The Rhode Island Republican

From the Boston Centinel.

Marquis La Fayette.—The mayor, by message, communicated information to the City Council, that in obedience to the vote of the council of the 15th March, he had addressed a letter to General La Fayette, on the subject of his contemplated visit to the United States, and that he had received an answer: copies of which he communicated to the two Boards, where they were severally

THE MAYOR'S LETTER.

United States of America,
Boston, March 20, 1824.

Sir—Your intention to visit the United States has been made known to the citizens here through the proceedings of their national legislature. The city of Boston shares in the universal pleasure which the expectation of so interesting an event has diffused. But it has its own sources of satisfaction peculiarly its own. Many of its inhabitants recollect and all have heard of your former residence in this metropolis; of the delight with which you were here greeted on your second visit to this country; and of the acclamations of a grateful multitude, which attended you, when sailing from this harbor on your last departure from the United States; and also of that act of France by which in later times you aided the hand of relief, in their distress. These circumstances have impressed upon the inhabitants of this city, a vivid recollection of your person, and a peculiar interest in your welfare as a benefactor, endearing you to their remembrance by sentiments of personal gratitude, and by that sense of national obligation with which the citizens of the United States are universally penetrated.

of Boston, in accordance with the general wish of their constituents, have directed me to address this letter to you, and to express the hope that, should it comport with your convenience, you would do them the honor, on your ensuing visit to the United States, to disembark in this city, and to communicate the assurance that no event could possibly be more grateful to its inhabitants;—that nowhere could you meet a more cordial welcome; that you could find nowhere, hearts more capable of appreciating your early zeal and services in the cause of American freedom, or more ready to acknowledge and honor that characteristic uniformity of virtue, with which through a long life, and in scenes of unexampled difficulty and danger, you have steadfastly maintained the cause of an enlightened civil liberty in both hemispheres.

Very respectfully, I am your ob't servant,
JOSIAH QUINCY, Mayor of the
City of Boston.

General Lafayette.

ANSWER OF GEN LAFAYETTE.

PARIS, May 26 1824.

SIR—Amidst the new and high marks of benevolence the people of the United States and their Representatives have lately deigned to confer upon me, I am proud and happy to recognise those particular sentiments of the citizens of Boston, which have blest and delighted the first years of my public career, and the grateful sense of which has ever since been to me a most valued reward and support. I joyfully anticipate the day, not very remote, thank God, when I may re-visit the glorious Cradle of American, and in future, I hope, of Universal Liberty. Your so honorable and gratifying invitation would have been directly complied with in the case to which you are pleased to allude. But while I profoundly feel the honor intended, by the offer of a national ship, I hope I shall incur no blame by the determination I have taken, to embark as soon as it is in my power on board a private vessel. Whatever port I first attain, I shall with the same eagerness hasten to Boston, and present its beloved, revered inhabitants, as I have the honor to offer it to you, Sir, with the homage of my affectionate gratitude and devoted respect.

To the Mayor of the City of Boston.