Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-13
George Washington.

BY PHGNLX.
George Washington was one of the most
distinguished movers in the American Reyo-
A.. luton.
He was born of poor but honest parents, at
Genoa, in the year 1892. His mother was
called the mother OF Washington. He mar
ried. early in life. a single widow lady. Mrs.
Martha Curtis, whom Prescott describes as
the cussedest pretty woman south of Mason
aud Dixon's line. Young Washington COM
menced business as country surveyor, and
was present in that character at sham fight
under General Paddock. where so many guns
were nred 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 d, al eat, and the smile, dead as
BraddOck," subsequently vuigarized into
deaf as haddock" had its rise from that
circumstance. Washington commanded sew
eral troops during the Revolutionary war,
and distinguished himself by crossing the
Delaware river on ice OF very inadequate
thickness, to visit family of Hessians oi his
acquaintance. He was passionntely fond of
green peas and string beans; and bis favorite
motto Was: "ln time oi peas prepare for war. y
WashingtOn's most intimate friend was a
French gentleman, named Marcus Dee, who
from his constant habits of visibility, was
nicknamed ''laushy 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 de-
.structive and terrific fire, which soon caused
the eneuyy to capIiuate. The cotton bales
being perforated with musket balls, were
much increased in weight, and cons, quenIly
in value, and the expression playfuily used:
'Wbat is the price OF cotton ~ was much in
vogue after the battle.
During the action. Washington might have
been seen driving up aud down the lines, ex-
posed in a small Concord wagon, drawn by q
bobtail grey horse. HIS celebrated despatch,
:. Hsri, ridi. vici,' or, | came and saw in q
Concord wagon, has reference to this circun-
stances.
Washington has been called the Father
of his country ian unapt title, more pro-
perry belonging t. the late Mr.. McCloskey,
parent OF the celebrated pugilist;) the child
has grown, however. TO thai extent its own
father would not know il. Gen. Walker
(William Waikcr) is also called the "Father
of Nicaragua" and we have no doubt, in
case of his demise, his children. the native
Nicaraguans. would erect a suitable monu-
ment over bis remains. with the inscription,
go. father, aud fac worse"
WaShinton was a member of the know
nothing order, aud directed that none bat
Americans should be pun on guard, which
greatly annoyed the Americans, their COM
Tort being entirely destroyed by perpetual
turns Of guard duty.
He was twice elected President of the
United States by the combined Wing and
Know Nothing parties, The Federalists an
AbolitionisIs voting against him; and served
ont his time With great credit TO himself aud
the COMMUNICATING his salary with re-
gulLrity and precision worthy all cammenda-
ton.
Although, for the time in which be lived, q
very distinguished mau, the ignorance OF
Washington is something perfectly incredible.
He never travelled on steamboat; never
saw railroad. or q locomotive en,ine: was
perfectly ignorant of the principle OF the
magnetic teIcgraph; never had a dagderro-
type. Colts pistol. Sharpe's rife, or used a
friction match. He ate lis meals with an
iron fork, never used postage stamps on his
letters, and knew nothing Ut the application
OF chloroform 10 alleviate suffering, or the
use OF ga for illumination. Such man as
this could hardly be cleo ed President OF the
United States Ia these times, although II
must b. coufss~ed. We occasionally have a
candidate who proves not much better III
iorIn,d about matters ia general.
Warrington died f.om exposure on the
summit ot Mount Vernon. Ia the year 1856,
leaviay behind him HAme thai viii endure
forever, il posterity p.rsist IN calling their
children alter him 20 ;he me extent that
has been fashionable. lie l. mentioned In
history as having been .-frst Ia peace, inst
Ia war. aud irsI IN the hearts of bis country
nen.'' in otIsr waids, he Was No. in every
thing, and il WAS squaliy his Interest and hi-
pl.,a,urr 10 look out ior that number, aud ne
TOOK pr cions gosd care to do 80. portrait,
l., Gilbert Staart, OF thi-. great soldier anal
statesman, may be- srsn n, very badly elgrsv
ed. la tn. -ilssiuIy " The uaitsd Ssate., 6pt
NJ IL was sakrn when the General was IN lie
act u chewing tobacco, the LETT cheek b die.
tended out OF proportion, and The hkcness
rendered very unsatisfactory. Upon The
whole. Gen. George Washington was very
excellent man; though unfamiliar with
..Scosl's Infantry tactics, y he Was iaierseie
Officer; thoaga hs married a widow, be Was .
fslId basbaad; and though he dsd moi kaos
the Bereher family, he was sincere Carts
tlaa.
A monument has been commenced in the
city OF Washington to bis memorys which L
10 be I'VE hundred feel Ii height; aud L.
should be the Wish OF every trar-hezrted
American thai his viFtaes and services may
not be Forgotten befoFw ID Is eompleted, IN
which e.ee their reinsurance viii probshly
sndar- fefeFer. $780,