To an address from the Mayor, full of fine feeling, the General made the following reply:—
"The kind and flattering reception with which I am honored by the citizens of Washington, excite the most lively feelings of gratitude; those grateful feelings, sir, at every step of my happy visit to the United States, could not but enhance the inexpressible delight I have enjoyed at the sight of the immense and wonderful improvements, so far beyond even the fondest anticipations of a warm American heart; and which, in the space of forty years, have so gloriously evinced the superiority of popular institutions, and self government, over the too imperfect state of political civilization, found in every part of the other hemisphere. In this august place, which bears the most venerable of all ancient and modern names, I have, sir, the pleasure to contemplate, not only a centre of that constitutional Union so necessary to these States, so important to the interests of mankind; but also a great political school, where attentive observers from other parts of the world may be taught the practical science of true social order.
"Among the circumstances of my life, to which you have been pleased to allude, none can afford me such dear recollections, as my having been early adopted as an American soldier; so there is not a circumstance of my reception in which I take so much pride, as in sharing those honors with my beloved companions in arms. Happy I am to feel that the marks of affection and esteem bestowed on me, bear testimony to my perseverance in the American principles I received under the tent of Washington, and of which I shall, to my last breath, prove myself a devoted disciple. I beg you, Mr. Mayor, and the gentlemen of the Corporation, to accept my respectful acknowledgments to you and to the citizens of Washington."
To the address and poem presented by John Brown Cutting, Esq. the General made the following reply:—
"While I embrace you, sir, and make my acknowledgments to those of our revolutionary comrades, in whose name you welcome me to this metropolis, be assured that I reciprocate those kind expressions of attachment, which from them are peculiarly gratifying. And although, in doing this, it cannot be expected that I should command such beautiful language as you employ, yet I speak from the bottom of my heart, when I assure you that the associations of time and place, to which you allude, exalt the interest which I shall ever feel in your prosperity, and that of every meritorious individual who belonged to the revolutionary army of the United States."
After the ceremony of the procession, &c. a public dinner was provided, at which the Mayor of Washington presided, assisted by the Presidents of the boards of Aldermen and the Common Council; and at which were present, the heads of departments, revolutionary officers, military and naval officers of the United States, members of the City Council, and many distinguished characters from different parts of the nation.
His reception by Mr. Monroe President of the United States, was most cordial and honorable. He called on the President, the day of his arrival in Washington, as before mentioned. The next day he was with Mr. Monroe both at breakfast and dinner, and on Thursday, the President gave a public dinner in honor of Lafayette, at which were present, the Heads of Departments, many distinguished public characters from various parts of the Unified States, and the principal officers of the army and navy. While in Washington, he also visited the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, and of War, and Major General Brown, of the United States army.
Gen. Lafayette rode over to Georgetown, on Thursday, having been earnestly invited by the Mayor and corporation to visit the city. And the citizens demonstrated their gratitude and joy on the occasion, by a military escort, and a respectable precession. But the most acceptable offering was such as he had received in all other places, the spontaneous and cordial salutations of the whole people. On Friday, he visited the navy yard, by invitation of the veteran Commodore Tingey. His reception here was remarkably brilliant and impressive; he was accompanied by many distinguished citizens and public functionaries; and the attentions of the naval veteran were honorable to himself and highly gratifying to General Lafayette. He dined again, this day (Friday) with President Monroe; and on Saturday proceeded on his proposed visit to Alexandria, and Yorktown. He was accompanied as far as the Potomac by the Mayor and committee of arrangements from Washington, escorted by the Georgetown cavalry. On the south side of the river, he was received by the deputation of Alexandria, attended by many other citizens, and several officers of the army and navy of the United States. He was received in Alexandria with the highest military honors, and escorted through the town amidst the welcomes and shouts of many thousands of inhabitants. A public dinner was given him; and the highest regard manifested by all classes of people for this disinterested friend of American freedom and independence.
Sunday morning he visited the tomb of Washington, at Mount Vernon, accompanied by Mr. Custis, the nearest male relative of that most distinguished patriot. Lafayette spent an hour at this hallowed spot, where, were deposited the mortal remains of his most respected friend, whom he loved, venerated and was ever desirous to imitate. It was a moment of sacred recollection; and while the living patriot and hero reflected with mingled emotions of joy and sadness at the grave of one who was his leader and examplar, in youth, he could not but anticipate, with deep solemnity, the approaching period of his own departure. Mr. Custis here presented him with a ring containing some of the hair of his immortal relative. General Lafayette then proceeded on his way to Yorktown, where he arrived on Monday; and was received with great demonstrations of respect and joy. A steamboat was dispatched from Yorktown down the river to meet the United States steam boat, which had Lafayette on board. He entered the former near the mouth of the river, where he was received by the committee from Yorktown, and conveyed to that place, attended by four other large boats, crowded with citizens anxious to see and welcome "the guest of the nation." One of the committee addressed him, in a very affectionate and impressive manner, as soon as he came on board of the Virginia steamboat. A great concourse of people from the neighbouring towns were collected, and many from far distant places, together with the most distinguished public characters in the whole state of Virginia. There were also present on this occasion, many officers of high rank of the army and navy of the United States.
Great preparations had been made by the citizens of Virginia, and by the state authorities, to celebrate the anniversary of the capture of the British army, under Lord Cornwallis, at this place, on the 19th of October, 1781; an event, in which Lafayette took a very active and useful part; perhaps no general in the siege, under Washington, was more active and useful—an event, also, which had great and immediate influence with the English government, to acknowledge our independence and offer terms of an honorable peace. General Lafayette had been invited, some weeks before, to be present in Yorktown, at this time. The Ex-Presidents Jefferson and Madison, were also invited to attend, but they both declined. Mr. Madison's want of health prevented; and Mr. Jefferson declined on account of age and infirmity. We give his letter in reply to the invitation.