Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-07-14
From Graham's Magazine of July.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
BY WILLIAM DOVE.

of Washington, the world will never be
tired of hearing and reading more about
him; the theme of his life and career is
inexhaustible. AS general thing. peo-
pie regard his distinction to arise sudden
ly and solely from the period of the Rev
oution. But Washington was widely
| talked ofbefore. He had antecedents not
unworthy of his revolutionary renown.
Some are apt to depreciate his soldier
snip; but it was really one of the strong
est bases and traits Of his character. The
10y, George Washington. was adventur-
GUS aud energetic; and he was soldier
before ne was fairly man. In his nine
teenth year he was major of militia with
salary Of about one thousand dollars a
year. A. that time he was a .all, sun
burnt fellow. standing over six feet in
his stockings, fond of walking and leap
ing, and dexterous at the sword exercise
and with the rifle. After little time he
was sent by Governor Dinwiddie to talk
to the commander of the French troops,
who were then making incursions into the
country Of the Ohio from Canada. and ap-
preaching the western frontier of Virgin
ia in menacing manner. The French
man did not give very satisfactory ac-
count of himself or his intentions when
our young hero questioned him. But
Washingtons journey was not in vain.
He reconnoitred the French position
closely, taking a picture of it in his
minds eye, with the keen glance of for.
est hunter and after a fatiguing and peril
Gus journey made his way back to Rich
mond. At the age Of twenty-five he
marched as colonel at the head Of a little
army. and began those hostilities against
the French which General Wolf fafterward
concluded, sweeping them forever from
the North Of this continent. During this
expedition he was all energy and vigil
ance. and kept journal of the campaign.
This keeping a journal was one of his
habits since boyhood; and it remained
with him through his career. After mar
ching through wilderness. he struck his
first military blow against his subsequent
good allies; the French, at Great Mead
ows--suddenly assailinga party under Ju-
monville. who were lodging about and
waylaying his movements. Jumonvile
was killed with oevoral Of his men. and
the rest were made prisoners. AS war had
not been formally declared. this affair
made great noise; and it was said that
the French officer was fairly set upon.--
But there was no doubt Of the French
mans intentions; and Washington was
supported by Governor Dinwiddie and the
Virginia Legislature, and also by the
Home Government.
Twenty years before he went up TO
Cambridge as gcneraliSsimo. his name was
part of the history of England. Colonel
Washington was talked Of in London be-
fore General Washing praised by one
British ministry before he was denounced
by another. The Journal that he had
kept on the western campaign was pub
lished in England. to show the designs
and movements of the French, and was
eagerly read and quoted.
But he was not famous in England a.
lone about that time. Shortly afterward,
portions of his journals and papers were
taken among Braddock's baggage. after
the bloody fussillade of Monongahela. and
published in Paris to prove some diplo-
matte point against the British. And Gu
riously enough, Washington was looked
on by the Parisians as fierce young bull
dog, of rough and sanguinary nature;
pretty much as 'the monster Brandt was
subsequently with us and the readers Of
Gertrude of Wyoming. A French poet,
M. Thomas did for poor Washing ton
what Campbell. did for the Indian chief
made him the nelarious character of po-
EN- on the death of Jumonville, slain by
British treacheryl So tha: the people of
Paris. reversing the order Of the English
receptions o: the Virginian's name. first
execrated him before Lafayette taught
them to talk of his glory with enthusiasm.
What curious turns and changes will
take place in the world.
At that terrible affair of Monongahela,
where Braddock was struck down in the
midst of his broken army. Aid-de-camp
Washington, then in his twenty-third
year. did the duty of a commander with
the activity. GOODNESS and courage Of
veteran: He rode about everywhere. and
seemed to bear charmed life. like Cla-
verhouse Of old among the Covenanters.
He had two horses killed under him. and
got four bullets in his coat. in that des-
perate effort to save the remnant Of the
panic stricken army. 1t is remarkable.
that in the histories of England used in
schools and popularity circulated. no men,
ton is made of George Washington in
connection with the defeat of Braddock.
The siege of Toulon is never mentioned
without notice of Bonaparte's first ef-
fective military achievement. Virginia.
however. took good care that the disaster
of Monongahela should not prejudice the
character Of Colonel Washington. He
received public thanks and recompence;
and the Rev. Samuel Davis in sermon
delivered before one of the volunteer COM