State

Page Eight THE STATE February 24, 193'» GEORGE WASHINGTON’S VISIT TO NORTH CAROLINA BY ALICE DUGGER GRIMES GEORGE'S birthday comes this week, so we thought you might be interested in reading about his trip to this state in 1791. Mrs. Grimes has delved into the historical records and has unearthed some interesting and entertaining facts about that famous expedition. ★ IX tin- spring of 1791 President George Wash¬ ington with his retinue set out from Mt. Vernon upon bis long desired south¬ ern lour through North ( ‘arolina. He arrived at Halifax, N. (’.. April 21, 1791. and was greeted by Col. John Baptistn Ashe and other gentlemen of tin* county. According to local tradi¬ tion Washington was royal¬ ly banqueted at the Kaglc Hotel upon the invitation of Colonel Ashe and others, lull Samuel doll list on wrote from "Hayes" "that the r«- eeption of the President at Halifax was not such as we ★ could wish." Washington in his diary writes, “Halifax is the first town I came to after passing the line be¬ tween the two states. It seems to In* in a decline and does not, it is said, con¬ tain a thousand Souls.” The next afternoon he arrived at Tarborough. Here ho was saluted by "as good a salute as could Is- given by one piece of artillery." He was hand¬ somely entertained by Major Heading Blount. Leaving Tarborough he was escorted for several miles by “some of the most respectable people of the place." Concerning Tarborough, Wash¬ ington writes, "This place is less than Halifax, but more lively and thriv¬ ing." He dined at Greenville, which he dubs "a trilling place called Green¬ ville." The house in which lie lodged is still Mnnding. Nevertheless. Wash¬ ington seems to have been impressed in “this trilling place" by the means in which tar was handled — to quote — "This article is. contrary to all ideas one would entertain on the subject, rolled as Tobacco by an axis which goo* through both heads — one horse draws two barrels in this manner." The Pitt County light horse under command of Captain Samuel Simpson escorted Washington to New Berne. When near New Berne Washington was met bv a large concourse of peo¬ ple, including several of Craven Coun¬ ty’* notables, military companies, and the Mayor of the Corporation of New Berne, Joseph Leech, who read an ad¬ dress. The John Stanly mansion was the house designated for Washington's nlmde while in New Berne. The next morning, the President strolled through the town, and at four o'clock dined with the citizens at a public dinner at the Palace. From a printed program of this occasion, long in the possession of Mrs. Henry It. Bryan, of New Berne, we learn that around fifteen toasts were drunk. Washington writes. "This town, though low, is pleasant. It stands on a good deal of ground, but the build¬ ings are spar CO and altogether of Wool — some of which are large and look well — The number of Souls are about two thousand." He describes his lodg¬ ings in the fine old Stanly mansion as "exceedingly good lodgings.” Wash¬ ington must have enjoyed his stay in New Berne, for the only complaint credited to him was that he had been given no griddle-cakes. On the following day, Washington continued his journey toward Wil¬ mington, escorted several miles by the Craven Light Horse and “many of the principal Gentlemen of New Berne." A discharge of guns bespoke his de¬ parture. He dined at Trenton and there the masonic brethren of King Solomon Lodge presented him with a short address. Washington entered Wilmington on Sunday -’24 in a most imposing or¬ der. The Wilmington Artillery Company greeted him and his party, the ships in the harbor were gay with their colors and an astounding concourse of people from country ami town added their huzzas to the clamor. The com¬ mittee was invited by the President to dine with him at Dorsey’s tavern. Mrs. Quince, a wealthy widow, tend¬ ered her elegantly furnished house for Washington’s abiding place while in Wilmington. The President departed Tuesday on board a decorated revenue barge, for Belvidore, the county seat of his obi friend Col. Benjamin Smith in Bruns¬ wick County. At Belviderc he was met by thirteen young ladies representing the thirteen colonies — scattering (lowers before him. After breakfast he continued his jour¬ ney accompanied by Col. Brown and the Wilmington troop for some ten miles. On the 27th of April, General Wash¬ ington dined in South Carolina. On the return trip to Mt. Vernon. Washington crossed into North Caro¬ lina on Saturday the 2Sth day of May. and was met by a party of Mecklen¬ burg Horse, also thirteen young men from Salisbury Military Company, ( Continued on jxigc twenty)