“At a more advanced age, he appeared at the public bar, and spoke for liberty in Europe, as he knew how to defend it in America.
“From the tribune he entered into the ranks of the defenders of the country. I have seen him amidst the revolutionary dangers; his genius and coolness never abandoned him: prompt to conceive, ardent to execute, he always fought for true liberty.
“I am an ocular and faithful historian. Behold these trophies, these flags and standards, upon all of them is written, Liberty! Victory! Lafayette.”
To this toast the general replied by the following, “To the memory of the French who died in the cause of true liberty, from 1789 to the present day. Their manes demand of us, that so many sacrifices should not be lost to the country.”
By M. Diaz. “The memory of Riego and the other martyrs of liberty.—Crime, not the scaffold, brings disgrace.”
By Mr. Chevrolet. “France as I wish her to be; without factious conspiracies, without corrupt ministers, without mercenary accusers, and without that slow oppression which silently undermine their energy and vigour.”
Some stanzas to Lafayette, full of grace, harmony and patriotism, the composition of Mr. Pillet, read by Mr. Chegaray, completed the enthusiasm of the guests, who separated with cries, “Long live liberty! Long live Lafayette.”
During many weeks, preparations were made in the city of New York for a magnificent festival, which should surpass in taste and splendor any thing hitherto done in honor of Lafayette. The place chosen for the occasion was the circular fort, about six hundred feet in circumference, called Castle Garden, built formerly for the defence of New York, upon a mole in front of the Battery, now devoted to public amusements. A bridge of three hundred feet long joins the fort to the battery. We were to quit New York on the 14th to make an excursion up the Hudson, and the ball at Castle Garden took place on the 13th.—We went there in the evening by the light of an illumination, we found the bridge covered with rich carpets from one end to the other, and on each side bordered with a line of beautiful green trees. In the middle of the bridge arose a pyramid sixty-five feet high, illuminated with coloured lamps, surmounted by a brilliant star in the centre of which blazed the name of Lafayette. Notwithstanding the magnificence of the entry, our surprize and admiration were strongly augmented on entering the circle of the fort. The hall, about six hundred feet in circumference, around which was a vast amphitheatre, containing nearly six thousand persons. An arch formed of the flags of all nations mingled with symmetry and elegance, was supported in the centre by a column sixty feet high. Over the principal entrance was a triumphal arch of flowers, surmounted by a colossal statue of Washington, resting upon two pieces of cannon. In the centre stood the genius of America, having on a shield these words, “To the Nation’s Guest.” In front of the gate raised upon a platform was a richly decorated marquee, ornamented with a bust of Hamilton; in front were two pieces of cannon taken at York-town. The marquee was intended for Lafayette. Around the hall thirteen columns, bore the arms of the first states of the confederation. This space was illuminated by a thousand torches, the brilliance of which was reflected by numerous stands of arms. When the general appeared, the air “See the conquering hero comes,” was played, and murmurs of approbation and respect accompanied him to his seat. At the same instant, the cloths which surrounded and enclosed the hall, were as rapidly raised as a theatrical scene, and the interior became visible to the eyes of the crowd, who had collected in boats about the battery, waiting for this moment. The pure and brilliant moon shone on the harbor, upon which batteaux and steam-boats were plying in every direction. A few minutes after the general was seated under the rich pavilion that had been prepared for him, a grand transparency was suddenly uncovered in front of him, and presented an exact picture of his residence at Lagrange, with its large ditches and fine gothic towers: having the following inscription below it, “Here is his home.” Lafayette was very much touched with this delicate idea of his friends, who wished to give to their entertainment, by the presence of this picture the character of a family festival. Several times during the evening, dances were attempted, but every time the general moved a step to approach them, the dancers broke off and came to group themselves around him. Time flew swiftly in this delightful assembly, and we were surprized at two o’clock to hear the signal for our departure. The steam-boat that was to convey us to Albany, approached the battery to receive us as we left the ball. We embarked with the committee which was to accompany the general, and a great number of ladies and citizens who were unwilling to separate from us. The boat received as many of them as possible. We parted on board with captain Allyn, of the Cadmus, who was to convey letters to our friends in France, and in spite of the darkness which succeeded to the setting of the moon, we got under weigh. We soon lost sight of Castle Garden, and instead of the joyous sounds of music, we heard nothing but the monotonous noise of the steam machinery struggling against the rapid waves of the Hudson.
CHAPTER VII.
Voyage upon the Hudson: Treason of Arnold: Military School at West Point: Newburgh: Poughkeepsie: Clermont: Catskill: Hudson: Albany: Troy: Return to New York.