Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-05-05

on the estate, we wound about in the
woods--crossing small brooks--ascend-
ing hills-and waliowing in mud hales.--
At last we arrived at the porters lodge,
and the gate was opened by an old female
slave, to whom that duty is expressly as
signed. Almost the first object that at
tracts.the attention of the visitor, is the
naked walls ola portion of the negro quar-
tiers. These were. destroyed by fire pre-
yious to the death of Washington, and the
ruin presenting itselfas it does, the most
prominent object that at first greets the
eye-affords not unfair type of the gen.
eral desolation that pervades, to a great
extent. the whole plantation. Passing
the.negro quarters, and turning sharply
to the right, we stood in front OF the man.
sion of Washington, Ii is plain, two
story building, and fronts hollow square
ION two sides of which square are the
dwellings ofthe slaves. and upon the 9TH
er is the garden, cut off from the yard by
a row Of trees. Passing through this
square, down long lane, and turning a..
gain to the right, we stood before the tomb
of Washington. The vault is quite a
large one---the rear being occupied by
different members of the family, while in
the front part, guarded only by an iron
railing, arc placed the two marble sar-
lcophagi--thc one upon the right contain
iag all that remains of ssWAsHINToN,' y
and the one upon the left containing the
ashes of "MARTHA, the consort of Wash.
ington. The tomb is placed in most ro-
mantle and agreeable place, surrounded
by eyergrcens, and around the whole To-
cality reigns an unbroken silence. My
feelings at this time were vague, con-
flicting, and perhaps fearful. / stood by
the side of the tomb of Washington-a
place which, in my childhood, l had lon
ged to yisit--but how different was the
real tomb from that which my imagination
| had pictured. Disappointment always
shocks the feelings, no matter whether
the disappointment be happy or disa-
greeable one. l know not how it was,
but the whole appearance of things about
the estate was different from what | had
supposed it should be. m
Thousands and thousands visit this
place every year. Those who do go are
mostly strangers, for in this, as in all 9TH
er curiosities.
.s'ris distance lends enchsnimentto thessiew y
By the side Of the tomb is marble shaft,
marking the resting place Of niece d
General Washington. lis pretty orn-
ament, and is surrounded BY : snhstantial
iron railing.
Passing back BY the same way We 6a1
come, we had a better oppoftnnity DE oh
serving the general appearances Of Times
The agricultural tools, and ia fack Il,
buildings, and every thing connectedl with
the place, are in slovcnish condition
every thing seems going to decay.
The estate is now owned by j A
Washington, a nephew of the Generh a.
l doubt not the estate hangs heavily hpor
his hands, for in pecunfary point of view
is indeed a bad investment. But ii viii
always be an interesting place to over,
American patriot, for here Washinb ton
after having served his country both as =
warrior and statesman, retired to sbep,
his last days in quiet and repose. tJpor
this estate he died-through his residene,
here it was his greatest pride to beautif;
and adorn it, and he often spoke in fern,
of great affection and interest ofthis spot
1t is to be regretted that the property feule
not be owned by the Nation. Conkres.
could not perform greater duty foP the
people than by the purchase of Noun We,
non estate.
Ihere are now upon the plansaslbr q.
I bout 25 slaves. who seem to be cfnt6nea1
ana napPys 1ney are deceLtiy clelhed,
ana Z aount not, well TED and cared for
i lection and respect for tsfhe General .,
4 One AID $4,000 ,.,fI 80
j - .os- :. q ~
nssu ocen upon ING s'ssa1ss LOT more taan 4o
! years.