This is part of a series on Lafayette’s visit to New England – June 13 to June 29 1825.
The Bunker Hill Jubilee was a huge event. One newspaper puts the attendance at over 150,000. There were forty survivors of the battle who rode in procession in eight open carriages inscribed with “17th of June 1775”. Lafayette was near the front of the procession. Here is the account of his role:
“The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, accompanied by the principal dignitaries of the order, Brother Lafayette, Mr. Webster, and the principal architect, proceeded to lay the first stone of the monument, with the forms prescribed by Masonic order.”
“all the Revolutionary officers and soldiers, several of whom had come from great distances to witness the solemnity, were seated opposite the stage, the survivors of Bunker’s Hill forming a little group in their front. At the head of that party, was placed, in a large chair, the only surviving general of the Revolution, Lafayette.”
Following Daniel Webster’s speech Lafayette proposed a toast
The General’s health having been proposed, he rose and addressed himself as follows:
Gentlemen! I will no longer trespass on your time than to thank you in the name of my Revolutionary companions in arms and myself for the testimonies of esteem and affection, I may say, of filial affection, which have been bestowed upon us on the memorable celebration of this anniversary day; and to offer our fervent prayers for the preservation of that Republican freedom, equality and self-government, that blessed union between the States of the confederacy for which we have fought and bled, and on which rest the hopes of mankind. Permit me to propose the following sentiment — Bunker Hill, and the holy resistance to oppression which has already enfranchised the American hemisphere — the next half-Century Jubilee toast shall be — To Enfranchised Europe
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For information on the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour check out Lafayette200.org