Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1844-04-06


Thayer, Corresponding Committee, s,c
From the American Pioneer
A CURIOUS INCIDENT IN THE LIFE
OF PHILIP DODDRlDGE, ESQ
WHICH TOOK PLACE AT NATcHEz IN THE yr,,
1896
"Mr. Doddridge, as is we'll known IL
the early inhabitants Of Western Penn.
sylvania and Virginia, was for MANY
years one of the most noted men in thai
region for his splendid talents at the bar
and has probably never been excelled il
he has been equalled, for his dscrimir,
ton in fathomining the depths of an IN.
trlcate case, or his powerful and logcs
reasoning in unfolding it. His father
was one amongst The earliest settlers Of
North western Virginia, in the vicinity oi
what was then called Charleston, but
now WelIsburg,
Wis constitution not being very 70.
bust, at the age Of sixteen years he was
taken from the plough, put to school
and commenced the study OF Latin. Ha
vigorous mind drank in knowledge with
the rapidly of thought, or as a dry
spunge absorbs water. 1t soon became
habit, with him to exercise his memory
in changing the common conversation a.
round HIM into the idom of his studies;
and following his father in his morning
and evening devotions, he soon Learned
to render his prayer into very good Lat
IN, and 10 converse with his teacher quite
fiuontly. This close application to his
his books, although it invigorated his
mental powers, yet enfeebled his body
and it became necessary for while to
suspend his studies. At this period, the
region in which he lived had become so
much improved as to afford considerable
surplus produce beyond the wants Of the
inhabitants, the only market for which
was to be found on the Mississippi river,
or at New Orleans. Some ofhs cousins,
young men Of his own age, having load.
ed boat with flour, invited him TO 90 with
them, and recruit his enfeebled frame by
a voyage to the South. Nothing very
interesting occurred until they reached
Natchez, at that time in possession Of the
Spaniards. They were very strict in
their police, forbidding any stranger or
boatmen TO 60 up in the town, seated on
a high bluff, without written permls
sion from the commandant or governor
81 the place.
''Young Doddridge feeling the ill eff
Tects of confinement 10 the narrow limits
Of the boat, and that he needed exercis
to take walk and visit the
own on the hill. He had assembled a.
,out half way, when he was met by
veil dressed man, who accosted him in tho
Spanish language, Doddridge did not
ally understand him but thought it sim.
Tar to Latin, and answered him in that
ongue. It so happened that the individ'
Ial who addressed him was no less
ersonage than the Governor of Natchez
nd was well versed in the Latin, having
cen literally educated in Spain. They
Don fell into very familiar and ANNA
I'd discourse, without Philips once sus-
Getting the station of his new acqualn-
.nce. Learning that he had visited the
llsslssippi country on account of his deli
ate health, and that he was now walk
g for exercise after long confinement
} the boat, and withal astonished and
eIlghted to have discovered so learned
ian in an upcountry boatman, he lnV!-
d him to his house. The sprightly wiz
nd uncommon intellect OF the young
ranger soon won his whole near; anu
terested the Spanish commandment deep
in his welfare. His admiration was
1t less excited from having pointed oM
him, on large map OF the western e.a
'untry, which hung against the wal, Inv
,ot near the head ofthe Ohio river, wne'o
> was born, and from whence ne dePaF'
d on the present voyage. While 'hu'
yreeably engaged, black servant drovS
} to the door with neat Spanish car
age and pair of horses, accompanied
it'll an invitation from the governor"
ep in and ride as far as he pleased
18th many thanks, not less acceptabse %
s bene factor from their being clotheo
the Latin tongue, Philip accepted the
Tered Kindness, and extended his rl0S
me distance around the suburbs o
.tchez. When about to depart, he wa'
yted to call every day as long as 40
NAMED and the carriage and servan'
.oulJ bo ready for his service. THIS