Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-09-04
From the Smdoy Tlmes.
Mr.. GUSTS at New York.


The adopted child Of the great Paer PGtrie, one al
ways near his person, sleeping the same room, DIN
ing at the same table, hearing all Rad and witness
ing all done by the iiTustrious patriotic whom he
left Mount Vernon, his favorlte seat who had his
confidence shared his affections and who devot-
ed his lustrous relatve-the arrival IN this city
of such a person. after an absence Of fty years. was
an event worthy of public notice. So that after Wis
ting all the places remarkable in the history of
revolution, our worthy friend, Alderman Peters, set
apart yesterday for Mr. Custis to receive the visits
at his splendid residence in Lencx Place, not only of
the men of the present day, but all those spared by
Providence, who the friends and companions in
arms of the great Washington, and it was very de-
lightful reunion, interesting IN all Its details.
The last time, believe, NJ Custis visited New
York was with the General, when he came to be In
augurated as President of the United States, which
ceremony performed in the old City Hall, where
the Custom House now stands. The chair in which
he sat is preserved in the Common Council room, and
iron railing against which he leaned IN the balco
ny, is now feature at Bellevue.
Washington, it will be remembered, rowed
across the river in barge, and III that barge vas
Mr.. Gusts. Mr.. Ming, SEN, now IN tie Custom
House, was in the barge also, and remembers the cir
cumstance, if mistake not perfectly well But TO
the reunion.
1t was about ten o'clock when we entered Mr.. Pc
ers's mansion-a fine tenement splendidly furnished,
and also furnished by fine grounds, ornaments &C.,
cottage OTee, and all the lille lncdeIlaS tat 90
to render dwelling sort of paradise. After par
taking of the numerous Injuries spread by the hoSpi
table host we entered the apartments. Such an ar
ray of age and worth combined as met vision, we
shall never forget. There were veterans who had
fought in the revolution, and who, despite modern
customs, still adhere to the old style of dress-the
broad skirted coat, brooches, low shoes, and white
silk stockings. Here officers Of whom history
makes honorable neutrality-suspicious. who, though
solournlhg among us with the bleachlngs Of many
winters upon their heads, still lale, hearty, Wig
orous and light-hearted Yes, there were those who
had taken active parts in the battles of their country
and who had lived in that period eulogised ''the
good old times - and beside them stood the of
revolutionary sires, and their grandsons. In one
apartment sat a venerable group, among whom were
Major Popham, now aged ninety-three, and Mr. John
Battin of Greenwich street, (thls city,) but few
months younger; also Major General Van Buren,, of
Staten Island and Judges Miller and Lynch, with
Mrs Custis and other ladies. The life of this group
was Major Popham, who cracked his jokes with all
the vigor of YOUTH made love the ladies' rehearsed
amusing anecdotes, and finally promised himself in
marriage to pretty daughter of Alderman Peters
The "reminiscences recounted by the veterans were
most delightful and we regret that memory will not
allow TO transcribe them for the benefit of our
readers. The jokes, toe, the most piquant fun
ny, Joyous things we have heard for many day. We
have rarely in Soiree composed of young peo-
pie, SO much buoyancy and hilarity. Each venerable
;
bodies too) seemed reJuvenated and animated to fight
their battle and enjoy associations they had expert
enced, over again. 1t might have been great stretch
of fancy, monStrous elOngation of imaginative pow
that made suppose that at time, the group
resembled the prints puporng to represent the sign
ing Of the Declaration of Independence.
1t is quite time to speak of the of this
sual gathering, Mr.. Custis. His age is about 20. He
is superb specimen of the fine old Virginian gen.
tleman, much better species of human perfection
than the archaeological slime old English gentle
man." His appearance is striking to a certain de-
gree He stands perhaps, five feet six--countenance
Indicative of health and great flow Of animal spir.
s-head very bald back to the crown He dresses in
neat and tasteful style without any pretence dis
play. He converses in free, graceful and exceed.
ngly fluent strain, and is, we Judge, possessed Of
conversational powers rarely cquaIied During the
day and evening he entertained his visiters with q
series Of brilliant anecdotes concerning Washington
and his contemporaries. sit was on a certain occa-
sion" says Mr. Custis, 'tlat Washington having re.
ceyed an invitation to visit public place, was favor
ed with guard of soldiers who were designed o es-
cort him his destination. He called the captain OF
the guard and said,
Il shall not require your services The best guard
can have may be found in the affections of the peo
pie"
Mr.. GUSTS remarks that, had a mirror been held
before any one living fifty years ago and showed then
New York as it is, there reflected that man would
have laughed and called it London, some Other
great European city Look, said Mr.. c., s'at New
York during the first hundred years of its existence
1t the chief settlement of whole colony a col
ony well protected with all the natural advantages
has ever possessed, yet it remained during the whole
of that period insignificant town. The naonae1
the spirit Of liberty touched 1t, At sPrang up as b
magic to be Of The finest commercial cities in tn
leOrLf' With remarks of this nature Mr.. Gusts en-
tertaned us the day long. And who can wonder tina
we speak of the assembage as something extremely
many years. and which may be placed beyond the pos
sbility of occurrence ere the youth of the presen
day have lived the Scrpural allotted term of three
score and ten. Tue spirit of the revolution seemed
q to animate all present. One old gentleman, neal
ninety, came from Newark through the heat of the
day, to take by the hand his coparios. lady aged
lib was sent for by Alderman Peters, but she had no
arrived when we left the house.
We should judge that during the day about two
hundred gentlemen, who lived during freedoms grea
struggle, visited Mr.. Peters's hospitabe mansion AL
most every visiter had memeno to call to mine
what had passed during the life of the ustrious maj
|, whose only living relative they to welcome
Miss Livingston had gold watch which her fathe
had at Gen. Washington's Inauguration.
Henry +. Tallmadge brought a sword which wa
presented to his father by Washington the field
battle owe forgot where, and Mr.. Tallmadge coul
t not refresh our memory.) Mr.. Tallmadges swor'
was broken when Washington, riding up, took Iii
own sword, aud hanging it about Mr.. Us neck, said
There, take that, and with it defend your country
At the sight of this sword both MIR. Gusts and hi
amiable lady were near shedding tears.
f Major Popham, Formerly aid to Gov. G. Clinton,
President of the Cincinnati, gold medal rich
y studded with diamonds, which sent from Franc
by Lafayette to Washington, and by him given to it
present possessor. MIR. Gusts fervently kissed thu
beautiful toker-he had often seen Washington wea
it.
e The scene, day and evening, was impressive an
FL Il .