Читать книгу Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825 (Vol. 1&2) - Auguste Levasseur - Страница 11

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Entertainment given by the Society of Cincinnati: origin and statutes of the society: visit to the public establishments: dinner given by the French of New York: ball at Castle Garden.

On his return to New York, General Lafayette was informed that the society of Cincinnati intended to celebrate the next day, 6th of September, the anniversary of his birth, and he received an invitation to dine with them, which he willingly accepted. About four o’clock in the afternoon, a long file of venerable men arrived, marching two and two, holding each other by the arm for the sake of mutual support, which the weight of years rendered necessary. They were preceded by a military band, with which their tottering steps found it difficult to keep time. We went down to meet them, and were received into their ranks; a decoration of the order of Cincinnatus which had been worn by Washington, was attached to the button hole of Lafayette, and we commenced our march for the hotel where we were to dine. It was truly a touching sight to behold these old soldiers, the glorious remains of the war of Independence, conducting amongst them the companion of Washington, the adopted son of America. The crowd of people that filled the streets through which we passed, showed by their serious and silent conduct the respect which this procession inspired. The hall prepared for the entertainment, was adorned with trophies of arms, and with sixty banners bearing the names of the principal heroes who died for liberty during the revolutionary war. The repast was animated by the frank and cordial joy of all these old soldiers, who were delighted at the recollection of the dangers they had shared together. I had the pleasure to be placed at table by the side of General Fish, who at Yorktown commanded a battalion of intrepid militia, which under the orders of Lafayette, entered the English entrenchments with charged bayonets. He was kind enough to relate to me the details of this glorious action, and indeed of the whole campaign. The vivacity of his recital, which made me forget his seventy years, and the interesting traits of patriotism which were mingled with it, inspired a very lively interest. “I am well aware,” said he, in terminating, “that this campaign of Virginia, cannot be compared to your campaigns of Germany or Italy; neither were our fatigues and privations equal to your disasters on the retreat from Moscow.” “Neither,” added I, “can your results be compared with ours; you have won happiness and liberty, and we have riveted our chains and those of all Europe.” This melancholy reflection, poisoned for an instant the pleasure I enjoyed at this feast of patriotism and gratitude.

Towards the conclusion of the repast, a curtain was suddenly drawn at the end of the hall, and a grand transparency shown, exhibiting Washington and Lafayette holding each other by the hand, before the altar of liberty, and receiving a civic wreath from the hands of America. This sight caused new transports of joy among the company, the expression of which was only interrupted for a moment by the strong voice of General Swartwout, who suddenly began to read the order of the day at York-town, on the 17th of October, 1781.

Head Quarters, before York, Oct. 15th, 1781.

The Marquis de Lafayette’s division will mount the trenches to-morrow.

The commander in chief congratulates the allied army on the success of the enterprize last evening, against the two important redoubts on the left of the enemy’s work. He requests the Baron Viomenil who commanded the French grenadiers, and the Marquis de Lafayette, who commanded the American light infantry, to accept his warmest acknowledgments, for the excellency of their disposition, and for their own gallant conduct on the occasion; and he begs them to present his thanks to every individual officer, and to the men of their respective commands, for the spirit and rapidity with which they advanced to the points of attack assigned them, and for the admirable firmness, with which they supported themselves under the fire of the enemy, without returning a shot.

The general reflects with the highest pleasure on the confidence which the troops of the two nations must have hereafter in each other; assured of mutual support, he is convinced there is no danger, which they will not cheerfully encounter, no difficulties which they will not bravely overcome.

Prolonged applauses followed the reading of this order, and the hall was shaken by three cheers, when the company were soon brought back to sentiments of a different nature, by the plaintive voice of General Lamb, who sung a ballet composed in 1792, during the imprisonment of Lafayette in the Austrian dungeons, and which was then very popular in America.

As beside his cheerful fire,

’Midst his happy family,

Sat a venerable Sire,

Tears were starting in his eye—

Selfish blessings were forgot,

While he thought on Fayette’s lot—

Once so happy on our plains,

Now in poverty and chains.

Fayette! cried he, honour’d name;

Dear to these far distant shores,

Fayette, fir’d by Freedom’s flame,

Bled to make that freedom ours.

What, alas! for thee remains;

What but poverty and chains?

Soldiers! in the field of death

Was not Fayette foremost there?

Cold and shiv’ring on the heath,

Did ye not his bounty share?

What for this your friend remains;

What but poverty and chains?

Born to honour, ease and wealth,

See him sacrifice them all;

Sacrificing even health

At our country’s glorious call;

What reward for this remains;

What but poverty and chains?

Thus, with laurels on his brow,

Belisarius begged for bread:

Thus from Carthage forc’d to go,

Hannibal an exile fled.

Fayette now at once sustains

Exile, poverty and chains.

Courage, child of Washington,

Though thy fate disastrous seems;

We have seen the setting sun,

Rise, and burn with brighter beams.

Thy country soon shall break thy chain

And take thee to her arms again.

Soon after, the lateness of the hour, and the necessity of terminating the fatigues resulting from the variety of emotions we had experienced during this festival, caused us to separate. Returning to the City Hotel, I recollected how often I had heard the order of Cincinnatus mentioned in Europe, and attacked by some persons with violence as tending to destroy republican equality; and quoted by others to justify the orders of knighthood, or privileged orders of European monarchies. However, what I had seen since my arrival in the United States, did not show the existence of any order created or tolerated by the laws, and destructive equality; but to dissipate all doubt on the subject, I made inquiries next morning of one of our friends, with whom we had dined, who called to visit General Lafayette. He presented me a small pamphlet containing an account of the origin and regulations of the Society of Cincinnati. A perusal of this pamphlet convinced me that the character of this society had been ignorantly or maliciously misrepresented in Europe, and that it is no more a privileged society in the United States than the Benevolent Society of Paris, or the Bible Society of England. The Society of Cincinnati is nothing more than a voluntary association of the ancient officers of the revolutionary army, united with the double object of perpetuating the memory of their patriotic labours, and for the aid of such members as age and infirmities may render necessitous; as to the ribband and badge worn by the society, it is only regarded as an ornament which the members wear exclusively on public occasions, and not as a decoration authorized or sanctioned by the government.

The Society of Cincinnati has nothing in it dangerous to equality, since it possesses no privilege. However, from all parts of the union, accusations were made that the founders of the society wished, under the guise of benevolence, and patriotic recollections, to sow the seed of a hereditary nobility. It is difficult to determine at present whether the founders, or at least some among them had, or had not some such prospective view in making the proposition; but it is certain, that the article of the regulations allowing the sons to succeed the father, were very capable of giving offence to republicans as jealous of equality as the Americans. Every one attacked with vivacity, the absurd principle of hereditary transmission, which found enemies throughout the country. Among the writings which appeared at the time on the subject, a letter of Franklin, addressed to his daughter, who had sent to him in France the papers announcing the formation of the society, which has all the piquancy and originality of that author, placed this matter in a very ridiculous light, and contains such conclusive, and at the same time, such pleasant arguments against hereditary nobility, that no one can read it without being convinced.11

The sentiments of Franklin, and the opinion of the public, did not prevent the formation of the Society of Cincinnati, but reduced it to its just value; that is, every one became accustomed to regard this corps merely as a benevolent association, and with pleasure paid a tribute of respect to the members, who had acquired a right thereto by their former services, and personal character. But the aristocratic principle of hereditary succession was so much ridiculed that few sons ventured to succeed their fathers in the society, and in some states they are no longer admitted.

After our return to the city, our time was principally occupied in the examination of the public works and forts, which protect the port and bay of New York. The most remarkable among them is fort Lafayette, situated at the narrows, near the point of Long Island; its fire readily crosses with that from the opposite fort on Staten Island. The garrison officers belonging to a detachment of the regular army of the United States, gave the general a very cordial reception, and pointed out all the interesting particulars of the fort, which has the advantage of being bomb proof, without being exposed to the inconvenience of the cannon smoke, which finds free exit by open galleries into the interior of the yard. The rain which fell abundantly prevented us from examining the other forts with much attention.

Of all the public schools we visited, that which inspired the most lively interest was the Free School for young Africans, founded and directed by the Abolition Society. The general was accompanied in this school as he had been in all the others by a great number of ladies, who all pay assiduous attention to establishments of this sort. He was there informed he had been unanimously elected member of the society, at the same time with Granville Sharpe, and Thomas Clarkson. This election agreed well with his character and declared opinions relative to negro slavery, and appeared to excite in him considerable feeling. Immediately afterwards a black child advanced and said with vivacity, “You see, General, these hundreds of poor African children before you; they participate with the white children in the blessings of education: like them they learn to cherish the recollection of the services you have rendered to America, and moreover they revere in you an ardent friend to the emancipation of our race, and a worthy member of the society to which we owe so much gratitude.”

It would be tedious and difficult for me to give exact details concerning all the benevolent establishments we visited in the city of New York. They are very numerous and as each of them has been erected by an association or voluntary union of individuals, it would require a particular history of each to make them properly known. In general we may say that all these establishments are under the protection, and not under the influence of the law. The majority of the active offices are discharged by persons who receive neither perquisites nor salaries, but regard their appointments as honorable testimonials of public esteem, and they discharge their duties with a zeal and probity which justifies it. Only the inferior officers, whose time is altogether employed, commonly receive salaries. Most of these establishments are founded by societies or by legacies; and supported either by public subscriptions or by appropriations of the government. Thus for example, in examining the books of the Orphan Asylum, founded in 1806, we discovered that this establishment in the course of the year 1822, received from the legislature of the state five hundred dollars; two hundred and eighty-seven dollars as a part of the funds allowed to the public schools by the state; fourteen hundred and thirty dollars from private subscriptions; five thousand dollars, a legacy from Jacob Sherred; twenty-five dollars, the interest of a legacy from Mrs. Mary Williams; 390 dollars from anonymous donors; 17,000 dollars from the Magdalen Society; nineteen dollars for work done by the children, &c. &c. and a host of private donations, such as books, shoes, cloth, buttons, &c. &c. Whatever may be the nature and value of the donations, they are received and scrupulously registered along with the names of the donors. By the aid of these supplies judiciously directed, this house has received from 1806 to 1822, and educated 440 children, of which 243 are already established advantageously in society.

In the alms-house there are more than 1000 individuals of both sexes and all ages.

The great hospital of New York may contain nearly two thousand patients. The insane, although under the same superintendence, are kept in a separate building.

In all these institutions, we were struck with the neatness of the chambers, the whiteness of the linen, the good quality of the food, and especially with the mild and kind treatment of the superintendents towards the persons under their charge. It was easy to perceive that the directors are encouraged by something more precious than emoluments, public esteem.

The persons who accompanied us, and appeared to be well informed, assured us that there were more than forty charitable and philanthropic societies in New York, whose continued zeal contributed much to the support of all the establishments we had visited, as well as to the relief of private misfortunes.

After visiting the Academy of Arts, where among a great quantity of casts, engravings and paintings, there is nothing very remarkable except a collection of paintings by Trumbull, and a collection of engravings presented to the Academy by the emperor Napoleon, we went to the public library. It contains more than 20,000 volumes, well selected and in good order. The library is open every day except Sunday; none but stockholders can take out the books; the number of stockholders is about five hundred.

During our stay at New York we several times visited the two theatres, of which it would be difficult for me to give any opinion, because every time that Lafayette appeared there, he became so much the object of public attention, and the tumult caused by the expression of the pleasure of the spectators was so great that it was impossible for the actors to continue their parts; they were only allowed to sing some verses in honour of the Companion of Washington, the Captive of Olmutz, or the Guest of the Nation. Some persons of taste that I questioned informed me that the stock pieces of these theatres were from England, and generally but poorly selected, and that their companies of actors were usually feeble. These two houses are evidently too small for so numerous a population, and their construction does not correspond either to the beauty or wealth of the city of New York.12 The rational answer of the citizen to this, is, that before thinking of luxury and pleasure, it is necessary to take care for useful things, and that they should be very much humiliated if strangers were not more struck with the commodiousness and beauty of their works of public utility than with the elegance of their theatres.

On the 9th we attended a concert of sacred music given in St. Paul’s Church, where the general was received with the Marseilles’ Hymn. The number and elegance of the ladies was very remarkable. The different pieces we heard were executed with an effect which we had not previously heard from any of the choirs or orchestras in the United States; for it must be allowed that music is still in its infancy in this country. The causes are sufficiently obvious; on the one hand the English language is but slightly musical, on the other the Americans have not yet time to devote to the merely pleasing arts.—They have no school of music;13 there are some European artists, who endeavour to diffuse a taste for the science, but these generally find access solely to the very rich families, which are almost as rare as the artists themselves.

After leaving St. Paul’s church, we visited the park in front of the City Hall, where the firemen were drawn up in line, and the General reviewed them. After reviewing this new species of militia, but not less useful than that which is called to the defence of the territory, they defiled with as much order as a division of artillery. We saw thus pass before us forty-six engines, each drawn and escorted by a company of about thirty men, led by a captain with a speaking trumpet. Each engine bore a standard and the emblems of the company. Many of these standards were adorned with portraits of men whose names are dear to the people. The equestrian portraits of Washington and Lafayette were peculiarly conspicuous. After all the engines had defiled we ascended to the balcony of the City Hall, the general was addressed by the commander-in-chief of the Firemen, and we next saw the manœuvres with the engines. They were all formed into a circle around a pyramid erected of the ladders and firehooks. At the top of this pyramid was placed a small house filled with combustible materials; it was set on fire, and on a signal being given, all the engines were worked at the same time with so much accuracy of aim that the whole was extinguished in two minutes. In all thus meeting at the same point, the spouts of water formed a most beautiful liquid dome, adorned with the colours of the rainbow.

On the 10th, we were engaged to dine with Colonel Fish; we were about to go there at four o’clock, when on going out, we found the 9th regiment of artillery drawn up before the hotel to escort Lafayette to the house of his friend. At the moment the general appeared, Colonel Muir commanding the regiment, advanced and presented him in the name of his comrades, a richly wrought sword, all the parts of which had been manufactured in New York. In expressing his thanks, General Lafayette said, “it is with pleasure and gratitude I receive this precious present from a corps of citizen soldiers, each of whom knows that steel was given to men to defend liberty, where it exists, and to gain it, where it has been destroyed by crowned and privileged usurpers.” This answer was received with loud applause, and the general was escorted by the regiment and a numerous concourse of citizens to the house of Colonel Fish. The day was terminated by some beautiful fire-works in honour of Lafayette.

The next day the general and his son were present at a masonic celebration of the Knights Templars, who admitted them to their lodge, and conferred upon them the highest honours, of which they presented them the richly wrought badges. In the evening, we dined with the French residents of New York, who wished to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the battle of Brandywine. The dinner was prepared at Washington Hall, and this patriotic and family festival was marked by a character both happy and original; many Americans, who were present, were struck with astonishment. Upon the very broad table a plan of the grand canal, in relief, was exhibited, which traversing the state of New York, unites Lake Erie with the Atlantic. This novel sort of chart occupied a length of sixty feet upon the table, where it was hollowed out of the thickness of the wood, and lined with lead; an extremely limpid water filled the canal, which was bordered with green sod, imitating meadows, in the midst of which were models of houses, trees and animals. Bridges beautifully crossing the stream, and masses of rock under which the canal passed, and forests through which it wound along, all combined to complete this unique masterpiece of topography. Over the centre of the table was a large sun in continual rotation. Allegorical pictures, full length portraits of Washington and Lafayette, and trophies of French and American flags, completed the decorations. Mr. Monneron presided over the entertainment. After dinner, which was animated with a frank and cordial joy, a great number of toasts were drank, all impressed with that character of energetic patriotism which distinguishes every thing said or done in a truly free country. I cannot resist the desire to insert some of them here.

By the committee. “The United States; their national welfare is imperishable; it is founded upon religion, industry, and liberty.”

By the President. “General Lafayette; we are proud that he is a Frenchman.” And he added, “Gentlemen, in the fourteenth century the Lafayettes of Auvergne, already ameliorated the condition of what were at that period called vassals.

“In the fifteenth century Marshal Lafayette drove the enemies of France from her territory.

“In the sixteenth Mademoiselle Lafayette was the model of beauty, virtue and charity.

“In the seventeenth century Madam Lafayette composed works which will descend to the remotest posterity.

“In the eighteenth century, General Lafayette was born, the enemy of tyranny, and passionate lover of liberty.

“During his youth, he came to support and defend the cradle of liberty in the United States.

“At a more advanced age, he appeared at the public bar, and spoke for liberty in Europe, as he knew how to defend it in America.

“From the tribune he entered into the ranks of the defenders of the country. I have seen him amidst the revolutionary dangers; his genius and coolness never abandoned him: prompt to conceive, ardent to execute, he always fought for true liberty.

“I am an ocular and faithful historian. Behold these trophies, these flags and standards, upon all of them is written, Liberty! Victory! Lafayette.”

To this toast the general replied by the following, “To the memory of the French who died in the cause of true liberty, from 1789 to the present day. Their manes demand of us, that so many sacrifices should not be lost to the country.”

By M. Diaz. “The memory of Riego and the other martyrs of liberty.—Crime, not the scaffold, brings disgrace.”

By Mr. Chevrolet. “France as I wish her to be; without factious conspiracies, without corrupt ministers, without mercenary accusers, and without that slow oppression which silently undermine their energy and vigour.”

Some stanzas to Lafayette, full of grace, harmony and patriotism, the composition of Mr. Pillet, read by Mr. Chegaray, completed the enthusiasm of the guests, who separated with cries, “Long live liberty! Long live Lafayette.”

During many weeks, preparations were made in the city of New York for a magnificent festival, which should surpass in taste and splendor any thing hitherto done in honor of Lafayette. The place chosen for the occasion was the circular fort, about six hundred feet in circumference, called Castle Garden, built formerly for the defence of New York, upon a mole in front of the Battery, now devoted to public amusements. A bridge of three hundred feet long joins the fort to the battery. We were to quit New York on the 14th to make an excursion up the Hudson, and the ball at Castle Garden took place on the 13th.—We went there in the evening by the light of an illumination, we found the bridge covered with rich carpets from one end to the other, and on each side bordered with a line of beautiful green trees. In the middle of the bridge arose a pyramid sixty-five feet high, illuminated with coloured lamps, surmounted by a brilliant star in the centre of which blazed the name of Lafayette. Notwithstanding the magnificence of the entry, our surprize and admiration were strongly augmented on entering the circle of the fort. The hall, about six hundred feet in circumference, around which was a vast amphitheatre, containing nearly six thousand persons. An arch formed of the flags of all nations mingled with symmetry and elegance, was supported in the centre by a column sixty feet high. Over the principal entrance was a triumphal arch of flowers, surmounted by a colossal statue of Washington, resting upon two pieces of cannon. In the centre stood the genius of America, having on a shield these words, “To the Nation’s Guest.” In front of the gate raised upon a platform was a richly decorated marquee, ornamented with a bust of Hamilton; in front were two pieces of cannon taken at York-town. The marquee was intended for Lafayette. Around the hall thirteen columns, bore the arms of the first states of the confederation. This space was illuminated by a thousand torches, the brilliance of which was reflected by numerous stands of arms. When the general appeared, the air “See the conquering hero comes,” was played, and murmurs of approbation and respect accompanied him to his seat. At the same instant, the cloths which surrounded and enclosed the hall, were as rapidly raised as a theatrical scene, and the interior became visible to the eyes of the crowd, who had collected in boats about the battery, waiting for this moment. The pure and brilliant moon shone on the harbor, upon which batteaux and steam-boats were plying in every direction. A few minutes after the general was seated under the rich pavilion that had been prepared for him, a grand transparency was suddenly uncovered in front of him, and presented an exact picture of his residence at Lagrange, with its large ditches and fine gothic towers: having the following inscription below it, “Here is his home.” Lafayette was very much touched with this delicate idea of his friends, who wished to give to their entertainment, by the presence of this picture the character of a family festival. Several times during the evening, dances were attempted, but every time the general moved a step to approach them, the dancers broke off and came to group themselves around him. Time flew swiftly in this delightful assembly, and we were surprized at two o’clock to hear the signal for our departure. The steam-boat that was to convey us to Albany, approached the battery to receive us as we left the ball. We embarked with the committee which was to accompany the general, and a great number of ladies and citizens who were unwilling to separate from us. The boat received as many of them as possible. We parted on board with captain Allyn, of the Cadmus, who was to convey letters to our friends in France, and in spite of the darkness which succeeded to the setting of the moon, we got under weigh. We soon lost sight of Castle Garden, and instead of the joyous sounds of music, we heard nothing but the monotonous noise of the steam machinery struggling against the rapid waves of the Hudson.