Lafayette addresses the Citizens of New Orleans
April 12, 2025 @ 12:25 pm - 12:30 pm
Lafayette addresses the public from the Cabildo’s Balcony, scheduled for 12:25pm sharp during the 20-minute set break of the French Quarter Festival stages. After some pomp and circumstance, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will introduce Lafayette. If weather is poor, the fallback time is 2pm. This event is free and the public is heartily welcomed. It is recommended that you are in front of the Cabildo by 12 noon. <Period attire is welcomed>
LAFAYETTE’S CONNECTION
A procession of carriages carried everyone to New Orleans, where the City’s Mayor welcomed Lafayette and Lafayette spoke, all under a great triumphal welcoming arch. An imposing arch of Triumph was erected in the center of the square in front of the Cabildo. It was 68 feet high with a massive 40-foot arch. It was decorated with colossal statues of Justice and Liberty. 24 stones each decorated with a gilded bronze star represented the then twenty-four states of the Union. Upon the upper pedestal was written on one side in English and the other in French “A grateful republic dedicates this monument to La Fayette.”
After General Lafayette was shown his accommodations at Lafayette House (the Cabildo), he was informed that the troops were about to march to salute him. Lafayette went out onto the Cabildo balcony, where he reviewed the grenadiers, gunners, dragoons, the Frankish, the light infantrymen, the Union Guards, the riflemen, the New Orleans Guards, and the Lafayette Guards who all marched past the General with great military precision. Although the rain had soiled the rich uniforms of the troops, they looked elegant. The band played patriotic songs.
Last but not least, came ninety Choctaw warriors marching according to their custom in single file. Lafayette was very moved to see that they had sought to inform him that his name was known by warriors of the most remote Indian Nations, and that the local authorities had admitted into the ranks of militias these brave Indians who had been America’s recent allies in the Seminole war.