The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1823-09-04
II, ,om Ae National h1eihgsnesy.
GENERAL WASHINGTON.
TO TtfE EpITORS.

Ge0tienien Undef the tile OF Repo'nio1
a,y .4needotes, in you pspet Of yesterday ]
fcsd with pleasure, and sympahe,ic feeling,
The farewell scene, when the General parted
with The Officers whom he had so long com.
manded, and with whom he had been so hon
ogably engaged in the Revolutionary struggle.
1t is so exactly like yhe condact Of that es,i-
msbls character, that doubt rot us perfect
truth. lie was man Of gres, sensibilny, am.
liable, kind, benevolent. 3u, there was so
much naive dignity 10 his department, that
no man could spp oach him without being i'm.
pressed with sensation that he accos,ed a
superior Being yet there was small MIXTURE
OF timidity in his general demesnor, lest be
might comm,, an cuor, and this nodesy was
exceedingly prepossessing u gave mild
ness and Kindness 10 his manner end when,
by being much with him the sensation OF awe
was abae II was converted into warm ST.
tachmcn, 10 o person IN whom was found evo.
~ amable quality; Tor he wasa generous,
kind hearted, and most sincere friend ; as Ca.
pable Of giving attentions as Of expecting them
end never falling to rcciprocs,e a kindness.
have lived Tor weeks together With the
General at Mount Vernon at different times,
during many years, and the more knew OF
him the more l SINCERELY regarded him
Whsa he died he was ,he be.. friend he'd on
earth, end his los. I shall never cease 10 re-
gret. II was 10 me irrepa'ablo.
IN Tho specdo,es above alluded 10, the Cen
crai is represented as Of so grave q character,
tha, he was scarcely ever seen TO laugh. !
have sscn him enjoy good tales and laugh as
heartily as mos, men of elevated character.
He was Occasionally grave when other men
laughed, for no had much 10 think OF that re-
quired hi. sttcD,ion. His correspondence wss
so extensive, that he wa, seldom long onoc.
cupied and he never ieGt for the morrow what
the day required. he was punc,usl, and in
all things regulated by the mos, perfect order,
and the utmost p'oprie,y. Hut he was of so
smisble q disposition, that he never failed 10
express pleasure where he found desire 10
p'os'e.--Thoush he enjoyed refined and pol
ished wit, II was not requisite to shew thst ne
enjoyed bsppy saily--even pun has made
the General laugh IN high glee and have
heard him make observations with good deal
Of quain,ness and atehness, suppressiog .
smile, and leaving the company in full enjoy
mert Of the effect. He was man Of genius,
aud wrote some beautiful pieces Of poetry.
But above all he was man OF piety, Q real
christian, and, in the language OF Scripture,
walked humoiy before God.
In speaking with the General, oo the char
sc,ers Of our county ymen who were sen, on
foreign missions. he gave me tho following
character Of John Quincy Adams:
He observed tha, We had many es,lmsble
characters abroad, bu, that Mr. Adams, then
our mioi,,er st the Cour, Of Prussia, who was
| Niil very young, gave him more real and sat.
islse,ory inlo' nation Of the general politics Of
Europe, and Of all the sfAWs and diplomatic
concerns relative thereto, than all our other
ministers together. The General expressed
/ hc satisfaction which Mr.. Adams gave him.
IN ,erms tho most h,uering. l mentioned
hi. In . large company, sod the venerable
William Bayiy, who vas present end who
know used ei,sn 10 ,isitt General, cscisred