The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-31
RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN,.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1881.

General Washington arrives at NeUport.
His Excellency General Washington
came by the way of the ferry frsm Nara
ganseit, across Canonicut, on the morning
of the 9th of March; he landed at the Long
Wharf. In his passage from Canonicut
the French fleet, elegantly dressed for the
occasion, saluted him as he crossed the har-
Dor. The French army, in their neatest
apparel, were drawn up in two lines with
open ranks from the west end Of the Long
Wharf; which lines extended up the wharf
and parade as far as Clarke-s,reet, and from
thence across the parade and So on through
Clarke-s,reet to General Rochambeau's s
quarters, in the Vernon house, at the cor
ner Of Clarke and Mary streets. The Gen
eral and suite, ,Oih his faithful black SER
vant VIII, immediately behind the General
carrying his Portmanteau, accompanied by
"A number Of French officers, were received
by the army at the place of landing. He
marched up with his head uncovered, 10
General Rochambedu's quarters between
the open ranks of the Army faced inward
with their arms presented. Washington,
as the weather was somewhat cold, wore
over his uniform Il plain blue surtuit.
The French officers said that the respect
paid him was the same as they paid their
King in France.
The same day the General dned OH board
the French Admiral's ship, and in the even
ing the Town was brilliantly Illuminated.
A splendid ball was given on the occasion
which was opened by General Washington
having for his partner youry lady Of New
port.
Washington staid one week at Newport
and proceeded from thence through Proyi-
dence on the afternoon of March 18th where
he was received at the lower ferry hy num-
ber of gentlemen. On his getting to the
Town 13 cannon were fred from the con-
tinental part of artillery, and saIutes fired
from the shipping in the harbor, and was
also welcomed by the cheerful countenan-
ces Of patriotic people. In the evening
the town and shipping were Illuminated
and the next day public dinner was given,
and in the evening splendid ball, both Of
which was attended by the General.
Washingtons visit to Newport was for the
purpose of personal interview with the com.
manders of the French Army and Navy
and to induce them to proceed with the
whole fleet to Virginia.
Marshall says, Early on the 9th Of
March he reached Newport, and went i'm
medlatey on board The French Admiral's
ship, where he was met by the Count De
Rochambeau. 1t was there determined
that detachment from the army then in
perfectreadness, should be embarked under
the Count De ViomeniI, and that the fleet
should put 10 sea as soon as possible. The
wind was favorable to the French, and ad-
verse to the British, who lay in Gardner's
Bay. Yet the fleet did not sail until the
evening of the Sth"'-owing to some delay
OF supplies, or some accident to one of the
ships. The British feet under Admiral Ar.
buthnot, sailed from Gardner's Bay two
days after the smiling Of the French.
For an account Of the two hostile fleets
the engagement, and subsequent, return o.
the French fleet to Newport, we here give
the statement made in the Newport Mercu.
~ after the return Of the French to New.
port, which is as follows: