New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-05-05

I The following account, from a recent publication
OF an interview with General Washington, we are
sure will be read with interest ~
\ | had feasted my imagination, for several DAYS in
the near prospect of q. visit to Mount Vernon the
seat OF Washington. No pilgrim ever approached
mecca with deeper enthusiasm. Iarriyed there in the
afternoon OF the 23d of January, 1885 I was the
bearer OF letter from General Green. with another
from Colonel Fitzgerald, one of the former Aides of
General Washington and also the books from Gran
vile Sharp. Although assured that these credentials
would secure me a respectable reception felt an I'M
accountable difdence as came into the presence OF
( this great man. / found him at table with Mrs.
washington and his private family, and was received
WITH the native dignity, with that urbanity so peeu,
larly combined in the character Of a soldier and
eminent private gentleman. t4O
Il lie soon put me at ease, by unbending in q free
and aable conversation. The cautious reserve which
wisdom and policy dictated whilst engaged in rearing
the glorious fabric of our Independence, was eyi,
IDENTIFY the result Of consammate prudence. and not
Characteristic Of his nature. Although I had fre-
quently seen him in the progress of the Revolution.
and had correspondent with lin from France, inpsl
and so, this was the first time had contemplated
him in private relations. / observed popularity in
his smile, which seemed to illuminate his eve his
whole countenance beamed with intelligence, whilst
it combined confidence and respect. n S11 n
The gentleman who had accompanied me from
Alexandria, left in the evening and remained alone
IN the enjoyment of the society Of Washington. for
two OF the richest days Of my life i saw him reap
ing the reward OF his ustrious deeds in the Quiet
shade OF his beloved retirement He was at the ma
tnred age of iftythree. Alexander and Caesar both
died before they reached that period of life and both
had immortalized their names. How much stronger
and nobler theclans Of Washington to Immortality,
In the impulses Of mad and selfish ambition, they
acquired fame by wading to the conquest of the world
through seas of blood MOO,
Washington, on the contrary, was parsimonious of
the blood of his countlynen, and stood forth, the
pure and ylftuous champion of their rights and
formed for them mot for himselfl mighty republic
10 have eommuned with such man in the bosom f
his family, shall always regard as one of the highest
privileges and most cherished incidents Of NV life
found him kind and benignant in the domestic cir
ele revered and Beloved by all around him agreeably
social without ostentation delighting in anecdote
and adventures, without assumption his domestic
arrangements harmonious and systematic. d .-l@
His servants seemed to watch his eye and to anti
cpate his every wish hence look was equivalent 40
ion of his military career, was always at his side
Smiling content animated and bealned on every
countenanee in his presence, The first evening /
spent under the wing of his hospitality we sat full
hour at table by ourselves without the least INTERRUPT
ton, after the family had retired | was extremely
oppressed by a severe cold and excessive coughing
contracted by the exposure off harsh winter Journey
He pressed me to use some remedies bnt declined
doing so.s AS usual, after retiring, my cough in.
creased When some time had elapsed, the door of
my room was gently opened, and on drawing my bed
curtains to my utter establishment, beheId Wash.
ngton himself, standing at my bedside, with boWlof
hot ten in his hand This little Incident occurring in
common life, with an ordinary man, would not have
been noticed but as trait of the beneyolence and
private virtue of Washington, deserves to be re-,