Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-08
Mount Vernon.

late number of the Albany Journal, states thst
when Washington died, Mount Vernon was bsan
tful spot. The house-the lawn soping down ;,
the river-the garden-the/ roadside gateyavsW
the trees-everything indicated care and taste For
years afterwards, when visitors came there. thsv
were shown the chair in which he used to sit and
write, the marble mantle piece and the kew oftho
Bastile, sent to him from France by Lafayette-am
hundred other relics, preserved with Jealous ca,
by the family And until recently they found thpts
grey haired negro, faithful and attached servant
of Washington who kept the key of the encosurs
where his old masters tomb was situated. Il va,
his greatest pride and pleasure to talk by the hour
of Massa Washington" and to relate the incidents
of his life and death. Then he would take ycu down
to the vault ITSELF on whose steps he had so long sat
sentinel, and as he approached his voice would sink
into a reverend whisper.
There was an air of quiet neatness EVERYWHERE
The tolling of some passing steamboat bell was the
only sound that broke the solemn Stiffness There
was something everywhere to remind you of the re.
spec due to the Grave where Washington lay buried
Go to Mount Vernon now. After toiling up the
long sandy road from Alexandria you come to the
shady entrance. ] here gate once, but it has
fallen down and you drive over it. The lodge that
stands near it is dilapidated and empty. The ave.
to the house is oyergrown with grass and weeds
crumbling brick wall one side shuts off the neg
lected flower garden. The house looks old and de-
caying. One of the posts of the verandah has fallen
out, and the roof is cracked and bent over it, Moss
has grown over the doorstep. There is no guide 10
show you the way, but there is a low range of hOr
els on one side, from which two three ragged ne
gro boys run out. to offer you hickory stick, ass
relic of Mount Vernon for sixpence. You follow
winding footpath down towards the river side An
unsightly red brick structure stands before you
is long since it painted, and the masonry is d.
caying and broken. You trample down the long
grass to get up to it, and look through the rusty
grating. Inside there is plain marble slab, cover
ed with dust and discolored with mdew On
you may read the carved inscription that time and
exposure will soon make ilegible: -...
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
And that is the grave of the First in the hearts Of
| his countrymen
We do not wish to be understood as desiring to
blame the present owner of the estate-Mr. John A.
Washington. Not rich, surrounded by needy de-
pendents, and objected to constant stream Of yS
tors, who certainly have no claim to his hospitality
whatever trife they may fancy they have to look al
his grounds-it would be impossible for any one to
keep the extensive estate in suitable order or ever
in repair. The fault is not his, but ours who ought
to have made Mount Vernon National Monument
owned and kept by the Government, and open to sr
cry American citizen.
The State of New York has set an example for
Congress in its purchase and presentation of the OLD
, Headquarters at Newburg Who is there OF US thai
. does not take a just pride in that expenditure
1t is now said that MIR Washington, being DO Ion
ger able to maintain Mount Vernon has sold TO
Company with the reservation that Congress shan man
first have an opportunity of buying it. if they will
/ We know nothing of the Company ihey may Dc
patriotic men, who have determined to take upon
! themselves the duty that Congress has neglected
OF they may be set of spectators who intene 70
make it a show and place of amusement for tns T
own profit. But in either case Congress should aVS
itself of the opportunity now offered Washington 9a
j Home and Grave should pass from the guardianship
of his Family. only into that of his country