Newspaper Page Text
No 12 Vol. Vl.]
.from the New York Commercial Advertiser of
August 17.
LANDING OF LAFAYETTE.
Agreeably to ihe arrangements previous
made, and which were announced in this
paper yesterday, the Marquis LAFAY
ETTE, the only surviving General of the
seven years’ war of our Revolution, was
conducted from Staten Island, and landed in
this city, amidst every demonstration of joy
and admiration, that our citizens could be
stow. The news of the General’s arrival
had spread through the surrounding coun
try with the rapidity of lightning; and from
the dawn of day until noon, the roads and
ferry boats were thronged with people who
were hastening to the city, to participate
in the fete, and testify their gratitude for
the services, and respect for the character
of the illustrious “ National Guest.” Our
citizens also turned out in immense num
hers, at an early hour, and, together with
the military, presented the most lively and
moving spectacle that we have witnessed on
any former occasion. The day was clear,
cool, anJ remarkably pleasant, which added
much to the comfort of our citizens, and
contributed largely to the general effect of
the splendid and patiiotick proceedings.
Unfortunately for themselves, a grea’
number of our most fashionable citizens
were absent; and among them bis honour
the Recorder, Alderman King, (he Assistant
Alderman Hone, all of whom were upon
the original committee of arrangement*.
When, however, the arrival of the General
we- announced, the Mayor promptly filled
th > places of the absentees from other mem
hers of the Board, and the arrangement-,
though ha-tily made, were judicious, ample,
and well executed. The committee hav
iog chartered the steam ship Robert Ful
tori, and the steam boats Chancellor Living
ston, Oliver Ellsworth, Henry Eckford
Connecticut, Bellona, Olive Branch, Nanti
lus, &c they were all superbly dressed
with flags and streamers of every nation,
and directed to meet and form an aquatick
escort between the south part of the Bade
ry and Governour’s i-land, arid thence pro
ceed in order to Staten l-land. The spec
tacle as the boats were assembling, wa
truly interesting and beautiful. The Bat
tery was crowded wii-h respectable people
of both sexes, Castle Garden was filled, and
every boa! that arrived to take its station,
was completely crowded with elegantly
dressed ladies and gentlemen. The ap
pearanc.e of the Robert Fulton, as she came
down the East River from the Navy yard,
escorted by the Connecticut and Oliver
Ellsworth, all superbly decorated, was rich
beyond description. Her yards were man
ned to Hie round-tops, with about two bund
red seamen from the Constitution, who
made an elegant appearance, and a battal
ion of marines, under the command of M <j.
Smith, was on hoard, with a hand of musick,
and many of the Naval Officer* upon (Li
station, together with several ladies and
private gentlemen.
Arrived at the place of rendezvous the
several vessels comprising the fleet look
their stations and proceeded in regular or
der t. the quarantine as follows: First, the
Chancellor Livingston, on hoard of which
were the Committee of the Corporation,
Major Gen ral Morton and suite, a number
of the members of the Cincinnati, including
Colonels Willett, Varick, Trumbull. Platt,
and others, toge.ther with a few ladies, sev
oral officers ami professors from West
Point, accompanied hy the excellent milita
vy band attached to that institution. On the
right of the Chancellor, and about a length
in rear, was the Connecticut, and on thr
lfcti, to correspond, was the Oliver El!*
worth. Directly in the rear of the Chan
cellor, was the Robert Fulton, whose lofty
masts and wide spread arms, which literally
swarmed with men, towered proudly above
her less pretending, but not Ipss gay and
beautiful consorts. On the right of the
Robert Fulton, about a length in the rear,
was the Bellona, and on the left, the Henry
Eckford, in a station to correspond-, and the
squadron was closed by the Olive Branch
and N HUlilufl. The siguals exchanged, and
the steam boats having attained their sta
(ions, as above stated, the squadron got on
der way, amidst the cheers of thousands of
delighted spectators. The view of tin*
fleet will perhaps never he forgotten. It
was not only unique, but beyond a doubt one
of the most splendid spectacles ei-pr witnes
sed on this part of the globe. The squad
ron, hearing six thousand of our fellow citi
zens, majestically took its course towards
Staten Island, there to take on hoard our
long-expected and honoured guest. At 1
o’clock, the fleet arrived at Staten Island,
and, in a few minutes, a landau was seen
approaching the hotel, near the. ferry.
The Marquis, the Vice President, and the
Ex Governour Ogden, of New Jersu y, hav
ing alighted, a procession was formed, and
the venerable stranger, supported by these
geutlemen, followed by all the officers of
the Island, and a crowd of citizens, passed
through a triumphal arch, round which was
tastefully entwined the French and Ameri
can colours. As soon as the Marquis and
suite entered on the broad stairs, connected
with and leading to the steam boat which
was to convey him to the ciiy, he was re
ceived by the Committee of the Common
Council, who conducted httn on board the
THE MISSIONARY.
Chancellor. On entering this splendid ves
sel, the marines paid him military honours.
Hs was now introduced to the Committees
from most of our honoured Associations, and
the General Officers representing the In
fantry. The West Point band all this lime
were playing “See the Conquering Hero
( -omes,” “On pent on etre mieux ,” “ Hail
Colombia,” and the “ Marsellais Hymn.”
The steam ship now fired a salute, and
the whole squadron got under way for the
city in the same order as before, except
‘hat the Bellona and Olive Branch fastened
each side to the Cadmus , (the ship which
brought the General from France,) decorat
ed with colour-, and filled with passpno-ers,
najesiically moved up the Bay. Tne sea
was smooth and placid, end the breeze cool
md agreeable. Decidedly the most mter
e-ting sight was the reception of the Gen
era! by his old companions in arms: Colo
nel Marions Willet, now in his eighty fifth
year, General Van Cortland, General
Clarkson, and other worthies whom we
have mentioned. Col. Fish, General Lew
is, and several of his comrades, were absent.
He embraced them all affectionately, and
Col. Willet again and again. He knew and
remembered them nil. It was a re-onion
of a long separated family.
After Ihe ceremony of embracing and
congratulations were over, be sat down
■iiong-ide of Col. Willet, who grew young
again and fought all his battles o’er. “Do
you remember,” said he, “at the battle of
Monmouth, I was volunteer aid to General
Scott ? I saw you in the heat of battle.
You were but a boy, but you were a seri
ous and sedate lad. Aye, aye; I remem
ber well. AnJ on (he Mohawk, I sent you
fifty Indians, and you wrote me, that they
-et up uch a yell that they frightened the
British horse, and they ran one way and the
Indians another.”
No person who witnessed this interview,
will ever forget it; many an honest tear
was shed on Ihe occasion. The young men
retired at a little distance, while Ihe vene
rable soldiers were indulging recollections,
and were embracing each other again and
tgaiu; and the Rurronndiqg youth silently
dropt ihe tear they could no longer restrain.
Such sincere, such honest feelings, were
never more plainly or truly expressed
Ihe sudden change of the countenance of
the Marquis, plainly evinced the emotion
he endeavoured to suppress. He manfully
supported this truly trying-ituation for some
lime, when a revolutionary story from the
venerable Millet, recalled circumstances
long passed: Ihe incident, the friend allud
ed to, made the Marquis sigh; and hi
swelling heart was relieved when he bnrsi
into tears. The sympaihetick feeling ex
tended to all present; and even Ihe hardy
lar rubb and away (he tear he could no long
er restrain.
—“Quit temperet a lacrymis t.dlea ftneio.”
1 he sci-ne was too affecting to be contin
ii'-d, and one of (he Cincinnati, anxious to
divert the attention of the Marquis, bis eyes
flouting with tears, announced the near ap
proach -if the steam ship. The Marquis
advanced to the quarter railing, where he
was no sooner perceived by the multitude,
th in an instantaneous cheer most loudly
expressed the delight they- experienced.
The other steam boats in succession pre
sented themselves, ami passed, each giving
threp enthusiastic!; cheers. The Marqu>
was delighted, and especially with the ac
tivity and quickness with which 200 of our
gallant seamen manned the yards of the
steam frigate previously to ihe salute.—
About 2 P. M. the fleet arrived off the Bat
lery. What an impressive scene! 3000
men, making a splendid appearance, form
ed in a line with a battering train The
ramparts and parapets of the Castle were
lined with ladies and gentlemen. The
(lag- staff, the windows, and even the roofs
of the houses facing the Bay, were literal
ly crowded with spectators.’ Hundreds of
boats and wherries surrounded the Battery
The Marquis left the Chancellor in a barge
commanded by Capt. Rodgers, of the Na
vy, accompanied by (he Committee of the
Corporation, and the Cincinnati, the Gene
rals of Infantry, &c. and landed amidst the
cheers and acclamations of 30,000 people,
who filled the Castle, Battery, and surroun
ding grounds within ight. The Marquis
now entered the Castle, which was taste
fully carpeted from the landing place to the
receiving rooms, lie here partook of some
refreshment, and was introduced to some
distinguished citizens. Perceiving the
restless anxiety of nearly 3000 persons in
the Castle, to see him, Ihe Marquis advanc
ed to the centre of the area of the Castle,
and was greeted with loud cheers, expres
sive of as honest and generous feelings as
were ever spontaneously manifested by any
people on the face of the earth.
An officer from General Benedict now
announced to Gen. Morton, all was ready
for the review, and the Marquis, supported
by the Major Generals, and followed by the
Committee, officers of the navy, army, and
militia, reviewed the troops. Agon now
announced the order to march, and the
General entered a beautiful barouche,
drawn by four grey horse* ; and the whole
cavalcade moved in the direction of the
City Hall.
1 he assemblage of citizens, independent
of the military, at the Battery, in Castle
, . Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gosp*l to everv creature.— -Je&u Christ.
Ofall the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indir-pensable supports.— Washington.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 0, 1824.
Garden, in State street, through Broadway,
and in the vicinity of the City Hall, was im
mense; and, from the respectability and
order of the persons composing it, splendid
and interesting beyond description. Thro’
this dense and towering host, (for the doors,
casements, railings, windows, chimneys,
and turrets of the buildings, were hnng
with spectators,)’ the General wascoDveyed
in a barouche drawn by four horses, follow
ed and preceded by the Lafayette Guards,
through the whole distance to the City
Hall, which is near a mile. The General
rode uncovered, and received the unceas
ing scouts and the congratulations of 50,000
freemen, with tears and smiles which be
spoke how deeply he felt the pride and
glory of the occasion. The ladies, from
every tier of windows, waived their white
handkerchiefs, and hundreds, unloosed by
their fair owners, were seen floating in the
air. He was evidently much embarrassed,
and even afflicted, with the conflicting and
powerful sensibilities which were called up
and kept in action by the continued and uni
versal demonstrations of love, which pro
ceeded from every age, sex, and condition,
of our people. Several attempts were
made by the people, both in going up and
returning through Broadway, to take the
horses from the General’s carriage, and
draw him in triumph themselves.
On the steps of the City Hall were as
sembled, having a space in the centre, a
great number of ladies, many of whom step
ped forward and gave the General their
bands as he passed along. The general
enthusiasm also extended to the children of
all ages; the name of the Hero continually
reverberated from their lips, giving to Fay
ette a heart appealing evidence that his
memory has been hallowed al every family
altar, and that future generations, as well
is this, will be familiar with his name, and
echo hi* prai-es. After his return to the
City Hotel he had the extraordinary con
de-cension and good feeling to come out and
-hake hands with G or 700 American youth,
the future conservatories of his fume.
This circumstance has planted in the minds
of these little ones, the strongest affection
(or the man, which will go with them thro 1
lile, and endure tiil ils close.
On the General’s being presented to the
Mayor, the latter addressed him in feeling
and impressive terms, formally welcoming
and congratulating him on his safe arrival
ui the country which he had so eminently
served, and so powerfully aided, in the
great struggle for freedom and indepen
dence. The General expressed, in a vpry
feeling manner, his thanks for the kind and
affectionate manner in which he had been
received by our citizens, and the high grati
fication he felt in witnessing the great im
provements in our City since the gloomy pe
tio lof his former visit. We have not
been r.Jde lo procure copies of these ad
dret-ses for publication this evening.
He was then introduced to the members
of the Board separately ; after which, Mr.
Cowdrey offered a resolution, that the Gov
ernour’s Room, in the City Hall, should be
at the General s service during his stay
here, to receive the visits of his friends,
and that the Board dispense with the ordin
ary business, and immediately adjourn.
The resolution was unanimously adopted,
and the Board adjourned to meet at 4 o’-
clock on Wednesday next. The General
then, in company with the Common Coun
cil and military officers, descended in front
of the hall and received the marching sa
lute of the Brigade, which, notwithstanding
the short notice, was as full, and appeared
as well, severally, as usual. The review
being over, the General ascended to the
Governour’s room, where the officers of
the corps were introduced. -
The ceremonies at the Hall having been
concluded, the General, attended byGener
al Morton and the Committee, repaired to
his lodgings at the City Hotel, where the
members of the Corporation and a number
of others dined with him as guests. In the
evening the front of the City Hotel and
several other buildings, were handsomely
illuminated. The theatres, publick gar
dens, &,c. displayed transparencies, fire
works, and rockets, in honour of the occa
sion, and the evening passed off with great
hilarity ; nor did we hear of a single acci
dent to mar the pleasures of the day.
The General is in excellent health and
spirits, and we ure happy to learn that he
feels little inconvenience from the fatigue
of the day, which must have been very
great. „ ‘ J
Among the veterans of the Revolution
who were brought together on this anima
ting occasion, were four officers, who, in
the commencement of that conflict, were
attached to the Ist New York regiment,
commanded by Col McDugal, and who all
served in the daring though unfortunate ex
pedition of Montgomery against Qoebeck,
viz: Capt. Willett, Capt. Varick, Military
Secretary of Maj. Gen. Schuyler, Lieut.
Rlatt, acting Adjutant General, and Lieut.
Bleecker. To show the anxiety of the
surviving veterans to greet their old com
panion, we mention the fact, that an express
was sent off to Maj. Gen. Philip Van Court
landt, of Westchester, a distance of 47
miles, which arrived during Sunday night;
and at 9 o’clock, the General, who is 30
years ol age, embarked on board the Chan-
cellor, having travelled the whole distance
overland! The General’s inquiries after
many ol his old companions, were numer
ous; and, in speaking ot General Hamilton,
having learnt that the widow yet survives,
he was prompt to call upon her at 9 o’clock,
last evening.
A. curious circumstance occurred in the
elements at Staten Island on Sunday after
noon which, in a superstitious age & coun.
try* might have been regarded a* a happy
omen. A heavy shower arose about 4 o’-
clock ; but as the thick black cloud passed
over Staten Island, it separated, and while
the rain descended in torrents in this city,
and south of the Quarantine Guard, the sun
shone upon the seat of the Vice President,
in all ils brightness. After passing the is
land, the clouds again milled, and an iris, as
perfect, bright and beautiful as ever was
seen, appeared in the east, its bases resting,
apparantly, upon Castle Fayette, at the
Narrows, and the Battery. Thus, as it
were, the very Heavens both wept and
smiled for joy.
At sunset, Mr. Gunthersent up fr*m Cas
tle Garden his balloon, representing ihe fa
mous horse Eclipse, mounted by an ancient
knight in armour, and the effect upon the
assembled thousands was announced by gen
eral and animaling huzzas.
Such is a faint outline of the proceeding
of a day which shines proudly in the annals
of our country—proceedings which were
more brilliant than any that have ever
been witnessed in America, and which will
rarely if ever be equalled. It was a proud
day lor the cause ol enlightened and liberal
principles. As to (be pageant, we should
suppose from the accounts then published,
that the landing of Ihe king of England at
Leith, in 1822, would lortn the nearest par
allel. But the occasion, and the circum
stances, were widely different. No fulsome
adulation was here extorted by the power
or splendour of royally, hut every move
ment were Ihe spontaneous bursts of admir
ation and gratitude for the character and
services of a great benefactor of the whole
civilized world, come among us in a private
capacity, and in Ihe unaffected attire of
Republican simplicity.
OLD SETTLEMENTS IN FLORIDA.
Pensacola , 1821.
Gentlemen : The exigence of the old
Spanish settlements in Florida, deslrovod
hy the Creek anil Cherokee Indians about
a century ago, i believe, is merely noticed
by a few writers, but no foil and satisfacto
ry account of them is to he found. When
at Washington, I carefully examined Ihe
publick library for information relative to
Florida, but with very little success; I met
with nothing except in Romans, and I think
io Bertram, respecting these unfortunate
settlements, one- so flourishing and exten
sive, and whose history migh* form a very
interesting page in American annals.
From Capt. Burch, who has lately return
ed from surveying the ground for Ihe na
tional highway, from Pensacola lo St. Aug
ustine, I have learned some very interest
ing particulars, as well as regards Ihecnun
try through which he passed, as of the tra
gical fate of the Spanish population just
mentioned. The distance from the Ocko
lockony, to the Suwany, (St. Juan) rivers,
is about eighty miles, and the greater part
of the country lying north of the road, bor
dering the Georgia line, is uncommonly
fine, the lands, in general, of the bpst qual
ity, and capable of supporting, for at least
twenty mile 9 in width, a dense population.
It is principally in this fine tract of country,
the traces of the old Spanish settlements
are to be found. The first is fort St Louis,
, situated six miles east of the Ocolocko
ny, and N. by W. 25 miles from St. Mark-.
The place has mure the appearance of hav
ing been a fortified town, than a mere for
tification. North of this,about twelve miles,
there wa9 another fort ; Northeast of this,
about the same distance, there was a fort
in the direction of the Mikasuky towns ; be
sides, there were between St. Loins and
the Suwany, (this fort included.) five other
fortifications,the most considerable of which
were at Anstila, (probably Aspalaga,) and
Sanbila, (perhaps Ayavala,) about 2G miles
wc9tofthe Suwany. The Indians informed
Capt. Burch, that there was another a few
miles from Mickasuky, where some brick
walk were still visible.
Fort St. Louis was built on an elevated
spot of ground around a hollow, from the
bottom of which issue two springs that I’urn
ish au abundant supply of water, but which,
after running hut a few yards, again sink
into the ground. One of these, on being
opened by Capt. Burch, displayed the wood
en box or trunk in which it had been en
closed ; they were overshadowed by a
beautiful live oak tree. This place is about
twenty five miles of the principal Fort of
the scttlemets which was situated on the
East bank of the Ocolockooy; near its
mouth, (perhaps Ocon,) w hich, it is presum
ed, was the entrepot of all the others.
There were oo settlements between the
Ocolockony and Appalache, except one,
about fifteen miles northwest of San Louis.
The country just described exhibits,even
at this day, many appearances, which serve
to prove that it had once sustained a very
dense population. The forests, especially
about St. Loui, for many miles, uppear to
[Price $3 50 per ann.
be of a second growth, excepting the occa
sional shade trees, which are of primeva
date, and of enormous size. The lands ari
every where cut np wiih ditches, whicl
are supposed by some to have been foo
paths leading to the different plantations
but this is rendered impossible from thei
depth, their narrowness, and straightness
Captain Burch met with an old Indian neai
Tallahnsse, of the Creek nation, who ap
peared to be of great age, and who inform
ed him that he had been in the war wbicj
destroyed these settlements. His agi
could not be precisely ascertained, bo
trom circumstances, it was thought that J
could not be less than one hundred an|
thiity or forty; accordiog to his accouu]
he had left off hunting, about the time th
warrior, now the oldest in the nation e:
cept himself, was just beginning to hunj
He recollects our revolutionary war, b|
was then too old to take an active part |
it. Neamathla, the Seminole chief, W H
is about seventy years of ago, was a hc|
when he had left off going to war. Til
old Indian was brought by his daughiel
his eye sight had failed a good deal, but l]
walked tolerably well wiih the asistan|
of a staff. His daughter appeared to a
a middle aged woman, and what is -jngul al
nearly all his children were begottnn in il
old age. At the lime of the war with tl
Spaniards he was in the prime of his lil
and recollects very particularly all its cl
cumstances, and which he seems to ta|
great pleasure in relating. The Indi J
had made repeated attempts on St. Loti
hut were as repeatedly repulsed, unable!
withstand the cannon. They then must!
ed their whole force, and after laying wal
ihe whole country, they made a final off*
by investing the fortified places,and endej
nnriog to starve them out. They wri
encamped principally on the North side!
the Foit; the Spaniards prepared evil
thing for evacuating it, and retired in 1
night to the fort on the Ocolockooy. ‘ll
first intimation to the Indians of the retr*
was the explo.-ion of ihe Fort: the cantl
was so much injur-d as to he unfit I
n-e. The country haring thus fallen il
Iheir hands, together wiih ihe Yarn:!
tribe of Indians, with whom the Spaniaß
had intermarried, and lived on tiie nH
friendly footing; ihe males were all il
troyed, and the women taken for wive*!
slaves. But the country had been sol
tirely cleared, that there was no game, I
ihe domestic!? animals having been destil
ed during the war, Ihe great body of I
Indians returned to their nation. Thel
diaris wbo remained formed anew rfl
who were called Seminole*, which, in|
H itchy language, signifies, run wild. ‘I
old Indian himself went to the AppalachH
la—no Indians lived near St. Louis cH
ihe forests grew up, when he returfl
about the time the Tallahasse and Mickl
ky towns were built. He represents®
Spanish population to have been very*
merous, but could give no precise idejl
to (heir numbers. They had horses, Iff
no wheeled carriages. Their prior®
highway, some of the causeway of whiiE
-till visible, was not more than six or eßj
feet wide, but well made ; every thingH
iransported on horseback,excepthog-hfM
which were rolled by men. The InrH
bad no fire arms, being armed with
and arrows, and clubs. In order to I
tect themselves from the effect of the *3
they suspended thick board* about I
necks, but which did not always answei
purpose. Ihe Indians have preserv
superstitious story, which keeps them t
awful distance from San Louis. They
that Ihp Spaniards, on quitting San L
buried their church ornaments, and
them some bottles of medicine, (mag
which would prove fatal to them if
touched. They cannot he prevailed
to accompany the whites there, eve
shew the place.
Beyond the Suwaney, towards th
John’s, including Picolala,on the St. Ji
there are seven settlements or stai
they were fortified in the same way
those already mentioned, and sharei
same fate. These were Sn. Pedri
miles from the Suwaney ; Weechelno
Santaffy, (Sta. Fee,) Sokohooto, Inleri
Picolata, on the St. John’s, and a final
on the opposite or west side of the i
Picolata was the only fort afterwards
pied by the Spaniards until St. Marki
built. The Indians, from that day unt
inva-ion of Gen. Jackson in ’lB, siicces
prevented any of the whites from pet
ting this country, which, until (hat
was unknown or foigotlon by the civ
world, and greatly excited the surpr
the General and his troops in so unej
edly finding one of the finest distri
country in America. The Indians pi
ted Ihe Spaniards to occupy St. Marksjl
Picolata, for the purpose of trade, huff!
or permitted any of the whites to peni
the country. It is owing to this cif
stance that there are no Spanish J|
here, although its value is alone su/h
to pay the Florida debt. The cnmml
ers who have explored the country fJ’
purpose of fixing on the site for the f*
govermenf, and Governour Duvall
lately passed through it, all fully <1
with Capt. Burch in expressing the h|
admiration of this fine body of land |