The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-08-17
Extracts from Letters
FROM THE SOUTH AND WEST.
by ".l,thur Singleton, Esq
From the Letter from Washington.

| rom the Letter from Washington.
1t is but too apparent. at our Federal
lily, that our republican simplicity IS era
dnally changing. The first time General
| Washington met Congress-, 1t is said, ht
went on foot, III plain domestic suit the
second year, he went in costly foreign
velvet dress, and IN n carriage. The first
year, he Deb, cred his speech IN person the
next year, he sent il by his secretary. This
aplna of European courtlinrss may, ere hall
a century, morlliy honest ftpublcanism. -
/ WAS told of a trait of Mt Jefferson, how.
ever that, When Mr.. Madison was indnct-
cd into the presidency, there stood al his
side, the plllos0phlc ex=presidcnt, in 4
home wrought brown great coat. scarce
vleing with that of a Thrifty ovcrseer. Was
tins true republican plainness aud equality
IA rare pattern of modesty aud economy
the way 10 encourage domestic manulac-
lures 1t wire i'll natured 10 ask whether
ptde or homility winkcd thru the threads
1t is pro ccted to publish a fac -sime of the
Declaration Of independence, with the au-
t"graph of the slgueis, and categorical de
signs aud portraits but who does not feel
humbled that IT'S protector is not an Ameri-
can, bat uaturalized son of Erin Did
y v.
the Edinburgh Reviewer, who, when lately
in tins country, where he WAS apotheosized
by our granders, being asked, how president
Madison appeared 10 him, replied " Why
quite neat little trim looking man, dressed
in black, with his hands behind him like
country apothccary going 10 n funeral"
Aud being asked hls "pi'ion Of Mr. Secre-
tary Monroe " Not am ignorant man" said
1. III LID k.f "A L.,
the traces" lie appears To have left his
dcrotecs low in the vocatiye. Bot great
minds do moi heed pleasantly especial,
from a critic, who, notwithstanding his
qaiPs and his quirks, is thought To hold this
rising republic in moral aud physical pre-
eminence, as envy and dread of monar-
clues. ! should like to see his graduated
scale of the natural talents Of all of our cx
ceIlent presidents. | WAS informed that,
as a certain SiGte secretary WAS formerly
prime toddy-maker Ia General Stirling 80
was certain Spoaker Of The house filst egg
nog maker at Ghenf."
Ayhlle here, have hard John Randolph
speak in the hall twice. A slim, rcagre,
hollow hrtked, round shonldcrcd figure
with his lemon skin, aud little retrratIug
nose, aud sharp scooplng chm, and his
smooth, light brown hair, krmpea back
from his forehead, and gathered by a string
aloosc down his back. with his shlill fcmi
nine voice, which can swell To a wonderful
compass, aud his unahashablc selfposaes-
sion, and searching, twiukling eye, and his
long, slender, depnting finger. Although
he boasts OF prIncely Indian blood, he has
not much of Indian taclturnity. His que
rulnns q'talhy of mind, aud eccentricity OF
dress, made me tIink Of The paradoxlcal
Rousseau, in his Armenian garb indeed,
in zomc particulars, there il some resrm
blance between the Geucvan and American
citizen however, the latter may hc the
better man. He has, perhaps, more genius
than Judgment ; ever vacllldting, yet fixed
he IS a party by himself lie is fl1cr 10 pull
down than 10 build up a clog to both par
ties 20 whom he Is II kind of amusing, yet
dreaded, Mrnippns. Although his speeches
want the hcidus ordo, yet he always draws
attention hy The pnngcncy of his sarcasm,
the raciness of his dcs,dtory matter, aud
The unique spell of his manner. He is u
bachelor, a wealthy Nirgnian planter ON
the Roanoke, and said 10 be IL man Of no.
bic spirit a fine hunter, and christian"