and white pantalets paraded on an
open square, and proceeded by Capt. Moore's
fine troop of Horse, from St. Georges, the Com.
mttee Of Arrangement, q handsome barouchc
and four elegant grays, for the General, the Off
GERS and soldiers Of the Revolution, and a fine
band of music, all under the command of the
Marshalls, took up the line ofmarch for the Penn
sylvania line at which place they were to receive
our noble guest. The night previous We had a
heavy shower OF rain, which made the roads cx-
trcmely sloppy, and the clouds still hung over'
thrcatning further discharge of the watcry ele-
ment.-We were not disappointed, for the caval-
cadc had not got far from town before they cxpe-
ricnccd damper, which, although particularly
felt by those who had not provided themselves
with cloaks, did not dampen the ardor OF their
feelings upon the oc cason. In half an hour the
rain ceased, and about ten o'clock all arrived at
the state line, and formed i'll order In n few
minutes, distant strains of music, waited by q
welcome breeze, announced the approach of him
whom the nation delights to honor. Every eye
now beamcd with JOY, and every heart swelled
with rapture. La Faycttc was escorted from
Chester by two fine troops of horse and CON-
pany Of infantry from Philadelphia, and a hand
some company of riflemcn from the interior. As
he proceeded down our lines he was received,
uncoycretl-not word was said, but every heart
beat welcome He now exchanged seats, and in
company with Louis M'Lane, Esq. took the one
prepared for him in the barouche above mention
cd,-Thc officers and troops from Pennsylvania
took their lcave.-Thc troop of horse form
cd in front, and the La Fayettc Guards formed in
single file on the right and left Of the carriages
and the procession moved of, while the music
played "Hail Columbia, happy land" \ neat
civic arch was thrown across the bridge at Naa
mans Creek, (ncar the line separating the two
states) decorated with evergreen and flowers; in
the centre was the portrait OF Washington, and
beneath, this inscription in large letters
Deiuarae ,celcomes La Fayette
The road side was lined with a grateful yeo-
many, whose repeated bursts offcelng toid their
own and carried to the hcro's heart delight. 1t
was an imposing spectacle, and one that could
not fail to excite in every heart the deepest emo
ion to sec the old veterans of '76 come limping
to their cottage gates, supportedby and leaning
upon the arms Of their children and grand chill
drcn, to behold again their countiy's friend, the
partner Of their warlikc toils-their old General.
Before the procession reached Wilmington it
had been joined by vast numbers OF horsemcn,
who increased it toa great extent, and present
cd beautiful sight as they descended from the
high and prospective hills of our country.
About one o'clock the cavalcade arrived at
Brandywinc, where it was joincdby Washington,
Hiram, and Temple Lodges, and number OF
brethren from neighborng Lodges, and La Fay
ettc entered the Borough amid the accalnations
of the people, the ringing Of the bells, and the
thunder of artillery Trees, fences, windows
and housctops were crowded with anxious spec
tators, all impatient of his coming, and who, as
he passed poured forth their need ofpraise. The
procession entered the Borough through Market
street. On arriving at Chestnut street, it passed
E under an arch thrown across Market street CO
lored in imitation Of free stone, and handsomely
l decorated with evergreen. The procession thei
passed down Market to Hanover street, dowr
Hanover to King street, down King to Higl
street, down High to French street, down Frencl
to Front street, UP Front to Market street, (acros