where he lodged. Here the inhabitants had made preparations for receiving him in the handsomest manner; and as he was expected much earlier than he arrived, the table was spread and decorated, and a feast provided in a manner suitable to the occasion. In the morning he was waited on by the inhabitants, and shown every mark of respect that gratitude could suggest, and at half past six he took his departure for New-London, and was met in the vicinity by the committee of that town at 10 o'clock, where he alighted under a salute of 24 guns from Fort Trumbull. Gen. William North, an old companion in arms, conducted him to the rooms assigned him, when he received the hands of the thousands that crowded to see him. The citizens who wished it, were then introduced to the General, and from the cordial and polite manner in which they were received, were satisfied that the man whom they delighted to honor, was richly deserving of the respect shown him. Public service having now commenced, out of reverence for the day, and the feelings of the people with whom he dwelt, the General repaired to the Presbyterian meeting house, where the Rev. Mr. McEwen officiated, and thence to St. James' Church, were service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Judd. Afterwards, he called to pay his respects to Madam Huntington, the widow of the late Gen. Jed. Huntington, and Madam Perry, the mother of the late Commodore; when he returned to his quarters, and for about an hour devoted his time to receive the salutations of ladies and gentlemen, who called on him. At three, dinner was announced, and he was seated in a small circle of friends, among whom were Gen. Wm. North, Gen. Ebenezer Huntington, Gen. Burbeck, and Doctor John R. Watrous, who were his companions when his noble and generous mind first put forth its energies in the cause of our country. After a short sitting, in sweet and patriotic sympathy, and friendly intercourse, he arose and departed with his suite, escorted by the committees of this place and Norwich, for that city. On the General's arrival in Norwich, a national salute was fired. The concourse of people, gathered in the different houses and along the street from the wharf bridge to the hotel, to get a view of their Nation's Guest, was immense. On his alighting at the hotel, a pertinent address from the Mayor was delivered, to which he returned an appropriate and feeling reply. After this ceremony, hundreds, and perhaps we may add thousands, eagerly pressed forward to be presented, congratulating themselves on the pleasure they had in seeing their country's benefactor in this free and happy nation. In the evening, the General and suite, together with the city officers and the committee of arrangements, sat down to supper. During the repast, reiterated cheers were frequently ascending from the populace in the street; to each of these bursts of enthusiasm the General arose and presented himself at the window, where the admiring multitude as often echoed it. After supper, the General and suite left for Plainfield, accompanied by the deputation and an escort of citizens. deputation continued with him to Rhode Island line, where he was met by the committee from Providence. The As the procession left this city, a national salute was fired amid continued peals of the bells. On his arrival at Jewett City, the whole village was illuminated, as were all the houses between there and Plainfield, and also in the latter village, although they had, like ourselves, but a short notice of the General's approach. He continued his tour, and lodged in Plainfield on Sunday night. On Monday forenoon, he entered Providence, under the discharge of artillery, and the ringing of bells, where he was welcomed by thousands. RECEPTION AT PROVIDENCE. Early on Monday morning, the troops and citizens were in readiness to meet the General, and the western road was lined with citizens, crowding towards the point where the reception was to take place, Every horse and vehicle in the town appeared to be in requisition, and the windows on the streets through which the Gen eral was to pass, were thronged with females, waiting to greet the NATION'S GUEST. The Governor's Aids proceeded as far as Fish's Hotel, where they met the General, and were introduced by the committee who had attended him from Connecticut. Colonel Mallett, the senior Aid, in a short address, expressed the satisfaction they felt at the honor of the introduction, and the earnest wish of the Executive to welcome the General in his own, and in the name of the state: to which the General replied in a warm and concise manner. He was then conducted to the carriage provided for him, by the Governor's Aids, and accompanied by them, until he reached the line of the town, where the military were drawn up, and an immense concourse of citizens on foot, mounted, and in carriages, were waiting his arrival. The following is the order of procession in which they moved. Marshal. Strangers and citizens mounted on horseback, two abreast, Strangers and citizens, on foot, two abreast. Officers and Students of Brown University, on foot, two abreast. Second Marshal, Colonel Mumford. Music. Battalion of Infantry. Cadets, Lieut. Col Greene. Second Light Infantry Company, Capt. Meyer. Aid. Marshal. Marshal. GENERAL LAFAYETTE. Aid. In an open Carriage drawn by Marshal. four greys. General's family in a carriage. Society of Cincinnati in Carriages. Officers of the Army and Navy of the United States, in carriages. Officers of the Government of the United States, in car riages. Major General and suite, in uniform and mounted. Brigadier General and aid, in uniform and mounted. Field and staff Officers of the second brigade, in uniform and mounted. Strangers of distinction in carriages. Civil, Judicial, Municipal, Officers, Societies and citizens in carriages. Marshal. The town-council and their associates, received the General about twelve o'clock, at the line of the town, where he alighted, and was addressed in an appropriate manner by Colonel Carlisle, acting president of the council. To which address the General verbally and gracefully replied. He was then received with military honors, and conducted to the barouche prepared for his reception, and on being seated, was greeted with a spontaneous burst of feeling from the immense concourse of spectators. The procession was then put in motion, agreeably to the order of arrangements; and when formed, extended more than a mile. The General, uncovered, rode alone in the barouche, drawn by four white horses, bestowing through the whole march, the most complaisant smiles and greetings on all around; shaking, most cordially, the hands of those who crowded around his carriage, and took advantage of every pause in the procession, to obtain the high honour of a grasp of the hand of Lafayette; a circumstance which every citizen will be proud hereafter to tell his children. The artillery, stationed on the DEXTER training ground, pealed their welcome as he passed, and the General soon entered the populous part of the town. In passing through Westminster-Street, and until he arrived at the State-House, he was welcomed by that most expressive token of affectionate interest, the waving of white hand kerchiefs, by the fair hands of the ladies, who crowded every building from which they could obtain a view of this distinguished personage. Many females, we observed, in the excess of their feelings, suspended this token of welcome, to gaze more intently at the object, whom they appeared alone to see in the whole procession, and many a fine eye was wet with the gush of a tear, which the rush of so many sublime and sympathetic emotions sent warm from the heart. On arriving in front of the state house, the General alighted, and was received in a peculiarly interesting manner. The poplar avenue, leading to the building, was lined on each side with nearly two hundred misses, arrayed in white, protected by a file of soldiers on each side, and holding in their hands bunches of flowers, which (as the General proceeded up the avenue, supported by the Governor's aids,) they strewed in his path, at the same time waving their white handkerchiefs. The General afterwards expressed the peculiar and high satisfaction he took in this simple and touching arrangement. On reaching the landing of the stairs, the General turned toward the multitude, and at the same moment the veteran Captain Stephen Olney, (who served under the General repeatedly, and was the first to force the enemy's works at Yorktown, in which he was seconded, at another point, almost simultaneously, by Lafayette) approached the General, who instantly recognized his old companion in arms, and embraced and kissed him, in the most earnest and affectionate manner. A thrill went through the whole assembly, and scarcely a dry eye was to be found among the spectators; while the shouts of the multitude, at first suppressed, and then uttered in a manner tempered by the scene, evinced the deep feeling and proud associations it had excited. The General was then conducted to the senate chamber, where he was appropriately introduced to his excellency, the members of the committee, town council, &c. |