The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-02-01

e Committee. addressed him IN the most
feeI,og aud impfessI,e manner III the ioi-
lnrfug tfrnfs
{. i.int committee of the Senate and
House Of Delegate wait ~ y"n, General
in t,bedirnce 10 the commands at the tie
neral Assembly OF Virginia, To bid You wei
come io her capital, All /" tender you IA
lhr name IF The people Of thus common
wealth, an expression of their feelings anu
their sediments.
"To welcome yuu. La Fayelte TO
welcome our conntty's brnelastor as our
counsry's gurst--to welcome the champi-
on of freedom, TO the bospiialilies oil free
men---is an office that We perform IN TIE
loy of our hearts; but 10 our other duly
~r are wholly incompetent. How shall
Ne express the inriTable pleasure which IS
afforded 10 the people of this land, by the
presence of him, whose name Is associated
with all their most drlghifuh their proud
esf recolrcIiOns ?-hnw declare their all
miraiien for virtues which have sweeiened
all private relations gwen dignity |" all
publc-whch ha,e shed their cheering
light over the glooms of adversely, and tenn
pered with mild lusire the sunshine of pros
pefity-,irturs which have hal the hap
ple ess # mankind for their theatre, and
hraven directed wisdom for their guide .
L. what terms shall ne tender an rxples.
sion of their deep reverence for character
exalted above all reproaeh, and consecra
Ted in Their eyes by every circumstance
which can give to human excellence n
r II.
heart How shall We make known their
devoted attachment 10 the broved and no
npred companion of their fathers, the early
aud Zelluus friend of tlIclI county. who
through the long and varied course of his
esenIiul life, never ceased 10 remember
them with kindness and now in the eve
ing Of his day, lndulsent To their wishes,
returns To manifest the never changing IN
lrrest in them How speak of that mag
nanmity and herolsn, which, reckless oi
all sacrifice, left lorlunr, aud family, aud
friends, and country, 10 fight the doubtful
battles of Liberty for an infant people 10 Il
foreign land, = winch, fearless OF all danger
so ght real honor Ia rescun9 the injured
fIom oppression, and true glory in defend
ing, 0ot conqnrring, mankind. But above
all, hrw shall we acknowledge their grati
tude for services they can never repay ser
wees, which our Own native Virginia SO
preemnently felt, and of which we read
the plain aud permanent record in all our
Tree constitutions, in the prosperity which
flows from them, and 10 the happiness
We eujoy under their benlgnant influence
Your own heart we trust 10 supply,
- hal Il
language expressive OF The lcrllngs of this
drhshtrd, admirins, grateful people. We
ask you 10 imagine for a mumrnt, what
Fra &C. gal ant France, would have felt, il
lhe towering spirit of some noble stranger
'unendrliug hereditary wealth and honor,
breaking the lies of home aud of COUNT,
had enlisted under the banners of her revu
uilon, shared her dangers aud her suffer
ngs- aud instead Of sacllfclng her resour
ces, her people, her liberty, in lrnltrss vie
urles and ambitious Conquests--had aided
you To crown the glor, of her arms, with
he blessings of Il wise and free govern
hent Imagine, we ask you, what euthus
tsm of devotion France would have felt
tor such bencfactor, and you have re-
presentation OF the srutlmcnts, With which
The prople of Virginia regard the chisil
rous Frcnchman, who sacrificing so lnuch,
suffering 81 much, and achieving in arms
ST. much ior them, has SO essentially aided
The immortal Father of his country in rs
Labllshng the foundations of our happy 20
Vernment.
Yes, La Fayette in sincerity and
IN truth, we assure you, it Is the people Of
v tTp
of The General Assembly, the inhabitants
OF every moantain and CLAIM upon the tx
tensivc and diversified face OF our country,
whose sentiments we represent. These
people had accused US of disloyalty to
their will, il We had omitted rendering YOU
this free Offering Of their hearts. Their
reprrsentati'e had condemned themselves
of criminal neglect of duty, if they Tad fail
ed To seek your personal acquaintance, and
thereby loss the opportunity Of carrying
With them into the hUsoms o. their familie,
and into every part If our community, the
certain means Of Frightening the moral #
feet of your history, upon tie rising gene
ration.
"Excu-e us for the imperfect ma ,r
which "e have executed the will OF the
''"''"' Hos'"'oiS' httcl't hotn US per
sooaiIy, We beg you, the assurance Of un
affected esteem and profound veneration.-
And allow us To offer our fervent prayers To
Heaveo for eternal blessing on yourself aud
your latest posterltS."
The General. IN that happy manner
which 50 pecnlIarl, distinguishes him, made
the following reply:
GENERAL LA FAYETTE'S .qns,cer
10 the Joint Committee Of both Houses
ofhe Legislature cfhe State Of Ttrsi-
ma.
Gentlemen ofthe Joint
Committee of both Houses,
With the warmest feeling of unalterahIe
Devotion, and deep gratitude, have bees
happy To obey the honorable call of the
S'nrral Assembly, and now | bless the af
IIFfIpnDt,. IA lsnn,,. a