Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-08-12
From the Now York Minor.
GENERAL WASHINGTON.


The following description of the person ofGen-
eral Washington, and the observations respecting
him, are contained in the work of that distin-
guishcd friend Of America, ABBE ROBIN, who
came over to this country in the capacity Of one
Of the chaplains to the French army, in 1851,
previous to the capture Of the British army under
CORVALLIS.
Il have seen General Washington, that most
singular mantle soul and support Of one of the
greatest revolutions that has ever happened, or
can happen again. l fixed my eyes upon him
with that keen attention which the sight of great
man always inspires. We naturally entertain a
secret hope Of discovering in the features OF such
men, some traces of that excellent ge
MUS which distinguishes them from, and elevates
them above their fellow mortals. Perhaps the ex-
terror OF no man was better calculated to crafty
these expectations than that Of General Wash
ington. He is of tall and noble stature well pro-
Portioned, fine, cheerful, open countcnance, a
simple and modest carriage; and his whole mien
has something in it that interests the French, the
Americans, and even enemies themselves in his
favour. Placed in u military view, at the head
of a nation where each individual has share in
the supreme legislative authority, and where CO.
ercive laws are yet in great degree destitute
OF vigour, where the climate and manners can
add but little to their energy, where the spirit OF
party, private interest, slowness and national in
dolence slacken, suspend and overthrow the best
concerted measures; although so situated, he has
found out a method of keeping his troops in the
most absolute subordination: making them rivals
in praising hun; fearing him even when he Is 81
lent, vnd retaining their full confidence in him, at
ter defeats and disgrace. His reputation, has. at
length, arisen to most brilliant pitch; and he
may now grasp at the most unbounded power with
out provoking envy or exciting suspicion He
has ever shown himself superior to fortune, and in
the most trying adversely has discovered resourc-
es till then unknown, and, as if his abilities only
increased and dilatcd at the prospect of difficulty
he is never better supplied than when he seems
destitute of everything, nor have his arms ever
been fatal to his enemies at the very instant
when they had thought they had crushed him for
ever. 1t is his to excite spirit of heroism and
enthusiasm in people, who are by nature very
little susceptible Of it; to gain over the respect
and homage OF those whose interest it is to refuse
it, and to execute his plans and projects by means
unknown even to those who are his instruments
he is intrepid in dangers, yet never seeks them
but when tho good al. b. country demands it. pre-
ferring rather to temporZe and act upon the de
fensive, because he knows such a mode OF con
duct best suits the genius and circumstances o
the nation, and that all he and they have to OK
pect, depends upon time, fortitude and patience
he is frugal and sober regard to himself, but pro
fuse in the public cause; like Peter the Great, ht
has by defeats conducted his army to victory ant
like Fabius, but with fewer resources and NOR
difficulty, he has conquered without fighting, ant
saved his country. Such arc the ideas that arts
in the mind, at the sight of this great man, in OK
amining the events in which he has had a share
or in listening to those whose duty obliges theI
to be near his person, and consequently best dis
play his true character. In all these extensiv
states they consider him in the light Of a benef
cicnt God, dispensing peaceapd happiness aroun
him. Old men, women and children, press abou
him when he accidentally passes along, and thin
seen him-they follow him through the town
with torches, and celebrate his arrival by publ
illuminations. The Americans, thai. cool and s.
date people, who in the midst Of their most try
ing difficulties, have attended only to the dire'
tions and impulses of plain method and commo
reason, are reused, animated, and inflamed at til
very mention of his name: and the first sons
that sentiment gratitude has dictated, hay
been to celebrate General Washington