Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-24
EVENING STAR.
Interview with Washington and his Family,

From " Men and Times of the Revolution,
or Memories of Elkanah Watson, we clip the
following account of an interview with Wash
ington and his family:
/" hsd feasted my imagination for several
days In the near prospect of visit to Mount
Vernon, the seat Of Washington. No pilgrim
ever approached Mecca with deeper enthu-
slasm. L arriver there in the afternoon Of
January 23, 1785. l was the bearer Of the
letter from General Green with another from
Col. Fitzgerald, one of the former aids of
Washington; and also the books from Gran
vile Sharp. Although assured that these
credentials would secure me a respectful re-
ception, L felt an unaccountable diffidence
as came into the presence of this great man
L found him at table, with Mrs. Washington
and his private family, and was received in
the native dignity, with that urbanity so De-
cullarly combined in the character of a soldier
and eminent private gentleman. He soon
put me at ease, by unbending in free and
afable conversation. The cautious reserve
which wisdom and policy dictated whilst en-
gagged in rearing the fabric of our indepen-
dence, was evidently the result of consum-
mate prudence, and not characteristic of his
nature Although had frequently seen him
In the progress of the Revolution, and had
corresponded with him from France in 81 and
81, this was the first occasion on which had
contemplated him in his private relations l
observed a popularity in his smile which
seemed to illuminate his eye his whole coun-
tenance beamed with intelligence, while it
commanded confidence and respect The gen.
tleman who accompanied me from Alexand
lett In the evening, and l remained alone in
the enjoyment of the society Of Washington,
for two of the richest days of my life. saw
him reaping the reward of his iIustrious
deeds, in the quiet shade of his beloved re-
tIrement He was at the matured age of
ffty-three. Alexander and Caesar both died
before they bad reached that period of life,
and both had immortalized their names How
much stronger and nobler the claims of Wash
lngton to immortality. In the impulses of
mad and selfish ambition they acquired fame
by wading to the conquests of the world
through seas of blood Washington, on the
contrary, was parSimOnious Of the blood of his
cOuntrymen, and stood forth the pure and vir-
tuous champion of their rights, and formed
for thom (nOt himself) mighty republic. To
have cOmmuned with such a man in the bosom
of his family, shall always regard as one of
the highest privileges and cherished Incl
dents of my life. 1 found him kind and be-
nignant in the domestic circle, revered and
beloved by all around him; sgreeably social
without ostentation; delighting in anecdote
and adventures, without assumption; his do
mestic arrangements harmonious and system
attic. His servants seemed to watch his eye
anu 10 anuclpaIe MS every Wish hence
look was equivalent to a command. His SER
want Billy, the faithful companion of his mill
tary career, was always at his side. Smiling
content animated and beamed on every coun-
tenance in his presence. The first evening L
spent under the wing of his hospitality, we
sat D full hour at table by ourselves, without
the le9st interruption, after the family had
retired. was extremely oppressed by se-
we're cold and excessive coughing, contracted
by the exposure Of harsh winter journey
He pressed me to use some remedies; but L
declined doing so. As usual, after retiring my
coughing increased When some tine had
elapsed, the door Of my room was gently
opened, and on drawing my bed curtains to
my utter astonishment beheld Washington
himself standing at my beside with a bowl of
tea in his hand. This little incident occur
ring in common life, with an ordinary man
would rot have been noticed, but rs trait
Of the benevolence and private virtue of
Washington, deserves to be recorded"