Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-08-19
WASHINGTON.

shortly before his death in 1916, may
here be related, showing the highth tc
TO which Wasbing,on's passion would
rise and yet be controlled. 1t belongs
to his domestic life, which am dealing
with, having occurred under his own
roof, whilst il marks public feeling the
most intense, and points to the moral Of
his life. | give II in Col. Lear's words
as nearly as can, having made note
of them at the time.
Toward the close of winters day in
1891, an officer in uniform was seen tc
dismount in front Of the Presidents al
Philadelphia, and giving the bride TO
his servant, knocked at the door Of his
mansion. Learning from the porter thai
the President was at dinner, he said he
was on'public business, and had dispatch
for the President. A servant was sent
into the dining room 10 give the inform
alton to Mr.. Lear, who left the table and
went into the hall, wdere the officer re-
peatcd what be had said. Mr.. Lear re.
piled that, as the Presidents Secretary,
he would take charge Of the dispatches
and deliver them at the proper time.-
The officer made answer that he had
Just arrived from the western army, and
his orders were TO deliver them with all
promptitude, and 10 the President in
person; but that he would wait his d.
Iections. Mr.. Lear returned, and in a
whisper impaired TO the President what
had passed. General Washington rose
from the table, and went to the officer.
He was back in shor! time, made a
word Of apology for his absence, but no
allusion to the'cause of it. He had COM
pany that day. Everything went or as
usual. Dinner over, The gentlemen
passed TO the drawing-room of Mrs.
Washington, which was open in The even
ing. The General spoke cOurteousIy to
every lady in the room, as was his Gus
tom. His hours were early, and by Ten
O'Clock all the company had gone. Mrs.
Washington and Mr.. Lear remained
Soon Mrs. Washington left the room.
The General now walked backward and
forward slowly for some minutes with
ont speaking. Then he sat down on a
sofa by the fire, telling Mr.. Lear to sit
down. To this moment, there had been
no change in his manner since his inter-
ruplion at the table. Mr.. Lear nov per-
ceived emotion. This Using in him, he
broke out suddenly. "'It's all over-St.
Clair's defeated-routed; the officers
nearly all killed, the men by wholesale;
the rout complete-too shocking to
think of-and surprise in the bargaiu!"
lie uttered this with great vehemence:
Then he paused, got up from the sofa.
and walked about the room several Times
agitated, but saying nothing. Near the
door he stopped short and stood still fer
few seconds, when his wrath became
terrible.
eyes" he burst forth, "here on this
very spot I took leave of him. l wished
him success and honor; you have your
Instructions. l said, from the Secretary
OF War. had strict eye TO them and
will add but word-beware Of a sur
prise. repeat it beware of a surprise
you know how the Indians fight US.
He went on with that as my last solemn
warning thrown into his ears. And yet!
to suffer that army TO be cut to pieces,
hacked, butcaered and tomahawked By
surprise---ne very thing l guarded
him against!-Oh, GOdl he's worse than
a murderer! how can be answer it to his
country; the blood of the slain is upon
him-the curse of heayenl'
This torrent came out in appalling
tones. His very frame shook. 1t was
awful said Mr.. Lear More than once
he threw his hands up as he hurled i'm
precautions upon Gen. st. Clair. Mr.,
Lear remained speechless; awed into
breathless silence.
The reused chief sat down on the sofa
once more. lie seemed conscious Of his
passion, and uncomfortable. He was
silent. His warmth beginning TO SUBJ
sido, he at length said in nn altered tone;
"This must not go beyond this ROOM"
Another pause followed longer one
when he said ia tone quite low,
General ST. Clair shall have Justice;
looked hastily through the dispatches. |
saw the whole disaster; but not all the
particulars; | will receive him without
/ will hear him without
prejudice; he shall have full justice"
He was now, said Mr.. Lear, perfectly |
calm Half an hour had gone BY
The storm was over and no sign of it
was afterwards seen in his conduct or
heard in his conversation. The result !
is known. The whole case was inyesti-
gated by Congress. st. Clair was ex-
culpated and regained the confidence
Washington had in him when appoint
ing him to that command. lie had put
himself into the thickest of the fight