HoehmTown Happenings

Recalling the Marquis De Lafayette Two Hundred Years After His last Visit to America

Two hundred years have passed since General Lafayette embarked on his “farewell” tour of the United States, where he received a fitting hero’s welcome. In recognition of the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s return, a series of celebrations and educational lectures and events are being organized across the country, retracing Lafayette’s steps and reminding today’s generations of the tremendous impact this hero had in forming our nation.

Lafayette was only 19 years-old when he left behind a life of wealth and privilege as a French nobleman to serve as a volunteer officer for the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. Lafayette was so enamored with the ideals of liberty and equality that he used his own money to buy a ship for his journey to the colonies when his father-in-law and the King of France objected to his mission. Then 45 years-old, General Washington was extremely skeptical of European noblemen seeking fame in fighting the British, but he was so impressed with the youngFrenchman’s enthusiasm and passion for the American cause that he took him under his wing and they quickly developed a father-son type bond. It was once said of Lafayette that he was a man of one ideal- liberty, which happened to become the ideal of the century.

As Washington’s trust in Lafayette grew, so did Lafayette’s rank. Proving his worth at every opportunity, Lafayette eventually became a General and along with Alexander Hamilton, led the last decisive skirmish at Yorktown leading to the eventual British surrender. Lafayette served bravely in battle, used significant amounts of his own wealth to pay for the wages and supplies of American soldiers, and helped to broker the agreement that led to France’s decision to send their naval fleet and additional troops, greatly contributing to the American victory. In a report to Congress, Washington referred to Lafayette as being “on all occasions, an essential friend to America.” Lafayette returned home to France after the British surrender as one of the greatest heroes of the American Revolution and one of General Washington’s most trusted friends. Lafayette’s 1824 visit truly marked the return of a beloved champion of our nation at a time when the country greatly needed a reminder of who we are and how we came to be. Even before the watershed moments that took place during the Presidential election of 1824, the country was in deep political turmoil. The two party system in place at the time had collapsed when the Federalist Party dissolved, leaving only the Democratic-Republican Party in place. But with President James Monroe stepping down, the Democratic-Republicans began to splinter and four candidates sought to become our nation’s next leader. The two last living signers of the Declaration of Independence, former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had both passed away on July 4th of 1842, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. President Monroe, who would be the last of the founding fathers to serve as President, wanted to restore  some patriotism and celebrate America’s 50th anniversary. As part of that celebration,

President Monroe invited General Lafayette, who was the last living American General from the

Revolutionary War, back from France for a three-month tour of a few cities.

Over 30,000 people attended a gathering at the docks welcoming Lafayette to America in New York City followed by four days and nights of raucous celebration. Everywhere he went, the local citizens were eager to greet him with parades, balls, dinners, and other celebratory events hosted in his honor. Lafayette found himself so much in demand that his three-month tour turned into a 13 month-long celebration of the “Nation’s Guest.”

There is no direct evidence that Lafayette returned to Rockland on his 1824-1825 tour, but there were numerous instances where he made an impact here during the war. He was a prolific letter writer and sent several letters from Coe’s Tavern, which once stood at the corners of what is now New Hempstead and Old Schoolhouse Road. He passed through Clarkstown and stayed in Rockland on several occasions visiting with Washington as he stayed in Tappan. He was a member of the Board of Officers that served as the jury in Major John Andre’s trial and traveled through West Nyack late in the war accompanying the troops as they made their way to Virginia for the decisive Battle of Yorktown.

Lafayette’s farewell tour included nearby stops in New York City, Beacon, Albany and West Point, among other places. Poignantly, he visited Mount Vernon and prayed at the tomb of George Washington, but had arrived too late to speak with Jefferson. He was accorded the rare and distinguished honor of addressing Congress as a civilian. So great is Lafayette’s connection to the country that his portrait is one of only two that hangs in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. The only other portrait afforded this great honor is one of George Washington.

In fact, if you look at any film footage or photographs from the State of the Union address by

U.S. Presidents, you will see Lafayette's portrait above and to the left of the podium. Lafayette was a true American hero and advocate for civil rights. He deeply believed in equality and was a staunch abolitionist. While deep down he was a nobleman and supported a constitutional monarchy in France, which led him to be jailed in his home country after the French Revolution, he remained a patriot and ardent proponent of liberty. The lasting impact and ties between Lafayette and the United States were so strong that when General Pershing, the commander of the American troops in WWI, arrived in France in 1917 he said to the French people, “Lafayette we are here!” Lafayette is unfortunately not as well known by many today, but he was a larger than life figure who was instrumental in the American Revolution as a General and a patriot.

Information on events celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return visit can be found at www.Lafayette200.org, a website run by the American Friends of Lafayette, an organization which is sponsoring numerous events across the country and is worth checking out.