When this letter of Lafayette was communicated to the Common Council of the
city, a large and respectable committee was chosen "to make suitable
arrangements for his reception, should he first arrive at the port of
Boston; and that on his visiting this city, should he disembark at some
other place in the United States, the committee provide for his
accommodation, during his residence here; and to adopt all such measures as
they might deem proper, to extend to him the hospitality of the city, and
to exhibit the feelings of gratitude, which the whole body of citizens
entertain for the splendid services, ardent patriotism and private worth of
the illustrious visitor."

Hon. Mr. Lloyd, Senator from this State in the Congress of the United
States, and particularly attached to Lafayette from family alliances, on
hearing of his intended visit to America, also addressed a friendly note to
him, at an early day, requesting the honor of receiving him at his
hospitable mansion. But the city authorities were desirous, that General
Lafayette, who might be justly considered the guest of the people and of
the nation, should be accommodated by the city in a more public manner: and
Mr. Lloyd, with his usual courtesy and regard to public opinion, resigned
his particular claims, although he was among the first and most eminent of
the citizens of Boston, to show peculiar and distinguished attention to the
favorite of the American people.

In his answer to the letter of Mr. Lloyd, he says, "in whatever part of the
United States I shall find myself, on reaching the beloved shore of
America, I shall lose no, time in my eagerness to revisit the city of
Boston, and answer the flattering invitation I have received. You do
justice to the delight I shall feel, at the sight of the felicity and
prosperity, which is the reward of a virtuous revolution, founded on the
principles of true liberty and self-government."