The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-07-16
OF GENERAL
WASHINGTON.

While Colonel he was stationed a
Alexandra with his regiment. There
happened at this time to be an election
in Alexandra for members of Assembly
and the contest ran high between Col
George Fairfax and Mr.. Elzey. Wash
ington was The warm friend of Fairfax.
and Mr.. Payne headed the friends of
Elzey. A dispute happening to take
place in the court house yard, Washing
ton, . tlias. '-s-y uncommon with him
got warm, and which was still more un-
common, said something that offended
Payne, whereupon the little gentleman
Who though but cub in size, was the
old lion in heart, raised his sturdy bick-
ory, and at IL single blow, brought our
hero to the ground. Several of Wash
ington's officers being present whipped
out their cold irons in an instant, and it
was looked upon that there would be
murder off hand. TO make bad worse =,
bis regiment bearing how ho had been
treated, bolted out from their barracks
with every man his weapon in his hand,
threatening dreadful vengeance on those
who had dared to knock down their be-
loved Celonel Happily for Mr.. Payne
and his party, Washington recovered
time enough to 90 out and meet bis en-
ragged soldiers, and after thanking them
for the expression of their love, assured
them that he was not hurt in the least
and begged them, as they loved him or
their duty, to return peaceably to their
barracks. As for himself be went to
his room, generousl y chastising his i'm
prudence which had thus struck out
spark that had liked to have thrown the
town into fame Finding on reflection
that he had been the aggressor, he re-
solved to make Mr. Payne honorable
reparation by asking his pardon on the
No sooner had lie made this
noble resolution, than recovering that
delicious gaiety, which ever accompan-
les good purposes in virtuous mind, he
wen! to a ball in town that night, and
behaved as pleasantly as though nothing
had happened. Glorious proofs that
great souls like great ships are not affoc-
ted by those pufs which would overset
feeble minds with passion, or sink them
with spleen
The next day he went to tavern,
and wrote polite note to Mr. Payne,
whom he requested to meet him, Mr..
Payne took it for a challenge, and re-
paired 20 the tavern, not without ex-
pecting to see pair Of pistols produced.
But what was his surprise on entering 4
the chamber to see dccanter of wine
and glasses on the table. Washington
arose, and in a friendly manner met him
and gave his hand. Mr.. Payne, said
be, to crr-sometimes is nature to rec
iify error, is always glory. find was
wrong in the affair of yesterday, you
nave had | think some satisfaction aud
f you think that Efficient, here's my
land-et us be friends.
A few years after this, Payne had a
,ausc tried in Fairfax court, and Wash
ngton happened on that day to be in the
iouse. The lawyer on the other side
hiding he was going fast to the leeward
hougbt he would lulf up, with Il whole
'roadside at Payue's character aud af-
er raking him fore and aft with abuse
lc artfully bore away under the lee OF
he jury's prejudices, which he endeav- {
,ured to iuAame against him. Yes, ,
please your worships, continued he, as
proof that this Mr. Payne is most tur-
Dulent fellow, aud capable of all | tell
you, be pleased to remember, Gentle