[IN the year 1824, general La Fayette visited the United States,
as the _guest of the nation_, and was welcomed with the most
gratifying testimonies of affection and respect by the whole
American people, in behalf of whose rights and liberty he had
so gallantly fought, and performed other important services
during the revolutionary war. The general landed at New York
in August 1824, (having embarked at the same place about forty
years before, namely, in December, 1784, on his return to
France.) After visiting various parts of the United States,
he was received at the city of Washington with distinguished
honors by the people and the public authorities, and on the
tenth of December, 1824, he was introduced to the house of
representatives by a committee appointed for that purpose. The
general, being conducted to the sofa placed for his reception,
the speaker (Mr. Clay) addressed him in the following words.]