The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1883-07-12
GENERAL WASHINGTON.
An Englishman's Sketch of mia
Character and Appearance.


An Englishman's Sketch of his
Character and Appearance.
The following, from an English
paper printed during the revolution
q. e. .i, London Chronicle July 25,
17S0) win be read with interest at
the present day, as showing the es-
timation he was held in by his an
tagonists:
"As this gentleman always refused
to accept any pecuniary appointment
flor his public services, no salary
has been annexed by Congress to
his important command, and he only
draws weekly for the expenses OF
his public table and other necessary
demands. General Washington hay
ing never been to Europe, could not
possibly have seen much military
service when the armies of Britain
were sent to subdue the Americans;
yet, still, for variety of reasons, he
was by much the most proper man
on the continent, and probably any
where elese, to be placed at the head
of an American army. The very
high estimation he stood in for in
tegrity and honor, his engaging in
the cause of vindication of her
wrongs, his moderation in politics,
his extenslye property and his ap-
proved abilities as commander,
were motives which necessarily
obliged the choice of America to fall
upon him.
"That nature has given Geseral
Washington extraordinary military
talents will hardly be conrroyerted
by his most bitter enemies. Having
been very early actuated with q
warm passion to serve his country
in the military line, he has greatly
improved his talents by unwearied
industry, close application to the
best writers upon military tactics,
and by more than common method
and exactness. In reality, when it
comes 10 be considered, that at first
he only headed body Of men en-
tirely unacquainted with military dis.
cipline operations, somewhat ungov.
ernablc in temper, and who at best
could only be styled an alert, good
militia, acting under very short en-
listments, unclothed, and at all times
very i'll supplied with ammunition
and artillery, and that with such an
army he withstood the ravages and
progress Of near 10000 veteran
troops, plentifully provided with
every necessary article, commanded
by the brayest officers in Europe
and supported by very powerful
navy, which efectually prevented all
movement by water-when all this
comes to be considered. we may ven
tGre to pronounce that General
Washington may be regarded as one
of the greatest military ornaments Of
the present age.
General Washington is now in the
47th year of his age; he is a tall and
well made man, rather large boned
and has tolerable genteel address;
his features are manly and bold, and
his eyes of bold cast and very
lively; his hair a deep brown; his
face rather long and marked with
the smallpox; his complexion sun
burnt and without much color. and
countenance sensible, composed and
thoughtful. There is remarkable
air of dignity about him, with q
striking degree of gracefulness; he
has an excellent understanding
without much quickness: is strictly
just, yigilant and generous; an affec
tionate husband, faithful friend, q
father to the deserving soldier, gen
tie in his manners, in temper rather
reserved; total stranger to religious
prejudices which have so often ex.
cited Christians of one denomination
to cut the throats of those of another
in his morals he is irrepyoachable,
and was never known to exceed the
bounds of the most rigid temper
ance. In word, all his friends and
acquaintances universally allow that
no man ever united in his own per.
son more perfect alliance of the
virtues ofa philosopher with the tai
ents of general; candor, sincerity,
affability and simplicity, seem to be
the striking features OF his charac
ter, till an occasion offers of display
ing the most determined bravery and
independence of spirit"