Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-30
pERsONAL APPEARANCE OF GENERAL
WASHINGTON.

Rev. DR.. Ely, at the celebration Of til.
4th Of July, at Springfield Massachusetts
made brief speech in reply to sentiment
commemorative of Washington, and narrat
ed personal incident as follows
"When boy | resided in West Spring.
field and worked on farm. In the autumn
of the year 1889 ! was engaged with my
employer, in gathering load of corn stalks
| from field not far distant from the Con.
necticut river. My employer had driven
his loaded team from the lot, and left me
as usual, to put up the bars. Whilst thus
occupied I noticed the approach of four fine
horses and large vehicle, There was
no driver upon the carriage. but astride the
nigh horse Of each span, was young mu-
latto postilion. There was also two out
riders and footmen. The vehicle I'm which
was seateda gentleman whose striking per
sonal presanCe Impressed me) was called in
those days chariot. It was entirely uni
que, and unlike anything in present use,
except in its running part. saw the out
riders gallop on in advance Of the chariot,
and hold some parley with my employer;
who occupied the entire road with his load
ed art,-the roads at the time being so
narrow that two teams could not pass un-
less one yielded the way to the other.
perceived that my employer yielded none
of his right ofthe road, and that the chariot
was detained by the cart until they reached
a ''turn out" when the cortege passed by.
l soon overlook my employer and inquired
who the distinguished parsonage was who
had just passed us, and was informed that
it was George Washington. l obtained per-
mission to run on and see if could not
catch another glimpse ofthe great chieftain,
whose deeds during the war had so filed
my wandering fancy.
As there was no bridge across the Con-
necticut at that time, hoped that the ferry
boat might be on the opposite side, and
that l might reach the beach before he ar
rived. In this l was not disappointed. |
found Gen.. Washington standing upon the
shore of the river, dressed in a snuff-color-
ed surtout, with long lapelled vest of the
same color and material; and in "small
cloths" and the most majestic and dignified
man he was ever saw. Whilst | was gaz-
ing upon him, one of his postillions drove
up, and dismounting and uncovering his
head, said in the most deferentiaI man.
ner, and with an expression of injured dig
nifty: "Your Excellency, as we were driv-
ing along, little way back, we overlook a
man with loaded cart, who occupied the
entire road. / asked him to stop his team
that we might pass by. He declined. l
then told him that President Washington
was in the chariot. He again refused, and
said that he would not stop, that he had as
good right to the road as George Wash
ington had" The simple reply of Wasing-
ton to this was, "And so he had" The
postillion, after moments look of wonder
and astonishment at the cohdescension of
the President of the United States, quietly
put on his hat and again mounted his horse.
| watched the cortege until it was out OF
sight, but my impression and memory OF
Washington are as vivid and distinct this
moment, as if I had seen the great man on
ly yesterday"