The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-08-25
GENERAL WASHINGTON.
From The NQfiondi Intel

dictionary anecdotes, in your paper Of
Wednesday last, read with pleasure,
and with sympathetic feelings, the iare-
we'll scene, when the general parted with
the officers whom he had so long com
manded, and with whom he had been so
honorably engaged in the revolutionary
struggle. II is so exactly like the con.
duct of that estimabie character, that
doubt not its perfect truth. lie was
man Of great sensibility, amiable, kind,
BENEVOLENT. But there was so much
native dignity IN his department, that no
man could approach him without being
impressed with q sensation that he &C
costed a superior Seing: yet there was
small mixture Of timidity in his gene
raj demeanor, lest nc might commit an
error, and this modesty was exceedingly
prcpossessing. II gave mildness and
kindness to his manner and when, by
being much with him, the sensation oil
awe abated, il was converted into a
warm attachment to person in whom
was found every amiable quality for he
was a generous, kind hearted, and most
sincere friend as capable of giving at
tentions as Of expecting them, and never
failing to reciproca,c kindness.
have lived for weeks together with
tho general at Mount Vernon, at diffe-
rent times, during many years, and the
more knew of him the more sincere
ly regarded him. When he died he was
loss shall never cease to regret. II
was to me irreparable.
10 The anecdotes above alluded 10, the
general is represented as of so grave a
character, that he W as scarcely ever seen
to laugh. have seen him enjoy good
tales, and laugh as heartily as most men
OF elevated character. lie was occa-
sionaily grave when other men laughed,
for he had much TO think OF, that rcquir-
ed his attention. His correspondence
was so extensive, that ne was seldom
long unoccupied and he never left for
the morrow what the day required. He
was punctual, and in all things regula-
ted by the most perfect order, and the
utmost propriety. Blu; he was of SO a.
miable disposition, that he never failed
to express pleasure where he found a
desire to please. Though he enjoyed
refined and polished wit, it was not re-
quisite to shew that he enjoyed a happy
sa!ly-even a pun has made the general
laugh in high glee; and | have heard
him make observations with good deal
OF quaintDess and archness, suppressing a
smile, and leaving the company in full
enjoyment Of the effect. He was a man
OF genius, and wrote some beautiful lit,
tie pieces of poetry. But above all he
was man of piety, a real Christian, and
in the language of scripture, walkce
humbly before God.
In speaking with the general, on The
characters of our countrymen who were
sent on foreign mission, he gave me the
following character Of John Quincy A.
dams.
He observed that he had many esti-
mabIe characters abroad, bot that Mr.
Adams, then our minister at the court OF
Prussia, who was still very young, gave
him more real and satisfactory informa.
ton OF the general politics Of Europe,
and OF all the affairs and diplomatic con,
Germs relative thereto, than all our other
ministers together. The general ex.
pressed the satisfaction which Mr.. A.
dams gave him, in terms the most FIAT.
tering. mentioned this in a large com
Pany, and the venerable WIN. Bayly
who was present, and who know used
often to visit the general, declared that
he also heard the general say, he though,
Mr.. John Quincy Adams the most pro-
missing young man in the United States,
and that the general spoke Of him in the
very highest terms.
Though from Mr.. Adams have not
had the honor OF experiencing those CT
Whites which every secretary Of state
condescendingly rendered to me (for
have been above twenty years at the
head of a branch OF the department of
states though neither expect, nor
shall ever solicit any favor from him, on
my own account, and believe it might be
20 my individual advantage were any
other candidate 10 be elected, think il
my duty to inform the public of the OPT
mon of the great Washington; and |
may add, that having for years lived the
next door neighbor to Mr.. Adams, I
know him to be truly upright and
strictly honest man, indefatigable in his
pubic duties, an excellent parent, be.
loved IN his family, religious, and of the
highest moral character. When indi.
'Iduals are filling the papers with the
most violent abuse of this gentleman, the
minds Of many good men may be erro.