The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-05-02
THE PRESENTATION OF THE CAMP
CHEST OF WASHINGTON.

CHEST OF WASHINGTON.
Washington Correspondence of the Bait. Pat.
WASHINGTON, APRIL 18th, IA.
The montony of the proceedings of the
House were very agreeably relieved, to-day,
by the interesting ceremony of the presen-
tation to Congress, by Mr.. Adams, of a camp
Chest of Gen. Washington, bequeathed to it
by the late w. Sidney Winder, of Baltimore
county, (Md) twas pretty generally known
that this ceremony was to be performed, to-
day, in consequence of which a great crowd
ofpersons thronged the g~allaries of the Hall.
That occupied by the ladies', was particular
ly crowded, and presented an array of beau
ty and fashion, that gave additional interest
to the scence. Mrs. Madison was also
present, and occupied a seat upon the floor
of the Hall, in front of the Speaker. The
presentation took place at three O'Clock,
when the Chest was placed on the Clerks
desk Immediately before the Speaker, and in
view of the members. Accompanying the
Chest, were a variety of articles that had al
so been in the use of Gen. Washington,
which were examined by the members with
the greatest interest. Among them were
three oval tin dishes, tin plates, knives and
forks, a tumbler, teapot, &c. Mr.. Adams
commenced by sending TO the Clerks desk
TO be read, the following letter from the Hon.
John Wethered, of Maryland, addressed to
himself:
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1874.
My Dear Eriend-One of the last acts
of my late friend, VIM. Sidney Winder, a
very short time before his death, was to COM
nit to my care the Camp Chest, with its sew
eral utensils, used by Gen. Washington dur
ing the Revolutionary war.
This valuable relic, with which are con
necter SO many-deeply interesting associa
tons, descended to my departed friend from
his father, Gen. Levin Winder, formerly
Governor of Maryland.
1t was his request that I would deliver il
TO you, as the organ selected by him, 10 pre-
sent it to Congress for the purpose of its be.
ing preserved by the Nation, and transmitted
to prosterity, in such manner as might be
deemed most appropriate by the representa-
tives of the American people.
You will also herewith receive severa
original letters, verifying the identity of thi
valuable deposit, which I commit to you
care.
With the assurance of my highest regar,
and esteem, l am, very sincerely, you
friend,
JOHN WETHERED.
Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
When the letter was read, Mr.. ADAMS sait
as my warrant for presenting myself to tn
House in the performance of this service,
send to the Clerks table, and request him t
read, a few very brief documents.
1. William Sidney Winder's will.
2. His letter unsigned, with that Of Mar
s. Winder.
8. Henry Maynadier to Governor Winde
4. Henry Maynadier to w. S. Winder.
At the last session of Congress it was m
fortune to offer a resolution of acceptanc
for the Sacord of our nations great heroi
Revolutionary commander and chief, Or,
scented, together with the Sta~ffbequeathed
him by his compatriot statesman and frien'
BENJAMIN Franklin, to the Congress,
Samuel 7. Washington, ofKanawha count
Virginia. This incident was probably Il
indncement TO the late Mr.. Winder
deyolve upon me the welcome and honor;
BILE Office of presenting this additional rel
ofthe great champion of our country's fire.
dom and glory.
Inc uOuOI Oh tudI OCCASION was yetlVIn
and, with the resolution accepting the d
nation, the House thought proper 10 subjo
a unanimous vote of thanks to the donor f
the gift.
In this case the donor is no longer in IL
land of the living. He is beyond the reas
of praise or blame from his ~fellow-creatur
of the human race. His heart can beat /
more in sympathy with those to whom ii
love of their country is, from the cradle
the grave, the never-ceasing impulse Of Il
soul. But that i twas SO to him, this beque:
the very last act of his life-this letter, di
tated by him on his dying bed, and his 81
nature of which was suspended by the ang
of death wrestling the pen from his hand, a
testimonials of which all comment of mil
could but weaken the force.