Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-02-16

contains, among great variety OF requests,
The following clause: a
To each Of my nephews, William Angus
tine. Washington, George Lewis, George.Slep-
toe Washington, Bushrod sshington, and SAM
uel Washington, | give one of the swords or
corteaux Of which Idle possessed; and they are
to choose in the order they are named. These
swords are accompanied with an.injunction not
TO unsheath them for the purpose of shedding
blood, except It be for self-defence, or In de- /
fence Of their country and its rights; and, in
the latter case, to keep them unsheathed, and
prefer falling with them in their hands 10 The
REIMBURSEMENT thereof
In the distribution ofthe swords hereby
devised among the five nephews therein
enumerated. the one now presented Tell
/ to the share Of Samuel Washington, the
devisee last mandolin the clause Of the
will which have just read.
This gentleman, who died . few years
since8in the county ohKanawha, and who
was the father Of Samuel T. Washington,
the donor, knew well. IIhave often
seen hhis sword id his possession, and re-
ceiyad from himself the following account
Of THE manner in which il became bis pro-
perry in the division made among the de-
visees: I'll
He said that he knew II to have been
the side-arm of Gen. WASHINGTON DUR
ing the Revolutionary war; not that used
on Occasions Of parade and review. but
the constant servicc sWord of the great
chief that be had himself seen General
Washington wear this identical sword, be
presumed, for the last iime, when. ID
l79a. be reviewed the Virginia and Ma
lryland forces. then concentrated .at Cum
berIand under the command Of General
Lee, and destined TO cooperate with the
Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops. then
assembled at Bedford. in suppressing what
/ has been called the Whiskey Iasurrec-
tod"
{ General Washington was, then Presi-
dent of the United States, and as such
wal commander-in.chief Of HE army. Ii
is known that it was bis intention tol lead
The army in person upon that occasion
had he found il necessary, and be went
10 Bedford and Cumberland prepared for
that event. The condition Of things did
not require il. and be returned 10 his CT
viii duties at Philadelphia.
Mr.. Samuel Washington held the COM
mission Of captain at that lime himself
and served ia that campaign, many Of
the incidents Of which be has related to
me.
He was anxious 10 obtain this particu- !
lar sword. and preferred ii 10 all others,
among which was the orDamented and
costly present from the great Frederick. /
AT the lime Of the division among the
fnePhews, without intimati1g what bis
Preference was. he loosely remarked
'atbat inasmuch as be was lhe only one
Of them who had participated in military,
service, they ought 10 perm il him TO iake.
choice, This suggestion was met ia the
same spiritin which il was d ade; aid he
selection being awarded bin, be chose
tpis, plainest, and ihlrinsically, the least
valuable Of any, simply. because il was
the Battle Sword
| am also ID possession Or fhe most a..
ilslaciory evidence, furnished BY Colonel
George Washington, Of Georgetown. thk
1aares. male relative aow living Of Gen.
Washington, as 10 the identity Of this
sword. His information, as to its history
WAS derived from DIS father, William Aus
gnstine Washington. The devisee frst
banned IN the clause Of The viii which &
bAve read from bis uncle. the Iate Judg.,
Bushrod Washington. Of Tie Sunren8., 81
Ponrt; and Major Lawrence Lewis tbs
aciing executor Of General Washington.s
FiIl; all Of whom conquered III the state..
pent that the true ssyv,ce spord wss lbsf
selected BY Captain Samuel Wdsbino,as
= AIMED 70 Tbs genileman's poases-
IGN un'il nls de1ih, esteemed by him tic
sn e.. precious meinento Of his illustrioFs6
kElnsman- Il then became The property
3! nis son, who. animated By that pairs-
ptism which so characterized the aFatbsf
pt bis Country. has consented n SUCH
Alrelic ought not 10 be spproprialS Y bv a.
Individual citizen, md hss Instructed Ms Is.
bic representative. 10 Offer II 10 tRe naliott.
y be preserved 10 IL public dsrOsiso.