Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1858-08-25

shaped like a sabre, but much shorter and
lighter Il was worn attached to belt around
the waist, under the coat. The handle was
ofgreen ivory, the bill and guard Of silver,
and was me same that was presented to Con-
gress some years ago BY the relative 10 whom
il was bequeathed BY the Generals will
Such were my first Impressions at the sight Of
the greatest man Of his or any other age
The picture is stamped upon my memory in
living light, and time seems only to increase
the freshness of its coIopin0.
The last time saw General Washington
was in May, 1890, during the second session
of the first Congress under the present Consti-
tuition; il being held in New York, and the
last which convened in that city. | was then
in my twenty second year. Ny broiher--tRe
late Elijah Boardmm. afterwards and at the
time Of his decease United States Senator from
ConnecIicut-makng an excursion to New
York, ! accompanied him in order to see the
city, which had never visited. and to take a
look at Congress which had a great desire
to see in session. We arrived in the city on
Saturday evening. Weagreed to 90 to church
next morning, where we supposed the Presi
dent would attend, for the purpose Of seeing
him though we had both seen him while in
command Of the army; and my brother, in
deed many years olderthan myself, had served
campaign under his order. The President
then resided n the centre house of what was
called Mr.. McCombs' block, on the western
side Of Broadway, between Trinity Church
and the Bowling Green To accomplish our
object we went FIRST in front ofTrinity Church,
intending to wait there until the Presidents
carriage came up, and if it stopped there to
follow him in; hutifit went By 10 repairto ST.
Paups, knowing that he would attend service
at one Of them. When we reached our pro
posed stand, we found large number Of gen
tlemen occupying the ground, doubtless infiu-
enced by the same motives with ourselves, and
had already formed two lines reaching from
the church door to the middle of the street,
and few yards apart The Presidents coach
soon came up, and stopped at the mouth Of
the avenue formed by tile spectators.
He stepped out Of il with bis hat (such as
he used to wear while III command Of tlle ar
my in his hand, and walked through the
bowiug lines Of admiring gazers with that
nsuce, such, as Is my estimation, no other
face ever bore. lie followed by Mrs. Wash
ington, escorted by gentleman of the family,
and by the private secretary and lady. Ills
dress upon the occasion was precisely like
Stuart's portrait of lin, Except The sword,)
to wit: black throughout, silk stockings, and
silver buckled shoes; his hair dressed in front
just like Stuart's portrait has it, on the back
it was enclosed in black bag of silk shift,
such as in those days the first magistrates of
States often wore, if favored with full and
flowing head of hair. The entire costume was
exceedingly graceful and becoming. Our
seats in the church being remote from his, we
could only see that he was very intent upon
his prayer-book and possessed the air of sin
cere devotion.
lt SO happened that Captain Clark, a
coaster from New Haven. Connecticut, board
ed at the same house with US in the city, and
from him learned that he had been applied
TO, 10 carry the President out to good fishing
ground in a distant part Of New York harbor,
where he proposed to amuse and recreate him
self for day or twoin fishing. lie informed
me that be should take his vessel from the
east river around to the North side to a wharf
directly in the rear Of tie Presidents house
and there receive hm on board, Greenwich
street not being built upon then. Determined
to avail myself of another opportunity Of see
lug the great object Of my youthful admira
lion, went alone to the wharf indicated ly
Captain Clark, aud took my stand upon it,
The President at the appointed time came out
at his back door, attended by some two or
three Of bis family and a servant, and stepped
on board the vessel, where he met with Gen.
Cadwalader, 4 member Of Congless from Penn
sylvania, and one or two other gentlemen who
were TO share the proposed amusement, with
whom be conyersed for few moments, until
the vessel got under way. Capt. CLARK having
informed me that he should remain bul one
night, and return 10 the afternoon of the sec
ond day, again kept watch and when saw
the vessel approaching the city resorted to
my former stand upon the wharf, and again
saw the President when be came up to the
wharf leave the deck Of the vessel aud return
to tho house.
heard some Of bis conversation in this free
and unrestrained intercourse with his compa-
Mons, but no circumstances could delract from
bis wonderful dignity Of manner and deport
ment. This close aud minute inspection only
added to my previous idea Of bis character
Tile tones Of bis voice were deep aud clear, and
bis smile peculiarly winning and pleasant.
afterwards asked Capt. CLARK if The President
was successful as fisherman. "Yes." hesaid,
'al tile fish come to his hook." Upon these
occasions, lie was ia very different attire
from Tie one above described lie wore a
round bat with very large brim, light mul-
berry overcoat, with an underdFess of a cor
responding color His hair was 10 veFy long
queue reaching from his waistbaud buttons;
aud the ends Of the hair below The Fiband
showing sprinkling Of gray--a slight one,
though man ofifly eight
Ihave thus, perhaps With tedious minute
ness, described the personal appearance Of Ge.
neral Washington at the Last moment ! ever