George Washington
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Experience... is the best rule to walk by. --George Washington to John Parke Curtis, West Point, August 24, 1779


ACTIVITIES
*
* PLEDGE IT FORWARD
* SPRING 2003, Seattle
WINTER 2003, Los Angeles:
“George Washington: A National Treasure” on Tour
Students Make a Wish for the United States
A Blast From the Past
Not Our Finest Hour
Portraits on Parade
Death Be Not Proud
Trippin' Through Time
The Pudding Papers
* FALL 2002, Las Vegas
* WINTER 2002, Promotional


The Patriot Papers
print-friendly version ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WINTER 2003, LOS ANGELES

We interrupt this edition of The Patriot Papers news to bring you the nearly news-a collection of intimate historical glimpses into the past, captured in not-so-living color in The Pudding Papers. Our on-the-scene trusted correspondents include: Silas Silvertongue, our presidential reporter; Titus Blunt, our congressional correspondent; and our own Prudence Pudding, who provides social notes from all over. (We leave it for you to decide, dear reader, whether she is an upstart hussy or a man in disguise.) In the spirit of the freedom of the press guaranteed by our new Bill of Rights, we intend to act as a watchful eye and a listening ear, sometimes bringing a plate of gossip, but never a dish of scandal.

* Editor's note—We apologize in advance for any improprieties, insults, or slanderous remarks on the part of our correspondents. They are, at times ill-mannered, sometimes indiscreet, and, at all times, want of wit.


 


Patience Wright by an unidentified artist, etching 1775.
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
 

Social Notes from All Over...

April 23, 1789

HE COMES! HE COMES! George Washington, President-elect of the United States, has just set foot on the New York shore after an eight-day triumphal journey from Mount Vernon. The excitement here is unbelievable. Thousands line the streets-all you can see are heads standing as thick as ears of corn before the harvest. Ladies are crowded in every window, anxious for a glimpse of the illustrious man. "I have seen him!" we heard one young lady call out, "and though I had been entirely ignorant that he was arrived in the city, I should have known at a glance that it was General Washington: I never saw a human being that looked so great and noble as he does. I could fall down on my knees before him." Washington, it can well be believed, is more popular than the new government he is to head.


 
Philadelphia, July 13, 1793

RICKETT'S AMPHITHEATRE. Word that the President and his family were to attend a performance of Mr. John Bill Rickett's dangerous feats on horseback brought a large crowd this evening to what is called the Circus. The acrobatic performance was held to raise money to buy firewood for the poor during the coming winter. Mr. Ricketts, demonstrating his agility by drinking a glass of wine while on horseback, raised his glass to the health of "The Man of the People." This produced an immediate clap of applause and a loud hurrah from every part of the Circus. Mr. Ricketts has expressed his agreement with those who call General Washington the finest horseman of the age, saying "I delight to see the general ride, and make it a point to fall in with him when I hear that he is abroad on horseback; his seat is so firm, his management so easy and graceful, that I who am a professor of horsemanship, would go to him and learn to ride."


 
June 1791

THE PRESIDENT ON TOUR. When he entered upon the duties of his office, George Washington decided he would visit all parts of the United States to please the citizens and to see how they felt about the new government. Silas Silvertongue, who is with the President's party, reports that they are nearing the end of their two-month journey of 1,887 miles, Towns have been in a bustle of preparation, and at every stop the citizens have come out to meet him with addresses of welcome. Ladies, some rouged up to the ears, have bedecked themselves with sashes and headbands painted with images of the President and patriotic slogans. The festivities include the ringing of bells, bands of music, cannon salutes, and some very bad poetry. (see Poet's Corner)



Charles Willson Peale, self-portrait, oil on canvas, circa 1791.
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
 
Philadelphia, September 1796

A visit to Mr. Peale's museum, Prudence Pudding tells us, is well worth the admission fee of one fourth of a dollar, if only to see the huge American buffalo. Peale's rooms are filled with monsters of the earth and sea, a rich array of birds, and a great collection of the bones, jaws, and teeth of tigers, sharks, and many other fearful animals. In one room are rattle, black, and spotted snakes, confined in cases enclosed with wire and glass. She was astonished to see Mr. Peale take out a black snake about four or five feet long feet long, which he permitted to touch his cheek and twine itself around his neck. In the yard and stable were eagles, owls, baboons, monkeys, and a six-footed cow. Mr. Peale is also a painter, and there can be seen in his museum more than a hundred portraits of the more noteworthy personages of our country, including our illustrious Washington.


 

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