Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-27

from the circumstance OF no ua''', o''S' >.''"N
the Speakers, touching the bell on the evenings
Of the Sabbath. ~
| Forty years an husband, Gen. Washington
retained an od-rashioned habit OF husbands, at
he always did;,he ease and elegance OF o'a'lasn
toned manners. He. wore suspended from MS
! neck, by a gold chain, and resting on MS bosom
the miniature portrait OF his vile, from tne
time Of his marriage until ne ceased 10 1--we III
nature. The letter which he wrote 10 her, up
on his acceptance Of the command OF 'he ar
mics of Liberty, (which letter, dated June 18Th
l775, is published in this work, from the auto
graph, is proof both of his conJugal tender
ness, and diffidence in receiving so important
commission; also Of the purity oil his heart,
aud Of the generous and nobly dlslnteresied
motives, which governed his lie ana actions
The circumstances attending his hrst inter
view with his lady, we shall give from The re-
lation of an aged gentleman, now no more e.,
The Provincial Colonel was proceeding 10 w IL
! ilamsburg, when he fell in with r. Chamber.
layne, Esq one Of the ancient arIstoeraey Oh
Virginia, who lived in style OF great hospi'
tally at his seat, 10 the county oil New hehi'
Chamberlayne pressed the Colonel to dine win
him, and stay all night, (as Virginians OF those
| days were not in the habit OF making short &C.
remonlous visits but was answered, that I'M
| portant business at the seat oil government
made compliance, however agreeable, quite
out OF The question Chamberlayne now return
ed TO the charge, by informing his friend, that
| 1t was IN his power 10 Introduce him to hne,
young, and handsome widow, who was spend
ing some days a. his house. The gallant SOL
der consented 10 stop, but it was to dine-only
to dine-while his unsaddled horses ate a
FIJI ,,I az ka IN
plish ten or fifteen miles OF his journey by night.
fall. Fate destined this interview 10 produce
The long anc happy union which soon followed
the first meeting and mutual attachment OF the
parties: for The enamoured Colonel, making
duty, for this time only, to yield to love, per-
mitted the sun to set and 10 rise again upon
him, the guest of Chamberlayne, while Bishop,
his old soldier and body servant, tall as his
chief, and in this one instance more punctili-
Gus, had, in obcying his orders Of haste, long
stood at his masters stirru2, "ready, aye rea-
dy, for the field" The ensuing evening the
Colonel departed, 'no,hing 10th" 10 accept the
kind bidding of his hospltable host to call a
gain. The marriage took place about 1860, al
he White House in the county Of New Kent.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev Mr..
Mossom, Clergyman sent out by the Bishop
GINA then was, 10 the Rec,ory Of ST. Peters
Parish, New Kent
Soon after his marriage, Colonel Washing
ton became settled at Mount Vernon, and was
elected frequently from the county Of Fairfax
TO the House of Burgesses. During the reisns
OF the Provincial Governors Boutetourt and
Eden, the Courts Of Williamsburg and Anna
polls displayed as much of the polish Of high
life as was to be found in the larger cities Of
Europe, with far less Of their corrup:ions and
(ift tie ssessOns' 81 me f;egisiatuS, where tnsy
lived iRgreat splendor and hospitality. Col.
w ashing,on was OF This number: his per,onal
attractions, not less than his early renown in
arms, made bin subject of much interest to
the Europeans, VINO were frequent visitors to
the Capitals OF Virginia and MARYLAND
Straight as an Indian arrow, he was easily dis. |
tinguished in the gay crowds which appeared |
a, the palaces Of the vice-khgs, by something
in his air and manner, whth bespoke no ordi.
nary man. His lowrrIimS, being formed ma.
sira gut, he walked, as il were, on
parallel lines, while hs mode of placing and
taking up lis feet, eSmbed the step Of prec1-
sion and are, SO rentrkable in the aboriginal
chi'dren OF The iorest.l he might be termed ra-
iher silent than feaklng member Of the
House OF burgeases, though he sometimes adj.
dressed the Chair, all Mas listened to with al
len,ion and respect, lie the excellence of his
Judgment was put l1equiSilion on all Com ,
mittees, either OF imktant, general, or local |
policy. {
When Colonel W3&netob first resided a,
M0rnt Vernon, both nmansion- house and PC. 3
tate we're ineonsider%. All the embeli. =. r
ments Of the house al rounds are owing TO Y
his creative hand. Pr o the war of Indepen. d
dence, nc was much sthed 10 the pleasures "
Of the chace, and is ID bed as bold and fear. m
less rider. He kept n ds for short time at. l,
ter the Revolution, d declined hunting alto p
ge,her about 1887 or
He was never dlsp1 10 conviyiality, but a
liked the cheerful cor Of the social board; D
INDUCED in no games 3hance, except in the n
olden times, when req to make up a partv o.
a, whist, in playing t,riae, although. for Of
many years, play Of ids was unknown in W
his household. After etiremen, from pub III
lie life, all the time be could spare from tn
his library, was devot the improvement of mr.
his estates, and the ele md tasteful arrange
ment Of his house a bunds. He was his m
own surveyor and tn osiiion and appear ca
anee Of his farms, ga bent proofs that the in
genius Of useful impI ent had directed his bo
energies with benehc wel as ornamental fir
| ct ~