Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1845-10-11

iluf Of tho Washington Boc has visited
the Museum In Alexandria, District Of Go. /
umbia, and thus describes It's interesting
contents. tie says We visited the
tmu honored city Of Alexandria 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 thoughtlessly laid cur
umbrella upon what at a glance, appear.
ed to DO nothing more than dusty
frame. work; but we quickly removed it
on being informed that upon that bier was
Washington carried to his tomb! Then
thoughts fitted through our mind Of the
funeral train, in the dreary winter--the
retinue of weeping rriouds-the sounds Of
'lamentaton and Of wo-the sable drape-
nv which clothed this same bier, and all
the attendant circumstances of his death,
nearly forty-six years ago, at Mount
Vernon!
The association Of "the cradle and
the graven were wildly presented when,
turning to the wall, we beheld the mantle
in which Washington was christened, and
which had been similarly made use Of
for other members Of his fathers family!
In glass case near by, among many
other articles, was knife given to him
when a boy--the pearl button that was
accidentally torn from his coat as he
turned upon the balcony to receive the
congratulations of his friends, shortly
after he took the oath Of office as Presi.
dent Of the United States, the independ-
ence of which was, through him, mainly
achieved.
His masonic apron possessed equal in
terest; for it 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; on the white ground
are portrayed, in strong and appropriate
colors, the national flag Of the United
States and that Of France, and underneath
there is semi.circ Of cherubic faces il
bright halo of glory; gold fringe, lit
tie furnished by the lapse of time, adds a
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
" hich he, as the Master, called to order
the "brethren of the mystic tye."
Farther on is pack saddle, and a
depository for stores, divided into parti-
lions, and both made Of the stoutest lea:h.
err.
We saw the first flag captured from
the British at Trenton. 1t is made OF
double brocade, and bears an inscription
4" For King and Country" In the centre
is an eagle, holding in its talons an olive
branch, 1t is designated "AIpha," in
lcontradistinction to "Omega," :he last
flag taken a, the surrender of CORVALLIS,
and which is in proximity to the other
The beginning and the end!
The following is a copy OF letter,
hanging in frame, written by Washing
ton but month before his death, which,
to those who have no; seen the original,
may possess interest, VIZ:
Mount VERNON, Nov. l2, 1899.
GENTLEMEN: Mrs. Washington and
myself have heen honored with your po-
lite invitation to the assemblies in Alex
andria this winter, and thank you for
the mark of your attention. But, alas!
our dancing days are no more. We
wish, however, all those who relish so
agreeable and innocent an amusement,
all the pleasure the season will afford
them; and am, gentlemen, your most obe'
dent and obliged humble servant.
GEO: WASHINGTON.
Messrs Jonathan Swift, Geo. Deneale :,
VIM. Newton, Robert Young, Charles
Alexander, jr., and James II. Hooe, Mana
gers.
There are many other relics in this
museum, highly interesting from their
old associations