Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-01-02
Lafayette,s Last Visit to America.

following passages relative to Lafayette visit to
this country in 1924:
4" 1t was previously known that this dstin-
guished man had expressed desire to visit the
United States. This intelligence reaching Con-
gress, resolutions were passed placing Govern
ment ship at his disposal, which he modestly de-
clined, taking passage, with his son George
Washington, in the packet ship Cadn'us, at his
own expense, and on the 10th day of August,
| 1924 arrived in New York His reception was
| brilliant in the extreme. 1t is impossible to de
scribe the sensations of his breast as he reach ed
the country, now free and happy, which he had
moistened with his blood when under the mis-
| rule and oppression of tyranny. The banner of
freedom with the stars and stripes, waved from
masthead and steeple, thousands crowded the
shore, the air resounded with hearty welcome to
the venerable warrior and statesman, whilst the
heavng breast and heavy tear proclaimed the
feelings of the man, as he grasped the hands of
old and familiar friends, hallowed by the recol-
lections the trials, the blood of the battlefield,
which he had not only seen, but felt its warm
gushing flow from his own body"
| q As the boat reached the American shore, the
air was redolent with the song of freedom. He
had scarcely touched the land before he al
ternately in the embrace of Gen. Clarkson, Gen.
Van CORTLAND, Col. Willet, and others of the
days of the Revolution. From New York Lafay-
cite proceeded a tour through the United
States. Everywhere he the " National
Guest" For more than year his journey was
one continued and splendid peagant; the people
were almost delerous with joy and gratitude !;
at every city and town and hamlet they poured
forth masse, not only to and honor the great
benefactor of two nations, the representative
! of two hemispheres, but to express, in every
conceivable shape, the ardent affections they had
for the man who had made5 such sacrifices for a
distant nation, which did not even speak his
mother tongue. The people, with one heart and
one voice, did him honor throughout the land );
speeches, celebrations, dinners, Examinations,
balls and serenades, attended his every step, as
he visited each and every State in the Union.
He was present at the laying of the corner
stone of the Bunker Hill Monument on the 18th
of June, 1925, participating in the ceremonies
of the day Here he met many of his old war
worn friends, many aged companions of the tent
and the battlefield, who had come up from diff
ferent parts of the country, with weak and tot
tering steps, to mingle in the happy service of
the day-especially happy to them, with de-
light they viewed the changed and altered place,
where once they heard and felt the shock Of bat
tie, the heavy roar of the artillery saw the
awful fash of the sword, and brave men and
dent friends fall and die in the dread carnage of
the battlefield. But how changed the scene p
all was joy and gladness. Instead Of embattled
hosts, mingling in the fierce struggle of life and
death, peace and brotherly love met and firmly
bound the hearts of ffeemen, on this concentra-
ted spot Lafayette visited every place Of inter-
est, and sojourned while with John Adams,
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James
Monroe at their private residences.
But it was right that Congress, the great rep
resentative body of the nation, should also open
its heart aud hand He was publicly received
by both houses of Congress, with every honor
and compliment that could be bestowed. But
Congress could not stop at empty honor it ap-
precfated, but not too fully, the services he had
rendered and the sacrifices he had made, by
voting him two hundred thousand dollars in
money, and twenty-four thousand acres of land
in Florida. The bill passed the Senate by a vote
of 81 to Z, and the House of Representatives by
a vote of l66 to 26. When it came up on its
third reading in the Senate, the bill was on mo-
ton of Smith of Maryland passed nenainc contra
dicenti, and both houses unanimously agreed to
the appointment of committee to inform La
fayette. They communicated the action of
Congress to the old hero, who, in his touching
and feeling reply received the appropriations as
old and American soldier and adopted son of
the United States and, in his own language,
he said, two titles dearer to my heart than all
the treasures of the world
Lafayette remained little over twelve months
in the United States A new frigate, named in
honor of him and his gallant exploits at the bat
tie of Brandywine, was provided by Congress
to convey him to France. He took final leave
of the nation at the seat of Government in
Washington. John Adams being President in
vted Lafayette to pass few weeks in the Presi-
dental mansion. The It'll of September, 1925,
the appointed day for taking final leave
About twelve o'clock the officers of the General
Government, civil, military and naval with the
authorities of Washington, Alexandria and
Georgetown, with many citizens and strangers,
assembled at the Presidents house. Lafayette
ont rod fhn hall in hut with nvi-
dent emotion, leaning on the Marshal of the Dis
trict and one of the sons of the President
Adams with much dignity and grace, mingled
with more than accustomed feeling, addressed
him in q style and manner suited to the occasion
and the man.
At the conclusion of it the venerable Marshal
delivered short but most feeling address cloth
ed in language of great beauty, full of the no
blest sentiments, and the warmest devotion to
the interests of the United States. God bless
you SIR said the old General and all who sur
round US. God bless the American people, each
of their States, and the Federal Government
Accept this patriotic farewell of overlooking
heart. Such will be it's last throb when it ceases
to beat AS the last sentence fell from his quiv
ering lips, he advanced and took President Adams
in his arms, as tears flowed down his furrowed
cheeks. An immense procession followed him
to the Potomac, where the steamer Mount Vernon
awaited to carry him down the river ia the frlg-
ate Brandywine.
As the boat came opposite Mount Vernon it
paused i'll its progress. Lafayette arose, silent
and absorbed in mighty recollections which the
scene inspired-for he gazed for the last time
upon the blue hills of Virginia where the ashes of
the Father of his Country reposed. He spoke
not but turned away to drop another tear to the
memory of the loved companion of his youth,
and his cherished friends among his many trials
and tolls. Nor was the sacred silence broken
until the boat moved off amid the strains of the
sweet and plaintive music, mingling its notes
with the gentle murmurs of the Potomac, as it
rolls its endless requium to the memory of Wash
ington.
The day had been wet and stormy, but as the
boat which bore the party down the river ap-
preached the frigate, and the last parting scene
was taking place, the clouds began to roll away,
n bright and genial sun shone forth, rejecting
from the departing clouds magnificent arch,
which spanned the river from shore to shore,
the Brandyrine, which was to convey the yener-
able chief back to his native home, standing i'm
mediately beneath the center. Bright and au-
spicious omen, that Heaven smiled ON the deeds
OF the vlrtuous and the good -
h.