New Jersey Gazette, December 20, 1784

Revolutionary War "celebrity" the Marquis de Lafayette dominated the Trenton news coverage in the New Jersey Gazette for this day in 1784. Following his arrival in town earlier in the month Lafayette was a star of the local social scene and Congress appointed a committee to organize a formal send-off for him before he departed the country for France. In the Committee's words: "the merit and services of the Marquis render it proper that such an opportunity of taking leave of Congress be afforded him, as [Congress] may strongly manifest their esteem and regard for him." The Gazette printed in full both Congress's resolutions in support of Lafayette and his appreciative response.

[credit: New Jersey State Archives, Department of State, scanned from originals lent courtesy of the New Jersey State Library]