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CHAPTER XIII
LA FAYETTE'S VISIT TO AMERICA—MARKED HONORS BESTOWED UPON THE
ILLUSTRIOUS PATRIOT AND SOLDIER—REACHES SAVANNAH ON MARCH
. 19, 1825—AN IMMENSE CONCOURSE PRESENT TO GREET THE. PALADIN
OP LIBERTY—MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS IN LINE OF MARCH—VETERANS
OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE STILL IN LIFE EMBRACED BY AN OLD
COMRADE-IN-ARMS—GOVERNOR TROUP'S ADDRESS OP WELCOME DELIV
ERED ON YAMACBAW BLUFF—LA FAYETTE NEXT VISITS MILLEDGEVILLB
RECEPTION AT THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT—THE BANQUET—EPISODES
OF THE RECEPTION—AN EXPLOSION—ITS FATAL RESULTS—MACON Is
NEXT VISITED—How THE OLD SOLDIER WAS ENTERTAINED—LAFAY
ETTE'S LAST STOPPING PLACE AT THE OLD CREEK AGENCY ON THE
FLINT.
NOTES: THE VARNER HOUSE—ORIGIN OF THE MUSCOGEES.
Within a few weeks .after the last treaty at Indian Springs was signed
and while relations between state and Federal governments were strained
almost to the point of breaking there occurred an event of a far more
pleasing character and for a time at least Georgia forgot her troubles
with the Indians in doing- honor to the great and good La Fayette who,
in the spring of 1825, became her venerated guest on his second and last
visit to America. Though now an old man bent with the weight of nearly
four score years, the aged knight of liberty was anxious to revisit the
scenes of his early life in the New World and to meet the surviving
comrades of his youth. Traditions still linger of the stately balls and
magnificent receptions held in honor of the illustrious nobleman.
La Fayette reached Savannah on Saturday, March 19, 1825. There
was much uncertainty as to the exact moment when the noted visitor
was expected to arrive; but stages and packets were all crowded with
passengers, especially from the South. To quote a local historian: *
"The Light Dragoons from Liberty County, under the command of
Captain W. M. Maxwell and the Darien Hussars, commanded by Cap
tain Charles West, had reached town on the preceding Tuesday. At half
past five o'clock on Saturday morning, by a signal from the Chatham
Artillery, the various organizations were warned to repair to the several
parade grounds. The line was formed at eight o'clock, after which,
there being no appearance of the boat, arms were stacked and the troops
dismissed until the arrival. The first tidings of the welcome vessel were
announced by. the Exchange Bell, and almost at the same moment the
*"Historical and Picturesque Savannah," Adelaide Wilson; "Historical Eecord
of Savannah," Lee and Agnew.
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