Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-03-15
From the American Pioneer.
A CURIOUS INCIDENT IN THE
LIFE OF PHILIP DODDRlDGE.
Which took place in Natchsz in the gear
1896,

bIL - vi llIbal ONbDhiONb'
Which took place in Natchsz in the year
1896,
Mr. Doddridge, as is we'll knowp TO
the early inhabitants ol Western Penn
sylVaDia end Virginia, was Tor many
years one Of the most noted men in that
region for his splendid talents al the
bar; and has probably never been ex-
celIed, il he has been equalled, for his
discrimination in falhomlng the depths
OF 40 intricate case, or his powerful and
logical reasoning in unfolding it. His
father was one amongst the earliest
settlers Of Northwestern Virginia, in
the vicinity OF what was then called |
Charleston, but now WelSburg.
His constitution being moi very robust,
at the age Of sixteen or eighteen years
he was taken from the plough. put TO
school, and commenced the study Of
Latin His vigorous mind drank in
knowledge with The rapldlty Of thought,
or as a dry sponge absorbs water. 1t
soon become habit with him TO exer-
ciss his memory in changing the CON-
mon conversation around him into the
idiom Of his sludles; and following his
father in his morning and evening dc
volions, he soon learned 10 render his
prayers into very good Latin, snd 10
converse with his teacher quite husnlIy
This close application TO his books, al
though it IDVigorated his mental powers,
yet onfeebIed his body, and it became
necessary for a while 10 suspend his
studies. At this period, the reg oD in
which he lived had become so much i'm
proved aS TO afford considerable surplus
produce beyond the wants Of the inha"
bitants, the only market for which was
to be found on the Mississippi river, or
al New Orleans. Some Of hiS cousins,
young men Of his own sge, having load.
ed a boat with -four, invited him TO ga
with them, and recuiI his enlsebled
frame by voyage TO the South. Moth
ing very interesting occurred until they
reached Nalchez, at that time in the
possession OF the SpaniardS. They
we're very strict in their police, forbid
ding any stranger or boalman TO go VI
in the town, seated on a high bluff
+ without a written permission from tb'
commandsnt or governor oI The place.
Young Doddridge feeling the i'll ef
, feels OF confinement. 10 the narrow lin
, its OF the boat, and that he needed exer
else, determined 10 visit the tow
on the hill. He had ascended abou
n hall way, when ne was met by wei
4 dressed man, who acc0stsd him in tn
n Spanish language. Doddridgs did no
fully understand him but thought
similar 10 the Latin, and answered hir
i in lhs, tongue, 1t 80 happened that III
n individual who addressed him was nj
less a parsonage that the Governor
. NalcheE, and was we'll versed in III,
Latin, having been literally educated II
v Spain. They soon fell into very ia
miliar and animated discourse, wllhou
3 Philips once suspecling the station o
his new acquaintance. Learning tina
!, he had visited the Mississippi couDtr,
!. on account of his delicate health, en-
}. that he was now walking for exer
: else after long confinement TO the boa
n and wilhal sstonished and delIghed
a have discovered go learned man 10 a
ia up.counlry bostman, he invited him
q his house. The sprlghty vii and un
& common intellect OF the young strange
!. soon won his whole heart. and interes
ed the Spanish commandaut deeply
his welfare. His admiration was NJ
Isss excited from having pointed out
', him, on a large map Of the wesler
i. country, which hung against the VA
n the spot near the head Of The Ohio rive
where he was born, and from whenc
a. he departed on the present voyage =
- While thus agreesbIy engaged, bIac
in servant drove up 10 the door with ne'
10 Spsnish carriage and a pair OF horse
!, accompanied with an invitation froI
,r the governor TO step in end ride as Ia
ID as he pleased. With many thanks, n
% less acceptable to his beneiscIor fro
in their being clothed IN the Latin tongu
n Philip accepted the offered slndnes
,r and extended his ride some dIslsnC
"a around the suberbs of Nalchez' Whe
y about TO depart, he was invited to ca