Entertainment given by the Society of Cincinnati: origin and statutes
of the society: visit to the public establishments: dinner given by
the French of New York: ball at Castle Garden.
On his return to New York, General Lafayette was informed that the
society of Cincinnati intended to celebrate the next day, 6th of
September, the anniversary of his birth, and he received an invitation
to dine with them, which he willingly accepted. About four o’clock in
the afternoon, a long file of venerable men arrived, marching two and
two, holding each other by the arm for the sake of mutual support, which
the weight of years rendered necessary. They were preceded by a military
band, with which their tottering steps found it difficult to keep time.
We went down to meet them, and were received into their ranks; a
decoration of the order of Cincinnatus which had been worn by
Washington, was attached to the button hole of Lafayette, and we
commenced our march for the hotel where we were to dine. It was truly a
touching sight to behold these old soldiers, the glorious remains of the
war of Independence, conducting amongst them the companion of
Washington, the adopted son of America. The crowd of people that filled
the streets through which we passed, showed by their serious and silent
conduct the respect which this procession inspired. The hall prepared
for the entertainment, was adorned with trophies of arms, and with sixty
banners bearing the names of the principal heroes who died for liberty
during the revolutionary war. The repast was animated by the frank and
cordial joy of all these old soldiers, who were delighted at the
recollection of the dangers they had shared together. I had the pleasure
to be placed at table by the side of General Fish, who at Yorktown
commanded a battalion of intrepid militia, which under the orders of
Lafayette, entered the English entrenchments with charged bayonets. He
was kind enough to relate to me the details of this glorious action, and
indeed of the whole campaign. The vivacity of his recital, which made me
forget his seventy years, and the interesting traits of patriotism which
were mingled with it, inspired a very lively interest. “I am well
aware,” said he, in terminating, “that this campaign of Virginia, cannot
be compared to your campaigns of Germany or Italy; neither were our
fatigues and privations equal to your disasters on the retreat from
Moscow.” “Neither,” added I, “can your results be compared with ours;
you have won happiness and liberty, and we have riveted our chains and
those of all Europe.” This melancholy reflection, poisoned for an
instant the pleasure I enjoyed at this feast of patriotism and
gratitude.
Towards the conclusion of the repast, a curtain was suddenly drawn at
the end of the hall, and a grand transparency shown, exhibiting
Washington and Lafayette holding each other by the hand, before the
altar of liberty, and receiving a civic wreath from the hands of
America. This sight caused new transports of joy among the company, the
expression of which was only interrupted for a moment by the strong
voice of General Swartwout, who suddenly began to read the order of the
day at York-town, on the 17th of October, 1781.
Head Quarters, before York, Oct. 15th, 1781.
The Marquis de Lafayette’s division will mount the trenches
to-morrow.
The commander in chief congratulates the allied army on the success
of the enterprize last evening, against the two important redoubts
on the left of the enemy’s work. He requests the Baron Viomenil who
commanded the French grenadiers, and the Marquis de Lafayette, who
commanded the American light infantry, to accept his warmest
acknowledgments, for the excellency of their disposition, and for
their own gallant conduct on the occasion; and he begs them to
present his thanks to every individual officer, and to the men of
their respective commands, for the spirit and rapidity with which
they advanced to the points of attack assigned them, and for the
admirable firmness, with which they supported themselves under the
fire of the enemy, without returning a shot.
The general reflects with the highest pleasure on the confidence
which the troops of the two nations must have hereafter in each
other; assured of mutual support, he is convinced there is no
danger, which they will not cheerfully encounter, no difficulties
which they will not bravely overcome.
Prolonged applauses followed the reading of this order, and the hall was
shaken by three cheers, when the company were soon brought back to
sentiments of a different nature, by the plaintive voice of General
Lamb, who sung a ballet composed in 1792, during the imprisonment of
Lafayette in the Austrian dungeons, and which was then very popular in
America.
As beside his cheerful fire,
’Midst his happy family,
Sat a venerable Sire,
Tears were starting in his eye—
Selfish blessings were forgot,
While he thought on Fayette’s lot—
Once so happy on our plains,
Now in poverty and chains.
Fayette! cried he, honour’d name;
Dear to these far distant shores,
Fayette, fir’d by Freedom’s flame,
Bled to make that freedom ours.
What, alas! for thee remains;
What but poverty and chains?
Soldiers! in the field of death
Was not Fayette foremost there?
Cold and shiv’ring on the heath,
Did ye not his bounty share?
What for this your friend remains;
What but poverty and chains?
Born to honour, ease and wealth,
See him sacrifice them all;
Sacrificing even health
At our country’s glorious call;
What reward for this remains;
What but poverty and chains?
Thus, with laurels on his brow,
Belisarius begged for bread:
Thus from Carthage forc’d to go,
Hannibal an exile fled.
Fayette now at once sustains
Exile, poverty and chains.
Courage, child of Washington,
Though thy fate disastrous seems;
We have seen the setting sun,
Rise, and burn with brighter beams.
Thy country soon shall break thy chain
And take thee to her arms again.
Soon after, the lateness of the hour, and the necessity of terminating
the fatigues resulting from the variety of emotions we had experienced
during this festival, caused us to separate. Returning to the City
Hotel, I recollected how often I had heard the _order of Cincinnatus_
mentioned in Europe, and attacked by some persons with violence as
tending to destroy republican equality; and quoted by others to justify
the orders of knighthood, or privileged orders of European monarchies.
However, what I had seen since my arrival in the United States, did not
show the existence of any order created or tolerated by the laws, and
destructive equality; but to dissipate all doubt on the subject, I made
inquiries next morning of one of our friends, with whom we had dined,
who called to visit General Lafayette. He presented me a small pamphlet
containing an account of the origin and regulations of the _Society of
Cincinnati_. A perusal of this pamphlet convinced me that the character
of this society had been ignorantly or maliciously misrepresented in
Europe, and that it is no more a privileged society in the United States
than the _Benevolent Society of Paris_, or the _Bible Society of
England_. The Society of Cincinnati is nothing more than a _voluntary
association_ of the ancient officers of the revolutionary army, united
with the double object of perpetuating the memory of their patriotic
labours, and for the aid of such members as age and infirmities may
render necessitous; as to the ribband and badge worn by the society, it
is only regarded as an ornament which the members wear exclusively on
public occasions, and not as a decoration authorized or sanctioned by
the government.
The Society of Cincinnati has nothing in it dangerous to equality, since
it possesses no privilege. However, from all parts of the union,
accusations were made that the founders of the society wished, under the
guise of benevolence, and patriotic recollections, to sow the seed of a
hereditary nobility. It is difficult to determine at present whether the
founders, or at least some among them had, or had not some such
prospective view in making the proposition; but it is certain, that the
article of the regulations allowing the sons to succeed the father, were
very capable of giving offence to republicans as jealous of equality as
the Americans. Every one attacked with vivacity, the absurd principle of
hereditary transmission, which found enemies throughout the country.
Among the writings which appeared at the time on the subject, a letter
of Franklin, addressed to his daughter, who had sent to him in France
the papers announcing the formation of the society, which has all the
piquancy and originality of that author, placed this matter in a very
ridiculous light, and contains such conclusive, and at the same time,
such pleasant arguments against hereditary nobility, that no one can
read it without being convinced.[11]
The sentiments of Franklin, and the opinion of the public, did not
prevent the formation of the Society of Cincinnati, but reduced it to
its just value; that is, every one became accustomed to regard this
corps merely as a benevolent association, and with pleasure paid a
tribute of respect to the members, who had acquired a right thereto by
their former services, and personal character. But the aristocratic
principle of hereditary succession was so much ridiculed that few sons
ventured to succeed their fathers in the society, and in some states
they are no longer admitted.
After our return to the city, our time was principally occupied in the
examination of the public works and forts, which protect the port and
bay of New York. The most remarkable among them is fort Lafayette,
situated at the narrows, near the point of Long Island; its fire readily
crosses with that from the opposite fort on Staten Island. The garrison
officers belonging to a detachment of the regular army of the United
States, gave the general a very cordial reception, and pointed out all
the interesting particulars of the fort, which has the advantage of
being bomb proof, without being exposed to the inconvenience of the
cannon smoke, which finds free exit by open galleries into the interior
of the yard. The rain which fell abundantly prevented us from examining
the other forts with much attention.
Of all the public schools we visited, that which inspired the most
lively interest was the _Free School_ for young Africans, founded and
directed by the Abolition Society. The general was accompanied in this
school as he had been in all the others by a great number of ladies, who
all pay assiduous attention to establishments of this sort. He was there
informed he had been unanimously elected member of the society, at the
same time with Granville Sharpe, and Thomas Clarkson. This election
agreed well with his character and declared opinions relative to negro
slavery, and appeared to excite in him considerable feeling. Immediately
afterwards a black child advanced and said with vivacity, “You see,
General, these hundreds of poor African children before you; they
participate with the white children in the blessings of education: like
them they learn to cherish the recollection of the services you have
rendered to America, and moreover they revere in you an ardent friend to
the emancipation of our race, and a worthy member of the society to
which we owe so much gratitude.”
It would be tedious and difficult for me to give exact details
concerning all the benevolent establishments we visited in the city of
New York. They are very numerous and as each of them has been erected by
an association or voluntary union of individuals, it would require a
particular history of each to make them properly known. In general we
may say that all these establishments are under the protection, and not
under the influence of the law. The majority of the active offices are
discharged by persons who receive neither perquisites nor salaries, but
regard their appointments as honorable testimonials of public esteem,
and they discharge their duties with a zeal and probity which justifies
it. Only the inferior officers, whose time is altogether employed,
commonly receive salaries. Most of these establishments are founded by
societies or by legacies; and supported either by public subscriptions
or by appropriations of the government. Thus for example, in examining
the books of the Orphan Asylum, founded in 1806, we discovered that this
establishment in the course of the year 1822, received from the
legislature of the state five hundred dollars; two hundred and
eighty-seven dollars as a part of the funds allowed to the public
schools by the state; fourteen hundred and thirty dollars from private
subscriptions; five thousand dollars, a legacy from Jacob Sherred;
twenty-five dollars, the interest of a legacy from Mrs. Mary Williams;
390 dollars from anonymous donors; 17,000 dollars from the Magdalen
Society; nineteen dollars for work done by the children, &c. &c. and a
host of private donations, such as books, shoes, cloth, buttons, &c. &c.
Whatever may be the nature and value of the donations, they are received
and scrupulously registered along with the names of the donors. By the
aid of these supplies judiciously directed, this house has received from
1806 to 1822, and educated 440 children, of which 243 are already
established advantageously in society.
In the alms-house there are more than 1000 individuals of both sexes and
all ages.
The great hospital of New York may contain nearly two thousand patients.
The insane, although under the same superintendence, are kept in a
separate building.
In all these institutions, we were struck with the neatness of the
chambers, the whiteness of the linen, the good quality of the food, and
especially with the mild and kind treatment of the superintendents
towards the persons under their charge. It was easy to perceive that the
directors are encouraged by something more precious than emoluments,
public esteem.
The persons who accompanied us, and appeared to be well informed,
assured us that there were more than forty charitable and philanthropic
societies in New York, whose continued zeal contributed much to the
support of all the establishments we had visited, as well as to the
relief of private misfortunes.
After visiting the Academy of Arts, where among a great quantity of
casts, engravings and paintings, there is nothing very remarkable except
a collection of paintings by TRUMBULL, and a collection of engravings
presented to the Academy by the emperor NAPOLEON, we went to the public
library. It contains more than 20,000 volumes, well selected and in good
order. The library is open every day except Sunday; none but
stockholders can take out the books; the number of stockholders is about
five hundred.
During our stay at New York we several times visited the two theatres,
of which it would be difficult for me to give any opinion, because every
time that Lafayette appeared there, he became so much the object of
public attention, and the tumult caused by the expression of the
pleasure of the spectators was so great that it was impossible for the
actors to continue their parts; they were only allowed to sing some
verses in honour _of the Companion of Washington_, _the Captive of
Olmutz_, or _the Guest of the Nation_. Some persons of taste that I
questioned informed me that the stock pieces of these theatres were from
England, and generally but poorly selected, and that their companies of
actors were usually feeble. These two houses are evidently too small for
so numerous a population, and their construction does not correspond
either to the beauty or wealth of the city of New York.[12] The rational
answer of the citizen to this, is, that before thinking of luxury and
pleasure, it is necessary to take care for useful things, and that they
should be very much humiliated if strangers were not more struck with
the commodiousness and beauty of their works of public utility than with
the elegance of their theatres.
On the 9th we attended a concert of sacred music given in St. Paul’s
Church, where the general was received with the Marseilles’ Hymn. The
number and elegance of the ladies was very remarkable. The different
pieces we heard were executed with an effect which we had not previously
heard from any of the choirs or orchestras in the United States; for it
must be allowed that music is still in its infancy in this country. The
causes are sufficiently obvious; on the one hand the English language is
but slightly musical, on the other the Americans have not yet time to
devote to the merely pleasing arts.—They have no school of music;[13]
there are some European artists, who endeavour to diffuse a taste for
the science, but these generally find access solely to the very rich
families, which are almost as rare as the artists themselves.
After leaving St. Paul’s church, we visited the park in front of the
City Hall, where the firemen were drawn up in line, and the General
reviewed them. After reviewing this new species of militia, but not less
useful than that which is called to the defence of the territory, they
defiled with as much order as a division of artillery. We saw thus pass
before us forty-six engines, each drawn and escorted by a company of
about thirty men, led by a captain with a speaking trumpet. Each engine
bore a standard and the emblems of the company. Many of these standards
were adorned with portraits of men whose names are dear to the people.
The equestrian portraits of Washington and Lafayette were peculiarly
conspicuous. After all the engines had defiled we ascended to the
balcony of the City Hall, the general was addressed by the
commander-in-chief of the Firemen, and we next saw the manœuvres with
the engines. They were all formed into a circle around a pyramid erected
of the ladders and firehooks. At the top of this pyramid was placed a
small house filled with combustible materials; it was set on fire, and
on a signal being given, all the engines were worked at the same time
with so much accuracy of aim that the whole was extinguished in two
minutes. In all thus meeting at the same point, the spouts of water
formed a most beautiful liquid dome, adorned with the colours of the
rainbow.
On the 10th, we were engaged to dine with Colonel Fish; we were about to
go there at four o’clock, when on going out, we found the 9th regiment
of artillery drawn up before the hotel to escort Lafayette to the house
of his friend. At the moment the general appeared, Colonel Muir
commanding the regiment, advanced and presented him in the name of his
comrades, a richly wrought sword, all the parts of which had been
manufactured in New York. In expressing his thanks, General Lafayette
said, “it is with pleasure and gratitude I receive this precious present
from a corps of citizen soldiers, each of whom knows that steel was
given to men to defend liberty, where it exists, and to gain it, where
it has been destroyed by crowned and privileged usurpers.” This answer
was received with loud applause, and the general was escorted by the
regiment and a numerous concourse of citizens to the house of Colonel
Fish. The day was terminated by some beautiful fire-works in honour of
Lafayette.
The next day the general and his son were present at a masonic
celebration of the Knights Templars, who admitted them to their lodge,
and conferred upon them the highest honours, of which they presented
them the richly wrought badges. In the evening, we dined with the French
residents of New York, who wished to celebrate the 47th anniversary of
the battle of Brandywine. The dinner was prepared at Washington Hall,
and this patriotic and family festival was marked by a character both
happy and original; many Americans, who were present, were struck with
astonishment. Upon the very broad table a plan of the grand canal, in
relief, was exhibited, which traversing the state of New York, unites
Lake Erie with the Atlantic. This novel sort of chart occupied a length
of sixty feet upon the table, where it was hollowed out of the thickness
of the wood, and lined with lead; an extremely limpid water filled the
canal, which was bordered with green sod, imitating meadows, in the
midst of which were models of houses, trees and animals. Bridges
beautifully crossing the stream, and masses of rock under which the
canal passed, and forests through which it wound along, all combined to
complete this unique masterpiece of topography. Over the centre of the
table was a large sun in continual rotation. Allegorical pictures, full
length portraits of Washington and Lafayette, and trophies of French and
American flags, completed the decorations. Mr. Monneron presided over
the entertainment. After dinner, which was animated with a frank and
cordial joy, a great number of toasts were drank, all impressed with
that character of energetic patriotism which distinguishes every thing
said or done in a truly free country. I cannot resist the desire to
insert some of them here.
By the committee. “The United States; their national welfare is
imperishable; it is founded upon religion, industry, and liberty.”
By the President. “General Lafayette; we are proud that he is a
Frenchman.” And he added, “Gentlemen, in the fourteenth century the
Lafayettes of Auvergne, already ameliorated the condition of what were
at that period called _vassals_.
“In the fifteenth century Marshal Lafayette drove the enemies of France
from her territory.
“In the sixteenth Mademoiselle Lafayette was the model of beauty, virtue
and charity.
“In the seventeenth century Madam Lafayette composed works which will
descend to the remotest posterity.
“In the eighteenth century, General Lafayette was born, the enemy of
tyranny, and passionate lover of liberty.
“During his youth, he came to support and defend the cradle of liberty
in the United States.
“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.