Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-23
From the Portland advertiser.
EXCURSION TO MOUNT VERNON.
WASHINGTON. SIst March,

oss ot'k - VIZ ioS~
On Monday, my dear Editor. I intend leav
ing this city of winds and wisdom. 1t will
please you to hear that the pale young man wht
so strongly resembles you, and who writes B
under his correspondence with your Journal, in.
tends to accompany me-. | shall endeavor to
bring him safe to Portland. Meanwhile nv OBJ,
iect is to relate to you the story of a pilgrimage
which we took together to the Tomb of WASH.
IxGrox. 1t was a most lovely morning when
we sauntered down the Maryland Avenue. and
entered the Steam Boat for Alexandria. 1t was
one of our early June DAYS, when the air blows
balmv about you, and there is a smell of young
flowers from the earth. We were soon under
way, and went sweeping down the Potomac,-
swiftly passing The MANY points of interest and
beauty which mark IFS banks, and indulging in
the natural revere which they occasioned.-rhe
Penitentiary and Arsenal at Greenleaf's Point
| looked upon with an interest additional 10
that which their natural situation commanded. IL
was here that the British troops, after their descent
upon this city, during the late war. while in
dulsing in the wantonness of victory, were
blown to atoms by the explosion Of some Gunpow-
der, which had been left by the Americans, and
winch the enemy by chance set fire to, in their
work Of destruction. Upwards of $50 men were
killed on the instant.
An hours sail brought US to Alexandria,
This is a compact and paced town of 7GOO inlab-
itants. Like Washington and Georgetown. you
know, it is one of the special children of the
C central Government, lying within the District
of Columbia. Like all other children, | find il
apt to be jealous 6f the rest, in the matter Of
the family distributions. observed, on look
ing over the paper Of the day, at the hotel. lust
&C ,ve Landed, that Alexandria w,s comn,,;n;,,x
Of the neglect shown her, in the disbursement Of
the public monies. while Washington was over
with that kind of favor.
We thought to gaIlop to Mount Vernon-but
the chance Of missing the way. aud the tircso,ne.
ness Of a gig. induced US to take a hackney coach.
Accordingly we took magnificent possession. and
il on with ali convenient despatch. But
haste was out Of the question-Ior never was
worse road extant than that to Mount Vernon
Still, in the season Of foliage it may be a romantic
As 1t was. we saw nothing to attract the
'ye. as particularly engaging, save a few seats
'cattered.among the bills, aud occupying some
picturesque em,nences. On we went-and yet
nward-through all variety of riding; hill and
ale, meadow and woodland, until a sheet of wa.
er began to glimmer through the dim trees, and
nnounce our approach again to the Potomac. In
few moments a turn in the wild aud uneven
Dad brought US in view of the old mansion house
{ Washington. We drove to the entrance of the
ID gateway, and alighted in the midst of what
ppeared to he a little village, so numerous and
catered were the buildings. About those which
e hrst came upon, there was an air of diiapida-
on and neglect that was rather unpromiNny.-
hey were of brick and devoted to the lower me.
al purposes ct the place. As we advanced, !