Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-12-13
A Dinner with Washington

A Dinner with washington
The dinner usually consisted of three
courses-meat and vegetables, followed
by some kind of pastry, and last hick-
ory-nuts and apples, of which Wash.
ington was very fond. The meal lasted
about two hours when the table was
cleared off, and the leaves taken out,
so as TO allow it to be shut up in n
circle, when Mrs. Washington presided,
and from her own silver tea service
served the guests with tea and coffee,
which were handed round by black
servants. Supper was at nine, and
tho table remained spread till eleven.
1t consisted of three or four light
dishes, with fruit and walnuts. When
the cloth was removed each guest III
turn was called upon for toast, which
was drank by all, followed by conver
sation, toasts, aud general conviviality.
General ChastelluX, member of the
French Academy, who came out, with
Rochambeau rs his aide, with the
rank of Major General, travelled over
the country and published an account
of his travels. In this he speaks OF
his visits to Washington, and describes
these entertainments as delightful
and SAYS that General Washington
toasted and conversed all the while,
and adds "The nuts are served halt
open, and the company are never done
eating and picking them. - Washing.
ton entertained n great deal. Not only
French officers but the leading states.
men of the country visited him to
consult on the state of affairs. Baron
Steuben's headquarters were on the
Fiskhill side of the river, and he fre
quently came over to drill the Life
Guard in military tactics, with view
of making officers of them, should the
war continue. Their encampmcnt
was Just back of headquarters
On these occasions be was accus-
toned to dine with Washington. Once
several guests were present, and among
them Robert Morris. who had come
up to consult with Washington about
the state finances. During the dinner
he spoke very bitterly of the bank
rupt condition of the Treasury, and
his utter inability to repIenish it, when
Steuben said, "WhY, are you not
financier? Why do you not create
funds ?"
81 have done all can" replied
Morris, "and it is impossible for me to
do more"
"What :" said the baron "you re.
main fnanc'er without finances ? Then
/ do not think you as honest a man a
my cook He came to me one day at
Valley Forge, aud said, Baron, | am
your cook, and you have nothing to
cook but a piece Of lean beef, which is
hung up by 4 string before the fire
Your wagner can turn the string, aud
do as we'll as | can. You have prom.
ised me ten dollars a month but as
you have nothing to cook, wish to be
discharged, and not longer be charge
able to you That is an honest iel.
low, Morris
Morris did not join very heartily in
the laugh that followed.
Washington was accustomed to hold
a levee every week, while the officers
took turns in giving evening parties
and, not to mortiiy those who we're too
poor to furnish expensive entertain.
ments, it was resolved that they should
consist only of apples and nuts. There
was no dancing or amusement of any
kind except singing. Every lady or
gentleman who could sing was called
upon for song. Once Mrs. Knox
broke over the rule, and gave what at
that time was considered a grand ball,
which Washington opened with the
beautiful Maria Golden, of Golden.
ham. She and City Wynkoop and
Sally Jansen, the latter two living
near old Paltz, were great bellies in
the sparsely settled country, and the
three wrote their names on a window
glass with a diamond ring, and there
they remain to this day 7. Head
ley, IN Harper's Magazine.