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The Carolina Observer of March 10, 1825, gave a full account of
Lafayette's stay in Fayetteville on March 4th and 5th. He was accompanied
from Raleigh to Fayetteville by a military and official escort. It does
not appear where he spent the night on this trip from Raleigh to Fayetteville, a
distance of more than 60 miles nor does it appear where he spent the night on
his trip from Fayetteville to Cheraw, South Carolina, a distance of some 75
miles. The route to Fayetteville (from Raleigh) was by the old stage road
on the east side of Cape Fear River and the trip from Fayetteville (to Cheraw)
was what is now Wagram and Laurel Hill. The story from the Carolina
Observer is so interesting and appropriate for this volume that it is given
in full.
Fayetteville, N. C., Thursday, March 10, 1825
The pride of all hearts and the delight of all eyes, the
illustrious American General Lafayette, arrived here on Friday evening last.
We cannot pretend to give a regular correct detail of the scenes to which his
presence gave rise. The task is far above our ability. Such,
however, as is in our power, we must offer our readers:
The General entered the town about 5 o'clock... (and) proceeded amidst the
discharge of artillery, to the Town House, where several hundred hundred persons
were assembled, numbers of whom, though the rain continued to descend, as it had
done for several days, with little intermission, had patiently awaited the
approach of the General, regardless of every consideration of comfort or
health. When arrived in front of the Town House, where a spacious stage
had been erected for the occasion, the troops formed lines on each side of the
street, and the carriages, containing the General and suite, passed between them
to the east door of the House, here, alighting form his carriage, with the
gentlemen accompanying him, he was met by Judge Toomer, who, in behalf of the
Committee and citizens of Fayetteville, welcomed him in the following words,
pronounced in the forcible manner for which the Judge is so remarkable.
"General Lafayette: The Congress of the United
States, expressing the will of ten millions of people, invited you to our
shores, as ""the Guest of the Nation."" Your
arrival was hailed as an era in the annals of our country. Wherever you
were seen, you were greeted with acclamations. The 15th of August, in each
returning year, will be celebrated as a day of jubilee, by the sons of
freedom. Already has American genius consecrated your fame. History
has recorded the incidents of your eventful life: Oratory has portrayed your
character: and Poetry has sung your praise.
The Governor of North Carolina, anticipating the wishes of this constituents,
invited you to our state. The invitation was echoed from the mountains to
the coast.
My fellow citizens, the inhabitants of Fayetteville, have, also, solicited the
honor of a visit. In their behalf, and as their organ, I bid you welcome
to our homes. Forty-three years ago, our fathers named this town, to
commemorate your achievements, and to express their gratitude. We receive
you, with joy and exultation, at our family altars, and request your
participation in our domestic comforts. We are plain republicans, and
cannot greet you with the pomp common on such occasions. Instead of
pageantry we offer you cordiality. We have no splendid arches, gilded
spires, or gorgeous palaces to present you, but we tender the hospitality of our
homes, and the grateful homage of devoted hearts.
Ingratitude in no longer the reproach of republics. The freemen of
America, when asked for their jewels, rejecting classic example, point not to
their sons, but to the surviving heroes of the Revolution.
Your, Sir, have been the steadfast friend of liberty, in every period of your
life. In youth, you fought the battles of freedom; in age, you advocated
the rights of man. You embarked your life and fortune on the tempestuous
sea of American liberty, when clouds and darkness portended the most fatal
disasters. Neither the admonitions of prudence, the precepts of wisdom,
nor the frowns of powers, could restrain you. Our Commissioners at the
Court of Versailles frankly represented to you the gloomy aspect of our affairs,
at that crisis, and advised you not to link your fortune with ours, in the
struggle for independence. Your Sovereign, also, interdicted your
participation in the contest. Notwithstanding all these adverse
circumstances, at the age of 19, such was the ardour of your devotion, you left
wealth and beauty, family and friends, influence and distinction, and all the
fascinations of the most polished Court, to encounter the perils of the deep,
and to brave the dangers of the tented field. Your embarkation quickly
sounded the tocsin of alarm, and the fleets of France and Great Britain were
ordered to pursue and arrest you; but, protected by the Genius of Liberty, you
escaped the eagerness of pursuit. Your ardent devotion to this sacred
cause, and your youthful enthusiasm, ""touched a nerve which vibrated
to the centre of Europe.""
The Southern States of the Union, Sir, have strong claims to your
affection. North Carolina is the birth-place of American
Independence. At Charlotte, in this State. Independence was first
conceived, and first declared. Although History may not have recorded this
fact, yet witnesses live to attest it; and we now have before us, in the
patriotic troop of Mecklenburg Cavalry, the sons of those heroes who made the
bold declaration, that we were, and should be free and independent. South
Carolina was the place of your first landing in America. Virginia was the
theatre of your youthful glory. Forty-eight years have elapsed since you
passed through this State to join the Army of Revolution. You
distinterestedly lavished your treasure, and shed your blood in the hollowed
contest; and, by the influence of your high example, you consecrated the
principles for which our ancestors contended. The heights of Brandywine
witnessed your valour, and your sufferings; and on the plains of Yorktown you
obtained a wreath of laurel, which encircles your brow with unfading
verdure. Never, never can we forget the youthful stranger who, in the
darkest hour of adversity, so generously flew to our succour, and so gallantly
fought the battle of freedom.
The names of Washington, Lafayette, and Hamilton, will ever be dear to American
patriotism; and let it be remembered, that Washington and Hamilton fought for
country and for home; Lafayette for Liberty alone.
Your ardent devotion to the rights of man was sealed with your blood in America,
and attested by your sufferings in Europe. Your love of liberty exposed
you to the persecution of tyranny, and you were cast into the dungeon of Olmutz;
but incarceration could not extinguish the sacred flame which fired your
bosom. An American youth, of chivalrous feelings, aided in an attempt to
rescue you from imprisonment; - the attempt was abortive. Oppression
riveted her chains, and rendered your confinement more oppressive. Amid
all the vicissitudes of your fortune, it is gratifying to us to recollect, that
your sufferings always excited the sympathy, and, on this occasion, induced the
meditation of your friend and compatriot, the illustrious Washington.
Nature has lavished her choicest gifts on my native state. We have a
salubrious climate, fertile soil, and numerous rivers, susceptible of the
highest improvement. I fear, Sir, your anticipations may not
have been realized. We have neglected to improve our advantages; we have
relied too much on the bounty of the Parent of every good. But the spirit
of Internal Improvement is, at length, awakened: North Carolina may look
forward with pride and pleasure to her destiny. We place our confidence in
the liberality and exertions of succeeding Legislatures. Colleges will be
endowed; the arts and sciences will be patronized; roads will be made; rivers
will be opened; our resources will be annually developed; and Fayetteville, at
some future day, may be worthy of the distinguished name it bears. You
have just left, in the capitol of our state, the statue of Washington, the
master-piece of Canova. Would to God that you could have visited the
University of North Carolina. These, Sir, are monuments of an enlightened
liberality, in which we indulge a generous pride.
The darkness of error is vanishing before the light of truth. The
doctrines of divine right and passive obedience are viewed as relics of ancient
barbarism. Our political institutions are founded on the sovereignty of
the people, from whom all power is derived; and here the jargon of legitimacy is
not understood. We recognize no Holy Alliance, save that of religion and
virtue, liberty and science. The sun of freedom is extending the sphere of
his genial influence; South America is ""regenerated and
disenthralled;"" the thrones of Europe are supported by Bayonets, and
must totter to their fall; and the genius of our country is ready to hail the
spirit of ""universal emancipation.""
Sir, in behalf of my townsmen, I welcome you to our homes."
To which the General replied as follows:
"Sir: At every step of my progress through the
United States, I am called to enjoy the emotions arising from patriotic feelings
and endearing recollections, from the sight of the improvements I witness, and
from the affectionate welcomes I have the happiness to receive - Those
sentiments, Sir, are particularly excited when, upon entering the interesting
and prosperous town which has done me the honor to adopt my name, I can at once
admire its actual progress and anticipate its future destinies; convinced as I
am that the generous and enlightened people of North Carolina will continue all
assistance to improve the natural advantages of Fayetteville and make it more
and more useful to the State.
Your kind allusions to past times, your flattering commendation of my personal
services in our common cause, your remembrance of my particular state and
connexions, and particularly of my obligations to my gallant Carolinian
deliverer, call for my most grateful thanks. The spirit of independence
early evinced by the fathers of the young friends who so kindly accompany me, is
highly honorable to that part of the Union. I cordially join in your
wishes for the universal emancipation of mankind; and beg you, my dear Sir, and
the citizens of Fayetteville, to accept the tribute of my deep and lively
gratitude for your so very honourable and gratifying reception."
At the conclusion of the answer, the multitude assembled
expressed their admiration by three hearty cheers.
The General was now conducted to the State Banking House, the
residence of Duncan Mac Rae, Esq., which had been politely tendered by him for
the General's use. Here female taste and ingenuity had exerted themselves
to concentrate every thing neat and elegant; every thing calculated to delight
the eye, or minister to the comfort of the distinguished guest.
After a few moments spent in the house, the General appeared in
the balcony, beneath which the people and the military had assembled. He
remained a few minutes, and was saluted by the military, who, when he retired,
were marched to their respective places of rendezvous, and discharged, after an
extremely arduous day's duty, which they performed so well as to elicit the
highest encomiums. They were under arms nearly the whole day, and, though
the mud and water were six inches deep in the streets, no deviation from
military order was seen, but all was animation and cheerfulness.
The General then, with the Governor, and several Committees,
and some the oldest citizens of the town, sat down to dinner.
About 9 o'clock the General made his appearance in the Ball
room of the new Lafayette Hotel, where the rooms were crowded with ladies and
gentlemen, to the number, we believe, of between 3 and 400. The display of
beauty and fashion which the fair sex presented was splendid beyond
compare. The rooms, too, were decorated in the most tasteful manner, under
the direction of some patriotic young ladies, with evergreens and flowers,
gracefully hung in festoons.
The General was here presented to the ladies and gentlemen
present, and took each affectionately by the hand. He then remained about
two hours, and conversed with all who approached him, when he retired, after 11
o'clock. The dancing continued till 3, at which hour the company generally
had retired to their homes.
On Saturday morning, for the first time in several days, the
sun rose in all his brilliancy, and continued to beam on us with the warmth of
spring, during the whole day.
The General received a visit, this morning, from Mr. Isham
Blake, of this town, who was one of his body guard at Yorktown. The scene
which took place is said to have been affecting in the extreme, forbidding all
attempt at description.
Early in the morning the various uniform companies of this
town, and the Mecklenburg troop, were paraded, and , at 11 o'clock, were
reviewed by Gen. Lafayette, who expressed his high satisfaction with their
military appearance, and regret that they had undergone so much fatigue on the
preceding day.
The review over, the General returned, at 12 o'clock at his
lodgings, where, agreeably to a previous annunciation of the Committee of
Arrangements, he received a large number of ladies and gentlemen who waited on
him, all eager again to press the hand and enjoy the society of their
guest. The company, after partaking of refreshments, which were served in
great profusion, and remaining about an hour, took leave of the General, who
with a warm pressure of the hand of each, thanked them for the attentions they
had shown him.
The General, then, agreeable to invitation, visited the Lodge,
where he was addressed by Major Strange, in behalf of the Fraternity, and
returned a neat and appropriate reply. He then partook of refreshments
with the members.
At 3 o'clock, (the General being under the necessity of
departing in the afternoon) about 150 gentlemen sat down to dinner, provided by
Capt. Taber, at the Lafayette Hotel. Judge Toomer presided, assisted by
Major Strange. On the right of the President sat General Lafayette, and on
the left Governor Burton. We have been able to procure a few of the toast
given from the Chair on this occasion, which follow:
The Memory of Washington - He was a friend of
Lafayette.
The Nation's Guest - The only surviving Major General
of the Revolution.
When this toast was drank, Gen. Lafayette rose and expressed
his thanks for the welcome he had met with from the citizens of
Fayetteville. He proposed the following toast:
Fayetteville - May it receive all encouragements, and
obtain all the prosperity, which are anticipated by the fond and grateful
wishes of its affectionate and respectful namesake.
Memory of Hamilton - He gathered laurels with
Lafayette, in the field of York.
Gen. Lafayette - The chieftain fights for the hearts
and altars of his clan - the patriot for his country's rights - but let us drink
to the health of the philanthropic hero, whose devotion to liberty is not confined by
climes nor by countries.
The company rose form the table between 4 and 5 o'clock.
He was here and is gone, though his stay was too short for our
wishes, his visit can never be forgotten. The 24 hours during which he
remained, will be remembered by the citizens of this town, as a season in which
the purest incense of the heart was offered at the shrine of virtue and patriotism.
It was a period, the happiness of which may be imagined, not described.
I am obliged to the Lawhead Press of Athens, Ohio, and to Edgar
Ewing Barton, the author, for permission to use the above account. Mr.
Brandon's book "A Pilgrimage of Liberty" covers Lafayette's visit to
fourteen states. It may be secured direct from the author at Oxford, Ohio.
 There
is located on the ground of the present County Court House a State historical
marker with this inscription "Lafayette on March 4-5, 1825, was guest of
Fayetteville (named for him, 1783) staying at home of Duncan MacRae on site of
present Court House." There is a bronze tablet on the old Market
House with this inscription "Here Lafayette was welcomed, March 4,
1825."
There is an interesting story of
the State House at Fayetteville (now the Market House) and how Lafayette learned
of its existence.
Acknowledgement is given to the book
"The story of Fayetteville and the Upper Cape Fear" by John A. Oates,
published by Fayetteville Woman's Club, 1950. The above account of
Lafayette's visit to Fayetteville is taken in text from Mr. Oates
book.
Appreciation is also due the Cumberland County Public Library, NC Historical
Department, and its staff.
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