The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-04-10
From tho Washington Correspondence Of the Albany
Evening Journal.

From tho Washington Correspondence Of the Albany
Evening Journal.
WASHIN GTON'S OLD SERVANT.
The spirit of patriotism within has been refresh
ed this morning by communion with man whose
existence constitutes lnk-probably the only link
which connects the present with the long, long
past.
Having noticed that the bill passed Sho House Of
Representatives granting pension to John Carey,
who the servant Of Col, Washington at Brad
docks defeat, and who also was hi army servant
during part Of the Revolutionary war, | enquired
him out and to day the Hon. Mr. Briggs of Mass. and
Hon. Mr. Morgan Of New York, accompanied me to
the old veterans cabin, which is upon branch of
the Potomac, about mile from the navy yard. We
found him in good health and with strong feeling
of gratitude to God and his country at the prospect
of pension He says that the people Of Vrgi
thirty years ago, told him that if he 10 WASH
ingon he would be sure to get pension and though
he had suffered many years of disappointment, in
stead of complaining, he had been thankful for the
merces and blessings he has enjoyed
When we commenced conversation with him his
voice was tremulous and his utterance difficult But
this his feelings rose, was overcome, and he talk
ed for an hour and half with much animation, G.
vincng remarkable intelligence, strict regard for the
truth and just sense of propriey. lie did not know
how old he was, but from information derived from
persons who knew him BEST fixes his birth in 1929.
He says that he several years older than the
sCoone'' Mt Braddock's defeat WASHINGTON
took him a servant when he entered the army in
1753 telling him he must give away his fiddle, and
stop playing with dice, and he would take care of
him, and that he found him kind, good master He
gave a brief but intelligent account Of the disas-
trous battle in which the English General fell This
living chronicle of battle which occurred almost
hundred years ago, from the lips Of one Of the
actors in the was deeply Interesting.
| Mr. Briggs showed the old negro a sword belonging
to General Washington, which by many was suppos-
ed to be the one worn at Braddocks defeat. After
examining it, the old man said il was not so; that the
Colonel had two swords with him in that campaign
both of which he had the care Of and which he de-
scribed. Mr. B. informed him that tho sword came
from Washington's grand nephew; but he persisted
in saying that it not used in that campaign, is
the fact, for upon the belt buckle sc. w. l75l' is
engraven showing that it was made two years after
! that baltic.
He then gave some accounts OF scenes the Bran
DIVINE, in the Revolutionary war, and of the surren-
J der of Corvallis, when he again Washington's
servant, but with less distinctness showing the EARL
| est scenes wero best remembered When he heard
of Washngtons illness, he came from his residence
to Mount Vernon, arriving the day after the General
died. At first he found nobody that knew him, or
who would allow him to the remains, but his i'm
portunites finally brought some Of The family out, by
whom he was recognized.
At the close Of the war General Washington gave
him Of his military coats whc he has carefully
preserved and values relic above any price the
world can offer. This was shown to us.-It is blue,
with yellow facings, and large metal buttons, six of
which have been felonousy cut off by visitors. In
looking at and talking of this precious garment, the
old man frightened up and became enthusiastic.
Mr. Briggs asked him what he would take for the
coaI He saw the question not in earnest and
barely replied, s.Dont ask such question massa"
Mr. Morgan, with apparent earnestness, reped"Ho
much money shall give you for it, John!' At this
he drew up and replied with spirit, that if he had moth
ing to eat all tho money in the world could not buy
that coat--But he added, s'you may put it on
heap Of ladies' and gentlemen have done before"
Having been with him more than an hour, spoke
of going but he urged earnestly TO stay, that
we remained much longer, listening with constantly
increasing interest who has lived to more than
five score and ten years
His mental faculties are yet unmpared. His Wis
ion and speech are affected, but his hearing is good
His wife is mere than seventy years in junior, and
only companion and nurse. They live in cabin
which he built before the late war.
The bill which has passed the House, under the
auspices of COL Taliafeno and Mr. Briggs, gives u
pension of $50 per annum, commencing IN 1872 Its
passage was obs,inately opposed by Mr. Merwether
of Georgia. who objected to the policy of pensioning
negroes But rejoice to say it was the only vote
against the bill
LOVE ONE ANOTHER A WEIGH parson preach
inc from this text, Love another, told his con-
gregaton that in kind and respectful treatment to our
fellow creatures we inferior to the brute crea-
,;on As an illustration of the truth Of this remark
he quoted an instance oftwo goats in his own parish
that met upon bridge very narrow that they could
not pass by without thrustng the other into the
river. "AnJ, CONTINUED he) how doyou think they
| n H. IF