Lafayette Tour Marker at Ipswich, Massachusetts (MA-46)

President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of patriotism. During the American Revolution, Lafayette’s intense advocacy of the American cause had convinced French King Louis XVI to send troops and ships, which proved crucial to the American victory at Yorktown. 

The September 4, 1824, edition of the Independent Chronicle and Boston Patriot detailed the historic visit: General Lafayette arrived in Ipswich on Tuesday between seven and eight o’clock in the evening. He alighted at the meetinghouse. A large number of ladies and gentlemen were assembled to receive him. He was then addressed by Nathaniel Lord, Jr., Esq. on behalf of the inhabitants of Ipswich and received the personal congratulations of all, who chose to be introduced to him. He was then conducted to Mr. Treadwell’s public house and there received by the committee of Newburyport, who had been awaiting his arrival. After having partaken of an elegant collation prepared for the occasion by the gentlemen of Ipswich, he set out for Newburyport in a closed carriage, followed by his suite and the gentlemen of the committee, also in carriages, escorted by a battalion of cavalry.

Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.