“Colonel Washington,” said the captain, “this is Mr. Richard Carvel, the son of Captain Carvel.”

Mr. Washington did not speak at once.  He stood regarding me a full minute, his eye seeming to penetrate the secrets of my life.  And I take pride in saying it was an eye I could meet without flinching.

“Your father was a brave man, sir,” he said soberly, “and it seems you favour him.  I am happy in knowing the son.”

For a moment he stood debating whether he would go to the house of one of his many friends in Annapolis, knowing that they would be offended when they learned he had stopped at the inn.  He often came to town, indeed, but seldom tarried long; and it had never been my fortune to see him.  Being arrived unexpectedly, and obliged to be away early on the morrow, he decided to order rooms of Mr. Claude, sat down with me at the table, and commenced supper.  They had ridden from Alexandria.  I gathered from their conversation that they were on their way to Philadelphia upon some private business, the nature of which, knowing Captain Daniel’s sentiments and those of Colonel Washington, I went not far to guess.  The country was in a stir about the Townshend duties; and there being some rumour that all these were to be discharged save only that on tea, anxiety prevailed in our middle colonies that the merchants of New York would abandon the association formed and begin importation.  It was of some mission to these merchants that I suspected them.

As I sat beside Colonel Washington, I found myself growing calmer, and ashamed of my lack of self-control.  Unconsciously, when we come in contact with the great of character, we mould our minds to their qualities.  His very person seemed to exhale, not sanctity, but virility.  I felt that this man could command himself and others.  In his presence self-command came to me, as a virtue gone out of him.  ’Twas not his speech, I would have you know, that took hold of me.  He was by no means a brilliant talker, and I had the good fortune to see him at his ease, since he and the captain were old friends.  As they argued upon the questions of the day, the colonel did not seek to impress by words, or to fascinate by manner.  His opinions were calm and moderate, and appeared to me so just as to admit of no appeal.  He scrupled not to use a forceful word when occasion demanded.  And yet, now and then, he had a lively way about him with all his dignity.  When he had finished his supper he bade Mr. Claude bring another bottle of Mr. Bordley’s sherry, having tested mine, and addressed himself to me.

He would know what my pursuits had been; for my father’s sake, what were my ambitions?  He questioned me about Mr. Carvel’s plantation, of which he had heard, and appeared pleased with the answers I gave as to its management and methods.  Captain Daniel was no less so.  Mr. Washington had agriculture at his finger ends, and gave me some advice which he had found serviceable at Mount Vernon.