Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-12-16


wants of man, with unusual scrupuousness. As
was once walking with him over the grounds
of Mount Vernon, small snake, of harmless,
species, appeared in Our path. I instinctivcly
lifted my heel to crush it, when he instantly
caught my arm, and in tone of earnest expos
tulaton, exclaimed, 'Stay, sir is there not
room enough in tho world for you and that harm
less little rcpte1 Remember, that life is all
every thing TO the creature, and cannot be
unnecessarily taken without indirectly impugn-
ing its Creator, who bestowed it to be enjoyed
with its appropriate pleasures, through its ma
tural term ofexistence.'
"The same system and order which was en-
hibitcd by Washington in all his public transac-
tions, was seen in all his private acts and do
mcstic arrangements; even his charities
which were not stinted, were nicely sysema-
tized. IL was his custom, in years Of plenty, TO
hoard up grain against times of scarcity. And
when such times arrived ne threw open his
storehuuse to the poor and however irrespons
bic they nigh, be, he always made it point TO
supply them in preference to others with all
the grain they needed at the old or ordinary
prices, for which he regularly took their bonds
or notes, but never demanded payment.
"Somc writer's, in treating of the private cha
racter of General Washington, intimate that lie
was man Of warm temper, which would often
nave exhibited itself but for his great self COM
mand His self command was undoubtedly
great, but do not think he had often to exer-
else it to prevent any outbreaks Of passion On
the contrary believe him to have been mild,
and not easily ruilled: certainly quite as much
so as men in general. | never saw him angry
but once in my life. And this was considered
so remarkable a thing by myself, as well as his
family that although we knew he had good
cause 10 be provoked, or such at least as would
have provoked most other men to anger, we
were yet greatly surprised, and looked upon it
as quite an anomaly in the Generals life, 1t
happened while he was President and travel.
ling in his carrrge, with small retinue of out
riders, from Mount Vernon to Philadelphia. 1t
was during the first day OF our journey, and we
/
where, at intervals of few miles, the solitude
ofthe road was relieved at that time by set of
low tavcrns or groggeres, at which we did not
think of stopping. But we had thonghtlcss
/ young man i'll our train, who by favor had been
admitted into the family as a sort Of gentleman
attendant, and who seemed much more inclined
/ to patronize these places. The General, by his
request, had permitted him TO ride a iavorite
mare which he had raised on his planation and
of which he was exceedingly careful, the ami
NAL being almost as slight in proportions as a
roebuck, and very high spirited. But the Young
fellow, notwithstanding the iu,ima,lons he had
received al starting, to deal gently with her
was apparently bent on testing her speed aud u
ther qualities, aud that too in a manner lItle
likely to meet with favor in "A man OF Washing.
tons high sense Of propriety.
ale would leave the train, and riding up tC
one Of these lIquorng establishments, there re
main until we were out of sight when he
would come up upon the run, ride with us a.
while, and galIop on forward to the next. Th,
brought the mcttlcsome creature to foam. an,
evidently much fret,ed her. At TIE C,s, trans
gresslon thus committed againc., the General,
orders respecting re m4rc, as we'll as agains
Ms known 'ense OF propriety, he seemed sur
prise, lCuRing as if he wondered at the yonn
m.n's temerity, and conten,cd himself Wit
I thro,yino after him n ulaDce of lisnlpoSurp 4
the second he appeared highly incensed, e.
though he said nothing, and repressed his ii
= dignation, acting as ii he thought this mast b
y, the last offence, for the punishment Of whic
he chose private occasion. But as the o
fender rode mp the third time, Wqshingtc
hastily threw open the carriage window, an
asking the driver to halt sharply ordered III
: former alongside; ; when, with uplitted can
and tone aud emphasis which startled us a
=, and made the culprit shrink and tremble like
:, leaf he exclaimed. Look you, sir Your CO..
= , duct is insuflereable Fall in behind ther
!, sir, and as sure as you leave us again, W
- break every bone in your skin =
n. at is needless, presume, TO say that the
as fence was not repeated, or that the young g,
Id liant needed any more tanning.
"IIere," said Capt. L., now taking from
y, drawer and handing me for inspection deed
lis Washngton's drafting, so singularly brief as
er be all embraced in seven or eight lines write
Ip- in bold hand across a half sheet Of :oolsc
yet constituting, though not one word CO,