The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-06-12

IFron, TIE Eron,uills Jouynal.1

[Fron, the Eransuille Journal.
WHERE WAS WASHINGTON BORN?
The above ridiculous question has been
seriously sgita.ed in different newspapers
ridiculous, because it has bee" argued
that he was born in England. But il has
been settled conclusiyely, that Washington
was born in this country. However, hap
pening upon volume Of Morsc's Geogra-
ply, published in 1889, and when Wash.
iDgton was yet living, and even before he
was elected President, we extract the fol-
lowing relative 10 the birth Of him who was
afterwards known as "Father Of his Coun-
try" Mr.. Morse says:
Notwithstanding il has often been as
serted With confidence that Gen. Washing
ton was native Of England, certain it is
bis ancestors came from thence to this coun.
try SO long ago as the year 1857. He, 10
the third descent after their migration, was
born on the l l.h Of February (oid style)
1892, in the parish Of Washington, in
Westmoreland county, Virginia. His faith.
erss family was numerous, aud he was the
first fruit Of a second marriage"
AZ we are speaking Of Washington, we
take the following from Morse's Geography
relative to his habits. II will be recolected
that Washington was yetliving:
To npply'a life, at best but short to the
most useful purposes; he lives as he ever
has done, in the unvarying habits Of regu-
lariiy, temperance and industry. He rises,
in winter as well as summer, at the dawn
Of day; and generally reads or writes some
time before breakfast. He breakfasts a.
bout o'clock, on three small Indian hoe
cakes and as MANY dishes oftea. He rides
Immediately to his different farms, and re-,
mains with his laborers until little past
two o'clock, when be returns and dresses.
At three he dimes, commonly on single
dish, and drinks from ha!fa pint to a pint
Of Madeira wine. This, with one small
glass Of punch, draught Of beer, and two
dishes Of tea (which he takes half an hour
before sunsetting) constitutes his whole
sustenance until the next day. Whether
there be company or not, the table is al
ways prepared by its elegance and exuber-
ance for their reception; and the General
remains at it for an hour after dinner in
familiar conversation and convivial hilari
ty. Il is then that every one present is
called upon to give some absent friend as
toast; the name not unfrequently awak-
ems pleasing remembrance ofpast events,
and givesa new turn to the animated col
loquy. General Washington is more cheer
f;Ii than he wss in the army. Although
his temper is rather Of a serious cast and
his countenauce commonly carries the i'm,
preston Of thoughtfulness, yet he perfect.
" relishes pleasant story, an unaffected
sally Of ~, or burlesque description
which surprises BY iis suddcnness and in
congruity with the ordinary appearance Of
the object described, After this sociable
and innocent relaxation, he applies him.
self to business; and about nine o'clock re-
tires to rest. This is the rotine, and this
the hour he observes, when no one but his
family is present; at other times he attends
politely upon bis company until they wish
10 withdraw. Notwithstanding he has no
offspring, his actual family consists Of s
persons. II is seldom alone. He keeps q
pack Of hounds, and in the season indulges
himself with hunting once week; Al
which diversion the gentlemen Of Alexan-
dria often assist.
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