The Placer herald., 1860-04-28
Amusing and Interesting Reminiscence
of Washington.

VI w noAAA6 0OAAs
A correspondent of the Norfolk, (Va) Her.
aid, furnished that paper the following inter-
estinc reminscence of Washington, taken
from Curtis "Private Memoirs of the great
and good man. The author of the "Melnors "
introduced it as one, and not the least char
acterislic, among the many illustrations that
exist of Washington's well known particular
itv and method in all his business transact
ions, and exemp!fies his habit of reducing to
writing even such bargains and understand
ings as from their apparent want OF lmpor-
lance. would by most men be trusted to
memory only.
For full understanding of the matter, 1t
must be promised that Barter had been for
some time, prior to this contract, in the SER
vice of Washington, and had on several oc-
casions manifested so decided a predilec-
ton of the bottle, as to have established the
fact of its being coafirmed habit with him,
and thus to have induced Washington to
draw up the bond specifying the particular
occasions on which Barter could get drunk,
and how long at each occasion he might re-
main so, as we'll as prescribing the number
of his ordinary daily drains.
1IlHI w dSIIlHStOu HIuoI ho'O i''' u" "''
composition a considerable slice Of sly hu-
NOR, is evident from his having used for such
trihng matter the prox verbose, legal
forms usually employed in important con-
tracts, instead of brief, simple memoranda
um; and from his having cale,! in such n
man as Tobias Lear to formally attest a bar
gain in which matters of no greater import
were involved than gardeners food for one
year, and eight dollars to be expended in
sprees on certain specified occasions within
that period.
"Arlicles of agreement made this twelfth
day of April, Ammo Domini one thousand
seven Hundred and eighty.seven, by and be-
tween George Washington, ESQ, Of the par
ish of Turo, in the county of Fairfax, State of
Virginia, on the one part, and Philip Barter,
gardener, on the other-witness, that the
said Philip Barter, for and in consideration
of the covenants hereafter mentioned, doth
promise and agree to serve the said George
Washington for the term of one year, as a
gardener, and that he will, during the said
time, conduct himse soberly, diligently and
honestly; and that e will faithfully and in
dustrionsIy perform all and every part of
| HIS 'lh'N 10 " S'lucuCi W tHO oSoI vi hi'
knowIe edge and his abilities, and that he will
not at any time suffer himself to be disgus
ed with iiqaor except ON times hereinafter
mentioned.
I'm consideration of these things being
well and duly performed on the part of Phil
p Barter, the said George Washington doth
agree to allow him Ohe sa d Philip the
same kind and quality of provisions he has
heretofore had, and likewise, annually, Il de-
cent suit Of clothes, befttng man in his
station; to consist of coat, vest and breecheS;
a working jacket ;nd hrceches of home,pnn,
besides two white shirts; three check do two
linen overhalls as many pairs Of shoes as
are necessary far him; four dollars at Christ
mas, with which he may be drunk four days
and four nights; two dollars at Easter to et
feet the same purpose; two dollars Wh,sun.
tide to be drunk for two davs: aud u dram
in the morning and a drink of gr"g at din
ner at noon
"For the true and faithful performance "t
all and each part of these things, the parti 5
| have hereunto set their hands this twenty
third day of April, Anno Domin:, 1887.