Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, or Lieutenant General & National Guard Commander-in-Chief Lafayette was a former aristocrat who became a French military officer during the American Revolution. Born on September 6th, 1757 he was initially known as the Marquis de Lafayette until June 1790. He volunteered at the age of 19 for George Washington’s Army and served in the battles of Brandywine, Monmouth and Yorktown without pay. He returned to France in 1779 and aided in the French Revolution in the Estates General and the National Constituent Assembly. He tried to turn France into a constitutional monarchy, and was the commander of the French National Guard. He lost his leading role in the French Revolution after being accused by Jean-Paul Marat of being responsible for the Massacre of the Champ de Mars. When the Jacobin party seized control of Paris and the National Assembly on August 19, 1792, he fled France and was arrested by the Austrian army in Rochefort, Belgium. He spent five years in various Austrian and Prussian prisons, and was released in 1797. Napolean Bonaparte didn’t allow him to return to France for several years, and General Lafayette continued play an active role in French and European politics until his death in 1834.

Lafayette arrived in Dover New Hampshire on June 23rd, 1825 during his victory tour of America during July 1824 and September 1825. He has been one of only six people granted Honorary Citizenship of the United States, first in 1824, and again in 2002. He was welcomed at William Hale’s house, which is preserved at the Woodman Institute Museum on Central Ave. There were many toasts, each followed by a song, military music, or the discharge of artillery.

Below is the transcript of the visit:

Charlotte Lear and Mabel Lear are outside William Hale’s house admiring the guards.

Charlotte Lear – “Mabel, those Strafford Guards sure look handsome! Too bad they weren’t around back in the Revolution. General Lafayette could have used ‘em fighting the British.”

Mabel Hayes – “Charlotte, what are you talking about? Dover could have use the Strafford Guards back in 1817 when President Monroe came to town – don’t you remember how embarrassing it was? It’s about time we had our own militia. It’s only right that our very own Dover soldiers escort General Lafayette.”

Inside William Hale’s house, General Lafayette is seated at a large dining table with dignitaries from Dover. Liquor and wine bottles are as abundant as cider flutes.

William Hale – “Welcome everyone! Do you all have you glasses ready? General Lafayette, we rejoice, sir, in beholding you as one of the most early, distinguished and effective advocates of that revolution that gave us liberty. We most cordially welcome you to our village.”

General Lafayette – “Mr. Hale, Good citizens of Dover. I am greatly indebted to you for your kindness and invitation to dine and stay in Dover. I look forward to my visit in your town and wish you the best.”

Daniel Christie – “On behalf of our great guest, General Lafayette, I would like to propose a toast to the United States of America. May prosperity continue to progress.”

Toast.

Daniel Durell – “To our Republic Institutions, may they endure while Liberty has a name.”

Toast.

Daniel Durell – “To John Quincy Adams, may his term be as prosperous as it is now auspicious.”

Toast.

Daniel Durell – “To the memory of Washington.”

Toast.

Oliver Wyatt – “To General Lafayette, may his glory and happiness be equal to his exertions and sufferings in the cause of liberty.”

Toast.

General Lafayette – “To the town of Dover, may this cradle of New Hampshire forever and ever, and more and more enjoy every sort of agricultural and manufacturing prosperity, the happy results of American Independence and Republican Freedom.”

Toast.

Captain Paul – “To our Revolutionary Patriots, a nation’s gratitude is theirs.”

Toast.

Captain Paul – “To our allies during our Revolutionary struggle, a grateful remembrance of their services.”

Toast.

Captain Paul – “To the Holy Alliance, may its schemes of tyranny be frustrated by the spirit of rational liberty.”

Toast.

John Mellen – “To the South American Republics, a long continuance to their dear-bought liberties.”

Toast.

William Hale – “To General Bolivar, he who can decline the distinction of reigning over, is worthy of reigning in the hearts of his countrymen.”

Toast.

William Hale – “To Agriculture, the basis of all human sustenance.”

Toast.

John Williams – “To manufactures, may industry and enterprise meet an ample reward.”

Toast.

Matthew Bridge – “To our rising commerce, let it be the handmaid of agriculture and manufactures.”

Toast.

General Lafayette – “To equality of rights, the cornerstone of the temple of liberty.”

Toast.

General Lafayette – “To industry, source of prosperity, the surest guaranty of Liberty.”

Toast.

Daniel Durell – “To the Major of Generals of our Revolutionary Army, the chiefs who sustained Liberty’s temple throughout the war of independence.”

Toast.

After spending the night at William Hale’s house, General Lafayette and his entourage visited the factories of the Dover Manufacturing Company. The cotton factory was lined with 200 cheering females, all attired in white dresses with blue sashes. After the tour, General Lafayette was escorted to the Maine state line by Dover officials, where he was welcomed by the Governor of Maine.

General Lafayette – “I was gratified by the healthy appearance of those of both sexes engaged in the factories, the machinery, which was much more perfect than any I had ever seen, and by the quality of the cotton which was far superior to any I had seen in the country.”