Lafayette and GW ' s First Commencement

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Lafayette and GW's First Commencement

In 1824 the Marquis de Lafayette was invited, as a guest of the government, to visit the country that he had helped establish. Lafayette, an inspirational leader during the French monarchy and Revolution, actively supported the young United States. He arrived in New York City in July 1824 to begin his final visit to the United States. On October 12th, escorted by federal troops and citizens delegations, Lafayette arrived in Washington where he was received by Mayor Roger C. Weightman in the rotunda of the Capitol.

The tributes to the distinguished visitor were impressive, and Columbian College was not lacking in paying its respects to the notable French patriot. The College, located on a high point in Washington, commanded an unobstructed view of the entire city. In addition to the brilliant illumination of all of Washington on the evening the General arrived, the lights on the eastern, southern, and western fronts of the main College building, and a transparent star, eight feet tall attached to the cupola, burned bright. The Washington Star reported: "On the whole we do not recollect having seen a more splendid illumination in any of our cities, than was presented in the lighting up of the elegant edifice."

The fall of 1824 was a time of jubilation for the nation, and a period of fruition for the young Columbian College in the District of Columbia. The College, which was founded in 1821, was preparing to graduate its first class of three seniors on December 15th, 1824. In its meeting on December 2nd, The Board of Trustees issued its MANDAMUS for the conferring of degrees and appropriated $500 to defray the costs of Commencement day. The formal announcement of the first Commencement was published in the Daily National Intelligencer "by the order of the faculty."

George Washington's dream for the creation of a federal college and the great interest in the institution by members of government illustrated the high regard given to the activities of Columbian College and its first graduates. In addition to members of the College and family and friends of the graduates, the Commencement ceremony was crowded with dignitaries. Several days before the graduation the Daily National Intelligencer noted that "General Lafayette would return to the city in time to be present at the Commencement of the Columbian College, on the 15th..." The exercises were also honored by the attendance of President James Monroe, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, Speaker of the House Henry Clay, members of the Cabinet, the Justices of the Supreme Court, Ministers from foreign powers, and many members of Congress. Of President Monroe (who signed the original charter for the college), the National Journal in 1824 wrote: "It must have been peculiarly affecting to our venerable Chief Magistrate, to witness, before retiring from his exalted station, the fruits of an institution, which has risen among us during his administration, and which promises to be so distinguished a blessing to our District and to the whole nation."

On a mild and sunny Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m., a procession of students and faculty was formed on the grounds of the College. All students were directed to wear black silk gowns, "all of one and the same fashion," which could be purchased or rented from the College at a cost of $3.00. The assembly then proceeded to the Rev. Dr. Laurie's Presbyterian Meeting House, on F Street near 14th Street Northwest. Reverend Laurie's Meeting House had been chosen for the site of the graduation because of its ample space and its central location. The site was also very convenient for the distinguished guests and others attending the ceremonies. The campus was in a remote part of the District of Columbia. At 10:30 a.m. the exercises began with music performed by the Marine Band, a tradition that would continue for several years. After a prayer by Dr. Staughton, the President of the College, two sophomores, two juniors, and two of the graduating seniors delivered addresses to the assembled audience. Sophomore John Boulware of Virginia, who would later became a tutor at the College, spoke on "The Responsibilities of American Youth." John W. James, also of Virginia, presented a discussion of "The Superiority of Grecian over Roman Literature." James would become an Episcopal minister. Junior Thomas D. Eliot of the District of Columbia, who later became a congressman from Massachusetts, delivered an address on "Timoleon and Washington." Baron Stow, a junior from New Hampshire who became a highly successful minister in New England, spoke of "The Influence of Mathematics on the Mind." Seniors Alexander Ewell and Albert Fairfax of Virginia presented their speeches on "The United States" and "The Spirit of Liberty," respectively. Following these addresses and a musical intermission by the Marine Band, James D. Knowles, a senior from Rhode Island, spoke about the "Philosophy of the Active Powers of Man." Knowles, who would become a professor at the Newton Theological Seminary, concluded this oration with his Valedictory Address. The degrees were then conferred on the three seniors and the final benediction bestowed by the President of the College.

At 3:30 that afternoon General Lafayette and his entourage were received by the trustees, faculty, and students. After being received by the students, the Rev. O.B. Brown, President of the Board of Trustees, James Barbour of the Senate, and General Lafayette proceeded to the College Chapel where Lafayette was welcomed by Dr. Staughton. As stated in the December 18th Columbian Star, Dr. Staughton delivered a brief address with the "elegance of the scholar, the gratitude of the patriot, and the piety of the Divine" in the Commencement ceremonies. The General "expressed his high sense of the respect shown to him; the pleasure with which he had witnessed the public services of the day; and his wishes for the prosperity of the institution." The students were then individually introduced to the General who took each of their hands with paternal affection. The evening of that first Commencement ended with Lafayette, the Secretaries of State and War, the Hon. Henry Clay, and others, dining with the trustees and faculty at the house of the President of the College.

Note:

This was first published in Arts and Sciences, CCAGAS Alumni Newsletter.

Document Information

Images: 1
Photographic Credit: GW University Historical Photographs Collection
Author or Source: G. David Anderson; Bricks Without Straw (Elmer Louis Kayser);The Minutes of the Board of Trustees (Volume 1, 1824);The Elmer Louis Kayser Collection;The Vertical File Collection, University Archives;The Sunday Star (October 8, 1939)
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: December 21, 2006
Prepared by: G. David Anderson, University Archivist and Historian

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