The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-05
From the Alexandria Gazette.

We have been furnished, for publication, with
the following letter. written by the Earl Of Buchan
brother Of lord Erskine, who was long a CORE
spondentof Mrs. Washington, the widow Of George
Washington, written To that estimable lady upon
the receipt by him of the Of the death of her
illustrious husband. This letter has never before
been published IL was recently found among the
papers OF Mrs. Washington, by Mrs. Lawrence
Lewis, her grand daughter, and Mrs. l.. has kind
iy sent a copy for publication in this paper. IL
will b. read, We have no doubt, with interest not
only on account Of the occasion which called il
forth, but for the many admirable sentiments il
contains, sprnging from warm and generous
heart, and from true friend 10 our country.
The Earl Of Buehan 10 Mrs. Washington.
DRYBUEoH ABBEY, Jan. y, 1900.
MADAM | have this day received from my bro
Their at London, the affecting tidings Of the death
Of your admirable husband, my reyered kinsman
and friend. ] am not afraid, even under this sud-
den and unexpected stroke Of Divine Providence,
give vent TO the immediate reflections excited by
il, because my attachment % your llustrious con
sort the pure result Of reason, reflection, and
cOngeniality Of sentiment He one Of those
whom the Almighty, ma successive ages, has chosen
and raised up 10 promote the ultimate des gus Of His
goodness and mercy, in the gradual moderation Of
Hi creatures and the coming Of His kingdom,
which II in heaven. II may b. said Of that great
and good man who has been taken from among W,
what written by the wise and discerning 1aci-
ts concerning his father in law, Agricola that
not broken by nfrmity Or dimmed by bodily de-
cay Of reason yet that IL his life be measured by
his glory, be attained 70 mi ghty length Of days.
for every true ichcIty, namely, all such arise
from virtue, he had already enjoyed to the full
AZ be mad likewise held the supreme authority Of
the state with the confidence and applause Of all
wise and good men IN every part Of the world, a.
well az among those he governed, and had enjoyed
triumphal hOnOrs ia war undertaken for the de-
fence Of the inslicnable rights Of mankind, what
more (humanly speaking) could fortune add 30 his
lustrc and renownH'
After enormous wealth hc sought not-an hon.
orsblc share lac possessed. His course he finished
in the peaceful retreat Of his own election, Ina the
arms Of dutiul and affcctOnate wife and believed
with the tears 81 surrounding relatives and friends,
wth the unspeakably superior advantage ~ that oi
the Roman general in the hopes afforded by the
GOSPEL Of d -dOn and peacei He, therefore madam,
70 continue my parallel, may be accounted singu.
larly happy, since by dying according % his own
christian and humble wish--eIprcsscd on many &C
cssions-whilst lns credit no yise impaired, his
fame in its full splendor his relations and friends
not only in state Of comfort and security, but Of
honor. he wa probably TO escape many evils inci-
dent 10 declining years. Moreover, he saw the
government Of his country in hands cOnfOrmabe
joint wishes and 70 the safety Of the nations,
and contingent succession opening not less favor
able 10 the liberties and happiness Ol the people.
Considering my uniform regard for the Ameri-
can States manifested long before their forming a
separate nation, ] may b. classed Ia 10 we're }
among their citizens, especially ~ am come Of a
worthy Lord CardrOss found re-
fuge there in the last century, and had large prop
crty in Carolina, where Port Royal now is stu-
atcd hope il will not be- thought impertinent or
DificiOus ii recommend to that country and nation
u America At large, the constant remembrance Oi
the moral and political maxims conveyed 10 it,
citizens by the father and founder Of The United
States in his Farewell Address, and in that
| speech which he made % the Senate and House
| Of Representatives, where the ast hand put
70 the formation Of the federal constitution, and
nay ~ 10 pTpetuaii II seems ~ me that snch max
me and such adyiccs ought 10 be engraven on
| every forum " place Of common assembly among
uie People and rssd by parents teachers and guar
dahs 70 their children aud pupils, that true reli-
giOh, ana virtue, III inseparsble attendant, may