A Grateful Family Reuben Rouzy it is said, owed General Washington about a thousand pounds. While President of the United States, one of his agents took legal action in an effort to obtain the money. Judgment was executed against the defendant, who was taken to jail. He had a considerably large estate, but this kind of property could not be sold in Virginia for debts, unless at the discretion of the person. He had a large family and for the sake of his children preferred lying in jail to selling his land. A friend hinted to him that probably President Washington did not know anything of the proceeding and that it might be well to send him a petition, with a statement of the circumstance. He did so, and the very next post from Philadelphia after the arrival of his petition in that city brought him an order for his immediate release, together with a full dismissal of the debt and a severe reprimand to the agent for having acted in such a manner. Poor Rouzy was restored to his family, who never laid down their heads at night without praying to Heaven for their beloved Washington. Providence smiled upon the labours of the grateful family and in a few years Rouzy enjoyed the exquisite pleasure of being able to lay the thousand pounds with interest, at the feet of this truly great man. Washington reminded him that the debt was dismissed. Rouzy replied that the debt of his family to the father of their country and preserver of himself could never be dismissed; and the President to avoid the pressing importunity of the grateful man, who would not be denied, accepted the money, only, however, to divide it among Rouzys children, which he immediately did.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 05:49:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015