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Travels in Some Parts of North America, in the Years 1804, 1805, & 1806, by Robert Sutcliff

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Having paid my fare last night to go in the mail stage to Alexandria, I re-paired to the --Tavern this morning, at the hour appointed by the landlord, who is also clerk to the stage; but the circumstance of my lodging at another inn, on account of the vermin with which I had been annoyed when I last slept at the --Tavern, had so displeased the man, that he had sent out the stage considerably before the usual time, in order that I might he disappointed of getting to Alexandria this day. As I stood at the door of the Tavern, remonstrating with the landlord on account of his mean and unkind con-duct in treating me thus, J. C. rode up to us on an excellent horse of his own; and, as soon as he understood how the landlord had behaved to me, he immediately dismounted and insisted upon my pursuing my journey upon his horse. I accord- ingly accepted his generous offer, but, before I set out, I complained to the post-maste, who re- turned the money I had paid at the Tavern, and, at the same time declared, that if ever he again detected the landlord in the like base conduct to any traveller, he would remove the mail stage to another inn. The circumstance of pursuing my journey on horseback, afforded me an opportunity of visiting Mount Vernon, the habitation of the late General Washington; and I was shown through the house by a person who had the care of it. The situation is beautiful, being a rising ground,