Memoirs of General Lafayette : with an Account of His Visit to America and His Reception By the People of the United State by Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Evening Parties

Brattle Street Church

Visit to President Adams

Military parade

Apology for great rejoicings

Militia

Visit to Salem

Address of Judge Story

Visit to Ipswich, and Newburyport

To Portsmouth

Return to Boston

Visit to Lexington and Concord

Bolton, Lancaster

Visit to Worcester

Judge Lincoln's address

Journey to Connecticut

Reception at Hartford

Return to New-York

Lafayette's toasts

Visit to the schools

Grand ball at Castle Garden

Visit to West-Point

Visit to Newburgh

His visit to Hudson

Arrival at Albany

Kindness to soldiers, in 1777

Returns to New-York

Journey through New-Jersey

Princeton

Trenton

Philadelphia

Governor's address

Reply to the same

Address of Mayor

The answer

Illumination

Vindication of Quakers

Reply to Frenchmen

Capt. Barron's address

Answer to same

Journey through Delaware

Visit to Baltimore

Address of Cincinnati

Address of Gov. Maryland

Answer

Governor Sprigg

Visit to Washington

Reception by the President

Address of Mayor of Washington

Visit to Alexandria

To the tomb of Washington

Arrival in Yorktown

Jefferson's letter

Address of Committee of Virginia

Answer of Lafayette

Address of Governor of Virginia

Reply of Lafayette

His reception at Yorktown

Address of Col. Lewis

Answer to same

Parade and ceremonies, on 19th Oct.

Custis' address

Departure for Norfolk

Conclusion

MEMOIRS

OF

GENERAL LAFAYETTE

* * * * *

Among the many great men who have distinguished themselves in the present age, for their attachment and devotion to the cause of civil liberty, general LAFAYETTE is one of the most eminent. During the last fifty years, great changes have been made or attempted in human governments, highly favourable to political freedom and the rights of mankind. In some cases, indeed, revolutions have not been conducted upon just principles nor by prudent councils; and the immediate results have been disastrous rather than beneficial. Changes have taken place without direct and visible improvement; and efforts to meliorate the condition of man have produced a reaction in the adherents to patient arbitrary systems, which have given occasion to much suffering and great excesses.

The struggle for freedom by the patriotic citizens of America, towards the close of the last century, was successful; and has proved most auspicious to human happiness. We have reason to hope, that its blessings will not be confined to this western continent. A spirit of enquiry, indeed, has gone abroad in the world. It is spreading in Europe: and though we devoutly wish it may not prove the occasion of bloody contests, we shall rejoice to trace its fruits in the gradual destruction of old despotic systems, and in the general diffusion of knowledge among the people, and the enjoyment of those equal and just rights, which mild governments are calculated to secure.

In our own beloved country, we can boast of many sincere patriots and heroes besides our 'paternal chief,' the revered WASHINGTON, "who was first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen;" others will be recollected, who devoted themselves to the cause of liberty and their country, with a sincerity and zeal almost without a parallel in the annals of history. Their memories will not cease to be revered while Americans are distinguished for a love of civil freedom.