Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-04-02

:
TO gentleman In the city of Richmond dated Wash
ington March 1915.
II am invited to visit the tomb of Washington at
mount vernon Tomorrow, in the steamboat. in COM
pany with ladies, gentlemen members of CONGRESS-
ano ola revolutionary officers. shall here stop my
ietter, until return, when l will complete it,
on yesterday morning, went on board of the
steamboat w ashmgton. with about 40 or SO ladies'
@ad gentlemen; we took with us that excellent band
or music, called the marine band.-The moment the
boat moved off, the band played Washingtons march
IN fine style. On passing Alexandria, we were
cheeTed by great body of the citizens, and shpping
and passing down the Potomac, we landed the LETT
bank, at Fort Washington, and were received IN
very handsome style by Col. Roger Jones, comman-
dant there, and the Inspector General Wool who
you recollect distinguished himself handsomely at
Queens Town.-The garrison performed several ey-
outions;-They appeared to be body of fine looking
men, and should the enemy vsi; that port gain they
would meet with a hearty reception.
I'VE next moved down for Mount Vernon, and soon
That beautiful promentory appeared to the view on
The Virginia shore; commands prospect of all the
surrounding country;-The steamboat could not oct
IN less than quarter of mile of the shore; we were
therefore compelled to be conveyed in small boat.
was among the last of the gentlemen that landed in
consequence of which, the company that landed first
had been at the tomb, and going to the houses
at Mount Vernon joined them there, and under
Stood that they had been affected deeply at the tomb
which they surrounded, while the band was slowly
playing Washington's march!-after viewing the
green house, the beautiful shrubbery, where every
1t were but leaf bit of the bark of the trees
The company then went to the boat and as it was
some time before they could get on board fingered
with gentleman at the tomb, view it more at lei
sureli is situated on the decivity of the river hill
over 1t Is mound of earth ceder trees growing on
each side TO the top 1t has plain door at the end.
There we fingered the last of the company, aad where
had paid to the tomb my devotion. My heart was
smitten when reflected had been on ma rty of plea
sure to Washington city, viewing and admiring the
rising glories OF my country and its government
while here laid the hero and patriot, the immortal
Washington, who had greatly achieved its liberty
and independence, and who had contributed more
than any earthly being, to its happiness glory and
aggrandizemen the saviour of his country-and
who, after all, was now permitted to remain in obscu
rlty ana neglect, without mausoleum, statue, mon
ument inscription, sone or any thing else 10
point where the Hero, Patriot and Statesman repo-
SEES, or any evidence OF his counry's gratitude-The
idea OF ingratltude rushing on my mind, was gaul
and worm-wood to my heart had seen Gen.
Washington III the year 1891, in the city of Rich
mond, and then President of the United States, on
his touT to the South, the admiration of the world
and the alteration of his country-the most accom-
plshed hero, patriot, statesman and gentleman, that
ever lived or ever ded-and to find him here buried
on his estate, and that his country had not ex-
pended one single cent for even plain tombstone!
Every thing great every thing good in America, is
called after Washington; its capitol, its cities
towns districts and counties, bear his name; the world
IS filled with the splendou- and renown of his arms
and virtues; but hereis no mark, inscription, even
tombstone, to tell where Washington lies. The
saviour of his country, like the SAVIOUR of the world
can truly say, this people "honoureth me with their
clips, but their heart is far from me'-or they would
know him IN death, we'll in life. NV heart was
so forceably afflicted this OCCASION that declared
l would on my return to Washington tell it to the
people of the United States publish it in the streets
OF Washington; tell tito Congress- and particularly
their predecessors how cruelty they had the
remains of their once beloved Washington. And am
confident that could the good people of the United
States see how the remains of Gen. Washington are
disposed of, they would Immediately COMPEL Con-
gress to do something, to wash the stain of ngra
tltude which, if not quickly removed, will ever remain
an lndellole disgrace on the nation. was viewing
a few days ago in the Capitol at Washington, the
Statuary, the Genius of Liberty, &c. &C., forming
under the hands of two excellent artists from Italy,
Tor the purpose ornamenng the Hall of the House
OF Representatives, &c But I wished to see the
Statue OF Washington, which would not only be the
most appropriate ornament for the Capitol at Wash
ington, but the delight of America and The admira.
ton OF the world; but there was none. could ex-
claim, like stranger visit to WASHINGTON de-
scribed by writer of fine feelings sShoW me tho
Statue OF your w ashington, that may contemplate
1.-THE majestic form that encompassed his mighty soul
that may gaze on those features once lirhtened
with every virtue, and learn to love as behold them
Alas there is no such Statue. Lead me then me-
"rlcans TO the tomb your country has provided for
"her deiverer-to the everlasting monu ment she has
erected TO his fame! His grave is in the bosom of
his own soil, and the cedar that watered by his
own hand, is all that rests upon it. Tell me whence
Ss this inhuman supneness? Is it envy jealousy or
ngratitudc' Or is it that great struggle for power
land placer that every thing is forgotten-every
mobile, generous, and natural sentiment is disrc
"gnrded or despised' Whatever be the cause in
s.gratitude is upon u.s. until it is rernoved."-rThe
former representatives fhe people are to blame and
not the people themselves, although they suffer for
the neglect OF Congress.--On my return I stated to
all the members OF Congress with whom | had the
honor of being acquainted, what had seen, and what
had felt on the occasion. I went to CONGRESS Hall
the next day and saw members rising from their seats
to make motions, and for the first time had great
desire that had been member, (onlyl that could
move dresoiution relative 10 the Tomb, Statue or
mausoieuin for Gen. Washington. After my return
from the Tomb of Washington the Civ had no
charms for ne. soon left tie Hall ard went 10 nv
room, and determined to return to Virginia the next
day, and derived great consolation when tfonr5t
should once more see Mount N=rnon. And would
advise all persons that visit Washington Civ, to ro
in the first instance to the Tomb ofVashnrlon ana