National Republican., 1884-11-29

crockery Tor table service bore tne IKE
ness of the great man 30 we'll beloved by
the American people.
Previous to leaving Georgetown, Gen. |
Lafayette gave, as q parting present TO |
each member of the household at Tudor |
place, full-longth line engraving of him
self-one Of which, the property of Mrs.
Kennon, to whom 1t was given In person,
still hangs upon the wall of the east
parlor at Tudor place.
Con. Lafayette was also entertained
during his stay by Col. Cox, Mt his home
on the northeast corner of First and Po-
tomac streets, aud Hon. John Q. Calhoun,
then secretary of war, who resided with
his mother at what Is now known rs the
Linthicum estate, at the head of Congress
and Road streets. Col. Daniel Roberdeau
was warm personal friend Of tho distin-
puished foreigner. 1t was at his house
that Gen. Lafayette fingered TO bid his
adieus, when the messenger camo over in
urgent haste from Washington TO say that
the coach was in waiting, all things in
readiness, and to learn the cause of his
delay.
The marquis loitered, 10th to say faro
we'll, for ho felt this to be his last visit to
our country, and TO those warm friends
who had gathered about him at the seat
Of government.
Urged by tho messenger, Gen. Lafavatto
was Just leaving, whom he turned quickly
and taking from the lsppOl Of his coat
gay little bunch of flowers, kissed them
in old school fashion, and with hand upon
his heart, low bowling, presented them to
Gen. Roberdoau's youngest daughter,
Selma, now widow Of tho late Pay Direc-
tor Buchanan. Yellow, and dried with
age, tho beauty of tho nosegay has long
since departed, yet the withered flowers
are preserved in memory of the giver,
and tho delicate sentiment prompting
their bestowal.
Some years after this episode, when
Con. Lafayette gained tidings in his
distance home across tho waters of the
death Of his old friend at his homo on
First street in Georgetown, he wrote
letter of sympathy to the widow. 1t is
curious now to see the old paper, the
large square sheet folded to form its own
envelope, and fastened with q seal bear
ing the head of Gen. Washington SUR
rounded on all sides by halo of glory.
Rcd sealing wax was first used, thon
covered, out of respect to the family in
aflliction. theirwith layer of black.
Written on tho 2Sth of May, the letter
reached Now York July Is, and from
thence was forwarded here on the 4th of
August. On the inner page, In fine old
fashioned writing, occupying with its
crampod characters about fourth of the
sheet, yellow and faint with age, runs the
message OF condolences:
PARIS. NAV %. 1S29-Dear Madam, It is with
the deepest regret that have heard the heavy
| loss for which you are so unfortunately mourn
ing. The opportunities had to appreciate the
coloners worth, my personal attachment 70
him, to you, dear madam, and to your amiablo
| danpltnrg make more aiipCtlOQutgly share
In your affection. / beg you and them to
accept the sympathies, regards, and best
wishes OF your sincere friend, LAFAYETTE.
To hear from you. and of everything that
relates to each of you, dear madam, will be To
me a source of qualification.
Mrs RoBERDEAU.
On Sunday, Oct. II, 1924, the marquis
visited Mount Vernon, where on his
previous visit to this country he had last
seen Gen. Washington. After visiting
tho tomb. where he was much affected
gold ring was presented to him on a
blue ribbon of the Order of Cincinnati.
The surface of the ring bore the follow
ing inscription:
Lafayette,
| 1777,
Pro Nov Orbis Libertato
Decertabat Juvenis,
Invent.
| 1924.
The general then embraced the donor,
George Washington Parke Gusts, and
kissed him in French fashion on each
cheek. The truth of the following from
the papers Of this time is solemnly
affirmed:
On, tho passage of Gen. Lafayette to Noun
Vernon an eagle, tho bird of Jove, flew from
the bluff about two miles below Alexandria
and hovered over the steamboat Petersburg
which the general was on board OF. 1t fol
lowed him to Mount Vernon, and; as we ar
told, continued flying over the tomb of Wash
ington, to which the general was deyoting hi
soul with the holy feelingsoi grief 1tsecme'
to have an inspiration in Its actions. II woul
not quit the scene. 1t displayed those feeling
which would seem to indicate that 1t was
: special messenger sent to welcome our Illus
trious guest on his visit to the sacred repose o
, the first of meri-his friend and the friend O
mankind. After the general had fulfilled hi
pious devotions the bird, representing IN
gratitude of the nation and emblematicall.
| the spirit of Washington, took its final de
parture from that spot which contains the re-
!, les of Lafayette's dear companion.
Upon the occasion of Lafayette's fna
departure from the seat of government
Sept Z, 1925, all business was suspended
in Washington aud Georgetown for tn
, day, and among the soldiery drawn u
on the Presidents square to form hi
escort was, on behalf of the old town
, Capt. Dunlop's troop Of cavalry.
After steaming down the Potomac t.
Its mouth and anchoring near the Brandy
: wine, Gen. Lafayette and a party of gen
! tlemen were conveyed on board tn
vessel which was to take him back +
, France. A distinguished party of mill
tary. naval, and civil officers and official
I accompanied Gen. Lafayette to this dis
, tance and took p ,rt in the farewell ban
quot given on board Among the nun
| Der of those to propose toasts in honor O
, the marquis were Col. McKenny and Col
, Cox, of Georgetown, and Mr.. Custis. o
| Arlington. X. L. THOMAS.