Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-07-06
MOUNT VERNON.
sRoM THE cUsTIs REcoLLEcTIoSs AND Private MEMOIRS
OF THE LIFE CHARACTER WASHINGTON.


How many and what glorious recollections crowd
upon the mind at the mention of MOUNT VERNON
1t is a name that will be hallowed to all time, and
the foot of the pilgrim ourneyng from all nations
will continue to press the turf around the sepuchre
where rest the ashes of the Father of his Country.
The associations in the history of this venerated
spot with those in the history of the life and ac-
tons of its departed master will ever Mount
Vernon to be /" freshly remembered" These as
socations began with the early life of WASHINGTON,
and ended only with his last days on earth. Mount
Vernon was the home of his youth, the retreat of
his advanced age, the spot that he most loved, and
to which he SO often retired to find repose from the
cares and anxietes of public affairs. He neverleft
tbut with regret. He always returned toitwith joy
Gould the old halls of the ancient mansion exhi-
bit tableau riUam Of the characters that have
been their inmates in by-gone days, what long
and imposing list of patriots, statesmen, and war
riors would appear to our admrlng gaze, to adorn
the scenes and memories of the past !
Our tabeau opens in 1853, when Washington
crosses the threshold of Mount Vernon to enter
upon that great theatre of life on which he was des
tined to play so lustrlous part His achieve
Inent in penetrating the wilderness, and successful
accomplishment of the important objects OF his
mission, amid dangers and difficulties the most APP
palling, introduced him to the favorable notice of
the Colonial authorities, who, in 1854, entrusted
the young Virginian with the defence oil the from
tier OF his native colony where, after gallant con-
fict with the enemy, he resigned his commission and
retired to Mount Vernon. But he was not permitted
long to enjoy the pleasures of its peaceful shades,
for. his martial reputation having attracted the no.
tice of General Braddock, the provincial soldier in
1855 was requested by the British veteran to ac-
company the latter in the ill-fated expedition TO
Fort Du Quesne. = ..
Our tabeau now gives perspective view OF the
memorable 9th of July, and the field of the Monon-
gahela, where youthful hero gathers his first lau-
rels amid the fury of the fight and where his high
and chivalric daring caused " the wild untutored
savage to hail the last mounted officer on the field
of the Monongahela as :. the chosen Of the Great
Spirit, the warrior who could not die in battle"
At the close of the Seven Years War, the provin-
cial colonel again becomes private citizen, and re-
turns Mount Vernon 10 await the call of destiny.
1t is 1859, and our tableau exhibits gay and
Joyous scene, while the old halls ring again with
the reception of bridal party, and Washington
enters Mount Vernon a prosperous and happy
bridegroom. The gallant and distinguished soldier
now lays aside the "pomp and circumstance of
glorious war; and many years glide happily along
amid the delights of domestic felicity, the society
of family and friends and the employments of agri
culture and rural affairs when our tableau changes
to l774. The Colonial troubles have commenced,
and we behold the arrival of two distinguished per-
sonages at Mount Vernon, Patrick Henry and Ed
mund Pendleton. The object Of their visit is to
accompany Washington to the first Congress,
where the soldier had been called by the voice of
his country, to change the duties OF the field for
those of The Senate house.
In l775, while serving as member of the first
Congress, Washington is appointed TO command in
oh of he Of "a N
do battle for the rights and Liberties of unborn ge-
nerations. He obeys the call of destiny and his
country, and for six eventful years, big with the
fate of liberty and an empire, his home is in the
tented field.
1881. and our tableau shows the long-desered
halls OF Mount Vernon to be animated by the pre-
sence of the Commander in Chief of the combined
armies of America and France, accompanied by the
Count de Rochambeau and brilliant suite, who
halt but for single day, being en- route for York
town.
Again our tableau changes, and introduces us in
1883 to happier scenes. The war has ended; its
storms have passed away, and the sunshine of
peace sheds its benign influences upon an infant
nation, free and independent people. Annapolis
has witnessed sublime spectacle, and Washing
ton, having resigned his commission and /" taken
leave Of the employments Of public life," hastens
% his beloved retirement, and never in this great
mans long and glorious career did he experience
30 pure, SO enviable delight as when merging the
victorious General into the illustrous Farmer Of
Mount Vernon
Our tableau now teens with characters. In the
old halls Of Mount Vernon are assembled chosen
spirits, from the wise the good, and brave of both
hemispheres, who have journeyed from distant
homes, TO pay the homage of their hearts to the
hero of the age in the retirement of private citi-
zen. Conspicuous amid this honored group is the
good and gallant Lafayette, who, supposing in
1884 that ne was about TO bid adieu TO America for
the last time, had FASTENED to Mount Vernon to pay
his parting respects to the man who, of all men, he
mos, loved and admired.
The retired Chief receives his guests with that
kindliness and hospitality for which Mount Vernon
was always distinguished, while his early rising, his
industrious aud methodical habits Of life, his horse
manship in the chase, his minute attention to all
matters, aud 10 the improvement OF his domain,
ELECTED the wamest encomum and admiration Of
those who, in the old time of day. had the good for
tune TO visit w ashington on his farm.
From the unalloyed happiness in which four
years were now passed in the employments Of agri-
culture in soci1l and domestic intercourse, occa.
sionay varied by the pleasures Of the chase, this
period in the life of the Paer Patr;a may truly be
said to have been the ore in which all his ways
were ways Of pleasantness and all his paths were
peace"
Our tableau changes to 1887, when his country
calls upon her chosen son to leave the tranquil