Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-03
Wasbingtan gentinsl.
The Republican C0urt-Personal appear
ance OF Washington.


the forthcoming work of Rev. DIR. Griswold,
entitled "The Republican Court, or American
Society in the days of Washington"
From the note book of the late Mr.. Horace
Binney Wallace, of Philadelphia, am permit
ted to transcribe a record of some conversa
tons with his mother, Mr.. Susan Wallace, in
which that lady-so eminent for whatever is
beautiful and noble in her sex-disclosed her
recollections of Washington's habits, personal
appearance and manners. On the removal of
the government to Philadelphia, Mrs. Mary
Binney, mother of Mrs. Wallace, resided in
Market street, opposite to General Washing
ton's-the door Of her house few PAGES fur
Their east. 1t was the Generals custom, fire.
quently, when the day was fine, to come out
TO walk, attended by his secretaries Mr.. Lear
and Major William Jackson-one on each
side. He Away crossed directly over from his
own door to the sunny side of the street, and
walked down. He was dressed in black, and
all three wore cooked hats. She never OBJ
served them conversing; she often wondered
and watched, as child, to see if any of the
party spoke, but never could perceive that any
thing was said. 1t was understood that the
aids were kept at regal distance. General
Washington had large family coach, light
ored, painted with three enamelled figures on
each panel-and very handsome. He drove
in the coach to Christ church every Sunday
morning, with two horses; drove the carriage
and four into the country--to LandsdoYn, The
Hills, and other places. In going to the SEN
ate he used the chariot, with six horses. All
his servants were white, and wore liveries of
white cloth, trimmed with scarlet or orange.
Mrs. Wallace saw General Washington fire.
quently at public balls. His manners there
were very gracious and pleasant. She went
with Mrs. Oliver Wolcott to one of Mrs. Wash
ingtons drawing.rooms. The General was
present, and came up and bowed to every lady
after she was seated. Mrs. Binney visited Mrs.
Washington frequently. 1t was Mrs. Wash
ington's custom to return visits on the third
day; and she thus always returned Mrs. Bin
nsy's A footman would run over, knock
loudly, and announce Mrs. Washington, who
would then come over with Mr.. Lear. Mrs.
Wallace met Mrs. Washington in her mothers
psrlor, her manners were very easy, pleasant,
and unceremonious, with the characteristics Of
other Virginia ladies. When Washington re-
tired from public life, Mrs. Wallace was about
nineteen years of age.
The recollections of Mr.. Richard Rush on
the subject are in agreement with those of Mrs
Wallace. That accomplished and distinguished
gentleman has communicated to me q very
graphic account Of some interesting scenes, of
which he was an observer, about the close Of
Washington's first administration. Looking
upon the old Congress Hall, at the corner Of
Chestnut and Sixth streets, few years ago,
he says, / recalled scene never, no never to
be forgotten. 1t was, think, in 1894 or 1895,
that as boy was among the spectators con-
tod ~ ox.6 orfo al h. a.
witness a great public spectacle.
Washington was to open the session of Con-
gress by going in person, as was his custom, to
deliver speech to both houses, assembled in
the chamber of the House Of Representatives.
The crowd was immense. 1t filed the whole
area in Chestnut street before the State house.
extended along the line Of Chestnut street above
Sixth street, and spread North and South some
distance along the latter. A way kept open
for carriages, in the middle Of the street, was
the only space not closely packed with people.
/ had stand on the steps of one of the houses
in Chestnut street, which, raising me above the
mass of human heads, enabled me to see TO adj
vantage. After waiting long hours, as it seemed
TO boys impotence, the carriage Of the Pres
sident at length slowly drove up, drawn by
four beautiful bay horses. 1t was white, with
medallion ornaments on the panels, and the
livery OF the servants, as well as i remember,
was white turned up with red ut any rate a
glowing livery-the entire display in equipages
mt that era, in our country generally, and in
Philadelphia in particular, while the seat Of
government, being more rich and varied than
now, though fewer in number. Washington
got out Of his carriage, and slowly crossing the
pavement, assembled the steps Of the edifce,
upon the upper platform OF which he paused,
and, turning half round, looked in the direction
Of carriage which had followed the lead OF
his own. Thus he stood for minute, distinctly
seen by everybody. He stood in all his civic
dignity and moral grandeur, erect, serene, ma
iestic. His costume was a full suit Of black
velvet his hair, itself blanched by time, pow
dered to snowy Wilderness, dress sword at his
side, and his hat held in his hand. Thus he
stood in silence; and what moments those
werei Throughout the dense crowd, profound
stiffness reigned. Not word was heard, not
breath. Palpitations took the place Of sounds.
II was feeling infinitely beyond that which
vents itself in shouts. Every heart was full.
In vain would any tongue have spoken.
AL were gazing, in mute, unutterable admi-
ration. Every eye was riveted on that form
the greatest, purest, most exalted Of mortals.
IL might have seemed as If he stood in that
position 10 crafty the assembled thousands
with full view Of the father of their country.
Not so. He had paused for his Secretary, then,
j believe, Mr.. cambridge, or Colonel Lear, who
got out Of the other carriage, n chariot, decora-
ted like his own. The Secretary, ascending
the steps, handed him a geographically a
copy OF the speech he was TO deliver--when
both entered the building. Then il was, and
not until then, that the crowd sent up huzzas,
loud, long, earnest, enthusiastic"
OF the simple manners of Washington and
his family we have an interesting account in
the travels Of Mr.. Henry wansey, +. s. A., an
English manufacturer, who breakfasted with
them on the morning Of the 9Th Of June, 1894.
" i confess" he says, 81 vas struck with awe
and veneration, when recollectsd that was
nov in the presence Of the great Washington,
the noble and wise benefactor Of the world, as
Nirsbeau styles him. When we look down
from this truly ilustrious character, on other
public servants, we find q glowing contrast;
nor can we fix our attention on any other great
men without discovering in them q vast and
mortifyiag dissimilarity. The President seem
ed very thou ghtful, and was slow in delivering
h;nsaif ,h;ck ;uducod aor,o IN haliava him ro-