Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-03-13
Anecdote of General Ripley.

A friend VINO arrived ia thus country IN
1882, with letters of introduction TO the
late Gen. Ripley, listened one morning at
the breakfast table with intense interest to
the following recital of his early history
lie Immediately repaired to the loom as
signed him by the Generals hospitality. aud
committed the narrative to paper. We are
permitted 10 publish from the original IN
our hands, dated Sept. :, lS32.-Ne'c Or
hans Crescent.
was bora in Dartmouth, n. H., and
commenced studying when sixteen years of
age, in the office OF my cousin, Judge
Woodward. All my relatives we're rank
fcderalsts, and | was the only democrat in
town Al public Fourth Of July dinner,
at which Mills circuit, Of Hartford Conyen-
ton memory, presided, thought had as
good a right TO give toast as any one, and
SO gave " Jefferson with some complI-
menlary poetry. They liked to have mobb-
ed NE, and | was so thoroughly disguised
with them, thlt determined 10 leave then
forever. ! had plenty ofpocket money, aud
all that was waning was a good horse
Maine, the great land of democrats, was
nv destination told Judge Woodward of
it, aud he rldlculed the idea. Stay here, "
saws he. lli YOU finish your studies, aud
then ! will retire aud leave YOU my bust
ness" told han II was out OF the qnes-
tlon--that nothing could induce me to stay
with such an llineral set of id rascals,
and that nv determination was fixed. |
told INN wanted horse to 90 to Maine,
bu, he declared he'd give me none. So
went over to Woodstock, Vermont, the res
ldence of my brother-in-law, Nh Baylies
also federali>t. He told me If I'd only
STAY in that country he'd do anything for
me, but If / went among the democrats of
Maine, my morals would be ruined, aud
should 90 to destruction. But he would do
nothing towards It. AT length | heard that
an old Roslnante was 10 be sold at auction,
and was very anxious to get him. | there
fore went to my sister, (hlrs. b. who had
considerable influence with her husband
and begged her to inlercede for me- She
did so, and after a long struggle, my broth
er-in-law, finding should foot IT # got no
horse, authorized me 10 90 over and bid
him oil. | did 50, and got him for twelve
dollars. | then led him fifteen mics to the
residence Of my uncle, the elder Judge
Woodward, and begged him TO give me an
old saddle that had been past use for some
years. then took an old coach bride, cut
of the binders, and started on my Journey.
had been down to Maine the year be-
fore, and having letters to distinguished men
in Portland, Brunswick and Halowell, (Mr.
SewalD had dashed on large scale. | was
rather 10th, therefore, to 60 10 those places
IA such trim, aud accordingly took "a road
through the then wilderness of Oxford coun-
", passing along north OF those places where
was known,
AZ this time, my cousins and relatives
finding how resolute / was, came forward
: aud offered me their horses aud money 4; bat
} | resented all their profiered kindness. Two
of my cousins felt bad that they mounted
their horses, aud followed me one hundred
e miles. and one of the most affecting Incl
E dents of my life was my separation iron
them.
As approached Hallowell, was asham
. ed of my equipage, especially as the mum
S bers OF military men who had passed me
= taught me there was review, or genera
training" there that day. So / dismounted
2 took off my saddle and bride aud hid them
put my saddle-bags on my arm, took las
o look at my horse, and abandoning him &
u his fate, went into Hallowell to seek m
e own, | was welcomed by Mr.. Sewall, AM
J. he supposed had Just arrived with othe
$ immigrants, in vessel from Newburyporl
= After paying my breakfast bill al the tav
e ern next morning, found had Two quar-
@ tiers of dollar left | went Into MIR. Peu
/ iey's office, and from that time had nothlni
!, to depend on for a support but my own eS
u ertious.
! have been TO my native village but twic
since-once, seven years after, when wen
e to Boston as Speaker OF the House OF Rel
81 resentatiyes of Massachusetts aud the sec
+ ond time, twelve years after, as Major-Ger
l. era OF the U. 5. Army, on my way TO III
u frontiers.
!, Dr. South says that many man runs hi
ID head against pulpit who might have don
oi his country excellent service at the plougl
r The smell OF the violet lasts as long I
Ia - Il. IL