This is part of a series on Lafayette’s visit to New England – June 13 to June 29 1825.
. There was a plan. Lafayette was expected to arrive at 4:00 PM on the 27th..
The plan was for the procession to form at the west end of the bridge at 3:30 PM. The Committee of Arrangements consisted of A. Forbes, J. Lull, H. Everett, J.H. Hubbard and E. Torrey.
At 7:30 on Tuesday morning June 28 Lafayette and suite crossed Cornish bridge and were received in Vermont by the committee of arrangements and General Asaph Fletcher sheriff of Windsor county, marshal of the day, and his five assistants. A salute of fifteen guns was fired.
The military escort under command of Lt.Col Stimson of Norwich consisted of the Jefferson Artillery of Windsor under Capt L. Lull, Rifle Company of Hartland under Captain J. Kelley and Light Infantry Company of Weathersfield under Captain Clement. There was also the Lieutenant Governor and Members of Council, Secretary of State and Speaker of House of Representatives.
There were about 75 Revolutionary Soldiers. There were General officers, officers of Army and Navy totaling around 200. There were also members of Masonic Fraternity, Clergy, Students of Colleges and Cadets.
Horace Everett, (1779-1851) ,first cousin of Edward Everett and chair of the committee, addressed Lafayette and he replied. He was escorted into the village by a detachment of militia and a number of Masons wearing badges and a large concourse of people.
There was a 15 gun saluted followed by the ringing of bells. Governor Van Ness addressed Lafayette.
“General Lafayette: Permit me to tender you the congratulations and hospitalities of the people of this state on your arrival within its borders. In the performance of this welcome duty, sir, the first and most pleasing points which present themselves, are the character and occurrences which have distinguished and adorned your life — your public and your private virtues, your exalted and inflexible patriotism, your ardent and uniform devotion to the great cause of liberty, and above all, as it regards us, your noble zeal, your disinterested sacrifices and your eminent services in that memorable struggle which resulted in the establishment of the independence of these United States. But to dwell minutely on these would only be a repetition of what has been a thousand times said and published; and the recital of which, in new and glowing terms, has but recently greeted your ear, and, I trust, cheered your heart at every step throughout this happy and rejoicing country — a country, which, at the same time, gratefully acknowledges you as a father and proudly claims you as a son. But though our tongues have been forestalled, our hearts are not the less full. They have, indeed, been constantly and tenderly alive to all your movements and whatever concerned you while traversing the Union; but it has been reserved to an hour in which our own soil has been hallowed by your tread for them to pour out, without measure, the libations of their gratitude and their affection. That these are now rushing forth from their overflowing fountains, in torrents, behind whose rapidity any language of mine can but lag, is sufficiently seen in the intense and adoring gaze of the crowd by which you are surrounded.
General, I have the honor to represent, on this interesting occasion, a people plain and hardy, but intelligent and virtuous: industrious cultivators of the earth, but enjoying on their lofty hills and in their lowly valleys, comfort and independence. Sincerely attached to the constitution and government of their country, they will never shrink from any sacrifices necessary to support and defend them. And if it may become me, I would add that their bravery and their patriotism have been severely tested in the darkest hours of peril and dismay and found firm and immoveable as the mountains which majestically stretch themselves through the midst of them. It is, too, a source of no small gratification to me that they can number among them many of the worthy veterans who served in the same cause in which you so gloriously distinguished yourself. But if I am so inadequate to express the feelings of others, how far beyond me is it to describe the emotions which must agitate the bosoms of those venerable fathers on saluting, at this lapse of time, one of their old and beloved generals, and who, in all probability their eyes are to behold for the last time on this side of the grave. With their bodies enfeebled by the ravages of many a year, and their locks bleached by the sun of many a summer, their hearts yet warm as the warmest, and tender as the tenderest, will be lighted up and animated with a blaze, kindled by a spark from the altar of ’76, but whose blissful warmth, none but they and you can be permitted fully to realize.
General, in the name and behalf of the state I once more cordially greet you. And on my own part, be assured, my dear sir, that every faculty of my soul responds to the sentiments I have delivered for my constituents.”
Lafayette replied:
“The testimonies of esteem and affection bestowed upon me by the people of Vermont, and their representative and Chief Magistrate, are the more gratifying, as I had eagerly anticipated the pleasure, in my happy visit through the United States, once more to behold those celebrated mountains, the very thought of which recalls to my mind glorious, patriotic, and endearing associations. From this State, sir, by a gallant band of patriots, and their worthy leader and prototype, was, for the first time, proclaimed on the ramparts of a British fortress, the name of the Continental Congress. Nor ever did the vicinity of the enemy on the northern frontier, and family difficulties on every other side, one instant cool the ardor of the sons of Vermont to defend the general cause of American independence and freedom. Now I have the happiness to see the hardy and virtuous inhabitants of this State, peacefully cultivating their lofty hills and their handsome valleys, with the intelligence and spirit which characterize them. I see them, in common with their sister States, enjoying the blessings of the new American social order, so far superior even to the least exceptionable institutions of Europe. What hitherto was, at best, religious toleration, has been here exchanged for religious liberty and equality; privilege, for right; royal charter, mock representations, inefficient compromises between nations and a few loyal and aristocratic families, for the sovereignty of the people, for truly representative and self-government.
Sir, I most cordially thank you for the friendly and flattering manner in which you are pleased to express the feelings of the people of this State; a most gratifying specimen of their goodness I now have the gratification to witness. I thank you for your sympathy in the delight I feel to see the happy citizens of Vermont, enjoying all the blessings of republican liberty; and among them to recognize many of my beloved companions in arms. Be pleased to accept in your own name, and in behalf of the people and representatives of Vermont, the tribute of my respectful devotion and gratitude.”
They had breakfast. Lafayette was then introduced to some veterans of the Revolution. Things got very emotional as they reminisced. The overall comment in the newspaper was:
“Others have given the Nation’s Guest a more splendid reception, but nowhere has he met warmer hearts. The delay which prevented his arrival on Monday, and the rain which fell during most of the time he was with us, occasioned some derangement in the plan of the arrangements for the occasion and caused omissions which are regretted. The military escort, however, presented a fine appearance, and performed their duty in a handsome manner. Much credit is also due to those gentlemen who officiated as Marshals for the good conduct and perfect order throughout.
The number assembled is variously estimated from 5,000 to 8,000. Every window which commanded a view of the procession reflected the beauty of the fair of the North, eager to offer our illustrious guest some token of respect and smile a welcome on his arrival.”
Preparations for Lafayette’s visit had included the construction of a trail to the top of Ascutney Mountain on June 6. Unfortunately the General’s schedule did not leave enough time for that trek.
For information on the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour check out Lafayette200.org