Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-31

their good feelings and regret by reiteratine
the charge of impokteness, after Judge Wash
ington has publicly declared shat he had no IN
lention Of treating them otherwise than with
respect"
1t is said, this committee sta,ed that the Cap
tain was no, in fault. Then they acknowledge
themselves uitul trespassers. They say they
neuer saw the Judge publication. This may Be
true, and yet they might have known all tina.
was in it. They do not deny their knowledge
of the prohibition They say, they informed
the Judge, "that they thought their characters
"and high standing in the country would shield
"them from the imputation that they would do
"as other visitors had DONE"
What is the result? Did respect for their
characters, and high Standing prevent them
from setting Judge Washington at defiance?
Did not some of them land, and walk up to the
Tomb, in full view from his house? Did they
not do what they had come 10 do, and what the
Judge had expressed his objection to? Does it
comport with the character they claim, and
their high standing tobe wilful and deliberate
trespassers? Did they not tell the Judge they
had given him their names! Why was this
done except in the spirit of defiance, as much as
to say-treat US as hespaSSerS. But it is COM
planned OF in their statement, that they were not
invited into the house; what right had they to
expect, that they who were violators OF the
rights Of the Judge, should he treated by him
in any other manner than as inlruders. Do
they shew their kind feelings and regret for
having occasioned his displeasure, when they
make this supposed want Of civility, a subject
of Newspaper notice. If they were really sor-
ry for having displeased him, they must be-
lieve that they had given cause for displeasure
If they felt self condemned, what right had
they to expect they could be asked into the
house Of man, to whom they had given cause
Of displeasure.
But the committee complain that the refusal
Of such gentlemen as they were, should have
been in calm feelings, and polite manner. 1t
seems they require the Judge who was the in
jured party, 10 be quite calm and polite, while
they, who were the aggressors, are excusable
for having not only then transgressed, and that
kno,oingiy the rules Of propriety, but even for
having afterwards proceeded in fit of resent
ment to the Tomb. But this is not all-they
have kept up spirit Of resentment which their
communications to you shew, and upon whose
statements you have brought this subject before
the public. You state, that "uoon the return
Of the committee, few gentlemen had gone
to the waters edge to be ready TO land, whose
feelings were so much excited al the refusal that
they went direct TO the Tomb, and gave their
names to Mr.. Herbert, to be used by Judge
Washington as he should think proper" Here
then it seems that these trespassers for being
refused by the proprietor, discover want Of
temper, and because the Judge manifested a
more than ordinary feeling at this invasion Of
his rights and retirement, he is to be charged
with being violent, and with want Of politeness
Neither his previous warnings, his legal
rights his respect for his own principles, his
character, or high standing is to be regarded by
them, but their "characfer," and high standing
are to be received by him, and the community
as a reason for his submitting without muir
muir TO an invasion Of his repose, and property,
on Sabbaih-day.
The writer will close his remarks on this ex-
traordnary course of these gentlemen Of high
standing,' by stating the conduct of another
steam boat party who visited Mount Vernon a.
bout this time last year, but not on Sunday, the
account Of which vas received from an un-
doubted source. The company was composed
Of respectable and rejecting persons, among
whom was, no member Of Congress- On their
arrival at the shore, servant met, and inform
ed them Of the objection Of Judge Washington
10 steamboat parties visiting Mount Vernon.
How different it will appear was the deport-
ment Of this party from that of Sunday the 18th
instant On receiving this information, two Of
them landed, and walked up to The house,
where they saw the Judge; they stated to him,
that they did net know of his prohibition, until
their arrival at his shore; if they had they would
not have attempted the visit; that they came
up TO him on behalf OF the company, not to ask
withdrawal Of it in their favor, but to apollo
gize for having come there apparently in viola
ton of the rule he had adopted, which they
approved of. The Judge then informed them
why he had been compelled to prohibit all such
parties, and why he could not relax in favor Of
any persons coming in the way they did. The
gentlemen expressed themselves satisfied, be-
haved with great politeness, in a friendly man
ner took leave of the Judge, and returned to
their boat They did not after protesting kind
feelings and regret, for what they had ignorantly
done, return home with III natured remarks on
their lips, or directly or indirectly authorize
newspaper comments upon the adherence of the
Judge to his fixed rule. NJ.