Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-07-05
From The Plartsburgh Republican.


Col. STONE
Sr:-I have been permitted to make
the following extract from the Memoirs OF
the venerable Ekanah Watson. Of Port
Kent. If you think 1t will interest your
readers a. much as he same space occupied
by politics or 'Weller.isms, (some Ct which
consider rather aoorSer lsms,) you are at
liberty to publish it. Yours, as ever, x.
LAFAYETTE AT BURLINGTON, VI.
JUNE 29lh, 1926
From "Walson's Memoirs. Unpublished
first saw this great man when on my
travels to Georgia from Rhode Island, on
the goth of September, l777--a wounded
young French officer aged 10, (my own
age,) stretched on a mattress at Jobnson's
spacious tavern in Bethlehem. Pennsylva.
MIA. -Four soldiers bad just brought him
on litter from the Brondywine battle
ground, where he held distinguished com.
maud, and acquitted himself with grea,
credit.
The next time saw him wns in Nay,
1878. going on board the first American
frigate ever built. under the agency Of the
celebrated John Brown, with whom | resi-.
ded as clerk. She was then on the
stocks, and was called The 'Providence.'
HIS person at this time was tall and slender,
and rather light complexion.
The next time saw him was after The
lapse of Al yenrs. at the City Hotel in New
York, Sd Aug. 1924, the day subsequent to
his landing from Brandywine frigate, direct
from France. He was then receiving nu-
merous visits from gentlemen, forming a
semi circle in spacious room. We wait.
ed some time 10 anxious suspense; at
length he entered the circle. accompa MED
BY his secretary and several American off
GERS, passing round from man to man, drop
ping passing word TO each. and squeezing
our hands with almost a convUlslve grip.
It was with difficulty could realize that
this was the identical being saw at Beth
lehem nearly half century previous ]
could not discover bv anaiyzng his features,
when he came in close contact with me,
the slightest resemblance. Age and cares,
involving the best interests of the human
family, and the wonderful vcssitudes he
had encountered in that long period, as
well in America as in Europe, had com
pleteiy meamorphosed HIM, both in person
and features.
The las, time saw him was q, Burlng
ton, Vermont. on ;he 29th June. 1925, on
his return to New York from his grant
tour of the 81 United States. He wa:
conducted INTO the Village, in an oper
borouche, from the east, bv Gov. Var
Ness. d,ned with him at Gou'd's (for.
merly Howard'-) Hotel, with abou, on,
hundred and fifty guests, including many
war wo, n veteran officers of,he Revolution
He was addressed BY Mr. Grlswod on the
piazza facing The public square, in a happy
vein Of patriotism, IN which he recaptula
ted his noble deeds in the glorious cause
of American Independence. as well as ,b,
revolutions in France. and closing will
deep expressions of q Nations gratitude
Lafayette responded impromp,u, to eac|
point ofthe address with great precision
> and in good sound English without an,
4. hesitation-in an audible, distinct artcuIa
h ton, as if at home in bis native language
, and in manner which asionished me.
. At least hundred old veteran pension
S ers- soldiers Of the Revolutionary war
y were drawnup in front of'he plaza Iistenin
with attentive ears to each word: At tn
: close they gave three hearty cheers, thei
hats waving over their hoary heads. II
O spent the evening in crowded party {
ladies and gentlemen, at Gov. Van Ness
from whence at midnight we conveyed hlr
: on board the eam.boat Phoenix-ih
J. wharf crowded with men, women and chi
d dren to witness the exhllerating seen,
Three steam boats were in waiting TO jol
the escort-all brilliantly Illuminated, wit
e many proud streamers trlnmphantly wavln
y to the breeze. We took our final leave
N the cabin all deeply affec,ed -where /
continued ct least an hour standing ar
> salutlng all who approached
TX As the boats were about starting, ! s'o
i. away from the crowd, and mounting n pi
of boards, wrapped up in my cloak, Il
night being chlly,) to contemplate II
passing scenes in full review, solus. an
il without interruption. The boats haz,
round in beautiful and brilliant display, al
u then shaped their course south, for Whit
u. hall. Words fail me in expressing II
of delightful sensations in contemplating III
great and good man-this second Washn
ton of the Revolutionary war, in the md
lis of new generation. with a few so!i,a
of exceptions, and The last OF his Generals.
he These reflections affected me even
n, tears, in the midst of the roaring of canno
~ the ringing of bells, bands of music, a
an the cheering of thousands grateful hear
al The night was serene-the moon sho
~, oright--every thing above and belt
- seemed to add splendor, and 10 conspire
ne giving solemnily and glorious effect to I
zee delightful scene. Farewell, Lafayette !
The long and last farewell! May heaven
~ ward thy virtues, and thy bravery; a
"e may ages profit thereby, throughout I
Ibenighted world.