Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE LAST DAYS AT MOUNT VERNON.
From ne Gusts ReOecoas and Friedte Memoirs Of he Life
and Character Of Washington


he Inauguration, as it was conducted in the ancien
time, and was the first to pay his respects to tn
second President of the United States
During the preparations for his departure froI
the seat Of Government, the ex-President enjoyed
interchange of farewell visits with those in Philade
Z mia whom he had known so long and loved so well
Two new members were now added to the domesti
s family of Washington, in the persons of GEoRGl
i WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE, and his tutor and friend
NJ. FREsTEL In 1876, these interesting French
j men sought refuge in the United States from til
!, troubles of their native land. Presenting them
selves to the President in Philadelphia he receive,
the Young Lafayette with warm embrace, sayin,
to him. consider General Washington as your father
protector and friend while you remain in this coun
trv reasons of State prevent me, President from
receiving you gentlemen, at this time, as member
q Of nv domestic family Arrangements will be mad,
for your comfortable sojourn in New Jersey, for the
short time that viii intervene between this and the
termination of my official dnties then, upon my re-
tirement from all public affairs, you will be domes
j ticated among the most cherished members of my
! family and Preside at Mount Vernon.
I Several of the most distinguished Of the French
emigrans some of them bringing letters from French
officers who had served in the war of Independence,
sought in vain to be received by the first President
] among these were the celebrated Talleyrand, the
Due de Liancourt, Louis Philippe, then Due d Or
leans and his two brothers, Montpensier and Bojo-
lais The first President adhered to his rule, that
upon mature consideration he had laid down for his
government during the and troubles of European
nations viz Respect and consideration for
afatrs, ,cith 1sonterUeatton IN the affairs Of Others
Louis Philippe and brothers visited the retired
. chief during the " Last Days at Mount Vernon"
. The aniable Due de Liancourt bore his reverse of
(. fortune with great magnanimity He used to say
: T., II A.. -ofu nd affi he
ancient regime Of France, kept fifty servants, and
yet nv coat was never as well brushed as it is now,
! when brush it myself
Many articles, both for useful and ornamental
purposes, were forwarded from Philadelphia, and
that the retired chief was in full employment upon
his return to his ancient and beloved mansion, may
be gathered from the following extract of letter to
the author of the Recollections, dated April Sd,
1897: I'VE all in the midst of litter and dirt,
occasoned by joiners, masons painters, and uphol-
sterers, working in the house. all parts of which,
as well as the out-buildings, are much out of re-
pair" Mount Vernon, it is known resembles a
village, from there being some fourteen or fifteen
buildings detached from each other; and being
y all constructed of wood it may well be supposed
that decay had made considerable progress,
pecially when the masters absence during the War
of the Revolution and the first Presidency amounted
to sixteen years.
An event occurred on the odd February 1899,
that while it created an unusual hustle In the ancient
halls shed bright CLEAN of sunshine on the " Last
DAYS at Mount Vernon" 1t was the marriage of
Major Lewis, favorite nephew, with the adopted
daughter of the chief 1t the wish of the young
bride that the General of the Armies of the United
States should appear in the splendidly embroidered
uniform (the costume assigned him by the board Of
general oficers) in honor of the bridal; but alas
even the idea of wearing costume bedizzened with
gold embroidery had never entered the mind of the
chief he being content with the old Continental blue
and buff, while the magnificent white plumes pre-
sented to him by Major-General Pinckney he gave
to the young bride, preferring the old Contnenta
cooked hat with the plain black riband cockade, {
type of the brave old days of rs.
The venerable master on returning to his home
found, indeed, many things to repair, with ample
field for improvement before him. With body and
mind alike sound and vigorous in their maturity did
he bend his energies to the task, while the appear
ance of every thing gave proofs of the taste and
erpy in the improvements that marked the last days
at Mount Vernon
A portrait of the iustrious farmer, as he rode on
his farm in the last days. may not be unacceptable
to our readers Fancy to yourself fine noble
looking old cavalier well mounted, sitting firm and
erect in his saddle, the personi6cation of power,
mellowed yet not impaired by time, the equipments
Of his steed all proper and perfect order his clothes
plain and those of gentleman, broad-brimmed
white hat, with small gold buckle in front, riding
switch cut from the forest entirely unattended; and
thus you have Washington on his farm, in the last
days at Mount Vernon
His rides on his extensive estates would be from
eight to twelve or fourteen miles he usually moved
at moderate pace, passing through his fields and
inspecting every thing but when behind time, the
most punctual Of men would display the horseman-
ship of his better days, and hard gallop bring him
up time, that the sound of his horses hoofs and
the first dinner bell should be heard together at
quarter to three o'clock
During the maritime war with France, the armed
merchantmen that sailed from Alexandra would sa-
lutte on passing Mount Vernon. On the report of
the first gun the General would leave his library
and taking position in the portco that fronts the
river remain there uncovered till the firing ceased
And vet another salute awakened the echoes around
the shores of Mount Vernon another act Of hon.
age was paid to the retired chief; and this was a
homage Of the heart for it was paid by an old com.
panion in arms, while its echoes called up the memo
ries of the past. A small vessel would be seen tc
skim along the bosom Of the Potomac. Nearing the
shore the little craft furled her sails let 90 hel
anchor, and discharged small piece Of ordnance
then boat put off and pulled to the Shore and soor
a messenger appeared bearing fine rock or drum
fish, with the compliments of Benjamin Grymes, VIII,
resided some fifty miles down the river, and who wa
n gallant officer Of the Life Guard in the War Of tn
Revolution
His great employment, and constant stream o
..s,xaxy, ,,aya tho Caneral lint little tima 10 n,