Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-15
A DISTINGUISHED FRENCH VISITOR.

.tFArErTE's VISIT TO AMERICA IN 1S24-How
he WAS RECEIVED IN wAsHINGTON-SOxE IN
TEREsTING "REMINISCENCES.
Now that we are about to wetcome some OF
the descendants of the patriot heroes of the old
world who lent their aid to the establishment OF
American Independence, it may be of interest to
recall the particulars of the visit Of Lafayette to
this city in 1924.
President Monroe. in August. 1924 gave di-
rections that when Lafayette arrived that he be
received ataal military posts he might visit with
the hOnors due to the highest military rank in
our service. Gen. LAFAYETTE arrived in New
York August d. in the ship Cadmus from
Hayre. and remained at the county seat Of Vice
President Tompkins, on Staten Island until his
formal reception by the civic and military au.
thorities the next day. His son, George Wash
ington Lafayette, and companion, Auguste La
Vasseur, accompanied him
RECEPTION IN NEW YORK.
The following day Broadway and the Battery
were crowded with ladies and gentlemen. their
faces beaming with JOY, all anxious to catch a
glimpse Of the veteran hero. Fort Lafayette
fired salute Of thirteen guns, answering to the
original number of states. The national flag
was run up at ailpublc places and on all the ships
In the harbOr. The day was one of great bril-
liancy, the streets and windows were lined with
the beauty and fashion of the city, the roaring
OF the artillery and ringing of bells was inces-
SAINT The reception was in Castle Garden, and
the distinguished visitor was then taken to the
city hall. where he was received by the mayor
and common council and a general reception
followed.
ACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES OF WASHINGTON.
August 10, 1924 the city council of Washing
ton met in extra session and passed resolutions
In relation to the reception of General Lafay-
cite. and committee consisting of Mayor s. n.
SmalwOOd. W. w. SeatOn. president board of
aldermen; Peter Force, president board common
council. and other prominent citizens was ap-
pointed to make suitable arrangements for the
reception The venerable tent of Washington
was offered by Mr.. Gusts. of Arlington, to be
used at the reception. Gen. Lafayette left
New York on journey to Boston on the Goth
OF August and arrived in New Haven, Conn.,, on
the morning of the 21st where a public break
turning out q, rndsse to welcome him amid the
firing OF cannon and ringing Of bells.
LAFAYETTE WELCOMED IN WASHINGTON.
In every city and town of New England he was
received with great enthusiasts; travelling by
stage he was greeted on almost every mile of
his journey with demonstrations of genuine
welcome. Gov. Eusts. Of Massachusetts, sent
his aid in coach with four beautiful white
horses with OutriderS and a baggage wagon on a
day journey to meet the visitors and conduct
them to the executive mansion in ROxburv.
While in New York Gen. Lafayette accepted
an invitation from Gov James Peasants, of Vir-
gtnia. to be present at yorktown on the 18th OF
October. of that year, to attend the celebration
of the surrender of the British forces.
He entered Boston on the 10Th Of August, at
IL O'Clock, with all the splendOr which the
wealth, taste ana organized police force of that
old town enabled its citizens to display. The
procession which escorted him was about five
miles long. As Lafayette passed the house of
the deceased John Hancock the mayor said to
him: = There sits the widow of your friend at the
in1n 10 irpYp Iiafoi rfrbf har
In the most enthusiastic manner pressed his hand
upon his heart. She burst into tears, and ex-
claimed: Il have now lived long enough He
visited Cambridge. and partOOk of public din
ner. and many patriotic tOasts were drank. His
progress wherever he went was constantly in
terrupted by the citizens of the villages and
towns through which he passed. and at every
place he stopped he was surrounded By crowds
OF eager and ardent visitants. From seventy to
hundred thousand persons witnessed his well
Come to Boston. Statutes were fired. bells rang
and on Beacon street hundreds of young misses
dressed in white. protected by files of soldiers
on each side. strewed lunches Of flowers i'm his
path. al the same time waving their white hand
kerchefs. On reaching the landing of the state
house stairs the general turned toward the null
tItUde. and at this moment the veteran Capt.
Stephen Onley (whO served under the general
repeatedly and was said TO be the first to force
the enemy's works at Yorktown, in which he
was seconded at another point almost smuIta-
Deously by Lafayette). approached the general,
who instantly recognized his old companion in
aIus and embraced and kissed him in the most
atectiOnate manner. A thrill went through the
whole assembly. while the shouts of the null
ttIde, at first suppressed, evinced the deep
feeling and proud associations excited. Alter
visiting the different cities and towns of New
England he returned to New York by way Of
West Point There repetition OF the former
scenes were witnessed again. and after dinner
given him by the New York Society of the Gin
cinnati he took his departure for Philadelphia.
where he arrived September IS He was met at
Trenton by committee and escorted to that
city. amid the widest enthusiasm of the vast
multitude He left that city October and ar
rived on the evening of the 9th at Fort Nc
Henry. three miles below Baltimore and on
Thursday morning, October 18th, was received
b. the Maryland society.
COMES TO WASHINGTON BIZ STAGE.
He travelled by stage to this city, passing the
District line about IL o'clock on the 18th Octo-
Der. He was escorted from Baltimore by the
Baltimore committee of arrangements and by
CapfaIn HOllingswOrths handsome cavalry COM
Fany OF greys some fifteen miles from the city,
where they were met by the first Bladensburg
troop OF cavalry. commanded by Captain Sprigg.
and escorted to ROsSburg. and a company of
Prince George riflenen (mounted) conducted
the distinguished patriot TO this city. At the
District line the company was met by the COM
mittee OF arrangements of this city and num-
beT OF Revolutionary officers and escorted by
Captain Andrews troop of city cavalry and Cap
tain Dunlops company Of Montgomery cavalry.
Here the Baltimore committee of arrangements
TOOK leave and returned hOmeward.
ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME HERE.
The general was transferred to an elegant landau
provided by the city for his use. drawn by four
fine greys. Mr. Gusts, of Arlington, rode in
the carriage with him. The whole then adj
yanced 70 the city amid national salute.s from
the navy yard and arsenal. fired from the field
pieces captured during the revolutionary war at
Yorktown About POO volunteer troops from
thls city, Georgetown and Alexandria met the
caTacade east Gfthe Capitol, on Maryland avenue
AMI with the civic turnout the plain cast of the
capitol was covered with mass of animated
human beings. The reception was most joyous and
Widespread The troops wheeled into line on
East Capitol street. and the general and suite
passed in review amid the plaudits Of the vast
multitude After the military process
sion had reached the east end Of
tie m2rket-house on East Capitol street. which
had been handsomely decorated with proper
einberns. and the Declaration of Independence
above which perched living eagle of the
largest size. tine committee Of arrangements and
Gen Lafayette and suite alighted from their
Carriages. and, preceded by the committee. the