Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-23

An Englishman's sketch of HIs
Life aud Character.

! The following, from an English
paper printed during the revolution
airy war. (LondoL Chronicle July %
1850 will be read with interest at tn,
present day, as showing the estimation
he was held in by his antagonists:
AS this gentleman always refused
' to accept any pecuniary appointment
! for bis public services, no salary has
been annexed b. Congress to bis i'm
portant command, and be only draws
weekly for the expenses of his public
table and other necessary demands,
General Washington having never
been to Europe, could not possibly
have seen much military service
when the armies of Britain
we're sent to subdue the Americans;
yet, still, for a variety Of reasons he
was by much the most proper man on
the continent, and probably anywhere
else, to be placed at the head OF the
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 con
vietion of her wrongs, his modera-
ton in politics, his extensive property
and his approved abilities as com
mander. were motives which necessa>
rily obliged the choice Of America to
fall upon him.
That nature has given General
Washington extraordinary military
talents will hardly be controverted by
his most bitter enemies. Having been
very early actuated with warm pas
sion to serve his country in the mills
tary line, he has greatly improved his
talents by unwearied industry, close
application to the best writer's upon
military tactics, and by more than
common method and exactness. In
reality, when it comes to be consid-
cred that at first he only headed a
body of men entirely unacquainted
with military discipline operations,
somewhat ungovernable in temper, and
who at best could only be styled an
alert, good militia, acting under very
short enlistments, unclothed, and at
all times very i'll supplied with am
munitiOn and artillery, and that with
such an army he withstood the raw
ages and progress of near 10000 vet.
eran troops, plentitully provided with |
every necessary article, commanded |
by the bravest officers in Europe and |
supported by a very powerful navy,
which effectually prevented all move
ment by water--when all this comes
to be considered, we may venture to |
pronounce that General Washington
may be regarded as one of the greats
est 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 tolerably genteeI address;
his features are manly and bold, and
his eyes of bold cast and very lively,
his hair deep brown, his face rather
long and marked with the smallpox,
his complexion sunburnt and without
much color, and countenance sensi-
bic, composed and thoughtful. There
is remarkable air of dignity about
him, with striking degree Of grace.
fulness; he has an excellent under
without much quickness; is
strictly just, vigilant, and gener-
Dus; an afectionate husband, faith
tul friend, father to the deserving
gentle in his manners, in tenn
per rather reserved; a total stranger to
religious prejudices, which have SO
1ften excited Christians of one de-
nomination to cut the threats of those
,f another; in his morals he is ire.
proachable, and was never known to
exceed the bounds of the most rigid
In a all his friends
md acquaintance universally allow
hat no man ever united in his own
person more perfect alliance Of the
virtues of philosopher with the tai
'nts Of general; candor, sincerity,
aud simplicity seem to be the
features Of his character till
in occasion offers OF displaying the
most determined bravery and indie
'endence of spirit"