The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-12-11
GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

10 GEIN. OEOIGUE ACIllLNO lO-N' "
Through an iron gate is seen a marble sarco-
phagus containing his ashes, inscribed with the
arms of his country, and with eloquent siInplicl-
ty, for an epitaph, the name of
WASHINGTON.
AT his side in a corresponding tomb repose
the remains of Martha, his beloved wife. The
structure containing those precious relics is COM
paratively new, it having been built in place of
the old vault which has fallen in decay; a few
withered cedars and a pile of unsightly stones,
now mark the spot where reposed the remains OF
Washington until within a few years.
Its surely not strange if the tomb of depart
ed and %virtuous greatness, rises in the mind emo
lions of a Christening nature, and in pausing at
the grave of Washington, may not such feeling
be u%sefully INDUCED? Here no ordinary thoughts
can enter, no earthly longings of a sordid mind
but partaking in the " sacred calm" that
Bids every fierce tumultuous passion cease"
we may imbibe an essence of that heaVen-born
patriotism which so endears the spirit we rever-
ence. While rejecting on the holy teachings
of his life, and knowing how often they are for
gotten and neglected; that principles are repla-
ced byinterest, or lost IN the maze of party strife
or rancor, it is difficult indeed to reconcile our
actions with the dictates of his precepts and ex-
ample.
The garden of Washington, so much his pride
and pleasure, is still to be seen and is yet very
beautiful. We were shown several fruit trees
planted by the General, which still preserve a
hardy vigor. We were accompanied by an old
colored man attached TO the premises, who offer
ed to sell Us any OF the plants we desired. A fine
specimen of the sago-palm was offered for seven
dollars We we're however, contented with pur-
chasing a few lemons from a venerable tree, as
mementoes of our visit, and need we add were
shocked to learn how easily that garden mightbe
E stripped of the last remnant of its beauty. What
a reproof, we thought, for ourselves and our coun-
try
The present estate Of Mount Vernon comprl-
ses about 1900 acres, a comparatively small por-
ton of which is under cultivation, though the
land is well adapted for raising various kinds Of
grain, and we were shown in the Mansion a
sheaf of wheat of unusual size and excellence,
which had just been gathered from the farm.
Allusion has been made TO the key of the Bas'
tile. 1t will probably surprise some OF our read,
ers to learn that this interesting relic was once
sold for rs cents After the decease Of Wash.
ington, his effects were disposed 10 the highest
bidder, and of course became the possession O.
different persons. The key of tie Bastille was
purchased by Col. Alexander Rind, of AleXan.
dria, who subsequently presented it TO the family
of Washington; and it is owing to his kind ap
probation and generosity that the visitor at Mt
! Vernon is now shown the gift of Lafayette.
: 1t will not be amisst to mention that a case
:, containing The medals presented by Congress tt
; Washington, during his military and political ca
reer were some months since exposed for sale il
the Metropolis, the attention of Congress was di
rected to the fact, but it was thought proper Il
neglect the chance of thus obtaining for the
country their possession; after remaining somC
time longer, with little prospect of a sale, the,
were purchased by Daniel Webster for five hun
dred dollars. The Museum at Alexandria con
tains several interesting mementoes of Washing
ton, and it is only surprising that our Government
Il possesses the few relics which accident and pr
= vate l~iberality have given it,
The truth is unacceptable; but its painfulnes
, must not blind ourselves 10 the fact, of tn
= thoughtlessness of his countrymen to Washing
% ton, in the unaccountable neglect which ha
A been manifested towards his property and hi
= ashes. Let us look to facts. The very tom
in which his ashes moulder, is the private gift {
a stone cutter in Philadelphia; the halls in whic
he dwelt and where he died, may soon be expC
y sed to the elements, for decay long since ha
= marked the traces of its progress; the garde
where he was wont to greet the rising sun, an
> to Offer his grateful prisons, has become a bazai
for the sale of his favorite e~xotics; his farm
half a wilderness, and TILED by slaves who to
in wretched mockery of the spirit that gave FREE
y dom to his country
No American can visit Mount Vernon withor
= feelings deeply humiliatirg, and from those CO.
:! = secrared shades a voice now calls, which shou
70 touch a responsive chord in every heart, and &C
y Ding throughout the land, should rouse his couI
: trymen TO ordain as a National Inheritance II
tomb of Washington, and 10 cause the sp
which he selected from the earth TO be his HON
worthy Of the country TO which he gave the !
a., [" gacy of freedom and of the nation who emf
the fruits Of his labors.
ie FOLIAGE OF OUR FoREsTs.-English %travelle
, often speak of the beauty of the American
rests in autumn, representing that the Old Wor
y has nothing equal 10 them in the variety al
' commingling of colors. Some of the lovers
nature go into our woods and gather the pref
~ est leaves there for preservation. Soon after N
X Everett, our present Minister to ST. James, we
to England, his lady and daughter won't TO Y p
h' ty consisting of the nobility, wearing a wreath