Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-05-17
Interview with Washington and his rami,,

The following account, from a recent puhc.,;o,
of an interview with General Washington. we .,a
sure will be read with interest: ...''
had feasted my imagination, for several ds,. :.
the near prospect of visit to Mount Verno, az
seat of Washington. No pilgrim ever apnro.ch "s
Mecca with deeper enthusiasm | arrived tbo.a -
the afternoon Of the Esd of January, l7s5 ~. ~
the bearer of letter from Gen. Green with snotha'
from Col. Fitzgerald, one Of the former a;dos 81
General Washington; and also the books from Cr,u
vile Sharp. Although assured that these creden
tlals would secure me respectable reception, et
an unaccountable diffidence as came into the pres.
ence OF this great man. l found him at table vab
Mrs Washington and his private family, and va.
received with the native dignity with that urban,v
SO peculiarly combined in the character Of sola;s.
and eminent private gentleman.
He soon put me at ease, by unbendng, in freq
and affable conversation. The cautious reserve
which wisdom and policy dictated, whilst enpapsd
i'll rearing the glorious fabric of our independence
was evidently the result of consummate prudence
and not characteristic of his nature. Although
had frequently seen him in the progress of the Rev.
oluton, and had correspondent with him from France
in 81 and S2, this was the first time had contem
plated him in private relations. l observed a pe
culiarity in his smile, which seemed to illuminate hs
eye; his whole countenance beamed with ipteH
gence, whilst it combined confidence and respect
The gentleman who accompanied me from Al
exandrla, left in the evening, and remained alone
i'll the enjoyment of the society of Washington, for
two of the richest days of my life. saw him reap.
ing the rewards of his ustrous deeds, in the quiet
shade of his beloved retirement He was at the
matured age of fifty-three. Alexander and Cesar
both died before they reached that period Of life,
and both had immortazed their Names How
much stronger and nobler the claims of ashington
to Immortality. In the impulses of mad and selfish
ambition, they acquired fame by wading to the con.
quest Of the world through seas of blood
Washington on the contrary, was parsimonous
OF the blood of his countrymen and stood forth, the
pure and virtuous champion of their rights and
formed for them mot for himself mighty republic
To have communed with such man in the bosom
of his family, shall always regard as one Of the
highest privileges, and most cherished incidents Of
my life. / found him kind and benignant in the
domestic circle, revered and beloved by all around
him; agreeably social without ostentation delight.
ing in anecdote and adventures, without assumption;
his domestic arrangements harmonious and syste.
matte. 'ao
His servants seemed to watch his eye, and to
anticipate his every wish hence look was equiv
alent to command. His servant Billy, the faithfn
companion of his military career, was always ut hi
side. Smiling content animated and beamed on
every countenance in his presence. The first eve.
ming spent under the wing of his hospitality, we
sat full hour at table by ourselves, without the
least interruption, after the family had retired.
was extremely oppressed by severe cold and e1.
cessve coughing, contracted by the exposure Of a
harsh winter journey.
He pressed me to use some remedies; but de-.
clined doing So AS usual, after retiring, my cough
increased. When some time had elapsed, the door
of my room was gently opened, and on drawing my
bed curtains, to my utter establishment, l beheld
Washington himself, standing at my bedside, with
bowl Of hot tea in his hand. This little incident
occurring in common life, with an ordinary man,
would not have been noticed but as trait Of the
benevolence and private virtue Of Washington,
deserves to be recorded