Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

Lafayette St @ Harbor St, Salem, MA 01970, USA

Lat/Long

42.516912015039, -70.893098882433

Grant Recipient

The Lafayette Trail, Inc.

When America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies were pulled into a conflict with one of the world’s most formidable powers, Great Britain. The colonies’ actions against Great Britain inspired a young French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de Lafayette, to depart his native France to fight in the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a commander with the Continental Army throughout the war and helped secure French support for the American cause. This support played an integral part in securing American victory during the war.

Celebrated as a hero in the U.S. and France, Lafayette eventually returned to his home country. In 1824, Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. was highly anticipated and met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. Lafayette’s Tour extended from 1824 to 1825. During this time, he visited Washington, D.C., as well as major cities and small communities across 24 states.

On August 31, 1824, General Lafayette was moving north from Boston, MA and he passed through both Marblehead and Salem. Lafayette entered Salem on the South Salem Bridge and was welcomed by citizens lining the streets. Many banners and arches with signs welcoming Lafayette were hung along the way, and it was reported that Lafayette’s procession passed through two rows of schoolboys with their instructors, numbering about 1,000. The General stopped at a mansion, known as the Essex Coffee House, which was renamed to the La Fayette Coffee House on the occasion.

It was also reported that the two-mile-long distance that the General had passed through on his way to the Coffee House was full of people of all ages and genders. The newspaper reported that it was raining heavily that day, and that the people were soaked. The General was riding in an open top Barouche, and it was reported that although his companion, Judge Story, had attempted to keep the General dry with a cloak and umbrella, the General threw these aside as he saw the women and children in the streets getting soaked. The newspaper wrote that the General’s “benevolent feelings were excited”, causing him to refuse cover from the rain. By the time he arrived at the Coffee House, he was “drenched to the skin”.

A stage had been erected in front of the Coffee House mansion, and General Lafayette was addressed by Judge Story, and he made a reply. He was then escorted to Hamilton Hall, where he was served dinner. The newspaper estimated that about 300 citizens dined along with him at the Hall. He was described as being seated in “the chair of Washington” with an American Eagle arch and bust of Washington mounted above him. Many notable figures and Revolutionary War patriots dined with him as well, and many gave toasts that were recounted by the newspaper.

General Lafayette then left at about 5pm to go on towards Ipswich and Newburyport, escorted by a battalion of cavalry.