Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-02-18


which was the ornamepted apd costly present
fromfhe great Frederick. .-.
AT the time Of the division among the neph-
ews, without intImating what his preference
was, he jocose.y remarked +that, inasmuch as
ne was the only one Of them who had partici-
pated in military service, they ought TO permit
him 10 take choice" This suggestion was met
in the same spirit in which it was made; and
thescboioe being awarded Afm, ne chose this,
the plaincst and intrinscaly the }east valuable
Of any, siInPly because it was "the battle
sword"
am also in possession of1he most satisfacto-
ry evidence, furnished by Gel George Wash
Tngton, Of Georgetown, the nearest male ren-
tive Of General Washington now living, ms to
the i5ctfy Of This sword. Ills information
was derived from his father, William Augustine
Washington, the devsee first named in the
clapse o. the will which have read, from his
uncle, the late Judge Dushrod Washington, OF
'tee Snrronc Cosv, ard Major Lawrence
Lewis, the acting executor Of General WASH
ington's will all of whom concurred ia the
statement, that the true service spord was that
selected by Capt, Ssmael Washiectcn> it,
mained in this gentleman's possession until his
death, esteemed by him the most precious me-
mento Of his illussrsoos kimsmap II then be-
came the property Of his son, who animated by
that patriotism which so characterized the "fa-
there of his country has consented that such
rehc uugh, not TO he appropriated 1y an m
dividual citizen and has instructed me, his re-
preventative, to offer it to the nation, to be
preserved in its public repositories, as the COM
mon property Of all since its Office has been
to achieve and defend the common liberty Of
all.
He has, in like manner, requested ME TO pre-.
sent this cane to the Congress Of the United
States, deeming it not unworthy the public ac-
ceptance, .. +
This was once the property Of the phiIoso-
pher and patriot, Benjamin Franklin. .a
BY codici To his last will and Testament,
we find it thus disposed OF
"My dne crabtree walking stick, with gold
head, curiously wrought in the form Of the cap
of liberty, give to my friend, and the friend
of mankind, General Washington. II It were
sceptre, he has merited it, and would become
IL
General Washington, in his will, deyises this
cane as follows:
"Item. To my brother Charles Washing.
ton, give and bequeath the gold-hcaded cane
left me by DR.. Franklin, in his will"
Captain Samuel Washington was the onl,
son ofCharles Washington, the devsee, from
whom he derived, by inheritance, thus interest
ing memorial and having transmitted it TO I'M
son, Samuel T. Washington, the latter thus
seeks to bestow it worthily, by associa'ing i
with the ba,tle-sword, in gift to his country
men. .... ..-....,... ...
cordially concur with Mr.. Washington il
the opinion that they each merit public pre-
servatlon and obey, with pleasure, his wish
es in here presenting them, in his name, to tn
nation. .. t.
Let the sword of the hero and the staff c
the philosopher go together Let them hav
place among the proudest trophies and mos
hoDored memorials of our national achieve
ments.
Upon that staff once leaned the sage of whol
it has been said ''Iie snatched the lichtnin
from heaven, and the scep,re from lyrants."
A mighty arm once welded this sword in
righteous cause, even unto the dismembermer
of an empire. In the hand of Washington, tn
was ''the sword of the Lord and of Gideon
1t was never drawn, except in defence of III
public liberty. II was never sheathed until
glorious and triumphant success returned it
the scabbard, without stain of cruelty or di
/, honor upon It's blade. II was never surrende
ed, except to that country which bestowed H.
Loud and long-con,inued plaudlts follow,
the delivery OF this address,
The Sergcant-at-arms advanced to the Sc
Of the honorable gentlem'n, and received in
his custody the interesting relics.
\ Mr.. ADAMS then rose to submit resoluti
Y in relation thereto. He said
Mr.. SPEAKER: In presenting this fesolutl
! to the House, il may, perhaps, be expected Il
$ should accompany 1t with Some remarks 81
u able to the occasion ara yet sir, never II
n to address this House under deeper convict
y Of the want OF words to express the enlotlC
d that .cel. II is precisely because occasic
IF Ike this are adapted To produce universal sy
is pa,hy, that little can be sah by any one,
" hat, in the language of the heart-in tol