American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-13

From the n. Y. American Patriot
GATHERING OF THE RELICS OF THE REvO-
LUTON. TO MEET TIE ONLY SURVIVING
MEMBER OF THE WASHINGTON FAMILY.
The most interesting event that has occurred
for some time, is the arrival of George Wash
ington Park GUSTS ESQ, and lady, in this CITY.
Mr.. Olstis is resident of Arlington, ID, c.
lie was the adopted child Of General George
Washington; he slept IN the same room with
nm, Gned az the same table, was with the IL
]Ist1ious patriot constantly, both by day and oy
night, shared his utmost confidence and finai
ly received by will the great mans favorte es-
tate at Mount Vernon, with other valuable
property. The arrival of such person could
not fal. 10 conlure up sundry delightful reminis-
Cences, and bu set down as something beyond
the common order OF circumstances. Mr.. Gus
lis had not been in this city in fifty years. The
las. time he was here, The boundaries of the
cly did not extend above Chambers street.
There were but thirty thousand inhabitants
There was no Park "a public pound occupied a
portion OF what is now the Park;) and the City
Hall had not been thought Of There was a
City Hall, however on the site now occupied
by the Custom House. Mr.. Gusts came at
that time with Washington, who visited here
TO be- inaugurated the President of the United
States. That ceremony was performed in the
old CITY Hall. The chair in which Washing
Ion sat is now preserved in the room of the
Common Council, lie took the oath before
the assembled people in the balcony, and the
non railing of arrows against which he leaned,
is now rusticating in shameful obscurity at
Bellevue. Washington, on that occasion, was
Iowad across the river in barge and if we
mistake not, Mr.. Ming, ST., now an Office
holder in the department Of Customs, was the
coxswan Mr.. Gusts was in that barge. The
best house in the city was then Bunker's Hotel
on Broadway. II was the residence of the
French minister, who, in order that the Presi-
cent might have the best house, removed his
quarters to the corner of Cherry and Franklin
Square, now occupied as music store, below,
BY Firth s. Hall, anG as a boarding house above.
This house ,-1syisited a few days since by Mr..
Cnstis and lady. Bunker's hotel was consider
cd such splendid building, that persons
aocked TO see it from all parts Of the country.
Saturday was set apart by Alderman Peters
fo- MIR. Gusts to receive visitors at his mansion
in Lennox place, West 22nd street The day
was fine, but very warm. The invited visitors
we're those who lived during WashingtoaS
line. and who were his companions in arms, or
their immediate descendants. The reunion was
delightful. Mr.. Peters mansion is surrounded
by fine grounds, decorated with fountains etc,
and most luxurously furnished. A fine cola
ton was spread by the hosptabe and patriotic
host. The galaxy Of age and worth assembled
10 welcome the hon and Iionne, was brilliant
indeed There were veterans who mad iodglt
in the revolution. and who, despite modern Gus
toms, sill adhere TO the old style Of dress-the
broad Skirted coat, bIeecAcs, low shoes, ana
white silk stockings. Here were officers o!
whom history makes honorable mention-geo-
,!emen WHO though sojolning among lis with
The heGcnings Of many winters upon Their
heads, are still hale, hearty, vigorous and light
hearted. Yes, there were those who mad taken
active parts in the battles of their country, and
VINO have lived in that period euiOgised as The
gooa old times aud beside them stood the
sons of revolutionary sires, and their grGndsOls.
In one apartment sat a venerable group, among
whom were Major Popham, now aged nnetp-
three. and Mr.. John Battin, OF Greenwich St,
(,his CITY, but few months younger; also Ma
ior Gen. Van Buren,, of Staten Island, and
Judges Miller and Lynch, with Mrs. Gusts ana
other ladies. The life OF this group was Major
Popham, who cracked his jokes with all the
vror OF youth, made love to the ladies, rehears-
ed amusing anecdotes, and finally promised
himself in marriage to pretty daughter OF
Alderman Peters. The "reminiscences recount
90 by the veterans were most delightful, and
we regret that memory will not allow US TO
transcrlbe them for the benefit OF our readers.
The Jokes, too, were the most piquant, funny,
JOYOUS things we have heard for many day.
We have rarely seen in soiree composed OF
young people, so much buoyancy and hiiarlty.
Each venerable relic of the ''tmes that tried
mems souls,n land their bodies, too) seemed
reiuyenated and animated to fight their bat
lies, and enjoy associations they had experience
ed, over again. 1t might have been great
stretch Of fancy, monstrous elongation OF ina
ginative power, that made US suppose that, at
one time, the groups resembled the prints pur-
porting to represent the signing OF the Decla-
ration of Independence.
We should Judge that during the day about
two bundled gentlemen, who lived during tree
dorl's great struggle, visited MIR. Peters hosp'-
table mansion. Almost every visitor had some
nemento to call 10 mind what had passed our
ing the life of the llustrious man whose oniy
living relative they came to welcome Miss
Livingston had a gold watch which her fatler
had worn at General Washngton's lnaugu-
ration.
Henry F. Tallmadge brought sword which
was presented to his father by Washington on
the field of battle. eve forget where, and MI
Tallmadge could not refresh our memory Nr'
Talmadge's sword was broken, when Washing
ton, riding up, took his own sword, and hang
Ing it about Mr. IT'S neck said, There, take
that and with it defend your country" At the
sigh of this sword, both Mr.. Gusts and his
arniable lady were near shedding tears.
Major Popham, (formerly aid to Governor
G.. Clnton) president ofthe Cincinnati, wore a
gold relic richly studded with diamonds, which
was sent from France by Lafayette to Wash