This is part of a series on Lafayette’s visit to New England – June 13 to June 29 1825.
Wilbur Fisk (1792-1839) First President of Wesleyan University addressed Lafayette.
“General Lafayette,
Sir: Permit one who, though a stranger to the profession of arms, is not a stranger to the blessings of liberty, to address you in behalf of the inhabitants of this village. They feel, sir, that they have no claim upon a large share of your time or attention; but in the fulness of their hearts, they would express their regard for him whose disinterested valour, under God, has been instrumental, with our owned beloved Washington, in procuring for them LIBERTY and INDEPENDENCE.
We cordially and sincerely welcome you to our country-our state-our village.
Sir, permit me to say, we love our benefactor – we thank him. We do more: we PRAY for him. And we pray, sir, that, though your triumph through these states has been greater, it is believed, and more glorious than was before the portion of a mortal – the homage being voluntary- that you be prepared for, and ultimately share in, that infinitely more glorious triumph of the Church of the First-born in Heaven.”
A larger company gathered at the old-time Brackett Tavern in Randolph Center. Pupils of the Orange Count Grammar school under the supervision of preceptor Rufus Nutting were drawn up in front of the academy for the General to review. Among them was 15 year old Justin S. Morrill )1810-1898) who would become a Senator from Vermont.
Morrill later remarked that if all the traditions could be believed, the general had dinner at four different taverns that day and spent the night at three different places and was “entertained” at several other road-houses” on the way.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
For information on the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour check out Lafayette200.org