Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-03-18
IAN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF
WARRINGTON,

On the % of February, 1850, tens of thousands
of American citizens from all parts of the Union
might be seen crowding into Richmond, the CAPT
tai of Virginia, one of the oldest and most Eng'iA
in habit and feeling amongst the American States
The spectacle which they assembled to witness
was the ceremony of laying the foundation stone
of a monument about to be erected to the memo
ry of Washington. The President, General Tay-
lor, himself a native of Virginia, was present
will long be remembered in the annals of that
State
SO familiar to the whole world is the history of
the illustIious man in whose honor the festival
held that it would be superfious to dilate up
on it but an episode of his early life, one which
was the turning point of his whole career, may
not, perhaps, be so generally known to our read
ers. We must, therefore, beg of them to travel
back with us in thought to the winter of the wear
l747
1t was bright clear morning, and two Young
men might have been seen strolling together in
the neighborhood of Bridge Greek in Virginia.
The youngest ofthe two was scarcely more than
fifteen years of age, but his tall and manly frame
his expressive countenance, lofty brow, and al
most puritan simplicity of aspect, indicated char
acter far in advance of his years. His compan.
ion, who appeared to have numbered six or sew
en- years more than himself, wore with certain
easy grace the uniform of an English Major. 1t
was easy to recognize in him one OF those young
noblcmanof the eighteenth century fitted alike to
shine in a saloon, or TO win laurels upon the bat
tlehcld.
The latter was, in fact, the representative Of one
of the noblcst families in Great Britain. The for
mer the son of small landed proprietor in
the State of Virginia, which was then, in common
with the other States of the Union, under the do
mlnicn of the English crown
Why should you hesitate ?" asked the elder
of the two, addressing himselfin an animated tone
to his Young companion your family is of En-
glish origin, MS are all those which fill superior
station in our colonies"
Yes, but for moro than three centuries my an
cestors have lived and died in this country and We
have become thorough Americans
whilst subjects of Great Britain, YOU mnst
stlllbc english. You surely cannot dream of throw
ing yourself into the hands Of that foolish faction
which dreams of an independence which must en-
or be impossible"
Impossible The future is long and America
is great y'
But she can hardly be deemed civilized
Range yourself on the side of civilization You
know well that the mother country opens wide her
arms to welcome those amongst her colonies who
offer her their services. The sea is the element
for you. Lord Rodney is my friend-and he will
gladly do all he can TO serve you and before ma
ny years are over, you win revisit your native
shores as an admiral. Come now, YOU must 90
home and tell your mother that you have made
your decision, and to morrow you will embark with
me"
Farewell, replied the colonist, tomorrow
shall meet YOU on board your ship, either to ac-
company you to England or else-to bid you
adieu."
1" You will accompany ne, I am sure Farewell
nil TO morrow"
And the two Young men separated.