Lafayette Visits Sterling... 1824

Lafayette Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette) visits Sterling, Massachusetts


Reception at Sterling

The party proceeded thence through Sterling, where Lafayette was re-
ceived with every demonstration of joy, his approach to the village being
hailed with thirteen discharges of artillery, and the ringing of bells. He
here received the additional escort of two companies of light infantry under
command of Capt Caleb Dana of Princeton, (afterwards of Worcester,) and
Capt. Merriam of Sterling. The General was received at the entrance of the
village by the selectmen of the town under a spacious arch fancifully de-
corated with flowers and evergreens, appended to the centre of which were
the words inscribed in gold letters, " Welcome Lafayette, America's Adopted
Son, Brother and Friend of Washington."

"Our land in trouble found a friend in thee,
We'll not forget thee in prosperity."

He was then addressed by the chairman of the board of selectmen, Isaac
Goodwin, Esq., (afterwards of Worcester,) as follows :

Address of Welcome by Isaac Goodwin.

" Gen. Lafayette: — The selectmen, in behalf of the citizens of Sterling,
welcome your arrival at their village. The name of this town associates
with it the recollections of another transatlantic hero, who, like yourself,
sir, felt a sympathy from father's wrongs, and whose sword was unsheathed
for their redress. Lord Sterling, the gallant and the generous, now sleeps
in dust, but the memory of America's benefactors will survive the decay of
time. The multitudes that hail your march through this part of our coun-
try are not the assemblages of idle crowds, seeking to gratify a morbid curi-
osity, but, sir, the men around you are the independent possessors of their
fields, and the defenders of their homes. From hoary age to lisping child-
hood, our whole population are eager in contributing deserved honors to the
companion of Washington, the benefactor of our country, and the friend of
mankind."

Lafayette responded, in substance, as follows :

"I feel grateful for my kind reception here. I rejoice in your prosperity,
and am happy to be once more among you. The name of your place recalls
the recollection of Lord Sterling. He was my intimate friend as well as
companion in arms. I venerate his memory, and when at New York, I had
the pleasure of calling upon his family."

The General then reviewed the troops, including the two companies of light
infantry, a company of militia in full uniform under command of Capt. Hol-
comb, and a company of artillery under command of Capt. Maynard.