Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-09-07
By Masscr s. EiscIy.
COURTsuIp AND MARRIAGE OF WASH
INGTON.

tall and miitaire as his chief crossed the fer
ry called Williams, over the pomunkey, a
branch of the York river. On the boat touch
ing the southern or New Kent side, the soldiers
progress was arrested by one Of those personaces
who give the bean ideal Of the Virginia gen.
teman Of the old regime, the very soul of kind
ness and hospitality. 1t was in vain the SOL
dier urged his business at Williamsburg, impor.
tant communications to the Governor, &c. Mr.
Chamberlayne on whose domain the mitaire
had Just landed, would hear of no excuse. Col.
Washington was name and character so dear
TO all Nirginians, that his passing by one of the
castles of Virginia, without calling and parta-
king Of the hospitalties ofthe host, was entire.
ly out of the question. The Colonel however,
did not surrender at discretion, but stoutly
maintained his ground till Chamberlayne. bring
ing up his reserve, in the intmaion that he
would introduce his friend to young and char
ming widow, then beneath his roof, the soldier
capitulated, on condition that he should dine
only dlne-and then 10y pressing his charger
and borrowing OF the night he would reach
Williamsburg before his Excelency could shake
off his morning slumbers Orders were ac-
cordingly issued to Bishop the Colones BODY
servant and faithful follower, who together with
the fine English charger, had been beuueathcd
by the dying Braddock to Major Washington,
on the famed and fatal field of Mononrahcla.
Bishop, bred in the schools of European disc.
pline, raised his hand to his cap, as much as to
say, Your orders shall be obcycd.'
The colonel now proceeded to the mansion,
and was introduced to various guests (ior when
was Virginia domcil of the oden time with
out guests y and above all to the charming
widow. Tradition relates that they were mu.
tually pleased, on this their first interview
nor Is 1t remarkable they were of an age when
Impressions are strongest. The lady fair to
behold, of fascinating manners, and splendidly
endowed with worldly benefits. The hero was
fresh from his early fields, redolent Of fame,
and with form on which every god did seem
to set his seal 10 give the world assurance of a
man.
The morning passed pleasantly away, even
ing came, with Bishop, true to his orders and
firm at his post, holding the favorite charger
with one hand, while the other was waiting to
offer the ready stirrup. The sun sunk in the
horizon, and yet the colonel appeared not.
Twas strange, twas passing strange surely
he was not wont to be single moment behind
his appontment--for he was the most punctual
of all men.
Meantime, the host enjoyed the scene of the
veteran at the gate, while the colonel was so a.
greeoby employed in the parlor; and proclaim
/ ing that no visitor ever left his home at suuses
his military guest was, without much difficulty
! persuaded to order Bishop to pu: up the horses
for the night. The sun rode high in the hea.
dler pressed with his spur his chargers side, and
speeded on his way 10 the seat of government
I where having despatched his public business
/ he retraced his steps, and, at the White House
the engagement took place, with preparations
for marriage
And much hath the biographer heard of that
marriage, from the grey-haired domcsrics, who
waited on the board where love made the feast
and Washington the guest. And rare and high
! was the revery at that palmy period of Nir.
ginla's testul age; for many were gathered "a
that marriage, of the good, the great, the gif.
ted, and they with Joyous acclamations, hailed
in NirSinia's youthful hero a happy and pros.
porous bridegroom.
'And so you remember when Colonel Wash.
ington came a courting of your young mistress! !!
said the bographer 10 cd Gully in his hundreth
year. AYE, master, that do replied the an.
clent family servant who had lived to see five
generations great times, sir, great times
shall never see the like again! And Wash.
ington looked something like man, a proper
mdn-hey, Culleyr Never seen the like
slr-neyer the like of him, though have seen
many in my day--so tall so straight; and then
sat on a horse and rode with such an air An
sir, he was like no one else. Many of the gran
dest gentlemen in the gold lace, were at the
wedding; but none looked like the man him
self Strong indeed, must have been the i'm
preston which the person and manner o
Washington made upon the rude, untutoret
mind of this poor negro, since the lapse o
three-quarters Of a century had not sulliced tc
etiace it.
The precise date Of the marriage the biogra
pher has been unable to discover, having il
vain searched amoung the records of the vestrl