Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-03-04

exhibiting as they do, marked example
Of that modest. ingenious, and decorous
deport nent, whieE our fathers ineulcated
as good manners in children, contrasting,
to our shame. (may not say) with the
bold, unlicenced, and disrespectful style
which we now a days tolerate in our young
people. 4 extract but three of four Of
them. to shew the early training of him
sell, in the ways of we'll balanced virtue.
'.27 Let your conversation be without
malice or envy, for it is sign of tracta-
BILE and commendable nature; and in all
cases of passion, permit reason to gorern
Il Wherein you reprove others, be
umblamable yourself. for example is more
prevalent than precepts. EOS
40 Think before you speak, pronounce
not imperfectly, nor bring out your words
two hastily, but orderly and distinctly.
So When you speak of God, or his at
tributes, let it be seriously in reverence.
Obey your natural parents, although
they be poor.
Sc Let your rec-eations be manful, not
sinful
81 Labor to keep alive in your heart that
little spark of celestial fire, called conscience
These with many other more minute but
equally striking were recorded by George
Washington when he was 13 years old
with various forms of writing as he entities
them; bonds, receipts, leases deeds bills
of exchange and wills, written in beauti-
full round hand, as plain as copper plate
This is all illustrative of the methodical,
careful system of life and conduct, that
showed itself through his life; life en-
bracing the duties Of back woods sur
veyor. provincial officer protecting from
tier beset by savages; the commander Of
nations army fighting against fearful
odds for the noble prize Of liberty; the
founder ola mighty nation and first Chief
Magistrate Of the country owing its liber
ties in a remarkable degree to the wisdom
and courage Of the same man; the master
Of servants, and the opulcnt proprietor of
half millions worth Of lands: in all
these at all times the self taught lessons
ofthe hoy are seen il the high resolves Of
the Statesman and warrior, and thus the
"cbild was father to the man"
Gen. Washington was q man of strong
passions and naturally Of high temper
in the course of my life | have taken oc-
casion to enquire of many who knew him
well-of his peculiarties and traits of char
acter; from the old negro who waited on
him when be was studying the art Of sur
veying, to the venerable surviving executor
ofhis will his own nephew and to the phi
stefan who was present when he breath
ed his last sigh, in his house at Mount Yer
non. But the maxim an all cases of pas
sion permit reason to govern" adopted
when boy, was guiding rule in manhood,
and that same full will, and high spirit. like
the strong and expansive but well direc-
the steam of the iron Engine, only served
to give force and energy aud power moi for
destruction aAd devastation but for useful
and valuable purpose. | was told by a
near relative = who was a youth at school
in Philadelphia at the time of jays treaty,
that Gen. Washington who had decided to
in preserving good feeling between this
Country, and thetwo great foreign powers,
learned, that crowd of disorderly people
insulted the British Minister, by hosting
copy of the treaty on a pole, marched
through the Streets with it, and burned it
before the house of Mr. Hammond, the then
British Minister. This was an insult,
whatever might have been the merits Of the
treaty; what did Washington dol my in
formant says-that the strong, fierce spirit
at first blazed out, but he retired to pri-
vate room--locked the door; and my infor-
mant uatched him for one hour through
the windows pacing its precincts, until,
reason and calm reflection had time to as
sumo the supremacy, and he walked out in
his native dignity, ready to instruct the
Attorney General, Mr.. Randolph, not to
proceed with any legal prosecution.
Bat at other times when the occasion
required it, he knew how to bring down his
hand upon those who deserved it; and a
heavy hand it was; fearful was that anger,
when it was once justly reused; summary
was the punishment, when he chose to in
fict it.
All the prayers and petitions of friends
and foes could not avert the doc n of Andre,
his known love of Hamilton could not pre-
vent his dismissal an aid de- camp-whcn
he showed disrespect to his General--nor
could the services of Gen. Charles Lee and
his high station; stay the sharp reprimand
and cutting rebuke, administered on the
field of Monmouth, when his positive orders
had been disregarded, and bis remonstran-
ces met, by something like insclence.
Lot me mention here private instance
Of this high spirit, which would not tolerate
wrong, when it was accompanied with IN
science. a
Gen. Washington's farm lies on the river
Potomac, and upon two Creeks, celebrated
for the number of fine canvass back ducks
that frequented them, particularly, one of
them running through his land
One Of those persons called Duekers, who
make trade of selling these delicacies, not
content with the river, chose to run up into
the plantation; and besides disturbing and
endangcring his stock. by the murderous
discharges Of his long dueking gun, drove
off and killed off all the ducks, that came
up the creek. Being repeatedly warned off
as trespasser upon private property, be
not only disregarded the warning, but said
that he would shoot the owner himself. if
he attempted to interfere with him. Wash