The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-07-26

days, were the Anniversary of Independ-
ence. when the gray haired brethren of the
Cincinnati, assembled around their illustri-
GUS President General, lmany Of them seam,
ed with scars, and all bearing the badge of
the most honored association anon Earth.
These venerated forms are now rarely to be
seen, and soon will be seen no more, but
like Ossan's shadowy heroes. they will 'ap-
pear through the mists of Time, and their
heroic lives and actions will inspire the Bards
of Liberty, while Liberty exists to bless man.
kind.
Notwithstanding his great occupation in
public affairs, the First President by no
means neglected his private concerns. He
was in the habit of receiving regular and
lengthy reports from the agents of his es.
tates in Virginia. and directed by letter the
management of these extensive establish
ments, with both consumate skill and sue
cess He also inspected the weekly accounts
and disbursements of his household in Phila-
delpha. Indeed, nothing seemed to es-
cape the seeming mind of this wonderful
man, "who had time for all things, and did
every thing in its proper time" and in order.
General Washington was practical econ-
omist; while he wished that his style of liv-
ing should be fully in character with his ex-
alted station, he was utterly averse to waste
or extravaganza of any sort. He frequently
reprimanded his first steward Francis, (the
same at whose hotel in New-York the Gem
eral in Chief took leave Of his brother Off
cers.) for expenditures which appeared to
be both unnecessary and extrayagant Fran
els once purchased shad fish at AN unusual
season; it was served up at the Presidents
private table, who remarked that it was vel
ry early for such fish to be in the market.
and demanded the price; the answer was,
three dollars. Washington waved his hand,
and ordered, take it away, Sir; it must new
er be said that my table sets an example of
extravaganza. The mortified Steward re.
moved the rarity untouched.
The First President took considerable
pains, and used frequent stratagens, in en-
deavoring to avoid the numberless manifes.
tations Of attachment and respect which a.
waited him wherever he went. On his Jour-
neys, he charged the courier who would
proceed to engage accommodations at the
inns, by no means to mention the coming of
the President to other than the landlord.-
These precautions but rarely took effect.
and often, when the Chief would suppose
that he had stolen a march upon his old
companions in arms and fellow citizens, a
horseman would be discovered dashing off
at ful speed, and soon would be heard the
trumpet of the volunteer cavalry, and the
village cannon, reused from its bed of ne
glect, where it had lain since warlike times.
would summon I'll within reach of its echoes,
to haste and bid welcome to the man who
was "frst in the hearts of his countrymen."
Every village and little hamlet poured forth
their population to greet the arrival of him
whom all delighted to honor. A kind ofju-
bilee attended every where the progress of
the Patriot Chief; for even the school chill
lren, with the curiosity incident to that age
of innocence, would labor hard at the daily
lesson, and leave the birch to hang idly on
the wall, when to see Gencroi Washington
was the expected holiday and reward; and
many of these children, now the parents of
children, while recalling the golden hours
of infancy, will dwell with delight on the
time when they were presented to the Pa
ternal Chief, and recount how they heard
the kindly sounds of his voice; felt the kind
lier touch of his hand; or climbed his knee,
to "share the good mans SMILE" Pure.
HAPPY and honored recollections! they will
descend like tradtionary lore from gener-
alton to generation, venerable to all future
| time.
In the frequent trial of generalship be-
tween the Chief and his ancient comrades
in arms-the one seeking to avoid the testi-
monies of respect and attachment, which the
0ther was equally Stud1ouS TO oHer-tne latc
Colonel Proctor, gallant and distinguished
officer of Artillery, was several times OUT
generalled-the President having reached
the Seat of Government privately and un-
observed. This reused the good old Colo
mel, who declared, ale shall not serve me
SO again; I'll warrant that my matches will
be found lighted next time"
So soon as the first gun would be heard
from the upper extremity of Market street,
venerable citizen was seen to leave his Of
Ace, and moving at more than his usual pace.
ascend the steps of the Presidolead He
gave in no name; he required no ceremony
of introduction, but, making his way to the
family parlor, opened the general gratula-
lation by the first welcome Of Robert Nor.
ris.
At the Ferry of the Susquehannah, lived
a veteran worthy of the Revolutionary day,
where the President always took quarters
on ms JOURNEYS to and from his seat in Vir-
r,nia. AS the boat touched the shore punc-
tuai to the moment and true to his post,
stood Col Rodgers, prepared to hand Mrs.
Washington to his house. 1t was his claim,
his privilege: like the claims at Corona
ton. it had been put in and allowed, and.
verify, the veteran would not have yielded
it to an Emperor.
The late General Charles Scott, had a
! hah of cweaviOu. 1vhAth r