Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-10-26

1 jtlE E.tIS D1StS. a = INN a w
| Forfy-fiiree years ago, and this towD
1 prr!ented The spectacle of subdued enc,
[lny marching GU; with hearts detected ana
! spirits humbied, N'oae, what sight burst
4 upon the view! 4 Tree people, teeming
| with lie anG The fulness Of joy, were az
/ rayed on 'fbe heights, or mel upon the
beach The gallant stranger who had risked
his all IN their cause. The scene now dis
4 played Battles all description. The feelings
are too acute 30 be expressed by words
A rapid sketch cnly will be attempted =
Early IN the forenoon the Norfolk and Bal.
| timore steamboat Virginia went down 10
The Spit, about 12 miles. to receive The
distinguished Guest hlessrs. BurwelI,
Basselt, t3epjsmio W. Leigh, Gen. Brod-
max, Mr.. Robert q. Scott, Col. Jones. and
number o! Ladies, accompanied by the
| Chief Justice, Judge Brooke, Colonies
M'Lane and Fish, went in her. He was
10 the boat Petersburg which conveyed
him from Alexandria, accompanied by
Colonies Harvie and Peyton, the Govern
or's Aids.
As soon as the boats approached, Coils.
Bas.ett and Jones put off in barge, and
conveyed the llustiious stranger TO the
Virginia-the Marine Band from Wash
ipglon played Yankee Doodle. He was
then introduced 10 the other three mem
bers Of III. Committee, when MIR. Leigh
delivered the following eloquent Address
10 the most touching manner:
General La Fayene,
Ne are depued by our fellow.citizens,
now assembled at York Town, to welcome
you to Virginia.
We will not recount, in your presence,
The real services you have rendered this
&blic. and the virtue. that so endesr
to us, lest even the simple voice Of
sfp6Fb might pain the delicacy OF mind
like yours But the emotion we al ieel,
Of gratitude, affection and veneraion Tor
you; emotions rendered more intense Ia
each, 10y The universal sympathy Of Others;
these re cannot express the numerous
assembly, now saxiously awaiting your ar
rival they are swelling in every bosom
aud, hanging on every tongue, and beam
ing from every eye.
Yes, sir," you read your history in a
nations eyes. a whole people uu'Ie N
one deep sni glowing sentiment OF respect
anu love towards you. NbeyesoeVer you
20, the 90 greet you SIS their leader ia
arms and their companion In toll a0d dan
ger; The pariaktr, to ot tbelr triumph
Clue young have been taught, from their
earliest childhood, 10 honor aud to bless
your DanYe te mothers and the daugh-
tiers Of the land, sued tears Ot 10y a.
your approach. Your name is associated
In HE memory OF us al with every name,
and with MOST OF tbe erents, IN our annals,
dearest TO The American heart; with the il
lustrI0u3 and ievered name ct Washing toD,
ana with The most glorious achievements
OF oar Revolution,
Bat OF all the states IN the Union tho
we wiIl not say thai Virginia il most CRATE.
iul-yet she certainly owes you he largest
debt ofgrai'ude. THIS state was the chief
scene OF your services. la The day Vi her
greatest peril, IN the darkest hour OF her
distress, when invading armies threatened
to overrun the country, AMI all the horrors
OF war were pointed against our very dwell
lngs; Washington selected you, bis youth.
iul friend, for the chief command, and Sc
curely entrusted the defence OF his native
stale TO your courage and conduct. How
jealousy you undertook, how well YOU
fulfilled, The arduous part assigned you
with what honor 10 yourself, aud with what
advantage 10 us-uo time shah 0biiterale |
the remembrance. The general OF Tie o.
neny, 10 effect, pronounced your euiogi. |
uu, when, conscious OF his own abilities, |
and con6dlrg in the superiority OF his for |
Ces, be vsunlngly said - the boy cannot |
escape me- History records, not only
that our youthful general did escape him,
bu; that be held safe the far greater part OF !
our Cou0try in spite OF his utmost efforts; I
ana came al last 20 yOnGer spot, 10 assist in |
the capture of his army; 10 witness the !
downfall ot bis hopes, the humlia'ion o. !
his pride, and the last effort OF British |
power against American freedom. aud !
now, alter the lapse OF forty three years,
be visits the same spot agein-haepy ~ !
renew there the glorious rec0iiectioUs Of !
the past--apd yet happier, We hope. TO
see how dearly We appreciate the blessings
OF liberty and independence which he as
sisted Us 10 achieve.
On that spot, sir, we are most proud to
receive you. We hail you as TIE hero of |
liberty and the friend of man. We greet !
you as the bosom friend @! Washington -
We greet you as one OF The Falasls OF the
Republic.
Gen. La Fayette answered,
am happy, sir, to hn1 myself again,
after long absence. and to be so kindly |
welcomed by your EzceIIency, on The be-
loved soil Of Virginia; that state TO which
|. am bound by So many old tes OF graft
tude' des"iie4nssaast:sIss llAIsaasSpndlenc- 1t
is to the patriotic sSp'p8S Aoand in the,
civil authorities of this stale, whose gene
rnus sniril had alraaGu .hnnn from, 1ho la