The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-29
GENERAL WASHINGTON,
HIS LIFE, HABITS, AND MANNERS.
From the "Ci4stjs Recyllcct;ons."
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When Col Washington first resided AZ
Mount Vernon, both the mansion house and
estate were inconsiterabe. All the em5el-
lishments of the house and grounds are ow-
iEr to his creative hand. Prior TO the war
of independence, he was much attached 10
the pleasures of the chase, and Is described
AS a bold and fearless rider. He Kept
hounds for short time after the Revolution,
but declined hunting altogether about 1857
or '88.
He was never disposed to conviviallty, but
liked the cheerful converse OF the social
board; indulging in no games OF chance' eH-
cept in the oldcn times, when required 10
make up party at whist, in playing tor
trlfle, although for many years, play OF al
kinds was unknown in his household. At
ter his retirement from public lie, all the
time he could spare from his library, was
devoted to the improvement OF his estates,
and the elegant and tasteful arrangement OF
his house and grounds He was his own
surveyor; and the disposition and appear
ance Of his farms, gave evident proofs that
the genius of useful improvement had d.
rected it's energies with beneficial as well as
ornamental effects.
Asa master Of slaves, General Washing
ton was consistent, as in every other rela-
ton of his meritorious life. They were
comfortably lodged, Ted, and clothed; re-
Qnired to do full and tair share OF duty
we'll cared for in sickness and old age, ana
kept in strict and proper discipline These,
we humbly conceive, comprise all the char-
tiles Of slavery To his old servants, whose
long and faithful services rendered them
worthy Of attachment and esteem. he vas
most kind. Ills huI tsman and Revolutions
~ attendant, WIN Lee, commonly called
Billy, was specially provided tor, and sur
yivcd his master a good many years. WIN
had been stout, active man, and famous
horseman, but, from accident, was Cripple
MANY years before his death, which occur
J red at a very advanced age. This ancient
( follower, both in the chase and war, formed
most Interesting relic of the Chief, and
received considerable largcssc from the vis'
tiers to Mount Vernon. The slaves were
\ left. TO be emancipated at the death OF Mrs
WA ohingten; but it was found necessary
! (fOr Hrudenta.k rcasons) to give them then
/ freedom in one year after the Generals de-
cease. Although many of them, with
view to their liberation, had been instructed
in mechanic trades, yet they succeeded very
badly as freemen: so true is the MAXIM
"that the hour which makes man slave
takes half his worth away"
Bishop, an English soldier, formed an IN
tercsting reminisccnce oi the war OF 90
He belonged to BraddocA's own regiment
and, OH account of possessing superior intel
ligence, was detained as a body servant, tf
accompany that i'll fated commander on the
expedition to Fort du Quesnc. Bishop firmly
believed in the Providence Which shielded
the Provincial Major, i'll the memorable bat
tic of Monongahcla. and observed, he wa
the only mounted officer left The enem,
knew him well, from their having felt hin
severely, the year before, at the affair OF th
Meadows and the provincial militia bcln'
far more obnoxious to the French and IN
dians that the European troops, from tn
craftsmanship of the rangers, and their III
innate knowledge of the modes OF tores
warfare, the fire of the enemy became sin
gulary directed against the devoted yonn
warrior, whom they afterwards termed "th
spirit protected man." destined to "bccom
the Chief of Nations and "vho coul
not die in battle" The hat worn on tina
cventful day, and which was pierced by tw
balls, was at Mount Vernon, and both see
and handled by several persons, long with
our remembrance; yet strange to sa! It wa
no WneTe 10 Ut tOuHu O!I tHe GShiioS Va -.
Chief Another and invaluable relic was al
, so missing; we mean the sword OF service
which was worn in action, in the war of IN
, dependence. 1t was described to us, by OH
+ who oft had buckled it to the here's SIDE, a
being kind of hanger; and we have an IL
, disticnt recollection of having been told
> the family, that it was given to Greene
, the close OF the war. If 50, it surely coul
not have been more worthiy bestowed. VI
5 on mentioning these circumstances to Get
: eral Andrew Jackson, he was pleased to sa
4 tha. he would make inquiry among the d