Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-02-04
FROM A BOSTON PAPER.
ANECDOTES OF WASHINGTON.

There lately died in the city of Boston, very
respectable negro, named Primus Hall He lived
to i'm advanced age and was the possessor OF
! considerable property. Through the Revou-
| tionary war, he was body servant to the late
Col. Pickering, of Massachusetts. He was free
and communicative, and delighted to sit down
with an interested listener, and pour out those
stories OF an absorbing and exciting interest with
which his memory was stored
| 1t is well known that there was no officer in
| the whole American army whose friendship was
dearer to Washington, and whose counsel was
more esteemed by him, than of the honest and
patriotic Col. Pickering. He was on intimate
terms with, and unbosomed himself to him with
as little reserve as, perhaps, to any other conf
dant in the army. Whenever he was stationed
within such distance as to admit of it, he pass
ed many hours with the Colonel, consulting him
upon anticipated measures, and delighted in his
reciprocated friendship.
| Washington was, therefore, often brought in
! to contact with the servant of Col. Pickering,
! the departed Primus. An opportunity was al
forded to the negro to note him, under circum-
stances very different from those in which he is
usually brought before the public, and which
possesses therefore, a striking charm remem-
Der two of these anecdotes from the mouth Of
Primus. One Of them is very slight indeed, yet
so peculiar as to be replete with interest. The
other conveys high and holy moral, and de-
serves TO be recorded among the public and re-
markable acts OF our country's savior, as brill
liant illustration that dsinterestedness and true
humility were guiding principles of his charac-
ter. The authenticity OF both may be fully re-
lied upon
Washington once came to Col Pickering's
quarters, and found him absent.
sit is no MATTER" said he 10 Primus. III am
greatly in need of exercise. You must help me
to get some before your master returns"
Under his directions the negro busted him
self in some simple preparations. stake was
driven into the ground about breast high, rope
was tied to it, and then Primus was desired to
hold it horizontally extended. The BOYS the
country over are familiar with this plan OF get
ting sport. With true boyish zest, Washington
ran backward and forward for some time. lump.
ing over the rope as he came and went, until he
expressed himself satisfied with the exercise
| Repeatedly afterwards, when favorite OPP
portunity offered, he would say, Come, Pri-
mus, | am in need Of exercise = whereat the me-
gro would drive down the stake, and Washing
ton would jump over the rope until he had exer-
cised himself to his hearts content.
On the second occasion, the great general was
engaged in earnest consultation with Col Pick
ering 1ntil after the night had fairly set in
Head quarters were at considerable distance
oiAu oiSuillou HIS preference OIL STAY
ing with the Col over night, provided he had a
spare blanket and straw.
ooh, yes, said Primus, who was appealed
to, plenty of straw and blankets-pen.y5
Upon this assurance, Washington continued
his conference with the Col. until it was time to
retire to rest. Two humble beds were spread
side by side. in the tent, and the officers laid
down. while Primus seemed to be busy with
duties that required his attention before he him
self could sleep. He worked, or appeared to,
until the breathing of the two gentlemen salts.
fed him that they were sleeping: and then, seat.
ing himself on a box or stool, he leaned his head
forward on his hand 10 obtain such repose as so
inconvenient position would allow. In the
middle OF the night Washington awoke He
looked about, and deserted the negro as he sat
He gazed on him awhile, and then spoke:
"Primus," said he, "Primus."
Primus started up and opened his eyes,
''What, General :" said he.
Washington rose up on his bed.
;'Primus," said he, "What did you mean by
saying that you had straw and blankets enough!
Here You have given up your straw and blankets
to me. that might sleep comfortable, while YOU
are obliged to sit up through the night"
"lts nothing, General" said Primus. ''It's
nothing. I'm well enough. I sleep very good.'
"But it is matter--it is matter" said Wash
ington, earnestly. II cannot do it, Primus. II
either is TO sit up, will. But think there is
no need of either sitting up The blanket is
large enough for two. Come, lie down here
with me-"
"Oh, no, General y said Prmus, starting and
protesting against the proposition. "No, let me
sit here. I'll do very well on the STOOL"
81 say come and lie down here'' said Wash.
ington, authoritatvely. "There is room for
both, and insist upon it,"
He threw open the blanket, as he spoke, and
moved to one side of the straw Primus pro-
tossed to have been exceedingly shocked at the
idea OF lying under the same cover with the
Commander-ln-chief,bu but his tone was so deter
mined and resoute that he could not resist. He
prepared himself therefore, and laid himself
down by Washington; and on the same straw
and under the same blanket, the general and the
negro servant slept until morning