Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

544 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
volumes of smoke which accompanied her was perceived over the land;
she was then about twelve or fifteen miles off, but rapidly approaching.
The troops were immediately formed and marched to the lower part of
Bay Street, where they were placed in position on the green in front of
the avenue of trees. It proved to be an ideal day. About nine o'clock
the mists dispersed, the skies became clear, and a gentle breeze arose,
blowing directly up the river, as if to add speed to the vessel which was
to land the distinguished visitors upon our shores.
"As the steamboat passed Fort Jackson she was boarded by the
Committee of Reception, and the General was addressed by the chair
man, George Jones, Esq. The boat now approached in gallant style,
firing by the way, while a full band of music on board played the Mar
seillaise Hymn and other favorite French and American airs. At the
anchorage a salute was fired by the Revenue Cutter Gallatin, under the
command of Captain Matthews, and General La Fayette was assisted to
the first barge, accompanied by the committee, the other boats being
occupied by the remainder of the suite. At the docks were assembled the
leading dignitaries and officials of the State; deputations from the Hi
bernian, St. Andrew's and Agricultural Societies, all bedecked with
badges; besides a multitude of citizens. The Savannah Volunteer Guard,
in honor of the Nation's guest, wore the Revolutionary cockade. As the
General placed his foot upon the landing place, a salute was fired by
the Chatham Artillery, in line on the bluff, with four brass field pieces,
one of which was captured at Yorktown. He was here received by
William C. Daniel, Esq., Mayor' of the city, amid cheers from the as
sembled spectators.
"On arriving at the top of the bluff, he was presented to Governor
Troup, by whom, in the most cordial manner, he was welcomed to the
soil of Georgia. La Fayette replied in feeling terms, and was then intro
duced to several Revolutionary soldiers, among whom were General
Stewart, Colonel Shellman, Eb. Jackson, Sheftall Sheftall and Captain
Rees. The eyes of the old General sparkled. He remembered Captain
Rees, who proceeded to narrate some incident. "I remember," said
La Fayette, taking the captain's hand between both of his own, and, with
tear-filled eyes, the two men stood for a moment, absorbed in the recol
lection of youthful days. The officers of the brigade and of the regi
ment were then introduced, after which the procession moved as pre
scribed in the arrangement of the day, and about half-past five o'clock
in the afternoon he arrived at the lodgings assigned to him, at Mrs. Max
well's, where Governor Troup also was lodged. During the passage of
the procession, windows and doors everywhere were crowded to excess;
and the expression of feeling displayed by all was most enthusiastic,
from the highest to the lowest. He was saluted by the ladies with the
waving of handkerchiefs; which he returned by the repeated and con
tinued inclination of the head in acknowledgment. At sundown, another
salute was fired by the Marine Volunteer Corps.''
Governor Troup, in extending Georgia's formal welcome to the great
paladin of liberty, said: '' 'Tis little more than ninety years since the
founder of this State set Soot upon the bank on which you now stand.