The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-25

Leaving the garden gate, wo cross tho enclosed
lawn, and beyond the brick VALVE SEQ the kitch-
en-garden, advantageously located on gentle
slope to the south and east The soil is poor, and
yields moderately only with careful cultivation.
Passing around the north end of the house, cast
ing glance meanwhile towards the closed win
dow Of the room in which Washington died, we
are again on the lawn looking towards the. river.
just on the edge of this lawn and the brow Of the
mount overlooking the water, an hundred yards,
perhaps, from the mansion, stands little sum-
mer-house, erected over dry well. Have care
as you approach it. Time and neglect have done
sad work here. You see that tho wooden steps
by which ascent into the sslook-out'' was had
have crumbled away. The bank of the well, too, has
fallen in, and careless step may precipitate you
among the ruins of the s1eepers which the
house formerly rested, now lying in unsghtly
mass; down, down the well, quite sixty feet. The
pleasant summer house is also totterng and, UNI
less preventive measures are promptly taken some
rude wind will, ere long, finish the work OF de-
struction. If willing to run some little risk, in
consideration of the view from the now rickety
lookout" we will climb up this side where the
foundation seems little more firm. There-step
lightly. Don't tread on that worm-eaten, wea-
Their soaked plank in the flooring, or you may rue
the indiscretion. Washington dug the pit be-
meath us, and walled II up with brick
laid without cement apparently--for the pur-
poses of drainage~ There is passage, too, lead
ing from its bottom, and coming out by the river
side at the foot Of the mount. But the passage
way is INSTRUCTED now; and if you should, by any
careless step, be precptated on the rubbish which
covers it, you will find no easy mode of egress.
Come here moment to this southeastern corner
Across the river you see the irregular line of the
MARYLAND shore. The view of the Potomac river
is very fine from here as it winds it sinuous way
between the banks Of the Maryland and the Old
Dominion But look off there down the stream.
The large building on the Virginia side, five miles
distant, is the "White House, where engage
ment took place during the last war with Great
Britain with the British vessels that came up the
river. When the squadron, in ascending the Po-
tomac, passed the tomb Of Washington, Captain
Gordon directed national salute to be fired,
while the flags of his vessels were half-masted,
and the bands played "God save the King, sue
ceeded by "Hail Columbia The British com
mander undoubtedly intended this ms mark of
respect to the memory of the great dead. Under
the circumstances, however, it must be considered
the same guns which the enemy was fastening to
turn upon the capital founded by Washington,
after breaking the chains which Britons had wo- |
ven. Less imposing, but far more appropriate,
the solemn tolng of bells, and the dipping of the
national flag, as our steamers passed the sacred
Retiring from the summer-house, we pass along
the bank few rods further to the old family vault,
in which the remains of Washington and his wife
were originally inferred. more picturesque site
for a tomb can scarcely be imagined. The steep
river Is bank is densely covered with foliage, hardly
screening the grave from the river, yet slightly
yelling the nakedness of the prospect, and pro-
ducine charming effect. The tomb, of common
soft sand stone, covered over and sodded, is buried
in the bosom Of little clump of oaks, interspersed
with red cedars, whose eternal verdure contrasts
beautifully at the proper with the autumnal
brown of the old oaks-the one reminding us of
sI.. r,.,-.--l ~.
greatest and the best; the other speaking ever of
--rA Al Al -Arrsvn
influence of virtue and truth The old tomb is also
in ruins Its plain wooden doors long since dsap- |
peared, and its walls falling piece by piece to
the floor It was into this tomb Lafayette de-
scended during his last tour in the United States
Levasseur thus describes the scene: "As we ap-
ed alone into the vault, and few minutes after
reappeared, with his eyes OVERLOOKING with tears.
He took his son and me by the hand, and led us
into the tomb, where by sign he indicated the
coffin of his paternal friend, alongside of which
was that of his companion in lie, united to INN
forever in the grave. We knelt reverentially near
his coffin, which we respectfully saluted with our
lips; rising we threw ourselves into the arms OF
Lafayette, and mingled our tears with his
We have finished an inspection of these hallow-
ed grounds. There is much more of interest, an
adequate idea of which could scarcely be placed
on paper-much that deeply mpresses the reflect
ling mind. AS we turn our steps towards the yes
sci which is to convey US back to the busy town,
our hearts are weighed down with sadness. We
have trod the scenes loved by, and familiar to,
the Pater PutriG. Every sentiment of filial rev.
erence and regard prompts, in the hearts of his
children, the earnest desire that these interesting
relics should be preserved with jealous care-a |
Mecca, where Americas sons may drink in pu-
rest fountains of virtue and patriotism But wreck
and ruin mar the fair and holy spot. The fate
that has befallen the summer-hOuse and the old
and empty vault, may some time overtake the
moss-covered mansion, and the tomb where now
reposes the honored dust We want some guar
antee thut these things will not be. Recent pub |
locations fill us with gloomy forebodings lest these
peaceful shades in future years shall resound to
est, skirting the tomb itself, be broken by bac-
chanalian yells. private company, it is said,
have bought the place for 500, 900. The bones
of Washington sold for dollars, and no out
outraged public sentiment rises to rebukc the
wrong! would not be understood as finding
fault with the present proprietors Of Mount
Vernon He is unable to maintain the place
in the condition of thrift it deserves; and, !
having waited long in the hope that Con
gress would make it the countrys own, feels
compelled to part with it. Nothing but stern ne
cessity, surely, would tempt him for moment to
consider a proposition to part with the estate to
parties whose design is to erect here hotel, and
profane the sacred grounds by introduction OF
drinking shops, bowling alleys, billiard-saloons
&c. / take it for granted such would be the re-
suit; for nobody could hope to make the interest
of $500, 900 upon the place, except by some such
means Visitors to Mount Vernon now are freely
admitted three days in the week, by an arrange
ment which gives to the proprietor one-fourth the
gross receipts Of the steamers running to and from
the estate Not more than four or five thousand
persons per annum now avail themselves of the
opportunity to view tho tomb and grounds. 1t is
preposterous them to suppose any fee which could
be collected from visitors would accumulate any
thing like fair interest upon the investment of
5000 200; and if the property passes into private
hands, the country must bear the disgrace Of hav-
ing knowingly permitted it to be converted into
ri Of fho tho,,~a nd left