The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-11-19
From the Southern Literary Messens'
The Duke Of wellington.
Lsnsr from Hon. Richard Rush.
SyDESHAM, (near Philadelphia,)
0clnhar DC 1870


Letter from Hon. Richard Rush.
SYDEsHAM, (near Philadelphia,)
October rs, 1852.
My DEAR SIR: have received your recent favor in
which you intimate a wish to receive from me, in the
form OF article be prepared Tor The Southern Lite
fary Messenger OF my recollecions OF the Duke
OF wellington while yet The public interest IS fresh con-
corning his remarkable character aud career
With every sensibiliiy 10 the obging spirit OF your
letter, yet feel forced 10 Withdraw the request init
nation il conveys There could be little hope indeed that
anything might be able 10 send you would be OF much
OF any, interest in the public eye that the Dukes
death will bring forth accumulaions OF anecdoe and
"reminiscences IRON persons oil his own country. pos
sessng opportunities OF intercourse and intimacy win
him superior 10 any that fell 10 my share 10 true,
that whilst was minister 10 England, during more ilan
years. he then being OF the Brush cabinet was
my good fortune him often, under various crcum.
sances, in social life aud was constantly struck with
his remarkable naturaness OF manner and ankness oil
speech beautifully contrasting with has brilliant
fame fret blazing up IN ASIA conceded TO him more
or less throughout Europe, as won afterwards by his
more extended deeds in arms and in council on that
continent; and OF exaliaon altogether supreme over
every name IN England, IN the estimate OF all, from
the throne the cottage, when | was there. lie
made this same impression on the whole diplomatic
corps assembled IN London Al that era OF has lille
he very hospabe 10 the corps, often inviting
members of II 10 dinner; not on great and sci occasions
only but more simple and unceremonious ones. And
in humble work have given 10 the public. founded
the diplomatic negotiations charged with In the
English mission at that epoch, and Of the per.
sonal interviewer with them, have briefly told
here and there what seemed TO me illustrative anecdotes
OF this great British Chleltain-poinng 10 the qualities
OF the public in him. This task was never attempt
ed but under the restraints due from me when impart-
ing 10 the public any information whatever so obtained
and feel that have nothing to add, derived from my
intercourse with him, what has appeared in those
humble volumes. One thing very characteristic OF his
personal habits have not alluded TO, which was well
known and may be here stated 1t great puncual-
lily in answering letters and Scarcely anybody
wrote TO him in proper terms any subject without re-
ceiving prompt reply and very generally in his own
hand. have seen these answers in the possession OF
respectable mechanics, in his own handwriting aud
when the subjects of no great importance, certainly
OF none to him. Notes and letters to him extreme
y nuneIous; and this habit considering me multpl!-
city of his social engagements and heavy calls on his
social time, marked at once his industry and kindly feel
ngs
any curiosity interest may attach 10 it. an opinion Of
the late Lord Ashburton respecting the Duke OF yelling
ton, heard iron him when he was IN The United
States in 1912. laborng. and labonng successfully 10
conjunction with the great statesman we have just lost
Mr. Webster, in concluding the treaty which at last set.
tied our northeastern boundary with England i was
81 ssG % lie oss @
spcuous for both and, with expanded beneyolence
and Intelligence was warmly attached TO our country
while devoted 10 his own. He long possessed the Dukes
good wll--possessed il when he was Alexander Barring
founded on his high qualities, not merely as great and
most honorable merchant but as commercial statesman
OF large views, exercising IN The House OF Commons Inc
elevated and clear in the whole range OF lis knowledge OF
the wants and interests OF the British commercial empire
and this early good will OF the Duke rpened into friend
ship under further opportunities OF intercourse after the
peerage well earned by Mr. Barring, conferred upon
him. This enlightened Brlion the more so from being The
friend OF America sad 10 me when speaking OF The Duke,
that he had been always greatly struck contemplating
his character, with its resemblance IN many points TO
that OF Washington. He was right Batting that
Washngtons name lowers 10 the skies as The founder OF
great nation, where no room can be left for PARALLEL
The two men were still alike in ruhfulness and honesty
alike in straightforward conduct and perpetual honor,
that above all Intrigue, all selhshness. and little
jealouses all thought OF small ambition playing
small game under any circumstances; alike in that wis.,
dom in vast affairs which looks al men as they are, and
events as they exist, with no misleading thoughts TO
mistake either in planning and executing momenious
measures alike IN that enduring resolution those SELL
relying resources OF Thorn and well trained virtue,
bravery and PATRIOTISM which never think OF yielding,
but gong amidst Misrepresentation and dfculles no
matter how many stubborn, complicated that
the weak and vacllang, but which the inrnsi.
cay strong heed not but turn final success and glory,
10 fighting great battles and undergoing other great trials,
whether Tor country, 10 found country these were
the grand qualities that Wellington ard Washington
possessed in common The former served Britain she
was The latter made America what she has become and
what she is 10 be. The sphere OF the one was more
wide spread and multItudiRous IN events, and IN de-
tached achievements The sphere oil the other was single
and maIchless the ne but bodndess in the future.
One the great Engshman OF the age the other The
great American oil centuries. II was 10 thus effect LORD
Ashburton expressed himself He started and led the
way in the comparison, as lar as Il was carried, and
concurred with him.
be OF any account with you but il you should deem
otherwise with il in any sense, offer IL litle sub
sttue for The article you sought at my hands, and you
al liberty 10 make any use OF II you may think II
worth.
In conclusion, pray you 10 believe me, with grea
truth, yours. very faithfully, 800,
Jons R. THOMPSON, esq, Richmond, We,