May 21, next Wednesday, marks the 183rd anniversary of the visit to Maysville by the great Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette. He was the last surviving general of that war and a close associate of General George Washington. He was called “the Nation’s Guest” as he was on a 13-month tour of all the 24 states of our young country. A little known fact of his trip was the steamboat disaster he survived. It was reported by the Maysville Eagle of May 18, 1825 in this fashion:

“The steam boat, Mechanic, on her passage from Nashville to Louisville, struck a snag a short distance above the mouth of Cumberland, and was so materially injured as to cause her to sink in 10 or 15 minutes. General Lafayette and suite, the Nashville committee, and a large number of passengers were on board, all of whom were saved; but the baggage of the general, together with the entire cargo of the boat, were lost. Hopes were entertained that the boat could be raised, as her deck was not entirely covered with water; but we presume the late rise in the river will render the effort impracticable. The Paragon, from Louisville for New Orleans, reached the scene of the disaster the next day, and politely received the passengers and returned them to Portland.”

Lafayette, after his escape from the river, proceeded toward Maysville with stops in Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, Georgetown and Cincinnati. His arrival excitement and his brief stay in Maysville was reported in the Eagle of May 25, 1825.

“The general-arrived at Maysville about 12 o’clock on Saturday, in the steam boat Herald, which had been chartered by the governor of Ohio to convey him to Pittsburg, and remained here about two hours. There was no certain information of his intention to visit this place, and in this state of affairs, the preparations were not as extensive as under other circumstances, they would have been. On Thursday, a report reached Maysville, that the general had come to a determination to proceed directly to Pittsburg n circumstances tended to corroborate it-and on Friday, he was waited on by a citizen of Maysville, who respectfully invited him to visit this place, to which he politely consented.

The approach of the general was announced by the firing of cannon from the steam boat and the ringing of the church bell. He landed at the foot of Fish street [now Wall], where he was met by the committee of arrangements, consisting of the following persons n Majors Val. Peers and Charles Pelham, (both officers of the revolutionary army), Rev. John T. Edgar, Captain M. Langhorne, James Morrison, Johnston Armstrong, Wm. R. Phillips, William Murphy, John Sumrall, John Armstrong, and Stephen Lee of Maysville; Francis Taylor, Esq. of the vicinity; and John Chambers, Esq. and Dr. Talliaferro, of Washington. After the usual introductions and salutations, Major Pelham, who in the absence of Major Peers, was appointed to address Lafayette, urged , with feebleness, his way to perform, on the margin of the river, his affecting duty. The scene was truly melting. He leaned on the guards of the boat, and, in words full of tenderness and emphasis, poured out the feelings of his throbbing heart before his old companion in arms and in victory. He assured him of his joy in having been spared to see him once more in the land of freedom, for which they had both, with others, fought and conquered. He lamented to the general, that the citizens of Maysville could not, for want of time before his arrival, honor him with a more appropriate reception; but told him that their hearts wished him more than their preparations or actions could express. On his ceasing to speak, the general, with much emotion, took the aged speaker again by the hand, and expressed his joy on meeting at Maysville one more dear old revolutionary officer and soldier. He recounted , in a few sentences, the struggle in which they had been engaged, and the victory which had crowned the American arms. He afterwards, in the crowd which surrounded him, lost, on his arrival at the hotel, the sight of the dear old veteran; but was heard on finding him to say, ‘I have been looking for, and am glad again to see you once more before I depart, and to express my happiness at having met you at Maysville.’

A procession was formed in the following order:

1. Two assistant marshals

2. Maysville Light Infantry

3. Committee of Arrangements

4. General Lafayette, attended by the governor of Ohio, in a barouche

5. Col. George Washington Lafayette, Major Charles Pelham and the secretary of the general, in a carriage

6. Officers and soldiers of the revolution

7. Citizens and strangers

The procession moved up Fish to Second street; thence up Second to Main Cross street to Capt. Langhorne’s hotel, where a large room was prepared, with suitable refreshments, and very handsomely decorated. Here the general received, individually, his revolutionary companions and the large concourse of citizens who had assembled to behold , the greater part of them for the first, and the whole, in all probability, for the last time, this venerable patriot, and early and efficient friend of American freedom. The interview between the general and his compatriots of the revolution, was one of intense feeling-of deep emotion-it brought back to the mind the days of Washington-and presented in miniature the scenes of the revolution. There was a burst of sacred patriotism from every bosom-and the most lively and ardent gratitude displayed itself in every countenance. All were anxious to be near; and all pressed forward to grasp the hand and affectionately greet, the good old soldier. Such a meeting, we never before witnessed; such an one, we never expect again to behold. About 1 o’clock, the general and suite, with a large company of gentlemen, partook of a most excellent dinner, prepared by Capt. Langhorne.

At 2 o’clock, General Lafayette signified his intention to depart. The procession was again formed, as before, and moved up Main Cross to Second street, thence down Second to Market street and down Market street to the landing, when the general alighted and was attended to the boat by the committee and the infantry; and, after taking an affectionate leave of all who were near him, departed amidst the roar of cannon and musketry, the waving of handkerchiefs and hats, and the loud and continued cheering of the large concourse of spectators, of every age and sex, who had assembled on the beach. The committee attended the general as far up the river as the residence of Francis Taylor, Esq. where they took a final leave.”

Maybe next Wednesday, May 21, you can take a moment to remember and reflect on the day General Lafayette came to town!     

Readers may email questions to [email protected] © Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, Maysville, KY

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