The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-08-16
AN INCIDENT OF WASHINGTON.


Al the celebration OF Tie Ith OF July
i'm Mouson, Rev Dr Ely made a Dficr sPcrJt
in reply to sentiment commtmoratingW Wash
ington. aud related the following incident,
which is given az nearly as possible IN the
Language of the Venerable gentleman
WHEN a boy, ! resided in WcNt Spring
field and worked on n farm. In the autumn
of the year 1850, was engaged with my en-
ployer, in gathering load of corn stalks from
p, ;fritrii rir.s i=i4s,+- irain tho Connecticut
river My employer had driven his loaded
team from lie lot aud leh me as usual, to
put up the bars. Whilst thus occupied,
1 noticed the approach of four fine horses aud a
/ large vehicle There was no driver upon the
carriage, but astridc the nigh horse of each
span, was Young mhiatto postilion. There
were also two outridcrs and footman. The
vehicle, lin, which was seated a gentleman
whose striking personal presence impressed
me- was called in those days chariot. IL
was entirely unique, and totally unlike any
thing in present use, except in it's running
part. | saw the outriders gullop on, in adj
vance of the chariot and hold some parleS'
with my'ompIoycr, who occupied the entire
road with his loaded cart--thc roads at that
time being so narrow that two teams could
not pass unless one yielded the way to the
other. Tpcrccived that my employer yielded
none Of his right of the road, and that the
chariot was detained by the cart until they
reached turn out, when the rortege passed
, by, soon overlook Any employer and in
quircd who the distinguished parsonage wa.
who had just passed us, and was informed
that it was George Washington obtained
permission to run on and sec if could no
catch another glimpse of the great chicftair
= whose deeds during the war hal so filled my
NondSring faucy+
, Ashhcre was no bridge across the Conyec
= ticut OF that time, i hoped tbs ytrry-.boa
. might be on the opposite side, and that
might reach the beach before IL arrived III
: this was not disappointed l found Gen
+ Washington standing the shore of III,
riydr'dressedin asnhfTeoiored surto1t, witt
. long lapcllct vest of the same color an,
material, and in small clothes and boots, an,
the most majestic and digniicd looking MAJ
y he was that / cvers saw. Whilst was pazin
r upon him, one of his Positions drove up an,
g dismounting, aud uncovorihg his head, sal
II in the most deierontial manner, and with Al
IS expression of injured dignity: Your Excel
- lcncy, as we were driving along, little wa
% back, we overlook a man with loaded car
2 who occupied the entire road. Lasked his
If to stnp his team that we might :pass,by.h II
At declined | then told him that Presidey
N I'QsAbFqn was in Che chariot. He agai
n, refused md said that he bad as good a rigl
n tn tfru T0VIri rs George " ashingt1n had.I I'll
simple reply of Washington to this was, AN
ID SO he had The postillion, after moment
W wonder and astonshment III the condesce,
nr sion of the President of the United State
3 quietly put ON his hat and ugiti mounted h
id horse, watched the cortoge until it was OF
u tsight, hut my impression and memory o
Q, Washington are IN vivid ana distinct this M
# ment, as II bal seen the great man only We
s terclay.-S FT0qHrtt ittpubf5,Wo IA