Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-04-04
mistrllantous.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
BY JOHN PHEN lN.'


George Washin gton was one OF the most
distinguished movers in the American
Revolution.
lie was born of poor, but honest parents
at Genoa, in the year l492. His mother
was called the ufother of Washington
He married, early in life, single widow
lady, Mrs. Martha Custis, whom Prescott
describes as the cussidest prettiest woman
south of Mason and DiXon's line. Young
Washington commenced business as u
country surveyor, and was present in that
character at Il sham fight under General
Paddock, where so many guns were fired
that the whole body Of militia were stun-
ned by the explosion, and sat down to
supper unable to liear II word that was
said. This supper was afterwards alluded
TO as Braddoch's deaf eat, and the slnile,
dead IS Braddock," subsequently vul ga
rized into deaf as haddock," had its
rise from that circumstance. Washington
commanded several troops during the
Revolutionary war, and distinguished
himself by crossing the Deleware river on
ice of very inadequate thickness, to visit
family of Hessians of his acquaintance.
He wos passionately fond of green peas
ard string beans and his favorite motto
was; In time Of peas prepare for wal" "
Washngton's most intimate friend was
French gentleman, named Marcus Dee,
who from his constant habits OF risibility,
was nicknamed "laughy yet" His great
est victory was achieved at Germantown,
whore coming upon the British in the
night, he completely surrounded them
with q wall of cotton bales, from which
he opened destructive but terrific fire.
which soon caused the enemy to capitu,
late. The cotton 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 cotton" was much in
vogue after that battle.
During the action, Washington might
have been seen driving up and down the
lines, exposed in small a Concord wagon,
drawn by bobtail grey horse. His cee-
brated despatch, "Veni, vidi, vici," or, !
came and saw in Concord wagon, has
reference to this circumstance.
Washington mas been called the Faith
er of his country IAN unapt title, more
properly belonging to the late Mr.. Me-
Closkey, parent of the celebrated pugil-
ist y the child has grown, however, to that
extent its OWE father would not know it.
Gen. Walker William Walker) is also
called the Father Of Nicaragua" and
we have no doubt, in case of his demise,
his children, the native Nicaraguan would
erect suitable monument over his re
mains, with the inscription. go, father
and fare worse"
Washington was member Of the know
nothing order, and directed that none but
Americans should be put on guard. which
greatly annoyed the Americans, their
comfort being entirely destroyed by per-
petual turns of guard duty.
He was twice elected President of the
United States by the combined wbig and
know nothing parties, the federalists and
abolitionists voting against him; and
served out his time with great credit to
himself and the country-drawing his
salary with regularity and precision
worthy all commendation.
Although, for the time in which he
lived, very distinguished man, the ig |
norance OF Washington is something per-
rectly incredible. He never travelled on
a steamboat never saw a railroad, or
|, locomotive engine was perfectly igno-