Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-06-29
Mount Vernon.

When Washington died, Mount Vernon was a
beautiful spot. The house-the lawn soping
down TO the river-the garden--thes roads-the
gateways--the trees-eyery thing indicated care
and taste. For years afterwards when yisitefs
came there, they were shown the chair in which
he used to sit and write, the marble mantel piece
and the key of the Bastile, sent to him from
France by Lafayette-and, a hundred other relics,
preserved with jealous care blythe family. And
until recently they found there grey-haired ne
gro, faithful and attached servant OF Washing-
tsn who kept the key of the enclosure where his
old masters tomb was situated: twas his great
est pride and pleasure to talk by the hour of Mas
sa Washington and to relate the incidents of his
life and DEATH. Then he would ia you down 10
the vault ITSELF on whose Steps he had so long
sat sentinel, and as he approached his voice would
sink into reverent whisper
There was an air of quiet neatness every
where. The tollIng of some passing steamboat
bell was the only sound that broke the solemn
stiffness. There was omsthing everywhere to re-
mind you of the respect due 10 the grave where
Washingtonlay buried.
Go TO Mount Vernon now. After toiling up the
long sandy road from Alexandra you come to the
shady entrance There was gate once, but it
has fallen down, and you drive over 1t. The lodge
that stands near it is diiapidated and empty. The
avenue to the house is oyergrown with grass ana
weeds. A crumblins brick wall on one side shuts
off the neglected flower garden. The house looks
old and fdecaYing. One of the posts OF the veran-
da has fallen out, and the roof is cracked and
bent over 1t. Moss grows on the door- step. inere
is no guide 10 show you the way, but there IS
low range of novels on one side, from which two
three ragged negro boys run out, 10 offer you
hickory stick, as relic of Mount Vernon,-for a
sixpence. You follow winding footpath down
towards the river side. An unsightly red BRICK
structure stands before you 1t is long since it was
painted, and the masonry is decaying and broken.
You trample down the long grass to get up TO It,
aud look Though the rusty grating. Inside there
isl plain marble slab, covered with dust anu DIS
colored with mildew. On it you may read the
carved inscription that time and exposure will
soon make illegible-
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
And that is The grave of the Fst in the hearts oil
| his countrymen!
We do not wish to be misunderstood as desiring
to blame the present owner of the estate-Mr Jno.
A. Washington. Not rich, surrounded by needy
dependents, and subjected TO constant stream OF
visitors, who certainly have no claim to his hos
pitality, whatever title they may fancy they have
TO look at his grounds-i' would be impossible fol
any one to keep the extensive estate in suitable
ORDER or even in repair. The fault is not his, but
ours, who ought 10 have made Mount Vernon a
National Monument, owned and kept by the Gov
eminent, and open to every American citizen.
| The State of New York has set an example fol
Congress in its purchase and presentation OF the
old Headquarters at Newburgh. Who is there o.
us that does not take Just pride in that expendi-
ture?
| Ills now said that Mr.. Washington, being no
longer able TO maintain Mount Vernon, has sold il
to Company with the reservation that Congress
| shall first have an opportunity of buying 1t, II
| they will. We know nothing of the Company
| The may be patriotic men, who have determined
to takeupon themselves the duty that Congress ha:
neglected; or they may be set ofspeculators who
intend TO make it show and place of amusement
for their own profit But in either case Congress
should avail itself of the opportunity now offered
Westinghouse Home and Grave should pass from
the guardianship of his Family, only into that
his Country.--Albany Journal.