The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1845-06-28
MI c Z l. L A N ECU S.
COurtship and Marriage of
Washington.

| =.
over the Pomunkey, a branch of the Y ork
river. On the boat touching the south
ern or New Kent side, the soldiers pro-
gress was arrested by one Of those per-
sonages who give the beau ideal of the
Virginia gentlemen Of the regime, the very
soul OF kindness and hospitality. 1t was
in vain the soldier urged his business at
Williamsburg, important communications
to the Governor, sc. Mr.. Chamberlayne.
on whose domain the militaire had Just
landed, would hear of no excuse. Col.
Washington was name and character so
dear to all Virginans, that his passing by
one of the castles of Virginia without
calling and parlaking of the Inequalities
OF The host, was entirely out of the ques-
ton. The Colonel, however, did not
surrender al discretion, but stoutly MAIN
tanned Lis ground, till Chamberlayne,
bringing up his reserve, in the intimaion
| that he would introduce his friend to
young and charming widow, then beneath
his roof, the soldier capitulated, on con
dition that he should dine-only dine
and then by pressing his charger and
borrowing of the night, he would reach
Williamsburg before his Excellency could
shake off his mornings slumbers Orders
were accordingly issued to Bishop, the
Co!onel's body servant and faithful fol-
lower, who, together with the fine Eng
ish charger, had been bequea,hcd by the
dying Braddock to Major Washington, on
the famed and la,ed field Of Monongahc-
la. Bishop, bred in the school of Euro
pean discipline, raised his hand to his cap
as much as 10 say, your orders shall be
obeyed
The Colonel now proceeded TO the
mansion, and was intl oduced TO various
guests, Qor when was Virginia domir
Gle of the olden time without guests?) |
and above all, TO the charming widow.
Tradition relates that they were Of an
age when impressions are strongest. The
lady was fair to behold, of fascinating
manners, and splenddIy endowed with
worldly benefits The hero was fresh
from his early fields, redoent of fame,
and with form on which ''every god did
seem to set his seal to give the world
assurance Of a man"
The morning passed pleasantly away,
evening came, with Bishop true to his or
ders and firm at his post, holding his ia
voIite charger in one hand, while The 9TH
er was waiting to offer the ready stirrup.
The sun sunk in the horizon, and we: the
colonel appeared not. "Twas strange,
twas passing strange; surely he was not
wont to be sing lie moment behind his
ppointments-lor he was the most punc>
tual Of all men.
Meantime, the host enjoyed the scene
Of the veteran at the gate, while the Col
onel was so agreeaby employed in the
par!or; and proclaimimg that no visrter
ever left his home at sunset, his military
guest was with little difficulty persuaded
to order Bishop to put up the horses for
the night. The sun rode high in the hea>
vens the ensuing day. when the cnamored
soldier pressed with his spur his char
gers side, and spee,cd on his way to the
seat Of government, where having dess
patched his public business, he relraced
his steps, and at the White House the en-
gagemcnt took place with preparations for
marriage.
And much hath the biographer heard Of
that marriage, from the grey haired do
mcslics who waited at the board where
love made the feast and Washington the
guest. And rare and high was the revelry
at that balmy period Of Virginia's festal
age; for many were gathered to that mar
rage of the good, the great, the gifted,
and they with joyous acclamations, hail-
cd in Nirginia's youthful hero happy
and prosperous bridegroom.
"And so you remember when Colonel
Washington came a counting of your
young mistress?" said the bographer TO
old Gully, in his hundredth year. "Aye,
Master, that do,o replied the ancient
family servant, who had lived to see five
generations; ''great times, sir, great times
shall never see the like again'' "And
Washington looked something like man
proper man--hey, Cully?" Never seed
the like, sir-never seed the like of him,
though have seen many in my day-so
tall, so straight and then he sat on a
horse and rode with such an air! All,
sir, lie was like no one else. Many of
the grandest gentlemen, in the gold lace,
were at the wedding; but none looked
like the man himself" Strong, indeed,
must have been the impression which the
person and manner of Washington made
upon the "rude untutored mind" of this
poor negro, since the lapse Of three our
ters Of a century had not sulliced to cnaco
it.
The precise date of the marriage the
biographer has been unable to discover,
having in vain searched among the records
Of the vestry ofSt. Peters Church, New
AKcn', Of which the Rey M. Munson,