The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-07
Extract Of q letter to gentleman an
PHILADELPHIA, dated,
LAGRANGE, lItb OCT. 1926.

| COulQ WlSO3 my uedT Oh, mat the
Joy which we experience in seeing
again our country, our family and our
friends, did not prevent me from writing
10 you in greater detail: otherwise, !
would avail myself of this occasion to
give you particular account of our
passage, during which, Notwithstanding
the extreme violence of the weather,
we constantly felt that happy influence
of the American flag, under which we
tasted, during thirteen months, felicity
unknown to other men, and which all,
could Iney form an idea OF il, would ar
IDENTITY desire. would describe to
you the affecting welcome which Gen
eraI La Fayette received in landing Oh
his natal soil the noble enthusiasm
" hich broke out at every step on his
route and the tears of JOY which his
family and numerous friends shed over
| those American laurels with which his
brow is loaded: but | lack for this
both time and ability; and moreover,
am bewildered 10 the remembrance of
the past and strong sensation of the
present. Nevertheless, it would be
exceedingly grateful for me TO tell you
how much every enlightened man in
France, and every friend of liberty SYM
pathiZes, now, more than ever, with the
American nation. To all those gene
rous sentiments which the name Of La
Fayette hitherto awakened in their
bosoms, is now added one Of profound
gratitude towards the people, who have
just dispensed TO the world so great and
sublime lesson. Let US hope that this
lesson will not be lost.
"To supply the place of the details
which am unable to write, send you
two numbers of the Courier Francois, by
which you will see that if, al Havre, the
citizens expressed without molestation,
TO the hero of the two hemispheres,
their admiration for his character and
attachment to his principles, at Rouen
they experienced, from blind, head
long and coarse police, an armed resis-
lance which, however, did not prevail
in the attempt to suppress their trans
ports.
"These circumstances may, | appre-
bend, be acceptable to your country
men; us they shew that in France too,
liberty is beloved, and the American
character appreciated.
" Accept sincere assurance Of my un-
alterable esteem, and believe me TO be,
entirely and always yours.
"LE VASSEUR.n
Mr.. Levasseur, as it will be generally
recollected, was the honored companion
of La Fayette in his American tour.
The Paris COnstitutionnel, Of the Goth Oct.
contains circumstancial account of the
reception of LA FAYETT'E at La Grange.
The neighborng villages united in public
festival on the occasion. The following is
one of the addresses which were delivered
TO the General by Populations, together
with one of the answers
ADDRESS" AT length we again be-
hold you, grown younger from the at
mosphere of liberty which you have
been breathing, and the spectacle Of the
happiness of powerful and grateful
people, which you have been contem-
plating with delight. Like the Ameri-
cans, we could wish TO describe to you
our love, pleasure, and admiration; but
these sentiments, agitating too strongly
our hearts, deprive US of the power of
so doing"
To which the General replied
"The affecting welcome which await
ed me here, and the fresh testimonials
of attachment which you lavish upon
me to-day, fill up the measure of my
joy in finding myselfin the bosom of my
family, and in the midst Of you, my dear
friends and neighbors. During my jour
ney over the free and prosperous terri
tory Of the United States, it was sweet
TO me TO think that the voices of that
eyceileot and admirable people would
resound even as far as your abodes,
and that you would enjoy them for
me.
1.-The enemies of the peoples cause
have cast il as reproach upon me,
that in expressing my sentiments, at the
American meetings, | thought also of
you. They were right to believe this !;
and, in fact, at the sight of the wonders
of public prosperity and private happi-
ness, which, in that immense country,
are the fruits of liberty, equality, legal
and national order, il would have been
difficult for me to forget the wish | had
ever cherished, tina; my French country
men should exercise the same rights
and obtain the same felicity.
"You see me now restored to my re-
treat of La Grange, which is dear to me
on so many accounts; and 10 those agri-
cultural employments Of which you
know me TO be so fond, and which, for
long series Of years, shared with you,
my neighbors, and the greater part Of