August 25, 1824

From the N.Y. Nat. Adv., Aug. 17

Landing of La Fayette

Yesterday was a proud day for New York . We have seen the reception of the allied sovereigns and the celebration of great events in Europe – we have read of the landing of King William, the entrée of George IV, in Ireland, and Louis XVIII, in Paris, but never witnessed a more splendid display, or more cordial, generous and spontaneous feeling than that of yesterday on the landing of Gen. La Fayette. It was truly a jubilees – a more general holiday than the Fourth of July. Business was suspended, stores were closed, and the streets thronged with well dressed people.

The Corporation had chartered the Chancelor Livingston steam boat to receive the General, together with the Bellona, Connecticut and Oliver Ellsworth. The steam boats, dressed elegantly with flags and streamers, were joined by the Nautilus and Olive Branch, thus making an elegant aquatic escort, as they were all filled with ladies and gentlemen, and each boat had a fine band of music on board.

The day was clear, cool and pleasant, and about 10 o’clock the Steam Boats left the North River and sailed round the Battery to the Navy Yard where they were joined by the splendid steam ship Robert Fulton, dressed with the flags of different nations – her yards were manned with about 200 seamen of the Constitution, who made an elegant appearance – a battalion of marines, under the command of Major Smith, was on board, with a band of music, together with several Naval Officers, and the whole escort moved majestically down the river and Bay. The Chancellor came to at the wharf on staten Island to receive the General. On board the Chancellor was the superior Band from West Point , which Capt. Center brought down early yesterday morning.

The village of Castleton was crowded with persons, and in a short time a barouche, containing the General, his son, and the Vice President, drove to the landing. The spectators formed a line opening to the right and left, and the veteran General marched down with his hat in his hand amidst the cheers of spectators – and passing under a triumphal arch formed by the American and French flags, he entered on board the steam boat Chancellor Livingston, and was received by the Marines of the United States with military honors.

The band, on his arrival on board, struck up the popular French air of “Ou fieut on etre mieux,” together with “See the conquering Hero comes,” the “Marseilles Hymn,” and “Hail Columbia”. Here he was presented to the Members of the Corporation, and several Naval and Military Officers and many ladies. The steam ship fired a salute, and the whole got under way for the city. A more noble and gallant sight was never seen; the Beliona and Olive Branch, fastened each side to the Cadmus, the ship which brought the General from France, the whole decorated with flags and filled with passengers moved up the Bay. – the Robert Fulton leading the way, followed by the Chancellor, the Oliver Ellsworth, the Nautilus, and the Connecticut – the sea smooth and placid, and the air cool and agreeable.

The most interesting sight was the reception of the General by his old companions in arms: Col. Marinus Willett, now in his 85th year, Gen. Van. Cortland, Gen. Clarkson, Col. Varick, Col. Platt, Col. Trumbull, and several members of the Cincinnati. Col. Fish, Gen. Lewis, and several of his comrades were absent. He embraced them all affectionately, and Col. Willet again and again. He knew and remembered them all. It was a re-union of a long separated family.

After the ceremony of embracing and congratulations were over, he sat down alongside of Col. Willett, who grew young again and fought all his battles o’er. “Do you remember,” said he, “at the battle of Monmouth, I was volunteer aid to Gen. Scott: I saw you in the hat of battle. You were but a boy, but you were a serious and sedate lad. Aye, aye; I remember well. An on the Mohawk, I sent you fifty Indians, and you wrote me, that they set up such a yell that they frightened the British horse, and they ran one way and the Indians another!” Innumerable anecdotes of the Revolution, and reminiscences, were rehearsed during the passage to the city. Occasionally, the steam boats would run alongside and give three cheers. On passing Governor’s Island a national salute was fired, and from the U. S. schr. Spark in the stream.

On arriving off the Battery , the scene beggared description. The military, making a noble appearance, formed the line with a heavy battering train. The ramparts and parapet of the Castle were lined with spectators – the Flagstaff , and every eminence and place filled with well dressed persons. Hundreds of boats and wherries surrounded the battery, and the General, with several officers, left the Chancellor in a barge commanded by Capt. Rogers of the navy, and landed at Castle-Garden. The shouts of the multitudes reverberated along the shore; the artillery fired a salute; the bands struck up a aviary air; and with much difficulty, the General found his way into the centre of the fortification. Here he remained some time, and from the pressure, we could not witness the ceremonies; but saw him subsequently in a barouche, escorted by a squadron of horse, go up Broadway to the City Hall.

In all this fatiguing ceremony, Gen. La Fayette sustained himself with the most amiable and cordial frankness, delighted, as he must have been, at the reception spontaneous and hearty on all side; a reception which speaks volumes in favour of free governments, and all who aid in establishing and perpetuating the rights of man.

It will require several days for the General to see every thing with the deliberation necessary, and without fatigue.

The amusements will of course, be various. The Park Theatre will open some night this week; and we learn that it is contemplated to give the General a splendid Ball in the Theatre next week, after the fashion of the Greek Ball, which will give time for the ladies to reach the city from the springs and watering places.

The stores were all closed, and the streets filled to overflowing; the windows were graced with the beauty of the city, waving their handkerchiefs as the venerable soldier passed. After the ceremonies, the General together with the Corporation and Cincinnati , dined at the City Hotel.

Among the omens auspicious of the arrival of the revered La Fayette was that of a rainbow formed Subsequent to the shower on Sunday, the base of which rested on Fort La Fayette, and completely enveloped it in a most brilliant effulgence. The General was at the moment on the plaza of the Vice President’s house, and this singular coincidence being remarked to him, he observed, “this day has been full of happy omens to me in arriving among those who have treated me with so much unmerited kindness.