Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-22

borrowing some Of this fine moonlight, reach
Williamsburg crc his Exccllcncy shall have
shaken of his morning slumbers'
DO | understand that may be excused i'm
mediatc'y after dinner ?
'Certainly.'
Then. sir, accept your hospitality And
gracefully throwing himself from his charger,
he resigned the rein to his English servant, g-
wing at the same time strict orders as TO the
time when he must be ready te pursue their
journey.
q am rcjoiccd, Colonel Washington said
the hospitable old gentleman, fortunately to
have met you on my morning ride and the
more so, as | have some guests who may make
the rcpast pass pleasantly, and will not fail to
appreciate our young and valicnt soldier
Washington bowed his thanks, and was in
troduced to the company. Virgnias iar-famed
hospitality was well set forth in that spacious
baronial hall. Precise in his household regu-
lations, the social feast was closed at the time
the host predicted. The servant was also pune
tual- he knew the habits ofhis master. At the
appointed moment he stood with horses capari.
soned at the gate aud much did he marvel,
as listening to every footstcp that paced down
the avenue, he saw the sun sink in the west,
and yet no master appear. At length order
came that the horses should be put up for the
night. Wonder upon wonder! when his bus-
ness with the Governor was so urgent The
sun was high in the heavens the next day ere
Washington mounted for his journey. No cxpla-
nation was given, but it was rumored that a.
mong the guests was beautiful and youthful
widow, to whose charms his heart responded
This was further confirmed by his tarrying but
a brief space at Williamsburg, retracing his
route with unusual celebrity, and becoming a
frequent visitor at the house of the late Colo
mel Curtis, in the vicinity. where, the following
year, his nuptails were celebrated.
Henceforth the life of the lady of Mount Yer
non is part of the history of her country. In
that hallowed retreat she was found entering
into the plans of Washington, sharing his con-
fdencc, and making his household happy,
There her only daughter, Martha Gusts, died
in the bloom of youth a few years after, when
the troubles Of the country drew her husband
to the post of commandcr-in chief of her armies,
she accompanied him TO Boston, and witnessed
its seigc and evacuation. For eight years he
returned no more TO enjoy his beloved residence
on the banks of the Potomac. During his NIB
scnce she made the most strenuous efforts TO
discharge the added weight of care, and to en-
dure, with changclcss trust in Heaven, con-
'inued anxiety for one SO incxprcssby dear.
Al the close of each campaign she repaired, in
compliance with his wishes, TO head quarters,
where the ladies OF the general officers joined
her in forming such society as ditIused cheer
ter of Valley Forge and Morristown. The o.
pening of every campaign was the signal oi
the return of Lady Washington, Gas she was
called in the army to her domestic cares a,
Mount Vernon. Il heard said she, the first
and last cannon of the revolutionary war The
rejoicing which attended the surrender of Com.
wallis, in the autumn of Isl, marked for her
a season of the deepest sorrow. llcr only re-
naming child, Col. John Gusts, the ad-dc
camp of Washington, became during hi.
arduous duties at the seige of Yorktown, tho
victim Of epidemic fever and died at the age d
twcnty-seven. He was but boy of five at thC
time of her second marriage, and had drawn
forth strongly the affections and regard of hcl
husband, who shared her ctinn for his loss
and by the tcndercst sympathy to alleviate it
Aler the close of the war, few years were
devoted to the enjoyment and establishment o.
their tavortc Mount Vernon. The peace ant
returning prosperity of their country gave pur,
and bright ingredients to their cup of happi
ness. Their mansion wes thronged with guests
Of distinction, all of whom remarked with ad
miralion the energy of Mrs. Washington, il
the complicated duties o.! Virginia housewife
and the elegance and grace with which she pre-
sided at her noble board.
The voice of free nation, comforting on Gc
neral Washington the highest office in its pow
er to bestow, was not obcycd without n sacri
flee of feeling. 1t was in the spring of l7S9
that, with his lady, he babe adieu 10 his tran
quill abode, to ass umc the responsibility of th'
first Presidency. In forming his domestic cs
tablishmeuts, he mingled the simplicity OF re
public with that dignity which he felt was ne
cessary to secure the respect of older govern
ments The furniture of his house, the liver!
of his servants, the entertainment of his guest