Evening journal., 1902-01-24

There is no more interesting para
graph in the history Of Wilmington
than that which records the visit of
General Lafayette. the French soldier
and patriot. who shed his blood in the
cause of American liberty at the Battle
Of the Brandywine, on the 11th of
September. 1777. This distinguished
visitor arrived from Philadelphia on
Wednesday. October 6, 1924. A com
mittee of prominent citizens of New
Castle county, appointed at a meeting
held in the City Hall. proceeded to the
Pennsylvania State line to meet him
The members of the committee were:
Louis McLane William p. BrObson,
Colonel Samuel B. Davis. Victor Du-
Pont. James II. Black. James Rodgers,
John Sellers. John Gordon, David c.
Wilson John Merritt, Henry Whitley,
Or. A. Naudain and Peter Caverly
They were accompanied by a newly
formed troop of horsemen (the Lafay-
ette Guards). commanded by Captain
Moore. and many citizens The civic
procession consisted of about 200
fine looking young men dressed in
blue and black coats. mounted and ex-
hibiting the Revolutionary cockade
and Lafayette badge A fine band OF
music followed.
General Lafayette remained all night
in Chester. reaching the State line at
10 a. m. accompanied by his son,
George Washington Lafayette, and dis
tinguished Pennsylvanians. Upon
meeting the Wilmington delegation he
alighted from his barouche and was
addressed by the Hon. Louis McIane,
member OF Congress at the time.
General Lafayette replied to Mr.. Nc
Lane in a speech replete with feeling
lallusions to the part taken by Delaware
in. the Revolutionary War and to the
heroism of the gallant regiment from
this State. of whose soldierly conduct
the General said he had often been an
eve witness. Peter JacQuct and Caleb
B. Bennett. two Revolutionary officers,
and many citizens were then intro
duced
The procession was again formed
and increased in size as it approached
Wilmington. At Naaman's creek it
passed under a floral arch with an
eagle suspended from the centre, a
Revolutionary flag, "a portrait OF Wash
ingtOn underneath and the words Del
aware Welcomes Lafayette" On the
brow OF ShellpOt hill the citizens were
apprised of the approach of the pro-
cession by a salute of thirteen guns.
Farther down the hill he was joined
by the Grand Lodge of Delaware,
mounted. and one hundred Free Masons
attended by the officers Of the differ
ltflur hrr q l. l..
grand master of the State When the
procession arrived in sight of the city,
tho bells struck up merry peal, and
10y and exultation reigned supreme
among the people. AS he neared the
Brandywino bridge. which was artistic
ALLY decorated. the vast concOurse
crowded around the barouche and well
coined him with enthusiastic cheers.
Here for the first time in America his
feelings overcame him; he bowed to
the multitude and I'm eympathetic
tones said 81 thank you, / thank you,
my friends" as the tears streamed
down his cheeks. After composing
| himself ne turned to Mr. McLane. who
was seated in the barOuche with him.
and said well. it is forty years since
was here and how pleased l am to
! visit your town and its people again.
A decorated arch was raised over
Market street and the multitude cheer
ed as he passed under it in the lead OF
tho procession, which passed down
Market street. TO Fourth, to French
to Front to Market. where there was
an evergreen arch, pending from which
were cornucopias and from the centre
a small ship "Brandywine," and the
words In Honor OF Lafayette, the
Friend of Civil Liberty" There wae
another arch of evergreen in front OF
Lafayette Hotel, in Market street, al