American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-11
From the New York Observer
PILGRIMAGE TO THE TOMB OF WASH
INGTON.
BY REV. SAMUEL IRENEUs PRIME.

BY REV. SAMUEL IRENEUs PRIME.
1t was on bright morning in April when |
BIT the city of Washington to make pigri-
bage to Mount Vernon. An early Spring had
othed the shores of the Potomac in living
eceding view of the Capitol, the mansion of
he President, the fine country seats, and
Woodlands, as hs.boat swept along to Alex
Lndria.
Here we took carriage to ride nine miles
bver wretched road. My companion in ira
bel was an elderly clergyman who when a
boy had seen the living Washington, and now
oined me in Journey of filial piety to the
Erave of ssthe Father of his Country" After
toilsome ride of two hours through coun-
try that had nothing to interest beyond the fact
that Washington had so often traversed it, we
eached the gate of Mount Vernon about noon.
An old female servant tottered from the lodge
pn staff to the gate to open it, and in answer
10 our inquiries, told us that she was i'll the
Family when George Washington died. 1t
WAS grateful to find one link, though such an
pne, between the illustrious dead and the iV-
ing. Entering the gate we were at once on
consecrated ground. The carriage way, suti-
ciently rough 10 intimate that no facilities are
afforded to visitors, winds through an ancient
woodland; and the great trees, solemn and ST.
7ent seemed to speak Of the man who had pre-
Eferred their shadows to the sunshine of courts.
These were the shades Of Mount Vernon, and
soon we reached the mansion, on the banks OF
the Potomac, with green lawn soplng to the
river in front and gardens in the rear. 1t
was indeed fitting place for one no more
hero than sagel A simple two story house,
with columns in front, and lodges for servants
running back from each end of it., would ap-
pear to be the private residence ofsome country
gentleman of moderate means; and it was diff
| cult to believe that this had been the resort OF
the most distinguished men of our own coun-
try and of the friends of liberty from other
lands, who have here sought the shrine at
which Washington worshipped.
During the eight years he was devoted to
the service Of his country in the tented field,
Washington never visited Mount Vernon but
once, and then accidentally as he was on his
way to Yorktown with Count De Rocham
beau: and we must see the spot and know the
tastes and private habits of The man, before we
are able to appreciate the sacrifice he made in
leaving this retreat for the turmoils of the
camp and tolls of state And when he had
resigned his commission and put up the sworc
that won liberty for US, he writes to Lafayette
sat length become private citizen on the
banks Of the Potomac; and under the shadow
of my own vine and my own fig trees, fion
the hustle of camp and the busy scenes o
public life, / am solacing myself with thos'
tranquil enjoyments, of which the soldier, wht
is ever in pursuit of fame, the statesman who's,
watchful days and sleepless nights are spent il
devising schemes to promote the welfare o
his own, perhaps the ruin of other countries
as if this globe was insufficient for us all, ant
the courter who is always watching the coun
tenance of his prince, in hopes of catching
gracious smile, can have very little concep
ton. have not only retired from all publ
employments, but am retiring within my
self, and shall be able to view the solitar
walk, and tread the paths of private life, wit
heartfelt satisfaction. Enyous of none, ar
determined to be pleased with all; and this, m
dear friend, being the order for my march,
will move gently down the stream OF life, unit
! sleep with my fathers"
Here were the solitary walks and paths {
private life which the footsteps of the great ma
pressed; here he rested when wearied with ID
Dor in the fields; these trees he planted with h
own hands, and the flowers from which the
sprung were his own training in the mornlil
and the evening of his wonderful life.
n But we must knock at the door of his hous
The door stones have been lying here half
century, and we are standing where he has oflt
stood to look upon the grounds that he love
The throng of visitors is so constant and grea
that it is necessary for the protection. Of Il
house, to admit no strangers but those wi
bring private letters Of introduction to the far
lily, and we were so we'll provided in this r
spect, that we met with no delay Mrs. Was
ington, lady venerable in years and wort
received US in the library of the General,