Mr. G. W. LAFAYETTE, M. Marshal. In ten carriages, one containing the Hon. John Brooks, President of the Society, and other officers. Strangers of distinction in carriages. Field and staff officers of the first division of Militia. The mounted Cavalcade, composed of the carters, In this order the procession entered the city, and proceeded through Washington, Milk, Broad, State, Court, and Common streets, to Boylston street. An arch was thrown across Washington street, above South Boston bridge, near the spot where, when Lafayette left the town in 1787, were the remains of a breastwork erected during the Revolutionary war. At each side of the arch was planted a tree of oak, and another of pine, about twenty feet in height, and the pillars were tastefully wreathed with evergreens and flowers. The arch itself was decorated with American flags and evergreens, and from its centre, a scroll was suspended, bearing the following inscription 64 : WELCOME LAFAYETE. The Fathers in Glory shall sleep, But the sons will eternally. keep And we bend not the knee, Another arch was erected across Washington street, by the Boylston Market, on the spot once shaded by the Liberty Tree," which was elegantly decorated with oaken garlands, so arranged as to form a beautiful border on each side of the arch. The space not covered with these leaves of oak, was about two feet broad, and contained the motto, "Washington and Lafayette" in large capitals, extending from one end of the arch to the other. Underneath was the motto, "a Republic not ungrateful." At several places lines were extended across the street, decorated with flags and forming handsome fes toons. On The General and the City authorities passed through the Common, on which were placed, extending the whole length of it, in two lines, the pupils of the Public Schools, the misses principally dressed in white, and the lads in blue coats and white underclothes, each bearing a portrait of Fayette on their breasts, stamped on ribbons.They exceeded twenty five hundred in number. passing the line, a beautiful little girl about six years old, stepped forth, and begged leave to address the General. She was handed to the Mayor, and by him to the General, who saluted her. She then delivered a short address, took a wreath of flowers from her head, and put it on his own. The General made her a very affectionate reply, and placed the wreath in his carriage. The following are the lines presented, entwined in a wreath of flowers. An infant hand presents these blushing flowers, Self-exiled from the charms of wealth and love, And home and friends, thou didst our champion prove, Go, fragile offering, speak the ardent joy Our bosoms feel, which time can ne'er destroy ! All the streets, through which the procession passed, were tastefully dressed with the national flags of the United States and France. On one of the flags in Broad street, was the following: WELCOME ILLUSTRIOUS CHIEF. Receive the pledges of thy children, to sustain with fidelity the principles that first associated LAFAYETTE with the destinies of America. NATURAL RIGHTS. YORKTOWN AND MONMOUTH. On his arrival at the head of the mall, the military formed a line in Park street, and stood with presented arms, while the General passed in review before them to the front gate of the State house, where he alighted, and was conducted to the Senate chamber. Here he was received by his Excellency the Governor and the Executive council, as the guest of the commmonwealth. The Governor then communicated to him the felicitations and welcome of the state, in the following address :— Sir, our Friend,-In the name of the government, and in behalf of the citizens of Massachusetts, I have the honour to greet you with a cordial, an affectionate welcome. We thank God that he has been pleased to preserve you through the scenes of peril and of suffering, which have distinguished your patriotic and eventful life, and that we are indulged with this occasion of renewing to you, our grateful acknowledgments for the important services which you have rendered to our common country. In the last surviving Major General of the American Revolutionary army, we recognize a benefactor and friend from a distant and gallant nation; who, inspired by a love of liberty, subjected himself in his youth to the toils and hazards of a military life, in support of our rights. Under our illustrious Washington, you were instrumental in establishing the liberties of our country, whale your gallantry in the field secured to yourself an imperishable renown. With the enjoyment of the blessings of independence, we shall never cease to associate the name of Lafayette, and our prayer to heaven will be for his health and prosperity. General Lafayette's REPLY. "Sir,-When, in the name of the people and government of this state, your excellency is pleased so kindly to welcome an American veteran, I am proud to share the honors and enjoyments of such a reception, with my revolutionary companions and brother soldiers.-Sir, I am delighted with what I see'; I am oppressed with what I feel; but I depend upon you as an old friend, to do justice to my sentiments." Having been introduced to the members of the city government, he was conducted, by the Mayor and committee of arrangements, to the residence prepared for him at the corner of Beacon and Park streets. It would be impossible to convey any correct idea of the splendor and excitement connected with these transactions. The General rode uncovered, bowing to the enraptured throngs, who, at short intervals, greeted him with loud and joyous acclamations. The ladies, thousands of whom appeared to witness the scene, waved their white handkerchiefs, as he passed, in token of pleasure and approbation. The windows of the new stone buildings at the head of State street, the windows and terraces of Collonade row, and of the houses north of St. Paul's Church, exhibited assemblages of beauty, taste, and fashion, fully equal to any specimens that oth er occasions have produced. The City council, with their honored guest, the Mayor, and a deputation from the City council of New York, Hon. Messrs. Webster and Lloyd, Governor Eustis, Hon. J. Brooks, and a number of others, dined together at the Exchange Coffee House. Among other toasts were the following: By General LAFAYETTE.-The City of Boston, the cradle of liberty. May Faneuil Hall ever stand a monument to teach the world, that resistance to oppression is a duty, and will, under true republican institutions, become a blessing. By Gov. BROOKS.--The present joyous occasion, and its interesting associations with the American Revolution. In the evening, the General visited Mrs. Scott, relict of the deceased Governor Hancock, whose hospitality and esteem, the General had often experienced in " the times which tried men's souls. The interview must have been peculiarly interesting. 66 On Wednesday, the General attended commencement at Harvard University. He left Boston, in company with the supreme executive, (escorted by a company of dragoons,) the committee of arrangements, the deputation from New York, and other distinguished citizens, in carriages. The streets and road to Cambridge, were appropriately dressed on the occasion. On his arrival he was conducted to the public room, where were assembled the literati of this and other states, the board of overseers of the University, the Ex-Governors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and many of the distinguished citizens, whose names have been frequently announced, and who renewed their congratulations. The usual procession to the meeting house took place, the General walking with the Governor. It is hardly necessary to repeat, that on his landing at the colleges, his arrival near the meeting house, and his entrance therein, he was greeted with ardent and enthusiastic acclamations. The galleries, and most of the seats of the house, were literally filled with beauty and fashion, and, on his entrance, the ladies rose, and, while others cheered, waved their handkerchiefs, in token of their sensibility. These proceedings necessarily delayed the exercises, which were not finished till nearly five o'clock. As Lafayette passed the house of the late John Hancock, the Mayor said to him, " there sits the widow of your deceased friend." He immediately caught her eye, and, in the most enthusiastic manner, pressed his hand upon his heart. She burst into tears, and exclaimed, I have now lived long enough.' |