OO ae oe Oa se 
vii Sketches of Gen. W 
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shington’s Private Character. 
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like a gentleman. But I have ever considered it incompati- 
ble with the propensities of a candid mind, to practice the 
ty of politeness, by affecting emotions 
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graciousness, 1f it be indiscriminate- 
dy exercised, justifies (in my view of it) this remark. The 
address of a man of the world, politely, but not (according to 
his expectations) graciously received, would induce him to 
attribute it to general coldness of character ; lest it should 
appear, that there was something particular in /zs case. 
In his family he was beloved. His affectionate attentions to 
one of the worthiest: and best of women, were always con- 
spicuous ; and tenderly and constantly reciprocated by her. 
He would be obeyed, but his servants were devoted to him ; 
and especially those more immediately about his person. 
The survivors of them still venerate and adore his memory.* 
The world are in possession of the facts, on which his puB- 
LIC CHARACTER is established. Whatever opinions may be 
formed as to his having been a great man, (of which I 
never doubted, though I enter into no discussions on this sub- 
ject) those who enjoyed his friendship, and intimate ac- 
quaintance, must all agree, that a better man could not be 
found. Ii history should deem herself too elevated, to record 
* His old and much valued servant William (a man of colour, once a slave, and known through 
the army ; and by all who were acquainted in“the General’s family) still lives at Mount Vernon; 
where he is kindly and tenderly treated by its present proprietor, Judge Washington. He is much 
of a cripple ; being afflicted with the rheumatism ; the consequence of his campaigns with his 
master. His frequent pilgrimage is performed to his master’s tomb, on his stitks or crutches. A gen- 
tleman a few months ago, had the curiosity to talk with William ; who is intelligent and not dis- 
inclined to conversation, though not forward in loquacity. He treats the affairs of the world as 
matters in which he has now little concern, except as a looker-on. He observed—* And so I hear 
they talk of going to war.—What ! go to war, now my old master is dead! No, no,—that wont do ; 
let them wait, before they go to war, “till they get such another. But they will first have a long— 
tong—peace indeed :—and so much the better. They would not like war, if they knew as much 
about it as we did.” 
To another visitant at Mount Vernon—he was relating war occurrences. He stopped in his 
narrative—* Now we come to what passed in a way, that my master neyer thought I should 
speak of it :—so I always skip such things.” 
Much Aonour, it is true, eennot be derived from the eulogies of such men. But it is an evidence 
» of the kind treatment bis servants received, when their gratitude is thus strongly, and disinterest- 
edly, expressed, 
