The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-02-28
An Original Description OF Generai
washington by Contemporary.

-A.a reoo,lar meeting of New York County
Council Union League Of America last
Thursday night, James A. Lucas III Tue
chair. after the ordinary business MI. {. D.
Otarson spoke Us follows: 6.
Mr. President,-I cannot offer more nt-
ting or interesting preface TO resolutions Vi
res6ect for the memory Of the oman VINO
1,as lefs ch;ldIess that his country might call
him father" than the following interesting
description Of the person ana chafactel "i
General Washington, written by an Amerl-
can in 1779. lust in the darkest period OF the
revolnt1onary struggle. This description was
published in q London paper OF the year
named, and, 50 far as ! know, has never G t
published in this country until To-Day. Inc
description is rs follows
"General Washington is now in the 1ortv-
seventh year Of his age. lie Is tail, Well
made man, rather large-boned, ana Ills
tolerable genteel address F.; his features are
manly and bold his eyes OF a niulsh cast anu
very lively: his hair deep brown: his face
rather long and marked with the smallpox;
his complexion sunburnt, and without much
color: his countenance sensible, composed,
and thoughtful. There is reniarkab!e ar
of dignity about him, with striking degree
of pracefuluess. He has an excellent under
standing, without much quickneSs; IS
strictly Just, vigiiant, and s,ntrous; an
afYectionate husband. Il faithful frlena,
q father to the deserving soldier, a
gentleman in his manners; in temper
rather reserved and total stranger TO rel-
rious prcudices, which have so often excited
Christians of one denomination to cut the
Threats Of those of another. In his morals ne
Is irreproachable, and he was never known to
exceed the bounds of the most rigld tempe
rance. In q word, all his friends anu &C
o,,aintances allow that no man can centre III
his own person more perfect alliance OF the
virtues of philosopher with the talents Of
general. Candor, sincerity, aiability, and
simplicity, seem to be the striking features OF
his character till I'M occasion offers of dis
playine the most determined bravery and
indcDendence of spirit. AS he always re-
fused to accept of any pecuniary appointment
G. for his public services, no salary has been
annexed by Congress to his important CON-
mand, and he only draws weekly for the en-
penses of his public table and other necessary
demands. General Washington, having never
been in Europe, could not possibly have seen
much military service when the armies OF
Britain were sent to subdue us; yet still, for
a variety of reasons, he was by much the
most proper man on this continent, and pro-
baby anywhere else, to be placed at the head
of an American army. The very high esti-
nation he stood in for integrity and honor,
his engaging in the cause of his country from
sentiment and conviction of her wrongs, his
moderation in politics, his extensive property,
and his approved abilities as commander,
were motives which necessarily obliged the
choice of America to fall upon him.
That nature has given him extraordl-
nary military talents will hardly be contro'
verted by his most bitter enemies; and, hay.
ing been early actuated with awarm passion
t. serve his country in the military line, he
has greatly improved them by unwearicd in
dustry and close application to the best Wri
tars upon tactics, and by more than common
method and eXactness; and, in reality, when
it comes to be considered that ut first he only
headed body Of men entirely unacquaintcd
with military discipline or operations, some
what ungovernable in temper, and who
at best could only be styled an alert
and good militia, acting under very
short enlstments, unclothed, and at
all times very ill-supplied with am
munition and artillery, and that with such
an army he withstoOd the ravagc and pro-
gress of near forty thousand veteran troops
plentifully provided with every necessary
article, commanded by the bravest officers in
Europe, and supported by very powerful
navy, which etfectual!y prevented all move
ments by water; when, say, all this comes
to be impartially considered, think / may
venture to pronounce that General Washing.
ton will be regarded by mankind as one Of
the greatest military ornaments of the pre-
sent age, and that his name will command
the veneration Of the latest posterity."