Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-09
Of the Republic as Seen
Through Poets Eyes
VISITS WASHINGTON AT HOME
General KOsoiuslSo. the Polish Pa
triot, a Subject Of Discussiou-Per-
sOnAl Description of General wash
ingtOn and OF His Consort-Inter-
esting leaves From an Ancient
Diary

ciusko, the Polish poet Nienmcewicz, who
visited Gen. Washington at Mount Vernon
in June, I79S, as confirmed by the generals
diary. The impressions OF the FIRST Presi-
dent and his conversations give unique
value and interest TO the paper. The visitor
thus records his FIRST meeting with the
general and his wife, the narrator's "hen
referring to his effort to conceal the fact that
Kosciusko had left America to head a Po-
lish organization
Mr.. Peters's house is at the extreme
point Of the city, quite near Georgetown.
We arrived there between and O'Clock
One can guess how my heart was beating
was to see the man for whom since my
youth had had great respect caught
sight of him through the window and rec
Ognized him at once. About a dozen people
were coming toward US. Sc My him.
/ was presented TO him by Mr. Law. He
held out his hand 10 me and clasped mine.
We went into the parlor sat down beside
him was moved dumb, and could not
look at him enough II is majestic face.
in which dignity is united with gentleness.
The portraits that we have of him in Eu-
rope are not like him at all He is nearly
six feet high and very strongly built he
u
and particularly his lower jaw, are large.
He wore a tail coat, black stockings,
satin waistcOat and breeches of the same
color.
He began by questioning me about Gen.
Kosciusko ! was extremely embarrassed
and confused The FIRST word / said to this
great man was lie. That was what this
mysterious departure brought me to. He
put to me the following questions
How long are you in this country
Eight months
How do you like it9'
I ana happy, sir, to see in America
those blessings which was so ardently
wishing for in my own country. To you,
sir, are the Americans indebted for them.
He bowed with modest air. and said to
me-
I wished always to your country we'll,
and that with all my heart
He uttered these last words with much
feeling
The questions on KOsciusko's journey
to the springs, his health etc, turned ND
again and renewed my torture. Happily,
Mrs. Laws daughter, aged 10 months, came
in General Washington called her to
him and drew a peach cheese from his
pocket.
Here is something fpr YOU, he said
He gave her a piece and kissed ber He
then gave all the rest to her mother
Take it, madam, for your little Law,
he said
The question turned to agriculture, a
favonte subject with the general. They
talked about the drouth, which there was
at this time, of how tobacco was suffering
fhWOtrnrh all 49,
i then went up 10 Mrs. Washington.
She is the same age as the general; both
were born in I732. She is short has bright
eyes gay manner extremely good. She
had on a gown of white stuff, drawn very
tight, or rather attached on both sides with
pins, bonnet of white gauze with ribbons
of the same color, showing the outline of
her head very much, leaving the forehead
uncovered and only partly hiding her white
hair, which was done up in a little pigtail.
She was one of the most beautiful women
in America, and even to-day she has some
thing very charming about her. She never
had any children by General Washington
she had four by her first husband, Mr.
Curtis
we spoke with Mrs Washington Of the
small likeness that there is between the
general and his portraits. She asked Mrs.
P ers at last to play the piano, which she
did, and played the eternal Battle Of
Prague Ia favorte piece OF music in Amer
ica) very we'll Tea was served ] found
an opportunity to be beside the general.
He praised an address that the town Of
Norfolk had given to the President.
Did you know Mr.. Jones' Mr.. Law
asked him; who was just killed in a duel
| by Mr.. LivingstoneP
I believe did see him, but did not
/ know him intimately. They say that the
shot he fred at his opponent cut a piece
| off his nose. How could he miss
III You know Mr. Livingstone's nose, and
what capital target il is.
! was delighted to see the good father
| in good humor He turned toward me, and
asked me If had travelled much in the
/ United States. replied that / had not
/ been further than New York. that / was
surprised at the progress which such a
new country had made in culture and pop
ulation.
There are the eastern states, he said 10
me that are The most advanced in culture
and population
'Tney were, said the first in which
Europeans settled
/ On the contrary he replied, the FIRST
settlement was in Virginia and then in
New England. But it is the division into
townships which is so favorable to the
maintenance Of order, police aud public es-
tablishments- The population there is very
INDUSTRIOUS every farmer, even the poorest,
lives IN independence.
More independent, said /, than many
gentlemen IN other places. You are the
happiest people in the word.
" Provided that we do not spoil our hap.
piness.'
The company rose to depart.
The general conducted us; in leaving he
said TO me.
" i shall be very happy to see you at
Mount Vernon. ! shall be there in few
days; hope you will come
He kissed once more Mrs. Laws little
child. Mrs Peters invited us to dinner the
next day. We took our departure after 8
O'Clock IN the evening was well salts
fed with my day."
Wednesday. the 25d he came with Mrs.
Washington 20 stay two days in Mr.. Laws
house, where ] was. All the time he was
sincere, polite. attentive. but spoke very