Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-25
THE RELICS OF wAsHrNe.roy.

We visited the time honored city of
Alexandra few days since, and during
our solourn we obtained admission to the
museum; which, though small, has.
throughout the country the reputation of
containing some Of the most interesting
relics which belonged to the Father Of his
Country.
Entering. we though.lessly laid our um.
brella upon what, at glance, appeared to
be nothing more than dusty framework;
but we quickly removed it, on being IN
formed that upon that bier was WASHING
TON carried to his tomb! Then thoughts
fitted through our mind OF the funeral
train, 10 the dreary wintor-the retinue
Of weeping fnends--the sounds of Iamen-
talion and OF wo--the sable drapeTy which
clothed this same bier, and all the atten
daEt circumstances of his death, nearly
forty six years ago, at Mount Vernon
The association Of "the cradle and the
grave" were vividly presented when
turning TO the wall we beheld the mantle
in which WASHINGTON was chrislenej,
and which had been similarly made use Of
Tor other members Of his fathers family
10 glass case near by, among many
other articles, was knife given to him
when boy--the pearl button that was
accidentally torn from his Goa. as he
turned upon the balcony 10 receive the
congratulations of his friends, shortly az
ter he took the oath of Office as President
of the United States, the independence Of
which was, through him. mainly achieved.
His masonic apron possessed equal IN
terest; for il was The gift of LAFAYETTE,
bestowed at the termination OF the Revo-
luton, and embroidered by the wife Of
that distinguished friend of liberty. 1t
displays great taste or the white ground
are portrayed, in strong and appropriate
coloIs, the national flag of the United
States and that OF France, and underneath
there is semicircle of cherubic faces in
bright halo of glory; gold fringe,
little furnished by the lapse of time, adds
rich frame to The beautiful picture.
Above this are The white kid gloves
worn by him The last time he attended
the meeting of the Lodge, and the gavil
with which he, as the Master, called to
order the "brethren of the mysuctie."
Farther on is pack saddle, and de-
pository for stores, divided INTO partitions,
and both made of the stoutest leather.
We saw the first flag captured from the
British, at Trenton. 1t is made of dou.
bic brocade, and bears an inscription "for
King and Country" In the centre is an
eagle, holding in It's tsoRs an olive branch.
Ii is designated alpha" in contradis.
tncton to "Omega," the last flag taken
at the surrender OF CORVALLIS, and which
is in proximity to the other. The begin
ming and the end
! The following is copy of letter,
hanging in frame, written by WASH
INGToN but a month before his death,
which TO those who have not seen the
original, may possess interest, viz;
"MooNr VERNON, Nov. 10, 1909.
Gentlemen Mrs. Washington and my.
self have been honored with your polite
invitation 20 the assemblies 10 Alexandra
this winter, and thank you for the mark
of your attention. But, alas our dan
cling days are no more. We wish, how
ever, all those who relish so agreeable
and innocent an amusement, all the pleas
ur- the season viii afford them; and am,
gentlemen, your most obedIent aud oblg-
ed humble servant,
GEO. WASHINGTON.
Messrs. Jonathan Swift, Geo. Deneale,
WIN. Ne ton, Robert Young, Charles
Alexander, jr., and James Il. Hooe,
Managers.
There are many other relics in this
museum, highly interesting from their
old associations.
We were Iold that some Of them would
this autumn, be taken to the North, but,
if 1t were not for deprlvng our Alexan-
dria fuends of these deposites, and if they
are to be removed, we would prefer that
they be placed in the national gallery in
this cIty-whch hears the name oil
| WASHINGTON to be exhibited fol
the qualification of the thousands who
visit the metropolis. - Washington Bee.