New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-10
u-oUR PRESIDENTS AS JoKERs.

ATONE Of the biographers OF George
M Washington has had much to say
i about his sense of humor. Most oil
them have been so silent on the subject
that the IMPRESSION has become fixed IN the
minds OF Americans that their first Presi'
dent was q man who never laughed heart
ilv. seldom smiled and rarely saw the polli'
of q ioke. Many letters now preserved III
various public and private collections Deai
witness 10 the fact that Washington was
keen in his appreciation OF humor and MOI
et All avcrse to taking a hand in promot
Ing 81.
In q letter written by member or inc
household OF Governor Dinwiddie OF VII
eiuia. i'm 1855. 10 a relative in Scotland
Washington was then in his tWeh'y-Ilta
year--it is stated that when the young
sinian prevailed on tho Governor TO Ic' mn
20 Oh the perilous mission to the trehc"
who were building military posts on lhs
Ohio the old Scotchman exclaimed; GU
are a brave laddie to take such terrlole
risk. II you play your cards well YOU VII
have no cause TO repent your bargain
True, your excelloncy," Washington re-
piled. and n do not play my CARDS Weil
7 ehaIl not 1--we 10 repent my bargain
II amused the sturdy old Governor exceed
ingly, and for q year afterward-so INC
writer records-"he recounted it wherever
ne dined."
During his first administration. while lie
was living IN New York, prominent Tory
OF that city who had been particularly OBJ
streperous during the war called on the
President at the executive residence for the
purpose Of selling a pair Of fine carriage
horses which Washington admired greatly
and was inclined TO purchase, only hesitat-
3ng on account OF the unreasonably high
price demanded by their owner.
But they have a pedigree-both theiT
sires and dams were brought over from
England" urged the still unreconstructed
partisan.
The shadow Of smile showed for an In
slant IN the Presidents serious eyes. II dc
not discriminate against them on that &C.
count" he said. Were they two-legged
animals instead OF quadrupeds, might not
be so generous"
There is abundant evidence that John
Adams's sense OF humor never forsook him
oven IN the most trying situations. When
the Colonial Congress Of ia assembled at
Philadelphia the idea OF national indepen-
dence had not occurred to most Of the
delegates. Very few wished to break away
from the British crown, the general desire
being merely for redress of grievances.
T7ven Georgc Washington, who was at the
Head OF the Virginia delegation. did not be-
lieve, at that time, that the home govern
ment would persist IN its insane attempt 70
deprive the colonists of their liberties.
On the evening before the Congress opened
the Massachusetts delegation held secret
meeting, and Adams was warned by his
colleagues TO be prudent in his remarks
next day DO not utter the word indie
pendence' either in Congress or in private
conversation" he was advised. IF you do,
NC are undone.'
Adams didn't promise, and his colleagues
went 10 their lodging places in fear and
trembling. Next morning on his way TO
the Congress he met several delegates from
Virginia whom he knew slightly, and they
proceeded together, discussing some Of the
matters which were 10 come before the