The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-04-17
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HIS ONLY FOREIGN VOYAGE

HIS ONLY FOREIGN VOYAGE.
Between George Washington and his
half brother Lawrence existed a pecul-
iarly warm and tender attachment.
The latter had served in the West In
dies during the famous siege Of Cartha-
gena on the Spanish main under Ad-
miral Vernon, and when he had return
ed from this adventure, broken in
health, he retired to his estate on Hunt
ing creek, which he named in honor of
his beloved commander. lie had mar.
ried in 1743, the year Of his fathers
death, and from that date George was a
visitor and almost a constant resident at
Mount Vernon. Sharing each others
views on military matters, Lawrence
had obtained for his brother the position
as adjutant in tho militia, and in 1746,
it is said, had secured him a midship-
mans warrant in the royal navy. Ac-
cording to the oft repeated story, the
boys mother was unalterably opposed
to her sons going to sea, and at the last
moment, even while his luggage was on
board the British man-of-war in the
Potomac and he himself ready to en-
bark, he yielded to her opportunities
and remained ashore. Tt is likely that
the adverse decision was the direct re-
suit of q letter which Mary Washington
had received from her brother Joseph, n
London lawyer, who wrote in part:
1 understand that you are advised and have
some thoughts Of putting your son George to
sea. l think no had better be put apprentice
to a tinker, for the common sailor before tina
mast has by no means the common liberty of
the subject. 500 He must not. DO too hasty
to be rich, but go on gently and with patience,
as things will naturally go. This method, with
out aiming at being q fine gentleman before
his time, will carry u man more comfortably
and surely through the world than going to
sea, unless it be Il great chance indeed. q y !
pray God keep you and yours.
JOSEPH BALL.
These were words fifty spoken, and
doubtless the boy, then in his fifteenth
year, gave due heed to thcm. 1t was
five years later-and he had already en-
tered upon that service in which he
reaped the reward Of honest toil-when
an unexpected though undesired oppor-
tunity presented for a sea voyage. Law
rence's health failed, and his physician
ordered him to the West Indies for re-
CupSIullODJ uuu dS Lt uS>iIGu d6OES6 u
accompany him the latter, who had
hardly abandoned the chain and compass
for the sword and uniform, obediently
went.
They were five weeks on the voyage,
during which the young surveyor and
major of militia made n practical appli-
cation of his knowledge of navigation,
of which he had studied the theory. He
made astronomical observations daily
under instructions from the master Of
the vessel, copied the log ard took notes
of winds and currents. Once landed il
that island of superintendent blacks and
sugar cane, at Bridgetown, the capita.
of Barbados, George saw probably his
first theatrical perfor,nance-the "Trag
edy of George Bromwell'-and o.
which he enters a critical notice in hi
journal. He was in love with the eli
mate and the natural beauties of the is
land, but of the inhabitants he says:
"How wonderful that such people
should be in debt and not able TO in
dulge themselves in all the Injuries al
we'll as the necessaries of life! Yet so j
happens. Estates are often alienated TO
debt. How persons coming TO estates o
TWO, three or four hundred acres cal
want is to me most wonderful"