entertained for a week, and every possible attention, both public and private was shewn, including a dinner, given by the Cincinnati Society, and a grand reception, ending in a ball, at the theatre in Broad Street.
During this visit General Lafayette frequently expressed the warmest regard and admiration for Col. Huger, and when alone with him, took occasion to speak of the unexpected and generous gift just made him by the Congress of the United States, of lands in Florida, and said it would afford him much additional gratification could he be allowed to transfer to the name of his friend, a portion of these lands, as a useful provision for him and his family. The kind offer was thankfully but decidedly declined, Col. Huger saying he had property sufficient for his daughters, and would teach his sons to work for themselves.
This graceful unostentatious act of General Lafayette’s, it is proper should be here recorded. When these guests proceeded on their journey, Col. Huger and several gentlemen accompanied them to Edisto Island, Beaufort and Savannah. The journey was continued to Florida, whence General Lafayette returned to New York, by the Western route, and bade adieu to this country forever.
