The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-15
short Sketch of the Life and Charac.
ter of General Washington.

As this gentleman always refused to accept any Pc
cunary appointment for his public services, salary
has been annexed by Congress to his important COM
mand, and he only draws weekly for the expenses Of
his public table, and other necessary demands. Cen
eral Washington, having never been in Europe could
not possibly have seen much military service when
the anes of Britain were sent to subdue the Amer-
cans yet still, for variety of reasons, he much
the MOST proper man the continent, and probably
any where else, be placed at the head Of an Amer
lean army The very high estimation he stood in for
integrity and honor, his engaging in the Of his
county from sentiment and conviction of her wrongs
his moderation in politics, his extensive property and
his approved abilities a commander, were motives
which necessarily obliged the choice Of America to
fall on him.
ordinary military talents, will hardly be controverted
by his most bitter enemies. Having been early acu-
ated with warm passion his country in the
military lne he has greatly improved his talents by
mwearied industry, close application to the best
writer's on military tactics, and by more than COM
mon method and exactness.
In reality when il comes to be considered that at
first he only headed body Of men entirely unacquain-
ted it'll military discipline or operations, somewhat
ungovernabe in temper and who at the best could be
styled alert and good militia, acting under very
short enlistment, unclothed, and at all times very i'll
supplied with ammunition and artillery; and that
with such army he withstood the ravages and pro-
gress of 900 veteran troops pentiiuy provi-
ded with every necessary article, commanded by the
bravest officers in Europe, and supported by very
powerful navy, which efectually prevented all move
ments by water; when all this comes to be impartial
" considered, may venture to pronounce that
General Washington may he considered one Of the
greatest military ornaments of the present age.
General Washington is in the forty-seventh
wear of his age; he is tall, we'll made man. rather
large boned, and has toIerabIe geneel address; his
features are manly and bold, his eyes Of blush cast
and very lively; his hair deep brown, his face ra-
Their long, and marked with the small pox; his com
pexion sunburnt, and without much color, and coun-
ienanGe sensible, composed and thoughtful. There
is remarkable air of dignity about him. with stri'
king degree Of gracefuness he has an excellent un-
derstanding with much quckness he is strictly just
vgiant and generous; an affectionate husband, a
father to the faithful soldier; gentle in his manners
in temper rather reserved total stranger to the re-
igious prejudces which have often excited chris
tians of one denomination cut the throats of those
of another; his morals he is irreproachable, and
was never kdown to exceed the bounds Of the most
rigid temperance; in a word, all his friends and &C
quaintsnces universally allow that no man ever uni
ted in his own person more perfect alliance OF the
virtues Of philosopher with the talents Of gene
rail- candor, sincerity, afability and simplicity seem
10 be the striking features Of his character, till an
occasion offers OF displaying the most determined bra
very and independence of spirit.