Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-12
Familiar Letters on Public Characters and Pub
lic Events, from the Peace Of 1888 TO the Peace

Tic Erents, from the Peace Of 1888 TO the Peace
Of 1915
We have been favored with glance at the
pages Of this interesting work, now on the eve
of publication by Russell, Odiorne & Metcalf. 1t
is understood to be the production of one of the
most distinguish leaders Of the Federal party;
and we predict that it will produce greater
sensation than any thing that has emanated
from the American press for many years. The
work is also interspersed with delightful sketch
es of the state of society in this country, thirty
and forty years ago; and with interesting deli
neations of public characters drawn from the
personal observations of the writer. Omitting
for the present any of the letters that have po-
litical bearing, we give two or three extracts
that will be read with pleasure.-Bost Cour.
Washington's tour through the Eastern States
soon after the Revolutionary war, and visit to
Boston, is thus graphically sketched:-
Gin $780, President Washington visited the
eastern states. He travelled in a post-chaise
with four horses; he was accompanied by Major
Jackson, official secretary, and by Tobias Lear,
his private secretary, attended by his famous
man Billy, who makes conspicuous figure in
the forged letters, which Washington repudiated,
by solemn denial, filed in the Office of secreta~
nv of state on his retirement from public life
From some msmanagement in the line, between
Boston and Roxbury, Washington was detain-
ed there nearly two hours; and exposed to
raw northeast wind, by which exposure he was
visited by a severe cold. Many other persons
were exposed and affected in like manner, and
the affection became so general as to be called
the Washington influenza. He came in on horse
back, dressed, in his old continental uniform
hat off 10 RI
tors as he passed, but sat on his horse with
calm, dgnifed air. He dismounted at the Old
State House, now City Hall, and came out on
Temporary balcony at the west end; a long pro-
cession passed before him, whose salutations he
occasionally returned. A trumphal arch was
erected across the street at that place, and a
choir of singers were stationed there When
Washington came within hearing, he was salut-
by the clear, powerful voice of Daniel Rea, who
began the ode prepared for the occasion. Han
cock, with some feeling of state rights had ia
ken the position that, as the representative of
sovereignty in his own dominion, he was to be
visited first even by the President; who, on Han
cocks own ground, is the representative of So
vereignty of all the states wheresoever he may
be within their limits. The President was made
to understand that Hancock expected the first
visit This was not deemed proper by the Pre-
sident. A negotiation ensued, and there were
some written communications. 1t ended in a
refusal on the part of the President to see Han
cock unless at his own place of abode, which
was at the house at the corner of Court and Ire
mont Streets. The delay was afterwards imput-
ed to Hancock's personal debility. On the third
or fourth day, Hancock went in his coach, en-
veloped in red baize to Washington's lodgings,
and was borne in the arms of servants into the
House.
ssThe President remained here about week.
and partook Of public dinner, dined with the
governor, and attended an oratorio in Kings
Chapel, on which occasion he was dressed IN
black On his departure for Portsmouth, he
showed his regard for punctuality. He gave no.
tice that he should depart at eight O'Clock in the
morning He left the door at the moment. The
escort not being ready, he went without them;
they followed, and overlook him on the way
The following describes the state of society