Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-05
An Original Description OF General
Washington by Contemporary.

AT regular meeting OF New York
County Council Union League of Amer
lea last Thursday night, James A. Lucas
in the chair, after the ordinary business
Mr.. F. j. Ottarson spoke as follows:
Mr.. President-I cannot offer more
fitting or interesting preface to resolu-
tions of respect for the memory Of the
man who was left childless that his
country might call him father" than the
following interesting description Of the
person and character of General Wash
ington, written by an American in l779,
just in.the darkest period Of the Revolu-
tionary struggle. This description was
published in Lendon paper of the year
named, and, so far as know, has never
been published in this country until to-
day. The description is as follows:
General Washington is now in the
forty-seventh year of his age. He is
tall, well-made man, rather large-boned,
and has tolerable genteel address; his
features are manly and bold; his eyes
of blush cast, and very lively; his
hair deep brown; his face rather long
and marked with smallpox; his COM
plexion sunburnt, and without much
color; his countenance sensible, COM
posed and thoughtful There is re-
markable air of dignity about him, with
striking degree of gracefuIness. He
has an excellent understanding, with
out much quickness; is strictly
Just, vigilant and generous; an affec
tionate husband, a faithful friend,
father to the deserving soldier, a
gentleman in his manners; in temper
rather reserved, and total stranger to
religious prejudices, which havs so often
excited Christians of one denomination
to cut the throats of those of another.
In his morals he is irreproachable, and
he was never known to exceed the
bounds of the most rigid temperance. In
a word, all his friends and acquaintances
allow that no man can center in his own
person more perfect alliance OF the vir-
tues of philosopher with the talents of
a general. Candor, sincerity, affability
and simplicity seem to be the striking
features of his character, till an occasion
offers of displaying the most determined
bravery and independence of spirit. As
he always refused to accept of any pecu-
mary appointment (O for his public
services, no salary has been annexed by
CongressIto his important command, and
he only draws weekly for the expenses
of his public table and other necessary
demands. General Washington having
never been in Europe, could not pos
sibly have seen much military service
when the armies of Britain were sent to
subdue us; yet still, for variety Of rea-
sons, he was by much the most proper
man on this continent, and probably |
anywhere else, to be placed at the head
of an American army. The very high |
estimation he stood in for integrity and |
honor, his engaging in the cause of his |
country from sentiment and conviction |
of her wrongs. ibis moderation in politics,
his extensive property, and his approved |
abilities as a commander, were mo-
tives which necessarily obliged the
choice Of America to fall upon him.
That nature has given him extraordi-
nary military talents will hardly be con-
by his most bitter enemies;
and, having been early actuated with
warm passion, to serve his country in
the military line, he has greatly improv-
ed them by unwearied industry and a
close application to the best writers up
on tactics, and by more than common
method and exactness; and, in reality,
when it comes to be considered that at
first he only headed body Of men en-
lirely unaequainted with military dis
,ipline or operations, somewhat ungov-
ernable in temper, and who at best could
only be styled an alert and good militia,
acting under very short enlistments, un-
clothed, and at times very ill-supplied
With ammunition and artillery, and that
With such an army he withstood the raw
age and progress of near forty thousand
veteran troops plentifully provided with
every necessary article, commanded by
he bravest officers in Europe, and sup
ported by very powerful navy, which
,fiectually prevented all movements by
water; when, say, all this comes to be
considered, l think may
,enture to pronounce that General Wash
ngton will be regarded as one Of the
greatest military ornaments Of the pres
mt age, and his name will command
he yeneration of the latest posterity.