During Lafayette's visit to this country in 1824 it was proposed that he should visit Hagerstown among other places in Maryland. In September of that year a public meeting was held at the court-house in Hagerstown, at which Willian Gabby presided, and J. Schnebly acted as secretary. The following resolutions were adopted:
"The citizens of Hagerstown and Washington County, participating in the general joy of the American people on the appearance among them of the distinguished and gallant Gen. Lafayette: deeply impressed with the importance and value of his services in their eventful and glorious struggle for independence; and being desirous of manifesting in a suitable manner their veneration for his person and character, have therefore
" Resolved, That Col. O. H. Williams, Col. F. Tilghman, the Hon. John Buchanan, William Price, and V. W. Randall, Esqs., be appointed a committee on behalf of this meeting to wait on Gen. Lafayette on his arrival in the city of Baltimore, tendering him their hearty congratulations, and inviting him to visit their county.
" Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published.
" William Gabby, Chairman.
" Jacob Schnebly, Secretary."
At a subsequent meeting the committee reported their proceedings, as follows:
" That they repaired to Baltimore upon the arrival of the general at that place, and on Friday, the 8th inst., were introduced to him, at bis quarters in Light Street, by the city authorities.
"Col. Williams, as chairman of the committee, then addressed him as follows: 'General, the spontaneous burst of grateful enthusiasm which has been elicited by your recent return to the United States is without parallel in the history of any modern people; it is not confined to our populous cities, but has diffused itself to the remotest borders of our country.
" ' The citizens of Washington County, Md., largely participating in this general feeling, have deputed us to wait on you, and directed us to tender to you their warm and heart-felt congratulations on your return to a country whose rights you defended and whose liberties you greatly assisted to achieve. They have also directed us to present to you an invitation to visit them so soon as it may suit your convenience. Although we cannot compete with our brethren of the great commercial cities on the sea-board in the reception we shall give you, yet so far as the pure incense of grateful hearts, and the frank and cordial hospitality of republican manners, can supply the deficiency of pomp and splendor, we can affirm there shall be nothing wanting.
" ' We feel proud, general, of the distinction conferred on us, in being made the organ of a community of freemen, through which this slight tribute of respect is presented to the champion of liberty in both hemispheres, the early and strong advocate of America, and the bosom friend of the illustrious father of our country. Be pleased to accept the assurance of our great personal esteem and affection.' "
To this address the general replied that he felt highly gratified by an invitation from the citizens of Washington County, and that he would, with great pleasure, pay them a visit at the earliest opportunity.
At a meeting of the citizens of Washington County at the court-house in Hagerstown, on Wednesday, the 27th of October, 1824, Col. David Schnebly was called to the chair, and R. M. Tidball was appointed secretary. The following resolutions were proposed and adopted:
" Resolved, That the following citizens be appointed a committee to make such arrangements and adopt such measures as they may deem necessary for the reception and entertainment of Gen. Lafayette in Hagerstown, viz.: John Hershey, Dr. F. Dorsey, Richard Ragan, Frisby Tilghman, William Heyser, P. Humrickhouse, Col. William D. Bell, Joseph Graff, Stewart Herbert, George I. Harry, George Brumbaugh, Alexander Neill, Jacob Schnebly, John Robertson, John Harry, Charles Shaffner, John Albert, F. Anderson, John Curry, A. Johnston, Samuel Hughes, Henry Kealhofer, Eli Beatty, Dr. J. Reynolds, T. Eichelberger, John Ragan, George Shryock, Jacob Motter, Daniel Schnebly, Maj. J. Reynolds, John Gruber, J. V. Swearingen, David Artz, Dr. W. D. Macgill, M. Rickenbaugh, Henry Dillman, Frederick Stover, David Clagett, William Gabby, George Shiess, John Witmer, Peter Seibert, William Webb, Col, D. Schnebly, Thomas Keller, Andrew Kershner, John Bowles, Henry Ankeny, John Barnett, Arthur Jacques, B. Kershner, Thomas C. Brent, James H. Bowles, Robert Mason, Benjamin Bean, Anthony Snyder, Dr. M. A. Finley, Daniel Weisel, Dr. W. Van Lear, William Dickey, Col. J. Blackford, Dr. Joseph C. Hays, Jacob Miller, Dr. T. Hammond, George Hedrick, William P. Stewart, Dr. Ezra Slifer, Jonathan Shafer, M. Stonebraker, Alexander Mitchell, Dr. C. Boerstler, Henry Shafer, W. Fitzhugh, Jr., Elias Davis, Jacob I. Ohr.
" Resolved, That the members composing the Committee of Arrangements be notified by the chairman and secretary of their appointment, and be requested to meet at the town-hall on Saturday, the 6th of November, at four o'clock a.m., for the purpose of entering on the duties of their appointment.
" Resolved, That the Military Committee be respectfully communicate with the Civil Committee of Arrangements on the object in contemplation."
On motion of D. G. Yost, it was
" Resolved, unanimously, that a committee be appointed to address the representative in Congress from this District in behalf of this meeting, and to request him to use his influence in procuring a suitable appropriation from our government for Gen. Lafayette for his meritorious services in our Revolutionary struggle. David G. Yost, William Price, and Frisby Tilghman, Esqs., were appointed the committee.
"Resolved, That the above proceedings be published in the several newspapers of the place for the information of the citizens generally.
"David Schnebly, Chairman.
" R. M. Tiddall, Secretary."
At a meeting of the officers attached to the Second Brigade, Maryland Militia, convened at the town hall in Hagerstown on Saturday, the 30th inst.. Gen. Samuel Ringgold was appointed chairman, and Capt. V. W. Randall secretary. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
" Whereas, The acceptance by Gen. Lafayette of the invitation given him by the citizens of Washington County will soon afford them an opportunity of testifying their respect and affection for our illustrious guest, it becomes necessary that arrangements should be made forthwith for receiving and welcoming him in such a manner as will evince an attachment to the benefactor and friend of our country. Therefore
" Resolved, That the following officers be a Committee of Ways and Means: Col. Wellier, Col. Fouke, Lieut.-Col. Wolf, Majs. Robrback, Hall, and Sprecker, Capts. Barr, Swearingen, Beall, Funk, Kessinger, Grosh, Brookhartt, Donnelly, Fletcher, Baker, Barnett, Lieuts. Hallman, H. Shafer, and J. Zwisler.
" Resolved, That the Committee of Arrangements and the Committee of Ways and Means assemble at the town hall on Saturday next at 10 o'clock a.m., to confer with the committee appointed on Wednesday last by the citizens, and to co-operate with them in making the necessary arrangements for the reception of Gen. Lafayette."
At the reception in Frederick a company of riflemen from Hagerstown, commanded by Capt. V. W. Randall, was present, and elicited the warmest commendation for its drill and evolutions.
Gen. Lafayette was unable to visit Hagerstown, but we give the foregoing account as a curious picture of the times and of the spirit then pervading the counties of Maryland.
On the 15th of July, 1826, it was resolved " that the citizens of Washington County be requested to meet at the courthouse at Hagerstown on Saturday, July 22nd, to arrange for a public tribute of respect to the memory of