San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-03-01
THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.

John 8. c. Abbott's characterization Of
George Washington Attingly introduces tho
anecdotes Of the Father Of his Country, which
have been selected for presentation here;
"As Columbus and La Sale were tho most
prominent Of tho pioneers Of America, so
was Washington the most illustrlous OF It's
patriots. In the career OF Columbus we
have a vivid sketch Of lifo In the tropical
portions of the New World 400 years ago.
"The adventures Of la Sale In exploring
this continent 200 years ago, from the northern
lakes TO the Mexican gulf, are almost without
parallel, even In the pages Of romanca. His
narrative gives information, such as can no.
where else be found of tho native inhabi-
tants, their number character and mode Of
life when the white man first reached these
shores.
"The history OF George Washington Is as
replete with marves as that OF either Of his
predecessors Tho world during tho last
century has made mora progress than during
tho proceeding five. The life of Washington
reveals to us, In a remarkable degree, tho
state OF society in our land, the manners and
customs Of the people, their joys and griefs,
100 years ago. We search history In vain to
find parallel to Washington. As a states
man, as general, as thoroughly good man,
he stands pre-eminent He was so emphati-
caliy the Father Of his Country that it may
almost be said that he created the republic
And It Is fitting that we should recall, with
grateful hearts, tho memory Of our illustri-
Gus benefactor, George Washington"
From early boyhood to his last hour. &C.
cording to all authentic history, Washington
never relaxed for moment that dignified
manner that now seems inseparable from bis
character. Whether at home in tho peaceful
life of Mount Vernon, In battle, In council,
in after public life, his somewhat reserved
stateliness was always maintained, and It
had been trait fostered from his youth.
partly from teaching and partly from an I'D.
miraton no had conceived while almost q
child for some one whose severe dignity had
especially charmed him.
Al one timo, on the 18th Of July, ITO,
when in New York for the defense Of that
city, Lord Howe and his brother, Sir William
Howe made q concerted movement to tako
possession of the river above the city and
rally tho Tories around them. These two
naughty men, declaring the Americans to be
rebels, refused TO recognize tho officers by
their proper titles. Admiral Howe sent a
letter by Lieut. Brown, with flag Of truce,
which Col Reed, Washington's adjutant gen.
eral, former secretary and intimate friend,
declined to receive. He dismissed the lieu
tenant very courteously, however, but as
sured him that no such communication could
be conveyed to tho commandsr-in-chief Of
the armies of America.
Lieut.. Brown was greatly agitated and enl-
barrassed. On the 10Th Gen. Howe sent an
aide, with flag, to inquire IL Col. Patterson,
tho British adjutant general, could be ad-
mitted to an interview with Gen. Washing
ton. Col Reed assured him that there could
DO no difficulty, and that he would pledge his
honor for tho safety Of Col Patterson.
Tho next morning Col. Reed and another
officer met the flag in the harbor and took
Col Patterson into their barge and conveyed
tho officer to Washngton's headquarters.
Washington was In full dress and his guards
were in attendance In military array. Col.
Patterson seemed much embarrassed, but
finally handed over q document, after having
addressed Washington as "Your excel
lency." This document was addressed to
George Washington, Esq, ETC." He sug-
gested that tho ct cetera might imply
anything which Washington could wish it to
imply.
Patterson was courteously informed that
no such communications could be received,
and after brief desultory conversation the
conference terminated. Irving says; "Wash-
ington received the applause Of congress and
of the public for sustaining tho dignity Of tho
station. His conduct In this particular was
as q model to all American
officers In corresponding with the enemy.
And Lord Howe informed his government
that thenceforth it would DO polite to change
the superscription Of his letters"
Washington was not beyond the ills that
beset mankind, as the loss OF his teeth testi-
fies, and on this account he could not cat the
juicy mutton or beef or game which his vast
estate supplied, and we 1nd letter wherein
no orders special envoy OF picked tripe
from Bristol, which must have been very
good, since it was quite q commerce In itself,
and one man named Hamlin used to prepare
IL and send IL over to Barbados and New
Orleans, as we'll as other places, and II was
this kind that he seemed to prefer. His
friend and business agent, Cary, sent him
from England two huge jars Of this picked
tripe, and he wrote as a means of keeping up
tho supply the following letter:
DEAR CAnY-Mrs Washington joius me In warm
thanks TO you for your conslderate present or
two large stone Jars Of picked tripe, which
reached Mount Vernon In perfect condition.
must ask you TO arrange for fosr similar jars In
wicker basket caslngs packed In outer cask, n
be shipped for my account direct from the curers
ia Bristol early in the season, when vessel will
be leaving shat port fer New York. IL consigned
10 Nessrs. Barclay. those gentlemen will give tho
little matter their unvarying care Dental 10
6rraity inpels my caring for this necessary item
In our domestic commissariat
To those who scan the portraits of Wash
ington, and end there but the express on Of
courage and stern dignity, IL
may seem that Washington was incapable OF
feeling for the woes Of others, and that a. bo
sent men into battle he cared nothing for
them other than as mere fighting machines;
but history Il full Of instances which prove
that he had n compassionate heart, and that
moro than once he shed tears over the suffer-
inss and sorrows Of others. Some Of them
were his solliers, and somotimes bis SYM
pafhy was aroused for Others. To the New
York convention be wrote: "Wbcn / con-
sider that the city Of New York win. in all
human probability, very soon he the scene Of
q bloody conflict, cannot but view the great
a women, children and inhrm per-
sons remaining In 10 with the mOst rDelan-
cboly coacern Can no msthod Be devised
for tbsir rern0valr
When oa Agz q The British began 10 land
tbsir ov@rp9-sring numbers. they found u
nsc-ssary 10 fight every steP q ths ray-
seven days this terrible co1fict ooutiuued,
and thsrs rsrs so-ns scs1es q awful daughter
wbsrs tbs HesEiAns swa5msd ike tocusts
upoa tbs sie1dsr army trying b OPP tbs.n-
A. Wsshingto1 vatchsd ooe u tbess IN
saocrs. vbsre q dstschoeot of beruic troo7s
-as literally b1tcbsr-d by tie plznging
Hessian hayo7stS BE- grunE his haods IN
ac11y sTclainins. vhils tsars strsaDsd down
hrs cheekss
Oh god cpds whHt trsvs fe10ys 1ua
fkis daT loRLr
Aud s-sa wh.l m soldisrs dessr1ed hin
lis hfr hsnrf oo-ld fnd kunEns aIloEn1ceA