The central gazette. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1820-1827, 1825-01-29

changing interest 10 .hemi How speak
Of that magnanimity and heraism, which
reckless Of all sacrifice left fortune and
family and friends aud Country, 10 fight
the doubtful battle, Of Liberty for an
infant people in n foreign land, which
fearless Of all danger, sought real hon
or in rescming the Injured from oppres-
Sion. and true glory in defending, not
ronquerins mankiad. But above NIL,
how shall we acknowiede their graft
tude for services they can never repay I?
Services. which pur own native Vir-
Sinia so pre.eminently felt, and of
which we read the plain and permanent
record in all our free constitutions, in
the prosperity which flows from them
ard in tho happiness we enjoy under
their benignant influence.
| Your own heart we trust 10 supply
what the tongue Of man does not afford
-'anguage expressive Of the feelings
Of this delighted, admiriDg. grateful
people. We ask you to imagine for a
moment. what France, gallant France
would have felt, If the tow ering spirit
of some noble stranger, surreDdering
hereditary wealth and honor, breaking
he ties Of home and of country. had
enlisted nder The banners of her revo.
luton, shared her dangers and her SUI.
ferings-and instead Of sacrificing her
resources, her people, her liberty, in
fruitIess victories and ambitious con-
quests-had aided You 10 crown the glo-
~ Of her arms, with the blessings of a
wise and free government imagine, we
ask you, what enthusiasm of devotion,
France would have felt for such bene-
factor; and you have representation
Of the sentiments. with which the peo-
pie Of Virginia regard the chivalrous
Frenehman, who sacrificing so much.
suffering so much, and achieving in
arms so much for them, has so essential
ly aided the immortal Father Of his
country in establishing the foundations
of our happy government.
Yes! LA FAYRrTE! in sincerity and
in truth, we assnte you il is the people
Of Virginia, the constituents of every
member Of the General Assembly. the
inhabitants of every mountain and plain
upon the extensive and diversified face
IF our Country, whose sentiments we
represent. These people had accused
us Of dis'oyaity to their will, if we had
omitted renderingy you this free Offering
of their hearts. Their Representatives
had condemned themselves Of criminal
neglect of duty. If they had failed to
seek your personal acquaintance, and
thereby lost the opportunity Of carrying
with them into the bosoms Of their fam.
lies. and into every part of the commu-
nifty. the certain means of frightening
the moral effect Of your history upon
the rising generation.
Excuse us for the imperfect manner
in which we have executed the will Of
the General Assembly-Accept from us
personally we beg you, the assurance
Of unaffected esteem and profound ven
eration-And allow us TO offer our fer
vent prayers to Heaven for eternal bless
ing on yourself and your latest posteri-
ty.
To this address, Gen. La Fayette re-
piled as follows:
Gentlemen of the Joint Committee of
both Houses: With the warmest feel
ings of unaIterable devotion. and deep
gratitude, have been happy to obey
the honorable call Of the General As
sembIy, and now bless the affectionate
welcome so kindly expressed by you in
the name of the people Of Virginia, and
their representatives.
Your reference 10 past times, are
much too fattering to me; yet while
ought to disclaim, cannot hut enjoy
these marks of your Partially, to the
friend and companion Of your fathers
1t is TO their patriotism, 10 their spirit
ed cooperation with their Northern
brethren, that we have been indebted
for the fruitful success of our RevOIu
tionary struggle, particularly in The de-
cisive campaign. My only individual
boast, is to think that personal senti-
ments Of confidence and friendship, have
in arduous moments been allowed by
them 10 mingle with the superior mo-
tives. of their meritorious and effective
exeriious.
Honoured as i am by your approha-
ton of my general conduct, in the yicissi-
tudes of my life, conduct consistent.
I hope with, my own native feelings, |
am proud 10 ascribe due part OF il to
the advantage had of an American ed
tucation, and Of an early paternal adop-
ton by the illustrious matchless Snn
Of Virginia. The affection of the peo-
pie Of the United States especially of
the people or Virginia, is to me too