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546 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
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ter's head was bald; and the father's wig gave him the advantage in
youthful appearance. Colonel Lavoisier, the author could not identify.
There was quite an array of public characters present, men known in
the history of Georgia, among them, General John Clarke, formerly
Governor of Georgia.
'' The appetite being satisfied with strong meat, next came the wine,
bottles of which, with wine glasses, were distributed on the tables so
that every one could have a share. Then a proclamation was made by
Colonel Jones, 'Gentlemen, fill your glasses for a toast from General
La Fayette.' Thereupon the Apostle of Liberty, the companion and
bosom friend of Washington, rose to his feet, and in broken English,
which all heard with delight, he gave 'The Georgia Volunteers: the
worthy sons of my Eevolutionary brethren.' Cheer after cheer re
sounded, the music struck up ' Hail to the Chief,' the cannon uttered its
loud rejoicing, .and soon all was quiet again.
" 'Prepare for a toast from Governor Troup,' was the next order;
and, with solemn, distinct enunciation, our Julius Caesar of a Chief
Magistrate gave forth, 'A union of all hearts to honor the Nation's guest,
a union of all heads for the country's good.' Again the air was rent
with cheers, the band played a national march, and the cannon fairly
jarred the square.
"The next order was, 'Prepare for a toast from General Clarke.'
Until then the author had never seen this celebrated party leader. In
response to the call, a tall, bony man, with an open, honest face, rose at
the table and, in a shrill voice, gave ' Count Pulaski, the gallant French
man who fell at Savannah,' and we emptied our glasses in honor of the
French Count, as though history had not been contradicted by the state
ment. [Count Pulaski was a native of Poland.] General,La Fayette
must have esteemed it a special compliment to himself for such renown
to be transferred to France in the presence of such an assemblage of
witnesses. Whether the mistake was accidental or otherwise, it did not
detract in the slightest degree from the valor or integrity of General
Clarke. At most it only signified that his youth was spent in fighting
the battles of his country, instead of being enervated within the walls
of a college.
"It should be remembered that before the military retired from the
square they were formed into line, and General La Fayette, leaning on the
arm of Governor Troup, walked along a little lame, and shook hands
with every man, officer and private, Colonel Jones officiating in the in
troduction. The author was mentioned to him as 'Sergeant M———,'
and the response was, 'Sergeant M———, I am very glad to see you.'
This joy was expressed to all, and was more than reciprocated by all
the volunteers. The hand of General La Fayette had been grasped—that
was glory enough then. It is still a pleasant remembrance, but thirty
years of hardship in the camp of life have rather tended to prove, to
the author at least, that glory is not communicated in so easy and simple
a manner."
While the banquet to General La Fayette was in progress two very
sensational events occurred on the Capitol lawn, and there might have
been a panic had it not been for the calm demeanor of Maj.-Gen. Daniel
Newnan, who was in chief command of the troops. The first episode