Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-02-08
wAsHINaToN coRREsPoNDENCE
From the Phil Ledger
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30,

AS both Houses OF Congress were more tnan
ordinarily dull, and the gossipping world having
for the moment suspended functions, that are
seldom out of requisiton, joined party yester-
day, on a visit to that spot, which, Of all others,
shonld be the most sacred to the American, and
where every lover of his country owes pgri-
mage of patriotism and duty, Mount Vernon, the
burial place of Washington We took the steam
boat at Washington, and in forty minutes after
were landed at Alexandria, one Of the oldest ci.
fies in the Union. Time has made sad havoc
with all its ancient glory, the grass may be seen
growing in the streets, and commerce, once the
most iourshing and large, has disappeared in
the new channels of trade, or become mingled
with more enlarged and active enterprise.
After rough drive of two hours and half,
over one Of the worst roads in all Virginia. we
deached the portcr's lodge oft the Washington es-
tate, and descending from the carriages, the
whole party walked to the venerable mansion,
that in times gone by had witnessed many of
the events, and so much of the greatness, on
which hung the future destiny of an infant Re.
public.
The premises are now occupied by the family
of Mr. John Washington, of the great
phew of him who was first in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts ofhis countrymeE."
The old dwelling remains in the days of the
Revolution, only marked by the finger of age and
decay. No improvement of any sort has been
added to it, and though nearly every vestige of
the furniture owned by General Washington has
been renewed, yet there is ndcscribabe
something in the spot and its associations, that
,dmonshes as it were, this is consecrated ground,
Of the curiosities that formerly attracted the vi.
sitor, only the Key of the Bastle, presented by
General Lafayette, is now 10 be seen.
The original tomb, which occupies site
lected by Washington himself is in a state of
dilapidation and exposure, and why his remains
should ever have been removed from position
so beautifully appropriate and solemly beftting
in its holy qrlietude and repose is to me incom
prehensible. The other vault is of simple struc-
ture, with gothic gate. Above the entrance is
this inscription within this enclosure rest
the remains OF General George Washington. =
In a sort of vestibule are two sarcoIhagi, pre-
Sentcd by John Strothers, of Philadelphia, in
1897, one TO Washington, and the other TO Mar
la, his wife.
The plantation yields little more than is ne
cessary for the subsistence of the family and SER
wants but a large portion of woodland is being
cleared, and will be brought into beneficial cul
tivaton. But one greenhouse now stands upon
the grounds. the others having been consumed
by fire some few years ago. 1t contains, how
troa Al oil hy Wasb pI
some valuable plants.
In surveying this whole scene, felt, as | am
sure every American must have done, who ever
visited the spot, that our Government has exhi-
bited most ulpabe neglect, in permitting the
bones OF the Father of his Country TO be TINS
unhonored, and his estate 10 crumble into ruin,
monument Of that nigsardly economy which is
willing to waste hundreds of thousands in windy
and improbable debate, whilst the graves of
those who have erected local habitation and
lame for us among the nations OF the earth, are
permitted TO rest without the poor compliment
IF some public mcmento. There is nothing so
well calculated TO purify the character, or TO pro-
mote the condition of a people, as worthy testi.
monals TO the illustrous dead they pass down
rom sire to son, increasing in interest with
each generation, teaching by precept, and offer.
ing worthy examples for public emulation. Mon
Viments of This kiad rise in usefulness above his
tory, inasmuch as they embody all that it con-
tains, and almost personify, in part, the living
characters which they are designed to record
Whilst upon this subject le, me introduce here
a retolution proposed, yesterday by Mr. Muir.
ply, of New York, than whom no more public
spirited member is 20 be found ia either House,
and whose talent and cultivation, both as scho-
Tar and a statesman, entitle him to very high es-
timation with the country.
Resolved, That it be referred 10 the commit
tee on Military Affairs, to inquire into the pro-
priety of erecting proper sepnlchre for the
bones, now lying at Waliaboat, of those soldiers
f the Revolution who died by reason of British
:ruelty, on board the Jersey prison ship, and
,fan appropriate monument over them, and that
he said committee report by bill or otherwise. "
The remains of these gallant soldiers were ga
thered together thirty years ago, bya private
individual and at his own expense deposited in a
place of protection from the elements, and since
then the Government has allowed them 10 sum
Der in oblivion. Mr.. Murphy comes forward, ir
that manly and patriotic character which dis
tingaishes him as a man of letters and public
Legislator, and asks Congress TO do at least fu
neral honors TO those who have fallen in the cause
OF independence. This is an appeal not to be re
sisted and It's one which 'twere far better 10 o
bey than the behest of party or the squabbe'
for political advancement II scars above al