The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-11-06
PILGRIMAGE TO MOUNT VERNON.

Mr.. Edit0r-According to promise, | will
attempt to reduce to writing, some of the oc-
currences of Thursday. We left here in the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail-
| road cars at half past o'clock, A. NJ, &C.
| companied by many of the most soc;able and
| agreeable ladies' OF our city, very large dele
| CATION of the masonic order, the senior editor
of the Enquirer, the President of the Railroad
| and a few other citizens. Reaching Milford
| Depot TO an early breakfast, which had been
| provided in anticipation OF what that most IL
bera and bounteous host, Capt. Ben. Darracott,
| knew what would be the condition of our in
ner man. We were soon seated at tables con-
tanning about one hundred, being the number
| of our party, and after doing ample justice to
the creature comforts, we were again soon un-
der way for Aqnia Creek, which we reached
about half past 10 O'Clock, where the masonic
part of our company forming procession on
the wharf, were received with due hunors bv
the Fredericksburg Lodge, No. f. who were
waiting for us III this point, with the splendid
steamer Baltimore, commanded by the skIfuI
aud polite Capt. McCausland. We were soon
on the broad waters of the noble Potomac,
aud by half past II o'clock, were being de-
barked from the steamer by the steamboat
Collyer TO the wharf at Mount Vernon, where
we found the landing occupied by Masonic
Lodges from Alexandra and Washington,
which, forming with our party, accompanied
by several bands OF music, assembled the hill
which here rises from the river, and passed on
our left the Tomb of Washington, to a stand
erected on the site of the former tomb under
the shade Of a mujestIc oak overlooking the
river. The exercises of the day were then
opened by the Rev. F. August, in a foIcible
and appropriate prayer, which was followed by
the singing of our anthem, when MIR. Ro. j.
Morrison, the Master of the Fredericksburg
Lodge, arose and delivered an address marked
with deep RESEARCH, and masonic knowledge
applicable TO the occasion. From the books
of their lodge he stated that George Washing
ton, on the 4th November, 1852, was present
as an Entered Apprentice; on the 9th, that lie
paid his entrance money, IL IS; Sd March,
1888 he was passed as Fellow Graft; and on
the 4th August was raised TO the degree of
Master Mason, and that the fraternity was
now assembled for the purpose oiceIesraling the
centennial anniversary of that day on which he
first received "Masonic Light" George Wash
ington Park Gusts followed Mr.. Morrison, and
he was truly the 90 old man eloquent MIR. B.
b. French then closed by appropriate remarks;
when the whole assemblage, now numbering
six to seven hundred persons, dispersed about
the ground, house and garden, every spot of
which seems TO form link in the chain of all
that relates to It's once great and illustrious
owner. We were soon after summoned by the
steamboat bell 10 return, and when we reached
the dining saloon thereof, we found that they
were we'll prepared in all the essentials of
good substantial dinner. Soon after getting
under weigh, we had fine music, good old
fashioned cotillons, agreeable company, which
made the distance to Aqua Creek appear but
small indeed, and reached home at IL o'clock
at night, without any accident, incident, or any
occurrence to mar the pleasures of this long,
long to be remembered day.
Truly, yours, SENEX.