Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-11-09
GEN. IA FAYETTE.

Reception ia Bdittmore.--Before the
dawn yesterday, the note OF preparation
was heard in every quarter, indeed we
believe many had not slept, for, when the
sun in cloudIess majesty, with the pros
poets of fine day, our streets already
presented the hustle of numerous CHI
zens and military passing and repassing,
to have an early view of the many splen-
dad manifestations Of a nations gratitude,
or 70 take up the different stations they
were 10 occupy during the day. Ihon-
sands on horseback, IN coaches, gigs,
lersey-wsgons, and every description OF
carriage, were soon seen thronging the
road to Fort M'Henry, where the Ma
rIoN's GUEST was shortly expected TO
arrive. Accordingly at about eight O.
clock, 8 guns from the fort announced
that the steam boat United States had
hove in sight, which were answered by
IS guns from Federal Hill, denotiog the
thirteen states of which the Union was
composed when the General left Anne
RIGA. In a moment our streets were
crowded with beauty and fashion, pres
sing to the houses, the windows of which
were to be thus adorned in honor OF The
champion of our liberties.
On the arrival of the steam boat Uni
ted States in the river, columns OF smoke
in the direction of Ba fillmore, announced
to those on board the approach of q
squadron OF steam boats, and in three
quarters of an hour the Virginia, the
Maryland, the Philadelphia and the Ea-
gle, swept gallantly by, two on either
side, crossed Immediately under the
stern Of the United States, and took their
positions en- escbeHon. The Maryland
and Virginia then came close alongside,
their decks crowded with spectators, who
saiuted the Gen. with continual shouts.
The whole fleet then proceeded slowly
up tho river, oil elegantly decorated with
flags, closed into the centre as ii passed
the Narrows opposite fort M'Henry, aud
dropt anchor, forming semicirc.e near
the nortben shore.
Just as the anchor was let go signal
gun was fred from the United States,
and squadron of s green and white bar
ges which had been lying in line
awaiting the coming of La Fayette, sho,
across the bows OF the United States,
and passing round in regular order under
the stern, came alongside TO receive the
passengers. The first was hansomely
carpeued and cushioned, commanded by
masters of vessels, and intended for La
Fsye,te. The captain and crew as fol-
lows
Captains-Gardner, Comd'l, Babtist
Mezick, Frazier, L. Staosbury, Griffith
Spear, Joseph Mezick, johnson.
Into this boat the General descended,
amidst the repeated cheering of all
around; and pushing of it made way
for the others, which took on boa rd the
committees, and proceeded IN order to
the wharf.
This was momeut of intense interest,
and, TO be conceived CT understood, it
must have been Witnessed. But if this
was the case here, how are we to atlemp,
description of the coming scene; one
which awakened recollections that abso-
lutely overpowered all those who had the
subduing luxury Of behoiding it. The
General landed under salute from the
fort. He was received Oh the warf, con-
strucied from the ousworks, by Colonel
Hjndman, Commander OF the garrison
who was Introduced to him by General
Smith and Colonel Bentalou, and pro.
ceeded 10 the Star Fort, accompanied by
the deputations, civil aud military, and
vast concourse of citizens, where on his
arrival, his exeilency, Samuel Stevens,
Governor Of the State, was introduced,
bg Colonel Hndman, when the Cover.
nor addressed him on behalf of the State
and in terms Of the warrnest welcome;
10 which the General made an eloquent
and feeling reply. Col. Hndman then,
IN hansome manner, introduced to the
General, the citizen soldiers now unat-
tachsd, who participated in the defence
of the Fort, on the mem orabe 10Th and
18th OF September, 1924. The Gene
raj received them with feelings of evil
dent qualification and was then conduct.
ed to the scene to which we have aliu-
ded, but which we cannot lescribc,-He
was conducted 10 the Tent Of Washing
ton He was conducted to this sacred
relic OF departed greatness, by Governor
Stevens and snite, and within which, the
Society Of Cincinnati were waiting to re.
ceive him. He entcred-and there was
solemn grandeur in the moment-there
was cast about the place, and around
those who were assembled, a revsrenlial
awe, which language could but i'll paint;
the heart swelled, and tears spoke what
words could not utter.
rol<o.l Tok Al