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

At 7:00 AM an escort formed over the boundary line on the bridge over the Saugus River on the Salem Turnpike.  The escort included a battalion of cavalry under Major Dodge and a battalion of infantry consisting of the Lynn Rifle Company, the Lynn Light Infantry and the Salem Cadets.  A cavalcade of officers and one of citizens under the direction of Isaac Story, Chief Marshal, also were formed to escort Lafayette.

The General arrived at the bridge at 8:00 AM. He was in a barouche that proceeded to the Hotel.

Jonathan White, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements addressed the General:

“The inhabitants of this town have chosen me their organ, to greet you with a sincere and hearty welcome on this joyful occasion.  A duty on which I enter with mingled emotions of profound veneration, gratitude and affection towards you, Sir, our nation’s early, disinterested and unvarying friend and benefactor.

The deep, intense and indelible feelings of this free and happy republic towards you, General, who so eminently and successfully contributed to raise her to her present proud and powerful attitude among the nations of the earth, can be no more forcibly illustrated than in that spontaneous homage of the heart which you see displayed around you on your arrival upon our favoured shores; and which, like a halo of glory, encircles you in your progress through our country.  This, General, is a language not to be misunderstood; compared with which the most labored declamation bust be faint and powerless.

Although your present appearance among us, like the transit of a brilliant and beneficent planet, commissioned to proclaim good will to man, in its rapid career among innumerable worlds, is short and fleeting, the emanations of the bright and joyous light which is shed around you will continue with us to guide our steps, and cheer our hearts to the latest moment of our existence.

Permit me now, General, to express my individual joy at the happy consummation of those ardent wishes which I had the honour to express to you twelve years since in your native country – for you have re-visited us, and see that – “All hearts and arms are open to receive you.””

Lafayette was then conducted to the hall where he met Ladies, committee of arrangements, revolutionary soldiers and clergy.  Stay was limited to 30 minutes due to a planned breakfast in Marblehead.  At the western edge there was an arch “Welcome LAFAYETTE! Conqueror of hearts”.  Under the arch was a wreath surrounding the inscription “WASHINGTON and LAFAYETTE”/

Procession continued over the commons toward Market Street – “Welcome LAFAYETTE, to thee we owe the sweets of Liberty”.  At Front Street another arch read “Thou gavest to us thirteen talents.  Lo! We have gained eleven more. Receive our gratitude”. At Broad street another arch – “The voice of ten millions welcome”.

They passed Chestnut Street and through part of Fayette Street. Another arch read “1776- The man whom people delight to honor. Welcome LAFAYETTE.  Yorktown.  Monmouth” “Tho lost to sight to memory dear”.

At the border of the town the Lynn escort delivered the General to the Marblehead authorities.

Besides Chairman Jonathan White the Committee of Arrangements consisted of Aaron Lummus, James Gardner, Dr, John Lummus, Amariah Childs, Capt John Lovejoy, Capt Zachariah Atwell, Mr. William F. Ingalls, Robert W. Trevett, Mr. William Breed, Jacob Ingalls and Eli Yale.

One of the ways the tour would be remembered was illustrated in a child born on August 5, 1824 being named Hiram Lafayette Newhall.  Hiram would live to be 95.

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