Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-12-15
INDEPENDENCE IN NEW ENGLAND.


town people representing the Red Coats, and
another the Federal forces.
Below we give the rich end of an account
which we find in an axchange, of one of these
celebrations. little town had resolved to per-
form Z" the surrender of Corvallis" Deacon
chosen to enact Washington, Squire Bier
Wood, an aristocratic village lawyer, to perform
Cornwallis--but let the writer tell his own
story:
The programme Of the days performance was
as follows:
The two companies were to meet in front Of
the tavern on the common, exchange Shots
skirmish a little-in which CORVALLIS was to
be most essentially whipped, and then nglori-
ousy surrender.
At 9 o'clock the two companies marched into
the village and arrayed themselves into fight
ing positions, reminding the spectator of the
time when
Brave Wolf drew up his men
In syle most pretty,
On the plains OF Abraham
Before the city"
The two commanders were greatly excited,
and Washington, regret to say, was in any
thing but fit condition to act out the great
part he was to perform, He had been drinking
freely all the morning, and now when the inter-
estng ceremony was about to commence, was
so tight, or rather loose, that it was with difficult
ty that he could sit in his saddle. He however
did not know but what he was all right, nor did
his men. CORVALLIS was not intoxicated, but
n little agitated, or rather elated.
Everything being ready the company ex-
changed shots. Bang! whang! bang went
the guns, while the two commanders yelled like
so many stuck pigs.
"That's it, [hic] my brave boys-give it to
them, the owdacous red COATS" beloved
Washington.
"On Romans" yelled the excited CORVALLIS,
who had seen theatrical exhibition once, and
remembered the heroic appeals of the Thespian
beligerents-" breathes there a man so dead
that won't fight like thunder!'
$50 it, Continentals down with taxation
on teaw blowed Washington in very patriotic
voice. and narrowly escaped cutting his horses
ear off with the flourish of his sword. The fight
ing now ceased, the companies were drawn up
in straight line,and CORVALLIS dismounted and
presented his sword to Washington.
"Well, old boy" said the immortal, as he
cuf1ed his horses ears with his cooked hat
"what'n thunder do you want :"
seen. George Washington" replied Corn
wallis" 81 surrender to you myself, sword and
men,"
"You do, do ye!" sneeringly replied the
General.
"Yes, General, the British Lion prostrates
himself at the foot of the American Eagle!'
Eagle! eagle" yelled the General, rolling
off his horse and hitting the Brion tremend-
Gus blow on the head with the fiat of his sword, |
" do you call me an eagle! Take that and
that and that !" yelled the Infatuated Washing
ton" perhaps you'll call me an eagle again,
you sneaking cussT'
CORVALLIS was down, but only for moment
for he jumped up and shook himself, with an
entirely unlocked for recuperation on the part
of fallen foe, and in direct defiance of historical
history, he pitched into Washington like
thousand of brick, and in spite of the men of
both nations, succeeded in giving the immor-
tai " a tremendous licking. So the day that COM
menced so gloriously, most in-gloriously ended.
For many years after the surrender, there was
GOODNESS between the Deacon and the Squire
but as time rolled on and their locks became
frosted DER with white, they learned to call it
" joke" Both are living now, and whenever
they meet they smoke and talk about "that ar
scrape," like couple of good jolly old men, as
they are.
A HAPPY REToRT-An instance of Irish |
readiness at repartee occurred the other day at |
the Capital, which is to good TO be lost.
Certain members of Congress, finding the |
debates rather dry in the House stepped out to
refresh their thirsty spirits at Casarishs refec-
tory, which is conveniently contiguous. AS
they passed out they saw some eight or nine
laborers, harnessed to a sled, hauling a stone
cbout heavy enough for one horse, while one
acting as driver, eisurely walked along side
(All the laborers are on a per diem allowance
as well as the members.)
Pausing to witness this operation-which |
seemed to present parallel to their own ar
duous labors in the public service-one of the
members addressing the driver" said
Nnl IL.