will be found a letter to Dr. Franklin, written about the date of the interview described in this fragment, in which Gen. Washington acknowledges the receipt of two letters; one presented by the Count de Segur, and the other by the Prince de Broglie, which, he remarks, "were rendered doubly agreeable by the pleasure I had in receiving them from the hands of two such amiable and accomplished young gentlemen." This letter was dated Oct. 18, 1782:

Extracts from M. De Broglie's Journal.

THE AMERICAN ARMY.

I found, on disembarking, the American army encamped in a place called Verplank's Point. It was then composed of about six thousand men who, for the first time during the war, were well armed, well drilled, well kept, and camped under tents of a regular form.

I passed along its front with pleasure, astonishment, and admiration. All the soldiers appeared to me fine, robust, and well chosen. The sentinels, well kept, extremely attentive, and sufficiently well placed under arms, contrasted so completely with the crude idea that I had formed of these troops that I was obliged to repeat to myself several times that I was indeed seeing this army, that formerly had no other uniform than a cap on which was written "Liberty."

I saw, upon an eminence which faced the camp, an assemblage of tents, which, I easily judged, must be the camp of General Washington. Notwithstanding the impatience, so natural, which I felt to see this famous man, as I knew no one who could present me to him, I contented myself with approaching as nearly as possible his establishment, that I might see him in case he should come out. I continued my way to render myself at the camp of the French army, distant fourteen miles, that is, nearly five leagues. I reached Crampon at four o'clock in the afternoon, and I found the generals at table. I was taken next day into the

brilliant position of colonel; and, as there was nothing to do, I found myself soon as wise and as far advanced as all the warriors of York.

GENERAL WASHINGTON.

I pressed M. de Rochambeau, who received me with kindness, to add that of making me acquainted with Washington. He assented; and, the day after my arrival, he went with me to dine with this famous man. I gave him a letter from my father; and, after a slight "shake hand," he was kind enough to say a thousand flatteries and polite things to me. Here is his portrait, which I have formed from what I have been able to see of him for myself, and from what the conversations which I have had with regard to him, have taught me :

The General is about forty-nine years of age; he is large, finely made, very well proportioned. His figure is much more pleasing than the picture represents it. He was fine looking until within about three years; and although those who have been constantly with him since that time say that he seems to them to have grown old fast, it is undeniable that the General is still fresh, and active as a young man.

His physiognomy is pleasant and open; his address is cold, though polite; his pensive eye is more attentive than sparkling; but his countenance is kind, noble and composed. He maintains, in his private deportment, that polite and attentive deportment which does not offend. He is the enemy of ostentation and vain-glory. His manners are always equable; he has never shown the least temper. Modest even to humility, he seems not to estimate himself duly; he receives with good grace the deference paid to him, but rather shuns than courts it. His society is agreeable and pleasing. Always serious, never constrained; always simple, always free and affable, without being fami

liar, the respect which he inspires never becomes painful. He talks little in general, and in a very low tone of voice; but he is so attentive to what is said to him, that you are satisfied that he understands you, and are almost willing to dispense with a reply. This conduct has often been of advantage to him in various circumstances; no one has more occasion than he to use circumspection, and to weigh well his words. He unites to an unalterable tranquillity of soul, a fine power of judgment; and one can seldom reproach him for a little slowness in determination, or even in acting, when he has formed his decision. His courage

is calm and brilliant; but to appreciate in a sure manner the extent of his talents, and to grant him the name of a great warrior, I think it would be necessary to have seen him at the head of a greater army, with more means, and in face of a less superior enemy. One can at least give him the title of an excellent patriot, a wise, virtuous man; and one is tempted to grant him all qualities, even those which circumstances have not permitted him to develop. Never was there a man more fitted to lead the Americans, nor one who has evinced in his conduct more consistency, wisdom, constancy and reason.

Mr. Washington has never received any compensation as General; he has refused such, as not needing it. The expenses of his table are alone made at the expense of the State. He has every day as many as thirty people at dinner, gives good military receptions and is very attentive to all the officers whom he admits to his table. It is, in general, the moment of the day when he is most gay.

At desert, he makes an enormous consumption of nuts, and, when the conversation amuses him, he eats them for two hours, "drinking healths," according to the English and American custom, several times. This is called toasting. They begin always by drinking to the United States

of America; afterward to the King of France, to the Queen, and success to the arms of the combined army. Then is given sometimes what is called a sentiment; for example"To our success with our enemies and the ladies!" "Success in war and love!"

I have toasted several times with Gen. Washington. On one occasion I proposed to him to drink to the Marquis de Lafayette, whom he looks upon as a son. Не ассерted with a smile of benevolence, and had the politeness to propose to me in return that of my father and wife.

M. Washington appears to me to keep up a perfect bearing towards the officers of his army; he treats them very politely, but they are far from growing familiar with him; they all wear, on the contrary, in presence of this General, an air of respect, confidence and admiration.

GEORGE WYTHE.

[We find the following letter from the late Mr. CLAY to B. B. Minor, Esq., of this city,-containing an interesting notice of the eminent patriot and judge, George Wythe, with a glance at his own early youth-in the Whig of May 18th, and readily transfer it to our more convenient pages to which it properly belongs.]

LETTER FROM HON. HENRY CLAY TO B. B. MINOR, ESQ.

ASHLAND, MAY 3, 1851.

My Dear Sir-I duly received your favor of the 21st ult., in which you inform me that one of the Richmond booksellers intends to publish a new edition of the Reports of the lamented Chancellor Wythe, and you express a wish that I would furnish a brief memoir of the illustrious author. It would be a most pleasing and grateful task to

comply with your request, if I possessed the requisite authentic materials, and the requisite capacity to prepare the work. But the first condition does not exist, and it is therefore unnecessary to dwell upon the second. My acquaintance with, the Chancellor commenced in the year 1793, in my 16th year, when I was a clerk in the office of the court over which he presided, and when I think he must have passed the age of three score years and ten. I knew nothing personally of his career at the bar, of his ancestry, or of the part which he had taken in public affairs. I understood that he was born in Elizabeth City; that he was taught the Greek letters by his mother, and afterwards, by her assistance and by his own exertions, he became an accomplished Greek scholar. How he learned the Latin language I do not remember to have heard, but probably at William and Mary College, or at some other college in Lower Virginia. When I first knew him, his right hand had become so affected with rheumatism or gout, that it was with difficulty he could write his own name. Owing to that cause he engaged me to act as his amanuensis, and I attended him frequently, though not every day, to serve him in that capacity for several years. Upon his dictation, I wrote, I believe, all the reports of cases which it is now proposed to re-publish. I remember that it cost me a great deal of labor, not understanding a single Greek character, to write some citations from Greek authors, which he wished inserted in copies of his reports sent to Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Samuel Adams. of Boston, and to one or two other persons. I copied them by imitating each character as I found them in the original works.

Mr. Wythe was one of the purest, best, and most learned men in classical lore that I ever knew. Although I did not understand Greek, I was often highly gratified in listening to his readings in Homer's Illiad, and other Greek