Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1847-12-01


From the New Orleans Delta.
h VISIT TO MOUNT VERNON,
rIIE RESTING PLACE OF GEN. GEO.
h WASHINGTON AND HIS WIFE MARI
\ tina.
4 waa not without emotions Of surprise
md establishment, although tolerahly well
to meet il everywhere else, that
nron driving up to n miserable. dilapidated
gate, we found that we had arrived at the
residence of the far-famel host, GEORGE
WASHINGTON. Heavens, what sacriege!
The fences broken down; an old fisherman's
net hanging on tho gate; the park Gotta.
gss on either side, tennnntless, and fall.
ing to pieces; cattle running at large to des-
ssoy everything lovely! The former finely
travelled road Wae changed TO an almost i'm
f,assable gully obstructed by rocks and stones
and requiring our driver to use all his skill
casualty. A ssCanadian woods
covered with weeds and broken timbers, had
taken possession OF the once beautiful copse,
with It's velvet down Of grass and deer skip
ping through the thicket On every hand
we were met with melancholy scene of ru-
in and neglect. 1t were impossible, we
thought, that any civilized American resided
here. A few moments more undeceivea us.
Approaching some miserable old tenements
on the outer side Of the courtyard, and the
servants came out to tell Us that their mas
ter and family were from home that day.
We had letters of introduction from one of
the first fumilies in Virginia. and expected,
even in the absence Of the proprietor, to be
permitted to cross the threshold of the old
mansion, but we were soon informed by the
housekeeper that no such privilege could be
granted to any one. We had thus, reluc.
ian:ly, to content ourselves with survey Of
the grounds. .s..8
The mansion of Gen. WASHINGTON stands
on high bank Of the Potomac. lis sides
are steep md rugged, and covered with u
dense forest of trees. Immediately in front.
the dark and so,nbre shade is relieved by an
avenue which has been cut down to the wa
tar's edge. As we stand on the high emf
hence, we see the brcastworks effort Wash
ington, OH the opposite side of the river, and
the eye wanders over q vast succession of
hill and valley. far in the rear of the Mary
land shore. 1t is upon this scene that Au-
FORA pours forth the first streams of her gold
en- light as she sweeps over the Eastern ho-
rizon. At our feet lies the mild and tran
quill Potomac. upon whose bosom is trans!a-
ted the silver fleece Of the dark sky ana over
hanging trees. While pensively gazing on
this scene, ali nature seemed impressed with
the stiffness and quietude of repose. But
our solitude was soon invaded. Ia another
moment the chime Of bell broke the mel
ancholy silence, and steamer was soon
seen vending by. BY general custom the
hell commences tolling whenever steamer
arrives in front of Mount Vernon. In n few
moments the boat had passed, with it's hun.
dred spectators stretching their eyes towards
this sacred spot; the rush of waters subsid.
ed and the echoes of the bell feebly vibrating
the air. The crowd had seen Mount Yer.
non and realized satisfaction which zee
were not able to appreciate.
We turned again towards the old ediice
to fix it perhaps forever in our fancy. We
raw before Us q plain frame building two sto
ries high. A broad piazza runs along the
front side. What arrests the attention mos
arc the little windows, widely removed,
part, and their email panes of glaes. Ther
the appearance which the three queer little
doors give the mansion. 1t would seem al
most as If three houses had been showed w
together. We see no ornament. Every
thing is in the plainest style. Upon the
first story the windows are provided will
Venetian blinds, but upon the second, this
appeDdage is dispensed with. The roof
aside from everything else, would tell tina
it was an old Virginian's house. 1t Is her,
we see that very useful and ever memoria
bic invention Of our prudent forefathers, tn
.oeathercock,a which is placed upon littl
cnpola, and stretching over its head in am
pie stride, makes every thing around it in
significant.
At the edge Of ths bluff is the summe
house. 1t was once beautiful editice.-
The view, too. ofthe surrounding scenery j.
SO grand and magnificent that we feel dee,
regret in seeing it in its present dilapidatet
condition. Here was the favorite resort O
General WASHINGTON during the evening
Of summer. Accompanied sometimes by
friend, he would sit and converse for hours
but more frequently was to be found alone
in silent meditation, while the declining ray
ofthe sun gathered up in their purple yes
ture, sunk like an untroubled spirit calmly t.
rest in the bosom of night. 1t was mo
lnent of the day hallowed more shan an 9th
er with the music aud harmony Of his nature
The thought was already seeking expression
JFOUl OOulu that great SDlrlt re
turn to his once favored haunts and see I'll,
palng torn down. the stairs to the dom
destroyed the seats CO, cred with dust, an
loose planks blocking up the way; see tb
OLD mansion tottering to the ground fror
neglect; see the once beautiful park and thriy
ing farm rude wilderness, well might h
turn again to Heaven to seek hiding plac
from the worlds ingratitude.
A servant accompanied us to the vault
We were compelled to pass through the off
Of the stable-yard, where the smell as we
as the sight were alternately rcpulsej, the
over field covered with brush and briars
and almost supposing ourselves near son,
Indian wigwams or the mental huts of
Mexican hacienda rather than the shades {
the immortal Father Of our Republic. w
inquired Of The servant where we would fin
the grave of GEORGE WASHINGTON. W
could not give it credcnce ourselves an
must leave its belief to those who may hav
visited the place before. After stretchin
our eyes and looking through couple
lFon-railed gates, we discovered the sacrt
phagi of G GORGE WASHINGTON and his wifi