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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 545
Today four hundred thousand people open their arms and their hearts
to receive you. Thanks to the kind providence which presides over
Imman affairs, you were called to the standard of independence in the
helplessness of the American Revolution and you have graciously been
spared that in your last days the glory of an empire might be reflected
upon your countenance, amid the acclamation of millions. For you the
scenes which are to come will be comparatively tranquil; the waters
no longer turbulent but placid. No more dread of dungeons; no more
fear of tyrants for you. Oh, sir, what consolation it must be to one
who has passed through seas of trouble to know that between you and
them are the countless bayonets which guard the blessings of freedom!
Welcome, General! Friend of .Liberty, welcome! Thrice welcome to
Georgia!"
At Milledgeville, in honor of the great soldier, a public dinner was
given on the capitol grounds .and a grand military ball was held at night
in the capitol building, and scores of the most prominent people in the
state were present to participate in the festivities. General La Fayette
was accompanied by his son, George Washington La Fayette, and by his
secretary, Colonel Lavoisier. Some eight or ten visiting companies were
on hand. The marshals of the day were John S. Thomas and R. L.
Buchanan. The military organizations were under the chief command
of General Daniel Newman, of the state militia, who made quite an
impressive appearance in his handsome regimentals. Says Maj. Stephen
H. Miller,, who commanded one of the visiting companies: *
"Wishing to show ourselves and to get a glimpse of the nation's
guest, the writer's company, the La Fayette Volunteers from Twiggs,
organized for the occasion, marched into town and halted opposite the
Government House, where General La Fayette was quartered. Our Cap
tain went in and was introduced by Governor Troup; then the Captain
introduced the three Revolutionary veterans, William Duffel, John
Shine, and1 Charles Raley, to General La Fayette, who, on seeing Father
Duffel, cordially embraced him, saying, ' I remember you well; you were
one of my bodyguard, and helped to carry me from the field when I
was wounded at Brandywine; I am happy to see you.'
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"Two tables, each about one hundred yards long, with cross-tables
of fifty feet at the ends, were covered with barbecue, roast beef, bread
and other edibles.
'' At the upper end, in the center, General La Fayette, with Governor
Troup on one side, and Colonel Seaborn Jones, his aide, who was master
of ceremonies, on the other side, of the Nation's guest. Governor Troup's
staff, including Colonel Henry G. Lamar, Colonel Samuel T. Bailey,
Colonel Samuel A. Bailey, Colonel Yelverton P. King, Colonel John W.
A. Sanford, and perhaps others, were arranged at the same end of the
table, all taking part in the administration of order, in the proper ob
servance of etiquette, and some of them reading the regular toasts pre
pared by the Committee of Arrangements.
'' The author was within seeing and hearing distance of the General.
His son, George Washington La Fayette, was also pointed out. The lat-
* "Bench and Bar of Georgia," Stephen H. Miller.
Vol. 1—35