Memoirs of General Lafayette: With an Account of His Visit to America and His Reception By the People of the United States; From His Arrival, August 15th, to the Celebration at Yorktown, October 19th, 1824.Knapp, Samuel L. (Samuel Lorenzo)
History
Memoirs of General Lafayette: With an Account of His Visit to America and His Reception By the People of the United States; From His Arrival, August 15th, to the Celebration at Yorktown, October 19th, 1824.
Knapp, Samuel L. (Samuel Lorenzo)
France -- History -- 1789-1900; Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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