Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-02-21
Phenix's Life OF Washington. '-'

George Washington was one of the
most distinguished movers Of the Ameri-
can Revolution. He was horn of poor
but honest parents. at Genoa, in the year
1892, His mother was called the mother
Of Washington. He married, early in life,
a widow lady, Mrs. Martha Curtis. =
Washington commenced business as a
county surveyor, and was present in that
character at sham-fght, under General
Braddock, when SO many guns were fired
that the whole body of militia were stunned
by the explosion, and sat down to supper
unable to hear word that was said.
This supper was afterwards alluded to as
Braddock's deaf eat, and the simile, s deaf
as Braddock,' subsequently, vulgarized into
! deaf as haddock,' had its rise from tha,
circumstance. Washington commanded
several troops during the revolutionary
war, and distinguished himself by fear
lessly crossing the Delaware River on ice
Of very moderate thickness, to visit q fam.
lily Of Hessians Of his acquaintance. He
was passionately fond Of green peas and
string beans; and his favorite motto was,
: In time Of peas prepare for war; Wash.
ington's most intimate friend was French
gentleman, named Marcus Dee, who, from
4 constant habit Of risibility, was nick
named 'Laaghy yet.' His greatest VIC
tory was achieved at Germantown, where,
coming upon the British in the night, he
completely surrounded them with wall
/ Of cotton bales, from which he opened a
destructive and terrible FIRE, which soon
caused the enemy to capitulate. The cot
ton bales being perforated with musket
balls were much Increased in weight, and
consequently in value, and the expression.
playfully used What is the price Of cot
ton T was much in vogue after that battle.
During the action Washington might have
bsen seen driving up and down the lines.
exposed to deadly FIRE, in small Con-
cord wagon, drawn by . bobtailed grey
horse His celebrated dispatch, Veni,
oid;, rici, OF i came and saw in Con-
cord wagon, has reference TO this circum.
stance. Washington has been called the
Father Of his Country (an unapt title,
more properly beloeging to the late Mr..
McC Clusky, parent Of the celebrated pugil-
ist;) the child has grown, however, to that
Ie1tene that its own father would not know
i,n asi* eaa = -ii - 81 'flssa eat .
s Although, 6r the tins IN which he lived,
Z very distinguished man, the ignorance Of
Washington ia some things is perfectly
incredible. Henever travelled on steam
boat /; be never saw Z railroad or locolno-
tive engine was perfectly ignorant Of the
magnetic telegraph never had Daguer.
lreotype. Cok's pistol, Sharps rife, or used
. friction match. He ale his meals with
N iren fork, never used postage stamps
on his leiaers, and knew nothing Of the
application Of chloroform to alleviate suf-
iering, or the use Of gas for illumination.
Such q man As this can hardly be elected
President tsof the United States in these
times, although il must be confessed, we
occasionally have q candidate who proves
not much better informed about matters in
seaofal. Washington died from exposure
on the summit If Mount Vernon, in the
year l7e6, leaving behind him . name
that will endure forever, # posterity per.
sists. "a calling theif.children after him TO
tho sause'exsent thafhas been fashionable.
A monument has been commented in the
city Of 'Washington' to his memory, which
Is 10 bs five hundred feti ID height; and i
should be aAe wish Of every true hearted
American that his virtues and services
may mot be hinrgosten bsfore tits compile
ted !; il. which cass, their remsmbsancs
will probably endure forever '.,sess sye