The Rhode Island Republican

PROGRESS OF LAFAYETTE.

General LaFayette left Washington on Saturday at 12 o'clock, for Alexandria. He was accompanied thither by several officers of the army and navy, and a crowd of citizens. The numerous fine volunteer companies of Washington and Georgetown, repaired to Alexandria at an early hour, by water, and joined their brother soldiers of that place in receiving the National Guest with military honors. The military display was splendid, and it derived much of its brilliancy from the fine appearance of the Marine Corps under Capt. Broom. The General was received with the highest military honors, and escorted through town amidst the shouts and welcomes of thousands of voices. The windows on all the streets were filled with ladies in their best attire, who waved their handkerchiefs to the veteran as he passed, to token of their participation in the joy manifested by the multitude in the streets. In the evening, after receiving the respects of those who called to be introduced to him he partook of a splendid public dinner.

The General embarked for Mount Vernon on Sunday morning, in the Virginia Steam boat Petersburg, Capt. Crocker, sent to Washington by the Executive of Virginia to convey the General to Yorktown.

On the 14th, General Lafayette visited Georgetown. After remaining a few minutes at the house of the Mayor, he paid a visit to Georgetown College, where he was received in a manner which he pronounced to be very gratifying to him.

On Sunday, the 17th instant, the General left Alexandria for Yorktown. Having arrived opposite the spot which contains the remains of his illustrious friend, the father of his country, the General landed, and remained about an hour. The vault of Gen. Washington was opened, and a ring, containing a portion of his hair, was presented to Gen. Lafayette, by Mr. Custis, of Arlington, who delivered a pathetic address on the occasion. After which Mr. Custis presented the General with a masonic sash and medal, formerly belonging to General Washington. Part of the sash was divided into small pieces, and distributed to the youth who were present, as a memento of their departed hero.--General Lafayette was very much affected during his short stay at the tomb.

On the 12th, the General reached Yorktown. He was escorted on the river by an aquatick procession of five steam boats, &c. They moved up in a very handsome style, the bands on board playing appropriate airs, while the heights were thronged with troops and spectators. An immense concourse of spectators, and a great number of the most distinguished men of our country had assembled at Yorktown to participate in this glorious scene. A procession was formed at the landing, and the General, in an elegant barouche and four, proceeded to the town. Our information does not extend beyond this.

From the Alexandria Herald.

A very remarkable Fact.--On the passage of Gen. LA FAYETTE to York, an Eagle the bird of Jove, flew from the bluff, about two miles below this town, and hovered over the steam boat Petersburg which the general was on board of. It followed him to Mount Vernon--and, we are told, continued flying over the tomb of Washington, to which the General was devoting his soul with the holy feelings of grief. It seemed to have an inspiration in its actions. It displayed those feelings which seem to indicate that it was a special messenger, sent to welcome our illustrious Guest on his visit to the sacred reposa of the first of men--his friend and the friend of mankind. After the General had fulfilled his pious devotions, this bird, representing the gratitude of the nation and emblematically the spirit of Washington, took its final departure from that spot which contains the relics of Lafayette's dear companion. There is no doubt whatever of the fact which we communicate above. We could give the testimony of hundreds of the most respectable names for its correctness. Besides it would be too palpable a story to invent almost in the very face of Lafayette himself.