Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1799-10-14
ANECDOTE

AMI
QfEIr. KUNaINGzo late Governor Of CSmtl7icut.
IN that part of Windham called Scotland,
Mr.. Huntington was born and educated. In
the fame place lived Capt: J. X, respectable
farmer, polefed of itrong natural powers of
mind, and original wit, decently improved by
education. When Mr.. Huntington was a boy
Capt. X. was very popular with his townfmen,
and often filed the highelt Offices in their gift
Honelt, :naufrious, fenfible and witty, bis com
pany was courted, and he was generally relpeet-
ed by his acquaintance.
1t happened, however, that ferries of milf
fortunes overlook him, which prudence could
neither foreiee nor prevent. To extricate him
ielf he was obliged to difpofe of his proper
ty in Scotland. After dilcharging the de.
mands which he voluntarily obliged himielf to
pay, he removed to neighboring town, and
being unable to purchafe, rented farm.
AS public employment was what he never
coveted, he cheerfally and contentedy deyot.
cd himlelf to farming, making himfelf agreea-
BILE 10 his neighbours without wiihing to extend
his acquaintance. In this rural and obfcure
retreat Capt. X. fpent the remainder of his days
Mr.. Huntington, bred to the law, removed
from Scotland and commenced buGnefs at
Norwich. His diltinguilhed merit foon brought
him into public life-he rapidly paTsd through
the various grades of Office to the Proficiency of
Congreis, and after this was chofen Governor
OF the aatc of Connecticut, and was annually
elected to that office till his deaths
After Mr.. Huntington became Governor
he had lefnre to attend to his friends, which
for fome years before, and through the whole
of the America war, be feldom could enjoy.
While youth he was taught to look up
with refpea to Capt. X. whom he iaw in afilu-
ent circumstances, and honored and relpeaed
by his townfmen. Many years had pa6ed
fnce he had feen him, and greatly were their
htuations and circumstances altered. He de-
termined however TO look up his ancient friend
and make him a Wifi in his retreat. With this
intent he took horfe, and, unattended by
Jingle fervant, rode nearly twenty miles, called
upon respectable clergyman and communica-
ted his intention, of whom he learnt that Capt.
K lived about Fix miles ditant. In tie morn
ing, accompanied by the clergyman, be rode to
Capt. KS. houfe and found nobody within but
the good old lady his wife. The clergyman,
in manner which he judged would lealt diff
compofe, told her that his companion was
Governor Huntington, and defred her to fend
for Capt. X. who was in the field Having feat
ed her gucas in room, which, tho void of or
nament, bore every mark of neatnefs, lhe col
leeted the Capt's. BET fuit, and went haaily to
call him, told him what gueas they had, deiir-
ing him to drels with all expedition and come to
the houle.
Yes, yes, fad the Capt. DO you go in and
give them mug of cider, and will csme
directly. Capt. X. was not ealily daurbed in
fead of putting on his bea cloaths, he took the
bundle under his arm, and in his frock and
trowfers, deliberately walked to the houlc. He ad
drened himlelf to his gueas in manner which
made them agreeable, convincing them that
he felt pleaed with the Witt.
"Myw wife and I,"faid he, "are old folks and
unacquainted with modern politenels You
will find nothing about u.s." adreflng the Gov
,ernor, g but ruaicity, implicitly and honcay; l
It is worthy of remark that The aa'c of Conneef-
cut whole contribution of government IS the mott de-
rscratic of any in the Union, have uniformly receet-
ed by annual election, their Governors till they were
unable to fulan the office, By iairmily death; or
have voluntarily reGgned it, +.'>