Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-08-22
MARTHA WASHINGTON.

Ihe only memoir OF the mother of
Washington extant, is the one written by
Geo. w. P. Custis the grandson of Mar.
tha Washington, and Published more than
20 years ago in his "Recollections in the
National Gazette" These "reminiscences
were collected by him in the course of
many years; and to them we are indebted
for all that is known Of the life and actions
Of this matron. According 10 these, she
was decended from the respectable family
of Ball, who came to this country and set
tied on the banks of the Potomac. In the
old days Of Virginia, women were taught
habits of industry and self-reliance, and in
these Mrs Washington was nurtured.-
The early death OF her husband involved
her in the cares of a young family with
limited resources, which rendered pru-
dence and economy necessary to provide
for and educate her children. Thus cir
cumstanced it was left to her unassisted
efforts to form in her sons mind, those es-
sential qualities which gave tone and char
acter to his subsequent life. George was
only twelve years old at his fathers death
and retained merely the remembrance Of
his person and his parental fondness.-
Two years after this he obtained a mid
shipman's warrant but his mother opposed
the plan and the idea of entering the naval
service was relinquished.
One of the associates of his juvenile
years Lawrence Washington of Chotank,
thus speaks Of the home of Washington:
II was often there with George his
playmate, shoolmate, and young mans
companion. or the mother l was ten
times more afraid than l ever was of nv
own parents; she awed me in the midst of
her kindness, for she was truly kind !;
and even now, when time has withered
my locks, and l am the grand parent of a
second generation; l could not behold the
majestic women without feelings, it is i'm
possible TO describe. Whoever has seen
the awe-inspiring air and manner so char
acteristic OF the Father of bis country will
remember the matron as she appeared the
presiding genius of her we'll orderedhouse
hold commanding and being obeyed."
Educated under such influences, it is not
to be wondered at that Washington's de-
pertinent towards his mother at all times,
testified his appreciation of her elevated
character and the excellence Of her les
sons.
"On his appointment to the command
in-chief OF the American armies, says Mr.
Gusts, ,"previously TO his joining The forces
at Cambridge, he removed his mother
from. her residence, to the village of Fred
ericksbnrg, situation remote from all
danger, and contiguous 10 her friends and
relatives. There she remained during
nearly the whole Of the trying period Of
the revolution.
When news arrived of the passage Of
the Delaware, in December, l776 the
mother received calmly the patriots who
came with congratulations; and while ex-
pressing pleasure of the intelligence, dis
claimed for her son the praises in the let
ters from which extracts were read.-
When informed by tho express of the
surrender Of CORVALLIS, she lifted her
hands in gratitude towards heaven, and
exclaimed, 'thank God war will now be
ended, and peace, indeed, independence,
and happiness bless our country!''
Her housewifery industry, and care in
the management OF her domestic concerns
were not in,ermitted during the war.
"She looketh well to the ways of her
household" and "worketh willingly with
her hands," said the wise man, in de-
scribing virtuous women and it was
the pride of the exemplary women Of that
day, to fill the station of mistress with
usefulness as we'll as dignity. Mrs
Washington was remarkable for simplic-
ity which modern refinement might call
servile but which became her not less
when her fortunes were clouded, than
when the sun of glory arose upon her
house. Some of the aged Inhabitants of
Fredericksburg long remembered the ma
tron ''as seated in the old-fashoned open
chase, she was in the habit of visiting
almost daily her little farm in the vicinity
of the town. When there she would
ride about her fields giving her orders
and seeing that they were obeyed.
When on one occasion an agent departed
from his instructions-she reproved him
for exercising his own judgment in the
matter II commanded you," she said,
''there is nothing left for you but to obey"
Her charity to the poor was we'll known
and having no wealth TO distribute, it was
necessary that what her benevolence dis
penced, should be supplied by domestic
economy and industry. How peculiar a
grace does this impart to the benefits flow-
ing from a sympathisins heart!
1t is thus she has been pictured in the
Imagination of one of our most gifted poets
s.Methinks we see thee as in oiden time
Simple in garb majestic and serene
Unawed by spomp and circums stancc'-in truth
Infexible-and with Spartan zeal
Repressing vice and making folly grave:
Thou did'st not deem it woman's part to waste
Life in inglorious sloth; to waste awhile
Amid the flowers, or on the summer wave,
Then feet like the ephemeron away,
Building no temple in her children's heart,
Save to the vanity and pride of life,
Which she had worshipped."
Mr. Gusts states that she was continu-
ally visited and sclaced, in the retirement
of her declining years, by her children
and numerous grand children. Her daugh-
ter, Mrs Lewis. repeatedly and earnestly
solicited her to remove to her house, and
pass the remainder Of her days. Her son
pressingly entre,ted her that she would
make Mount Vernon the home of her age.
Rut the matron's answer was 81 thank