Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-02-17


from the great Frederick.
al The time of the division among the neph-
ews, without iniimating what his. preference
wns he loosely remarked. that inasmuch as
he was the only one of them who had partci-
pated in military service, they ought TO permit
him to take choice" This suggestion was met
in the same spirit in which il was made, and
the selection being,aw1rded him, he chose this,
the panest, and, intrinsicaly, the least valua-
bic Of any, simply because ii was the "Battle
Sword" OgIIg 1Hg.
am also in possession of The most saiislac-
tory evidence, furnished by Col. Geo. Wash
inglon, of Georgetown, the nearest male rcla-
tive now living Of General Washington, as 10
the identity of this sword. His information,
as to It's history, was derived from his lather
William Augustine Washington, the devsce
first named in the clause of the will which
have read; from his uncle, the late Judge Busll-
rod Washington, OF the Supreme Court; and
Major Lawrence Lewis, the acting executor OF
General Westinghouse will; all of whom con-
CURED in the statement that the true service
sWord was that selected by Capt. Samuel
Washington.
II remained in this genlleman's possession
until his death, esteemed by him the most pre-
cious memcnto of his illustIious kinsmar. II
then became the property OF his son, who, an
limited by that patriotism which so character
ised the "Faiher of his Country" has consent
ed that such n relic ought not 10 be appropra-
ted by an individual citizen, and has instructed
me, his representative, To offer it to the nation,
to be preserved in its public Repositories as the
common property of all, since lis Office has been
TO achieve and secure the common liberty Of
all.
He has, in like manner, requested me 10 pre-
sent this Cane To the Congress of the United
flaaf
ccptance. "
This was once the property Of the philoso-
pher and patriot, Benjamin Franklin
BY codici to his last will and testament,
we find il thus disposed of: Hua
"My fine crab-tree walking stick, with gold
head, curiously wrought in the form of TIE cap
Of Liberty, give TO my friend, and the friend
of mankind, Gen. Washington. If it were a
sceptre, he has meritcd it and would become
it's 'Hf
Gen. Washington in his will, devises this
cane us follows:
"Item 10 my brother, Charles Washing
ton, give and bequeath the geId-headed cane
left me by DR.. Franklin in his will"
Captain Samuel Washington was the only
son OF Charles Washington, the devisee from
whom he derived by inheritance, this interest
ing memorial; and having transmitted il to his
son, Samuel +. Washington, The latter thus
seeks to bestow it worihily, by associating il
with The battle-sword in gift TO his country
men.
cordially concur with Mr. Washington in
the opinion that they each merit public prescr-
walton; and obey, with pleasure, his wishes
in here presenting them, in his name, TO the
nation.
Let The sword of the Hero and the staff oil
| the Philosopher go together. Let them have
al.
| honored memorials of our national achieve
ments.
| Upon that staff once leaned the sage, o
u'ng rom Ieuvru, dnd The sceIife from MY ~.
| a mighty arm once wicked this sword in a
| righteous cause, even unto the disemberment
OF Empire. In the hand of Washington Ills
was "the sword of The Lord, and of Gideon
~ was never drawn except in the defence OF
public liberty; ii was never shea;hed until a
glorious and triumphant success returned il Ia
the scabbard, without stain ofcruety or dis
honor upon IFS blade; il was never surrendered
except 10 that country which bestowed il.
At The conclusion of this address the gale
rles, which were crowded, sent forth emphatic
manifestations OF approbaton.1
Mr. John Quincy Adams then rose and adj
dressed The House as follows:
In presenting this resolution 10 the House.
It may perhaps be expected that | should ac-
company 1t with some suitable remarks; and
yet, sir, never rose TO address this House un-
der deeper conviction Of the want of words to
express the emotions that feel. 1t is precise
y because occasions like this are adapted TO
produce universal sympathy, that little can be
SAID by any one, but what, in the language of
the heart in tones not loud but deep, every one
present has silently said to himself. NV res
pccted friend from Virginia, by whom this Of
ieflng Of patriotic sentiment has been presented
TO The representative assembly of the nation,
has, II seems TO me, already said all that can be
SAID suitable Ia this occasion. In parting from
him, as, alter few short days, we must all do.
1t will, on my part, be sorrowing that in ali
probability shall see his face and hear his
voice no more. But his words of this day are
planted IN my memory, and will there remain
III The last puSalion Of my heart.
The sword of WAsHINGToN! The staff of
FRANKLIN! Oh, sir, what associations are
linked in adamant with those names WASH
lngton, the warrior of human lreedom-Wash-
ington, whose sword, as my friend has said,
was never drawn but in the cause of his coun-
Try, and never shcathed when welded in his
connty's cause! Franklin, the philosopher of
the thunderbot, The printng-press and the
What names are these in the
scanty catalogue of the benelaciors of human
kind! Washington and franklin! Whatoth-
'r two men, whose lives belong to the eight
zenith century Of Christendom, have left deep
'r impression of themselves npon the age In |
which they lived, and upon all after time!-
w ashington, the warrior and the legislator
IN War, contending by the wager of battle for
The independence Of his country, and for the
reedom OF the human race; ever manilesiing,
amidst lis horrors, by precept and example, his
evercnce for the laws of Peace, and for the
enderest sympathies Of humanity; in Peace
soothing the ierocious spirit of discord, among
Ms own countrymen, into harmony aud umon,
md giving TO that very sword now presented
0 ms country, charm more potent than that
ttrbuted IN ancient times to the Tyre of Or
heus. Franklin! the mechanic of his own