Des Arc citizen., 1859-09-28
ANECDOTE OF WASHINGTON.
In l754 he was stationed at AIexandira

III lfC4 uc was StdtiOIicu ot AICAouuiio with his regiment. the only one in the colony, of which he was the colonel.- There happened at that time to be an cleo ton in Alexandria for members of the Assembly, and the ballot ran high between Colonel George Fairfax and MT. William Elgey. Washington was on the side of Fairfax, and MT. William Payne headed the friends of EIgey. In the course of the contest, Washington grew very warm, flor his passions naturally were very pow erful, though wise regard to duty, .. e, honor and happiness, soon reduced them to proper command, and unluckily said something to MT. Payne. who, though but cub in size was lion at heart, ele- vated his shilIelah, and, at blow exten- ded our hero on the ground. News was soon carried to the regiment that their colonel was murdered by the mob! On the passions of the soldiers, who dotted upon their commander, such report fell at once like flash of lightning on magazine of gunpowder. In a moment the whole regi- ment was under arms and in rapid motion towards the town, burning for vengeance. During this time Washington had been literally piled with cold water, acids and yolatiles; and, happily for MT. Payne and his party, was so far recovered as to go out and meet his enraged soldiers, who crow. ded round him with faces of honest joy to see him alive again. After thanking them for such an evidence of their attachment to him, he assured them that he was not hur, in the least, and begged them, by their love of him and of their duty, to re- turn peaceably to their barracks. As for himself, he went to his room, generously chastising his passion which had just struck but spark that had like to have thrown the whole town in flame; and feeling himself the aggressor of MT. Payne, he resolved to make him the honorable repar- ation of asking his pardon. No sooner had he made this heroic resolution, than, recovering that delicious gayety which ever accompanies good purposes in virtuous mind, he went to ball that night, and be- haved as pleasantly as though nothing had happened. Early next morning he wrote polite note of invitation to MT Payne to meet him at the inn. Payne took it for a challenge, and repaired to the inn in full expectation of fsmelling gunpowder. But what was his surprise, on entering the chamber to see, in lieu of brace of pis- tols, decanter of wine and pair of glas- ses on the table. Washington rose to meet him, and offering hls hand, with a smile, began: "Mr. Payne. to err some times is nature; to rectify error is always glory. I believe was wrong in the affair of yesterday. You have had l think some satisfaction, and if you deem that suffi- cicnt, there is my hand; let us be friends 7 An act of such sublime virtue produced it's proper effect upon ehe mind of MT. Payne, who, from that Moment, became the most enthusiastic admirer and friend of Wash ington; and, for his sake, ready at any time to charge upto battery of two.and- forty pounders. "Would our youth" says the narrator, "but be persuaded to act in a style so correct and heroical. our papers
 would no longer shock us with accounts oi elegant young men numbering each other on false principles of honor: by one des. perate deed depriving themselves of all
 present pleasures, and of all future hopes. -TRecollections of the American Revolu- | ton.