Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-30
-, Muster Of the Steam beat -
3omJ Of U'ashington," and Judge
UcsLiDofOD

Ton, oithe 18th inst addressed to Messrs Snow
den and Thornton, Editors of the Alexandria Gzz.
we state that we had no intention to misrepresent
The conduct OF the Judge, upon the occasion allu
oeo TO- lie subject was much talked Of and ex-
cited some feeling in the public mind ut this place
and as we heard it we gave it. Our respect for
Judge w ashlnston as an individual and the near
relative OF the great Father of our Independence
Whose name he bears, would not permit us 10 do
any act 10 intentionally Z" Inisrep, e.ent'' him. We
beg Dim 10 be assured of the truth Of this deciara-
ton.
Since the publication OF Judge Washington.
which attributes 10 US - Misrepresentation we
have taken the trouble ascertain the facts in this
case, the substance OF which give 10 the rub
lie, without any comment and for the truth of which
we vouch.
Abou, thirty members of Congress feeling de-
sire 10 visit the Tomb os Washington, at Nom,
Vernon, hired the Steam boat ENTERPRISE on the
18th inst to take them that place rendered dear
to every American who is proud Of his country.
1t vas the only leisure day tina, they could take
from their siduous duties, which were drawing 10
close, 10 Fey devotion TO the memory of their
Country's best friend. The occ.-ian was calcu
lated 10 draw forth not only the tenderest and most
grateful feelings OF the human heart, bu, carried
with those mora! reflections inculcaed by the sub
lime doctrines OF the christian religion With these
sentiments the visi, was undertaken, and the dav
assisted 10 inspire those reverential and RELIGIONS
feelings without which the " Tomb of Washing
tom ought never TO be approached. The steam
boat had proceeded some distance when the passen
gers were informed, lonly or two of them ever
having heard of such ,hing.) that the proprietor
OF mount ernon, would not permit passengers to
iehi Hola OH board OF steamboats,. CONSULATE
on was Immediately had, when it was determined
that the boat should anchor off Mount Vernon and
that committee OF three of the members of Con-
Or e>s should go on shore and ask permission of
JudseW ashinston 10 visit the " Tomb
The committee landed, and walked I'D TO the
Fiouse, ana after waiting few minutes upon the
pavement and having Knocked at the door, judge
" Arlington came out, and advanced to where thew
stood. They were introduced 10 the JUDGE by
their names and stations in public life The Jude
appeared much exasperated. One of the Commit
tee observed -" About thirty members of Con-
SIess are on bard OF the steamboat at your land.
" ing, and having understood that you had pro-
" hIbited passengers landing from steamboats, ON
:" your shore, they have deputized Us 10 wait UNION
you. and 20 respectfully ask you to permit them
& TO land, TO pay their respects 10 the memory of
" your deceased relative, at his tomb" judge
Washington replied -" will not have for
hidden persons to come here in steamboats,, and
II they land, Will sue them will at all events
sue the captain OF the Steamboat foi bringing
them" The committee answered -" We are
sorry to have occasioned your displeasnre- we
came with the best OF feelings, and regret YOUR
refusal. We assure you, upon our honors. tina, M
injury shall be done 10 your property and if YOU
will permit our company TO land, they will go di
rectly 10 the " tomb and return immediately
AS TO sueing the Captain, he is not answerable
he Has not landed the committee are the ONLY
respassers, if their friendly and respectful visit can
be considered as such and they are ready to make
any aonement, II an injury be don by them or the
captain oil tile steamboat TO your property Judge
l-hI ~ nm han hal
ment from you you have 20 far done me no in
jury but will sue the captain. AS TO permit
ing your company TO land, I will not ; would
not permit the President of the United States and
his Secretaries to come here in coniraven;ion of
my positive orders and publications made - The
Committee then stated" we do not wish Won
10 sue The captain be is not in fault. If any has
been committed, orr company must be made an
s'yerable-they will not let him suffer We never
saw your publication we highly disapproye of
the improper conduct OF many who come here nor
ought parties OF pleasure to be permitted to visit
these scenes. Such is not orr pariy--we come with
very different feelings, and we do think that onr
characters and our standing in the country .oueht
to shield US from such imputation we wish
you good morning, sir. We have discharged our
duty, and have given you our names: we must now
return TO our friends 10 communicate this unex-
pected refusal" During the whole of this time
the gentlemen who composed the committee stood
upon the pavement in front of the house. where
they were at first received by Judge Washington,
and were never asked TO go into the house, or 10
take seat The manner of the Judge was violent.
and very different from that which we consider the
gentlemen were entitled TO expect refusal in
calm feelings and polite manner, with gentlemen
like those who composed the committee, represent
ing the respectable company they did, ought to
have been made. The committee then returned IN
the boat, aud informed the gentlemen of what had
been said. Before their return, a few gentlemen
had gone to the waters edge in boat, to be ready
to land, and whose feelings were so excited at the
refusal, that they went direct to the tomb. and
gave Their names to Mr.. Herbert, Ga gentleman
VINO was at mount Vernon,) to be used as Judge
washington should think proper. We are author
lied to say " that in the interview between JUDGE
Washington and the committee" the word Sun
day was not named. The objection was TO land
ing from on board steamboats,