Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

RICHMOND, November 20.

Last Sunday in the afternoon came to this city, his Excellency General George Washington, Esq. the next day was ushered in with the discharge of thirteen cannon, where every countenance showed the most heartfelt gladness on seeing our illustrious and beloved General in the capital of the state, and in the bosom of peace. In the evening the city was illuminated, and every demonstration of joy was shown on the pleasing occasion.

Last Wednesday agreeable to the constitution of this state, came on the election of Governor, or Chief Magistrate, in the room of his Excellency Benjamin Harrison, Esq. Patrick Henry, Esq. was unanimously chosen to that high and important office.

On Thursday the merchants of this city gave an elegant dinner to his Excellency General Washington: the same day came from Boston, the Marquis de la Fayette, accompanied with Capt. Grantham, of the navy of his most Christian Majesty, and the Chevalier Caraman.

The two houses of Assembly appointed Committees to wait on his Excellency and the Marquis la Fayette, who severally addressed them. We are sorry that we have not been able to procure a copy of them, with the answers, to present to our readers this week.

Last night the Corporation of this city gave an elegant ball, in honour to our illustrious and much beloved visitor, General Washington.

On Monday the Corporation of this city waited on his Excellency, and presented him with the following address:

To GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq. late Commander in Chief of the American Army.

SIR,

ACTUATED by every sentiment which can inspire a grateful people, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council men of the city of Richmond, embrace this long wished for opportunity of congratulating you on your return to the bosom of peace and retirement in your native country, after so many years honourably spent, amidst the toils and tumults of war, which through the smiles of Heaven on your exertions, has been productive of liberty, glory and independence to an extensive empire.

On seeing you, Sir, in this city, we feel all that men can feel, who are indebted to you for every social enjoyment, and who are deeply impressed with a conviction, that if the late illustrious leader of the armies of America, had not possessed, but exercised every talent and every virtue, which can dignify the hero and the patriot, we might not at this day have dared to speak the language of free born citizens, nor would we have seen commerce and navigation with their fruitful train, liberated from their shackles, meriting the inhabitants of distant nations to seek an asylum and residence among us.

When, in the review of a few past years, we behold you, not only forming soldiers, but also teaching to conquer, that presidence, courage, and magnanimity, which, surmounting every difficulty, regardless of every danger, and contemning every reward, excited not only the veneration of your country, but even commanded the admiration and applause of your enemies, and spread the fame of America to the remotest corners of the world, giving her rank and consequence among the kingdoms of the earth; and when we think, what we might have been if Washington had not existed, our hearts expand with emotion too strong for utterance; and we can only pray, that the supreme giver of all victory, may crown you with his choicest blessings here, and never failing glory hereafter,

Signed by order and on behalf of the Common Hall,

ROBERT MITCHELL, Mayor.

To the worshipful the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of Richmond.

Gentlemen,

I DERIVE great honour from your congratulatory address, the language of which is too flattering not to have excited my utmost gratitude.

To the smiles of Heaven, to a virtuous and gallant army, and to the exertions of my fellow citizens of the union, (not superior talents of mine) are to be ascribed the blessings of that liberty, independence, and peace, of which we are now in the enjoyment. Whilst these are afforded us, and while the advantages of commerce are not only offered, but are soliciting our acceptance, it must be our own fault indeed, if we do not make them productive of a rich and plenteous harvest, and of that national honour and glory which should be the characteristic of a rising empire.

That this growing city may enjoy the benefits which are to be derived from them, in the fullest extent, that it may improve such of the advantages as bountiful nature has bestowed, and that it may soon be ranked among the first in the union, for population, commerce and wealth, is my sincere and fervent wish.

G. WASHINGTON.