2jesusandjohnwayne
Margaret Fuller3 360x1000
1madoff
Margaret Fuller1 360x1000
1lafayette
Margaret Fuller4 360x1000
399
1gucci
6confidencegames
Edmund Burke 360x1000
5confidencegames
Storyparadox1
3albion
10abion
Anthony McCann2 360x1000
Mark V Holmes 360x1000
3defense
Margaret Fuller2 360x1000
1falsewitness
Brendan Beehan 360x1000
1trap
Margaret Fuller 2 360x1000
8albion'
1theleasofus
2trap
Anthony McCann1 360x1000
7albion
2falsewitness
1paradide
Margaret Fuller 360x1000
lifeinmiddlemarch2
1defense
Mary Ann Evans 360x1000
12albion
7confidencegames
4albion
Office of Chief Counsel 360x1000
Thomas Piketty1 360x1000
2confidencegames
2lookingforthegoodwar
Richard Posner 360x1000
Adam Gopnik 360x1000
Spottswood William Robinson 360x1000
George F Wil...360x1000
9albion
4confidencegames
1lookingforthegoodwar
Learned Hand 360x1000
Betty Friedan 360x1000
6albion
2gucci
James Gould Cozzens 360x1000
Margaret Fuller5 360x1000
1confidencegames
3confidencegames
LillianFaderman
499
2paradise
Lafayette and Jefferson 360x1000
299
1lauber
13albion
Tad Friend 360x1000
Gilgamesh 360x1000
lifeinmiddlemarch1
2theleastofus
2defense
11632
11albion
Thomas Piketty2 360x1000
3paradise
1albion
Samuel Johnson 360x1000
storyparadox2
storyparadox3
1empireofpain
AlexRosenberg
1transcendentalist
George M Cohan and Lerarned Hand 360x1000
1jesusandjohnwayne
3theleastofus
Thomas Piketty3 360x1000
Susie King Taylor 360x1000
5albion
2albion
199
Stormy Daniels 360x1000
Maurice B Foley 360x1000
Maria Popova 360x1000
Ruth Bader Ginsburg 360x1000
2lafayette
2transadentilist
14albion
Susie King Taylor2 360x1000

This is part of a series on Lafayette’s visit to Massachusetts August 23, 1824 to September 3 1824

On August 27 at 10:00 AM Lafayette accompanied by Governor Eustis and former Governor  Brooks, “other revolutionary worthies, the New-York Deputation and the Mayor and Committee of  Arrangements traveled in carriages to Charlestown. On the Mill Bridge a cavalcade of citizens formed as the group crossed the line between Suffolk and Middlesex. A procession formed which included a regiment of Light Infantry with battalions from Charlestown, West Cambridge and Waltham and a battalion of Artillery. The procession moved to the “Monument of Warren, on Breed’s (commonly called Bunker’s) Hill”.

Dr, A.R. Thompson addressed Lafayette:

“Sir – In behalf of the Inhabitants of Charlestown, the Committee of Arrangements present their respectful salutations to General Lafayette, and bid him a cordial welcome to this town. – This joyful occasion revives high national feelings and recollections and touches the springs of gratitude by reminding us of that interesting period of our history which gave to our country a gallant Hero, and the rights of mankind a steadfast Champion. While we participate in the thrill of delight which everywhere hails the visit of our illustrious friend, we cannot suppress the peculiar emotion of our hearts on receiving you, Sir, on the memorable heights of Bunker. On this holy ground, immortalized by the deeds and sacred to the manes of Revolutionary Heroes:- Over these heights, Liberty once moved in blood and tears – her  chariot in wheels of fire. Now she comes in her car of peace and glory; drawn by the affections of a happy people, to crown on these same heights, with civic honors, a favorite Son, whose early strength was given to her sacred struggles, and whose riper years are now permitted to behold the splendor of her triumphs. In the fullness of our hearts we give thanks to Almighty God, who has guided and guarded your high career of peril and renown.

Permit us, beloved General, again to welcome you to our borders; to express our ardent  hopes, that your valuable life may be prolonged to the utmost limits of earthly happiness; that the  land which has been enriched with the dew of your youth, may be honored as the asylum of your  old age; -and that, during the residue of your years , you may live amidst the attentions, as you  will forever live in the hearts of a grateful and admiring people.”

Lafayette replied:

“With profound reverence, Sir, I tread the holy ground, where the blood of American  patriots- the blood of Warren and his companions, early and gloriously spilled, aroused the  energy of three millions, and secured the happiness of ten millions, and of many other millions of  men in times to come. That blood has called both American continents to republican independence; and has awakened the nations of Europe to a sense, and in future, I hope, to the practice of their rights. Such has been the effects of a resistance to oppression which was, by  many pretended wise men of the times, called rashness; while it was duty, virtue; – and has been  a signal for the emancipation of mankind.

I beg you, Sir, and the magistrates, and the citizens of Charlestown to accept the homage of my gratitude for your kind welcome, and of those sentiments of affection and respect, which, for so many years, I have cherished toward their town.”

The Artillery fired salutes and the crowd responded to Lafayette’s reply by three times three of loud and hearty huzzahs. The two battalions of troops were decorated with Lafayette badges.

They then proceed to Bunker’s Hill where they partook of a sumptuous repast.

It was while he was on Bunker Hill at this time that General Lafayette was informed by Governor  Brooks that an association had been formed for the erection of a monument, whereupon he requested that  he might be considered a subscriber and be present at the laying of the corner-stone if he were still in the  US at that time. Lafayette was given first position on the list of subscribers.

After the repast the General and the Procession from Boston joined by the Charlestown Committee of Arrangements proceeded to the Navy Yard where the General was received by Commodore Bainbridge.

William Bainbridge

Bainbridge’s long naval career included a stint in command of the Constitution which today remains a commissioned US Navy ship docked in the historic Nary Yard.

Robert D Wainwright

A fine body of Marines, under Major Wainwright saluted him on his entrance followed by a national salute from the water battery of the Yard.

Robert D. Wainwright had only recently gained some fame from the cool manner in which he and a detachment of 30 marines had put down a riot in the state prison in Charlestown with no bloodshed. He would go on to become the acting commandant of the Marine Corps 1836-1837.

After inspecting the Yard, the good order of which impressed him, Lafayette took a barge to the Columbus, a ship of the line, in the harbor.

Lafayette met the Ladies of the Commodore and other officers and partook with the ship’s company of a sumptuous collation at the Commodore’s residence. He later visited Major Wainwright’s quarters.

On his return to the city Lafayette visited Faneuil Hall where he was met by cheering crowds. He took a carriage to South Boston stopping to view the spot near Boylston Market where the “Liberty Tree” once stood.

According to the Columbian Sentinel there was an address by the Society of Cincinnati on this day, but it does not indicate where.

“Sir – The Society of Cincinnati of the State of Massachusetts seize the earliest moment after your arrival in this city, of extending to you the hand of friendship and affection. We offer you our most cordial congratulations on your safe arrival again, after the lapse of forty years, on  the shores of our favored country, once the theatre of our united toils, privations, and combats  with a powerful foe, but now the peaceful domain of a great, a free, and independent people. We  hail, you, Sir, in unison with the millions of our fellow citizens; most respectfully hail you as a  Statesman, as a Philanthropist, and as the early, inflexible, and devoted friend, not only of our  beloved country, but of the sacred principles of civil liberties and human rights. But we greet you under more tender and hallowed associations,- in the endearing relation of a brother-soldier,  who, in the ardor of youth commenced in the field with us your career of glory in the holy cause  of Liberty and American Independence.

But there recollections crowd upon our minds too powerful for utterance. Words would  but mock the deep emotions of our hearts should we attempt to express them, in contemplating  the character, attributes, and services of the parental Chief under whose auspices we trod  together the field of honor. To the profound veneration and love of his memory that penetrates your bosom, we refer you as to a transcript of our own. It would be vain to imagine the joy that  would swell the great mind of Washington, were he still living to recognize with our nation, the  generous disinterestedness, the glowing ardor, the personal sacrifices, and the gallant  achievements of his much-loved Fayette. But it is equally vain to endeavor on this occasion, to  exclude such interesting reflections from the mind, or to deny it the melancholy pleasure of  lingering on the solemn reality, that not a single individual of the General Staff of the Army of  the American Revolution now survives to participate in the joy that your presence in the U.  States has awakened.

To us it is peculiarly grateful that you are permitted after the lapse of so long a period, to witness the consummation of the principles of our revolution. You will perceive, Sir, that the hopes and predictions of the wise and good men who were your particular associates in the arduous struggle, have been fulfilled and surpassed. You will behold a great people united in their principles of jurisprudence, cemented together by the strong ties of mutual interests, and happy under the fostering influence of a free and energetic government.

You will, therefore, allow us to reiterate our felicitations on your safe arrival among us, and to welcome you once more to the good land which your youthful valor contributed to elevate and distinguish.

May your future life be as tranquil and happy as your past has been useful, uniform and glorious.”

Lafayette replied

“Amidst the inexpressible enjoyments which press upon my heart, I could not but feel particularly eager and happy to meet my beloved brothers in arms. Many, many, I call in vain; and at the head of them, our matchless paternal Chief, whose love to an adopted son, I am proud to say, you have long witnessed. – But while we mourn together, for those we have lost, while I find a consolation, in the sight of their relations and friends, it is to me a delightful gratification, to recognize my surviving companions of our revolutionary army- that army so brave, so virtuous, so united by mutual confidence and affection. That we have been the faithful soldiers of independence, freedom and equality, those three essential requisites of national and personal dignity and happiness; that we have lived to see those sacred principles secured to this vast Republic, and cherished elsewhere by all generous minds, shall be the pride of our life, the boast of our children, the comfort of our last moments. – Receive, my dear brother soldiers, the grateful thanks, and constant love of your old companion and friend.”

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

For information on the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour check out lafayette200.org.