Source:Fleming-french-allies
George T. Fleming. "French allies honored in streets: Pittsburgh thoroughfares bear names of others than alien enemies: LaFayette's visit." Pittsburgh Gazette Times, June 6, 1915, sec. 5, p. 2. Newspapers.com 85627565.
"FRENCH" is the name on the sign at the corner of the short street running from Ninth or Anderson street to Garrison way, formerly Garrison alley. Old Pittsburghers will recall this as Fayette street.
The bronze tablet at the corner of Penn avenue and Ninth street on the wall of the Western National Bank testifies that the site of Fort Fayette was close by. The name Fayette has been retained in the North Side street.
The original name applied in the lifetime of La Fayette, highly pertinent from the fort named in his honor that once stood on the very ground the street traverses, has gone. Instead we have the proper adjective French.
Beyond the fact that the Marquis de la Fayette was of French birth, that nation had as little to do with the history of the street and immediate locality as the Portuguese.
French begins with the same letter as Fayette, hence the new name. Why not have called the street Marquis? That would have been slightly in touch.
French names of individuals in those years ran in strings. Any one of La Fayette's given names or the name of his family would have done nicely.
Interesting Old Book.
It is an old work that is at hand—to wit: "Collections Historical and Miscellaneous, and Monthly Literary Journal, Vol. III," published by J. B. Moore at Concord, N. H., in 1824.
It would be as short to enumerate what the work does not "comprehend" in a literary way as to tell what it does. It is strong on biography and on page 302 we find the headline "Gen. La Fayette," and the small typed note in brackets reading:
Numerous biographical notices of LaFayette appeared, all more or less imperfect. We wait with anxiety to see a full authentic and well writeten [sic] biography of this great man. In the meantime present our readers with the following memoir, translated from Biographie des Hommes.
That is to say from a work containing men's biographies only. The editor's statements seem strange and out of reason when we consider that La Fayette was that very year touring America and ample opportunity present for obtaining the necessary facts for a complete biography.
The old-time production referred to begins:
Marie -Paul- Joseph -Roche- Yves, Gilbert-Mottiers de La Fayette was born in Auvergne in the year 1757 of one of the most ancient families of that province.
The full name is set in small capitals to give it prominence. Other biographies in the volume do not so begin. As La Fayette subsequently wrote his own memoirs it is to be hoped the New Hampshire editors became satisfied.
As to the name La Fayette or De La Fayette, the de is a preposition meaning of and the la the feminine form of the French article which we translate the.
How Names Are Used.
The name thus analyzed is Marie Paul etc. Mottiers, Marquis of the Fayette, just as we say the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Queensbury, or in German, Graf von Bismarck, the Count Bismarck, the English language dropping the small words. We refer most frequently to the latter name, and in history we have merely Wellington, La Fayette and Bismarck, the family names entirely lost.
In our Fayette county and in Fayette street we drop the article la. But it is often retained in our geographical nomenclature—thus we have La Fayette, Ind., and various other towns and counties. We see the name frequently, but incorrectly, Lafayette; also Lasalle, likewise an error.
We find the family name Mottiers is written most often Motier, which simplifies the French name in which the final "s" is silent and makes the pronunciation easier.
The old time New Hampshire editors followed copy in their reproduction of La Fayette's biography. They might have added some salient points, viz.: that La Fayette was born at Cavenac, September 6, 1757. From this we learn that he was hardly 20 when he came to America in his own ship to fight our battles.
He was but 13 when he was left an immense estate. Consequently he obtained the best education that was afforded in those years. Before he was 17 he married Mlle. de Noalles, daughter of the Duke D'Ayen, who was captain of the King's Body Guard. Soon after this La Fayette determined upon a military career and entered the Army of France as a captain of dragoons.
In the summer of 1776 he heard of the struggle of the American colonies to free themselves from the odious dominion of George III. of Great Britain. La Fayette immediately resolved to aid them. When informed that the colonies had no means and no credit and could not furnish him a transport for himself and his fellow countrymen who had determined to accompany him, the enthusiastic youth exclaimed, "No matter. I will purchase one myself," and he did.
Expedition Is Fitted Out.
He secretly freighted the ship with arms and munitions. Accompanying the young marquis was the veteran, Baron DeKalb, the Prussian, and 10 French officers.
La Fayette's ship, the Victory, landed at Georgetown, S. C., April 19, 1777. From that point La Fayette and his companions rode the 900 miles to Philadelphia on horseback. A companion of La Fayette on the voyage was his foster-brother, Dr. Felix Brunot, later of Pittsburgh.
La Fayette's timely assistance was determined upon befor the French king, Louis XVI, had formed the intent of aiding the colonists with an army and fleet. The account reproduced by the New Hampshire Journal is unique and being from French sources a paragraph or two verbatim is not without interest. We read:
La Fayette privately equipped a vessel which was filled with arms, and escaping the vigilance which watched him, sailed to America. There he served, first merely as a volunteer in the Revolutionary army without any design except that of ganing [sic] distinction as a soldier. Rochambeau, who was dispatched to that country at the head of a body of French auxiliaries, having observed his courage and activity, gave him command of a corps of volunteers, who, joining themselves to the inhabitants, contributed much to the success of the American Revolution.
During this struggle the young La Fayette signalized himself in so brilliant a manner that he became the friend of the illustrious Washington. Independent [sic] being established, he returned to France with the office of field marshal, loaded with testimonials of gratitude from Americans, and filled with sentiments of liberty which the success of that people and their republican deliberations had given rise to his mind. He was receved [sic] at Paris with a sort of enthusiasm. Nothing was talked of but La Fayette, his glory was everywhere to be seen.
Lovable Character.
The remainder of the extract from the "Biographie des Hommes" has reference only to La Fayette's career in France previous to 1817, in which year the account ends. The New Hampshire editors add a footnote at the end of the extract in brackets, as usual in the typography of the olden time:
With the subsequent history of this great and good man, almost every person is probably acquainted. No man ever so completely engrossed public attention—no man ever more richly deserved the gratitude and veneration of a free people.
The editors were right. La Fayette was one of the lovable characters in history.
La Fayette was a hero even before he left Paris. "He took big chances," as we say now. Though the women of Paris applauded his heroism, and the queen gave him tokens of her admiration and the people extolled him, the king had a say also and he said nay.
La Fayette touched first at a Spanish port. Here orders from Louis XVI reached him to give up his expedition. But the bold youth kept on. It took supreme courage to disobey his sovereign.
And we know what the king finally did—he followed suit with a strong lead.
We, that is our revered ancestors, really thought very well of La Belle France in those days despite the few butcheries hereabouts inspired by that nation in our French and Indian wars, and the rallying cry "Remember Braddock," was entirely forgotten.
Washington gave La Fayette a commission as major general July 31, 1777, and invited him to become a member of the military family of the commander in chief of the American army. Then La Fayette was less than 20 years of age.
Friend of Washington.
We know that from this time until the close of the Revolution La Fayette was the bosom friend of Washington and that he was the untiring and effective champion of the patriot cause in the field and at the Court of France.
We must take with quite a liberal allowance of salt the French biographer's statement that Rochambeeau [sic] boosted La Fayette. That is a bit of French buncombe.
There is much to admire in the career of La Fayette. When he left France in 1777 he left his young wife about to become a mother the second time. His resolution to aid America remained unshaken by wife, king or kin.
La Fayette returned to France sailing from Boston and arrived home in February 1779. The king could not forgive him for his disobedience, but made his punishment light, a week's exile to Paris and confinement in the house of his father-in-law. He was then received at court at Versailles where the king gently reprimanded him.
La Fayette returned to America in April, 1780, bringing assurances to Washington of French aid, which however, did not arrive until July when both land and naval forces came and materially helped the colonies to gain independence.
How great was the influence La Fayette exerted in this behalf we do not exactly know but it was exerted forcibly and was a contributing cause of French aid. The previous efforts of a French fleet under Count D'Estaing we know were valueless to the cause of the colonies. Not so the later French forces under Rochambeau and De Grasse.
La Fayette seems ever to have been a popular idol. His prospects at home when he first left his native land were bright, both for honor and happiness. He tenderly loved his young bride and the separation from her and his infant children was a trying sacrifice more so than any other.
Not Soldier of Fortune.
Ease and brilliant prospects at home he counted naught. His zeal and sympathy for America led him to volunteer in her behalf. He cannot be called a soldier of fortune. His fortune had been made for him. He needed not the profession of arms. He used it only in a righteous cause.
La Fayette's visit to the United States in 1824–25 as the nation's guest was a joyous event. He traveled through each of the 24 states and was everywhere received with delight. His visit to the tomb of Washington was full of affectionate rememberance [sic].
He was caried [sic] home in a United States frigate, the Brandywine, named in honor of the battle in which he first drew his sword in behalf of the struggling and despairing colonists and where he was wounded.
La Fayette visited Pittsburgh on this triumphal tour and received the same splendid ovation.
Perhaps the popular feeling here had not quite reached that height of enthusiasm that led people to do and say foolish things, as for instance a case related by Josiah Quincy wherein a woman of New England figures. Evidently disappointed when La Fayette did not kiss her she said:
"If La Fayette had kissed me, depend upon it I would never have washed my face again as long as I lived."
Quincy instances this remark as a fair representative of the popular feeling in regard to the great Frenchman. It is only the utterance of an impulsive and overwrought feminine mind—extravagant and silly.
It is altogether likely that La Fayette saw the Pittsburgh street named for him and was told of the fort that also had been named in his honor.
The Pittsburgh Visit.
It is not so many years since that real old people were telling about La Fayette's visit here and to Uniontown in the county named for him.
Among others who published reminiscences of this historic and joyous occasion was the late John A. Bingham, diplomat and congressman, whose home was in Cadiz, O. These reminiscences with others appeared in the Commercial Gazette, now The Gazette Times, with editorial comment about 10 years ago.
La Fayette arrived in Pittsburgh May 29, 1825, and remained two days. With him was his son, George Washington La Fayette, his private secretary, M. Levasseur, a friend, M. De Syon, and Bastien, the marquis's valet, and Gov. Morrow of Ohio and his suite.
Their route was from Louisville, Ky., via river to Cincinnati, O., and they had been wrecked below Louisville with the loss of most of their baggage. They passed an uncomfortable night in the open. This was on May 8.
From Cincinnati they came to Wheeling, W. Va., by boat, thence overland to Uniontown, Pa., from Uniontown to Brownsville, Pa., thence by river in an open boat propelled by four oars.
The visitors landed at Braddock and were entertained by George Wallace in a house still standing next to the Pennsylvania Station, now the home of David F. Collingwood
Capt. Murray and his troop, the Pittsburgh Dragoons, with the mayor and dignitaries of the city, met the guests on the morning of May 29 and escorted them into the city. They must have had an early start for the account states the party stopped at the United States Arsenal in Lawrenceville (Butler street) and "breakfasted" with the commandant, Maj. Churchill.
March Into the City.
The party came in via the "Turnpike," now Penn avenue, and at Bell's clover field were met by the militia under Gen. William Wilkins, a distinguished jurist with a penchant for things military down to our Civil War days. LaFayette reviewed the militia and expressed himself pleased with their martial appearance.
Take it for granted, little old Pittsburgh, with but 10,500 inhabitants, did herself proud on this momentous occasion. LaFayette rode in an open barouche drawn by four white horses. He sat beside Maj. John M. Snowdon, a newspaper man, by the way, owner and publisher of the Pittsburgh Mercury and one of Pittsburgh's most prominent citizens and a man of high standing.
LaFayette was driven through the streets lined with multitudes wildly cheering. "Welcome LaFayette!" was the oft-repeated cry. On Wood street there stood then a hotel known as Darlington's, from the owner, Benjamin Darlington, and thither LaFayette was first taken and here in the hotel parlor he stood the greater part of the afternoon shaking hands with the people, who were introduced by Judge James Riddle.
The public address of welcome was made by Judge Charles Shaler and at the dinner in LaFayette's honor addresses were made by Judge Henry Baldwin of the United States Supreme Court, Harmar Denny, member of Congress, and James Ross, United States Senator from Pennsylvania, all three of Pittsburgh.
The parlors of the hotel were tastefully decorated with pictures, the chief of these a large oil painting depicting Washington and La Fayette on horseback with French troops in the background.
The La Fayette Ball.
In the evening a ball was given in honor of the distinguished guest at Ramsey's Hotel at Third and Wood streets. At this ball we are told that the beauty and fashion of the city attended. Undoubtedly La Fayette slept both nights of his stay at the Mansion House at Fifth and Wood streets. Even his bedstead was decorated. It was a large mahogany one with four solid posts surmounted with a canopy topped with a large gilt eagle, holding a long silken steamer [sic] in its beak inscribed, "Washington–La Fayette." On the posts were names of Revolutionary generals Greene, Wayne, Mercer and others.
At this time La Fayette was about 68 years old. He was of medium height with a large head and smooth face. Earlier pictures show him a slender man. He retained the vivacity peculiar to his nature and his race. He spoke English fluently, but with a pronounced French accent. He was extremely gallant with the women and had a fitting and neat compliment for each one presented.
On the second morning he met the school children of the city. Edward D. Gazzam delivered the address on this occasion and among the children in line was the late Dr. Jonathan Hamnett, a member of the faculty of Allegheny College at Meadville, for a lifetime. Dr. Hamnett lived to tell of this event 75 years later.
John A. Bingham, a lad of 10 years, saw and shook hands with La Fayette in Mercer, Pa.
In the procession which escorted La Fayette on his arrival—on a Monday morning—there were three carriages of Revolutionary heroes, among them the Rev. and Capt. Joseph Patterson, Alexander Gray, Galbreath Wilson, Richard Sparrow, Thomas Vaughn, David Morse, Thomas Roe, Elijah Clayton and John Barnwell. Quite a nice representation for little old Pittsburgh.
La Fayette remembered Wilson and embraced him cordially. Wilson had assisted La Fayette over a fence when the Marquis was wounded at Brandywine. Wilson reminded La Fayette of his words at the time:
"Gentlemen, I would not take 1,500 guineas for that wound."
La Fayette smiled and replied:
"And I am of the same opinion still, old comrade."
La Fayette had all these veterans dine with him on both occasions, that is at each public reception here.
On Tuesday, May 30, La Fayette was entertained by Mrs. Thomas Barlow at her residence at Stockton avenue. She was a niece of Commodore Preble, U. S. N., and a most beautiful woman. La Fayette was an old friend. She had met him in Paris some years previously.
Mrs. Sarah McCandless, born in the Diamond in 1813, lived to tell of La Fayette's visit to her home, many years after. Her family in 1825 lived in the former home of Gen. Pressley Neville at Ferry and Water streets, a building demolished within 10 years. La Fayette had known Neville and spoke feelingly of him.
Many papers of the time copied the Pittsburgh Gazette's account of this great occasion, among them the Pennsylvania Magazine. Niles' Register of that period contains the complete history of the whole tour of the great Frenchman, and his secretary subsequently published a journal of the tour.
La Fayette and his party left Pittsburgh on Wednesday morning, May 31, 1825, 90 years ago last Monday. The Gazette, reporting his wonderful tour, had been then 39 years in existence.
La Fayette lived for nearly 10 years later; he died May 20, 1834. On his tour in 1824–25 he spent 14 months. He had returned to America after the Revolution in 1784 and was one of the commissioners of the treaty with the Indians at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., in that year.
An account of this and La Fayette's speech can be found in Craig's "Olden Time," Vol. II, page 428. This treaty greatly concerned Pittsburgh.
