The adventures through a letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush, November 11, 1807, continues!
Washington was proceeded by favourable Anecdotes. The English had used him ill, in the Expedition of Braddock. They had not done Justice to his Bravery and good Council. They had exaggerated and misrepresented his defeat and Capitulation: which interested the Pride as well as compassion of Americans in his favour. President Davis had drawn his Horroscope by calling him “that Heroic youth, Col. Washington.[”] Mr Lynch of South Carolina told me before We met in Congress in 1774 that “Colonel Washington had made the most eloquentt speech that ever had been Spoken upon the Controversy with England, viz That if the English Should Attack the People of Boston, he would raise a thousand Men at his own expence and march at their head to New England to their Aid.” Several other favourable Stories proceeded his appearance in Congress and in the Army. 8 He possessed the Gift of Silence. This I esteem as one of the most prescious Talents.
And I have to link everyone to this post I found on the Boston 1775 blog while digging around the subject: https://boston1775.blogspot.com/2019/03/he-would-raise-thousand-men-at-his-own.html
I love that the author found 3 separate occasions where Adams writes about this rumor of “the most eloquent Speech at the Virginia Convention that ever was made” that he learned from South Carolina delegate, Thomas Lynch. Washington myth-making was big and it started early.
There were two early biographies of His Excellency which also helped to create the cult of Washington. The first by John Marshall and the second by Washington Irving.
Marshall’s is almost a history of early America and he’s not just selling George’s greatness, he’s selling America.
Irving’s biography of Washington (like his Columbus biography) just takes stories and presents them as facts. Like the cherry tree myth.
We grow up hearing the stories and we want to believe, so they become false truths.
I cut clean of my Cheyenne ties… and began to scrub the war paint off my face, all the while yelling in English, which I hadn’t spoke in five years — but what do you say at such a time with the U.S. Cavalry charging that won’t make you sound like more of an Indian?
Here’s what I said. I shouted: “God bless George Washington!”, which didn’t work, so I tried: ”God bless my Mother!”
I heard a joke that while in England my friend Mr. Jefferson attended a gathering at the home of a Nobleman. As a prank the Nobleman hung a portrait of General Washington above the “area of relief” we call the washroom. When Mr. Jefferson excused himself for relief, the Nobleman gathered with a few friends to see Mr. Jefferson’s reaction upon his return. Mr. Jefferson offered no reaction and continued to socialize. Curious, the Nobleman asked him, “Did you not see the portrait I have hanging in that room?” Mr. Jefferson responded, “Yes I think it’s perfect, there’s nothing better than the sight of George Washington to scare the crap out of an Englishman”.
Brian Carroll creator about 1 year ago
The adventures through a letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush, November 11, 1807, continues!
Washington was proceeded by favourable Anecdotes. The English had used him ill, in the Expedition of Braddock. They had not done Justice to his Bravery and good Council. They had exaggerated and misrepresented his defeat and Capitulation: which interested the Pride as well as compassion of Americans in his favour. President Davis had drawn his Horroscope by calling him “that Heroic youth, Col. Washington.[”] Mr Lynch of South Carolina told me before We met in Congress in 1774 that “Colonel Washington had made the most eloquentt speech that ever had been Spoken upon the Controversy with England, viz That if the English Should Attack the People of Boston, he would raise a thousand Men at his own expence and march at their head to New England to their Aid.” Several other favourable Stories proceeded his appearance in Congress and in the Army. 8 He possessed the Gift of Silence. This I esteem as one of the most prescious Talents.
(Source: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/99-02-02-5216)
And I have to link everyone to this post I found on the Boston 1775 blog while digging around the subject: https://boston1775.blogspot.com/2019/03/he-would-raise-thousand-men-at-his-own.html
I love that the author found 3 separate occasions where Adams writes about this rumor of “the most eloquent Speech at the Virginia Convention that ever was made” that he learned from South Carolina delegate, Thomas Lynch. Washington myth-making was big and it started early.
Durak Premium Member about 1 year ago
There were two early biographies of His Excellency which also helped to create the cult of Washington. The first by John Marshall and the second by Washington Irving.
Marshall’s is almost a history of early America and he’s not just selling George’s greatness, he’s selling America.
Irving’s biography of Washington (like his Columbus biography) just takes stories and presents them as facts. Like the cherry tree myth.
We grow up hearing the stories and we want to believe, so they become false truths.
QuincyAdamsGhost Premium Member about 1 year ago
None to out do Parson Weems !!
wangster2 about 1 year ago
More fascinating history – thanks for the link.
• Thomas about 1 year ago
I cut clean of my Cheyenne ties… and began to scrub the war paint off my face, all the while yelling in English, which I hadn’t spoke in five years — but what do you say at such a time with the U.S. Cavalry charging that won’t make you sound like more of an Indian?
Here’s what I said. I shouted: “God bless George Washington!”, which didn’t work, so I tried: ”God bless my Mother!”
Little Big Man – Tho. Berger
QuincyAdamsGhost Premium Member about 1 year ago
I heard a joke that while in England my friend Mr. Jefferson attended a gathering at the home of a Nobleman. As a prank the Nobleman hung a portrait of General Washington above the “area of relief” we call the washroom. When Mr. Jefferson excused himself for relief, the Nobleman gathered with a few friends to see Mr. Jefferson’s reaction upon his return. Mr. Jefferson offered no reaction and continued to socialize. Curious, the Nobleman asked him, “Did you not see the portrait I have hanging in that room?” Mr. Jefferson responded, “Yes I think it’s perfect, there’s nothing better than the sight of George Washington to scare the crap out of an Englishman”.
ShadowMaster about 1 year ago
Oh, those teeth of Washington! https://daily.jstor.org/were-george-washingtons-teeth-taken-from-enslaved-people/