Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-12
GENERAL WASHINGTON.

FROM the Gusts Reconections and Private memoirs Oh
Washington.
Icoxnux,cArrp ron rHl NATIONAL IsTrIIIesNesn.]
The public days of the First President Of the
United States, were two in each week. On
Tuesday, from three 10 four o'clock, levee was
held for Foreign Ministers. strangers and 9th.
ers, who could there be presented 10 the CHER
Magistrate, without ne formality OF letters oil
introduction. 1t was, indeed, more an arrange
mept Of mutual convenience to the parties, than
an affair Of State; still it was objected to by
some, at that time Of day, as sayoring rather Of
monarehical etiquette, than OF the simpler GUS
toms which should distinguish Nepuohe.-
Who thinks so nowl In truth, the First Pre-.
,idep, wa. so occupied with the multiplicity OF
public concerns, attendant on the outset OF a
new Government, that it became necessary to
limit the time of visiters Of mere ceremony, as
much as possible; and the ievee enabled all such
personaees to pay their respects within the
moderate compass Of an hour. The world IS
ALWAYS governed in q considerable degree oy
form and usage. There never lived man more
averse to show and pomp than Washington
Plain in his habits, there was none to whom the
details of official parade and ceremony could be
less desirable, but correct in all his varied sta
lions of life, the days Of the First Presidency
will ever appear ~ among the most dignihed
and imposing in our eountry's annals.
On Thursday The President gave his Con-
eressional and Diplomatic dinners; and on Fri
Say night, Mrs. Washington received company
at what was then, and is sull, called the Draw
ing Room.
The President attended Mrs. Washington's
evening parties, and paid his compliments to
the circle of ladies, with that ease and elegance
Of manners for which he was remarkable. a.
ri txpa1 urov1tIp
men Of his time, he was always particularly po-
lite to ladies, even In the rugged scenes OF war;
and, in advanced age, many were the youthful
SWANS who sighed for those gracious smiles
with whichihe Fair always received the at'en-
tons of this old beau of sixty-6ve.
An interesting class Of persons were to be
found al the side Of the Chief, on both his pub
lie ana private days, who gave feeling and
character to every scene, and threw 4 charm d
YER verymahy of the: associations Of more than
thirty years ago.. We mean the patriots and
heroes Of the Rev olution. Among the finest re-
collections of:those gope-by days, were the An
ADVERSARY of Independence, when the grey
haired brethren Of the cincinnati assembled a.
round their illustriops President General, many
Of them scanned with SEARS, and all bearing the
badge of the most honoured association upon
Earth. These yeperated forms are now rarely
to be seen, and soor ". be seen no more, but
like Ossian's shadow heroes, they will appear
through the mis,s OF Time, and their heroic
lives and actions will inspire the bards Of Lii
ber,y, while Liberty exists to bless mankind.
Notwithstanding his great occupation in pub
lie affairs, the First President by no means neg
lected his private concerns. He was in the ha-
bit ofreceiving regular and lengthy reports from
the agents Of his estates in Virginia, and di-
L.. - ant ri fhnSa n
sive establishments, with both consummate
skill and success, He also inspected the week
" accounts and disbursement Of his household
in Philadelphia. Indeed, nothing seemed to
escape the discerning mind OF this wonderful
man, s.who had a time for all things, and did
every thing IN its proper time," and in order.
General Washington was q practical ecoRo-
mist, while he wished that his style. OF living
should be fully in character with his exalted
station, he was utterly averse to waste or extra.
vagance of any sort He frequently reprimand-
ed his Hrst steward Francis, {the same at whose
hotel in New York the General in Chief took
leave Of his brothar ofheers,) for expenditures
which appeared to be both unnecessary and ex-
travasant. Francis once purchased a shad hsh
at an unusual season; 1t was served up at the
! President 'spriva,e table, who remarked that II
was very early for such fish to be in the market,
and demanded us price; the answer was, three
dollars! Washington waved his hand, and or
dered: take it away, sir, it must never be said,
that my table sets az example Of extravaganza
The mortified steward removed the rarity m
touched.
The First President took considerable pains,
and used frequent stratagems, in endeavoring
to avoid The numberless manifestations OF at
&achment and respect which awaited him
wherever he went. On his journeys, he charg-
ed the courier who would precede to engage
accommodations at the inns, by no means TO
mention the coming Of the President to other
than the landlord Tnese precautions but rare
" took effect; and often, when the Chief would
suppose chat he had stolen march upon his
old companions in arms and fellow-citizens,
horseman would be discovered dashihg OF at
full speed, and soon would be heard the trum-
pet Of the volunteer cavalry; and the village
eannon, reused from its bed Of neglect, where
it had lain since warlike times, would summon
oil within reach Of its echoes, to haste and oid