The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-11
THE REPUBLIC.
Mount VeFnOn-The Home and Grave
Of Washington. +a
Correspondence of the .Ns,o York Doily Times:

WASHINGTON, Saturday, July 2, 1853.
embraced an opportunity day or two since
to visit Mount Vernon, SO long the cherished
home and now the honored grave Of Washington.
It was the fourth time my feet had pressed that
thing of new Interest,"; and my emotions of rev.
erence increased, rather than diminished, on
growing familiarity with the scene. What Amer
lean is there who does not listen with deep in
terest to any thing associated with him who was
the Father of his Country Visitors have often
published brief notices of Mount Vernon; but
have thought more elaborate description of the
mansion and tomb, with the surrounding grounds,
could not fail to be of interest to your readers,
pecially on the anniversary of our national indie
pendence. 1t was lovely spot when Washing
ton died; and though the ravages of time and
neglect have made many an unsghtly mark, no
other changes have been made since the patriot
bequeathed it to his successors. -
Mount Vernon is situated upon the west bank
of the Potomac river, fifteen miles from this city,
and seven from Alexandria. 1t is accessible either
by the river or by road from Alexandria, which
lies through alternate forests and cleared land,
the latter generally quite sterile. The road is a
lonely one, scarce human habitation being found
along the entire distance. Until within the last
year Or two this was the only mode of reaching
the sacred spot. The road runs along the old
Washington estate for two miles before we reach
the entrance to the outer grounds sort of forest
park, Years since few unsightly ruins were all
that remained of the former neat and substantial
fence. No one answered the summons as our
carrhge rolled up to the porter's dilapidated and
IcIr 1tuo cci1o ufacd oath r. O,Yrn rtxy
was deeply impressed by the spectacle presented.
The vacant lodge; the levelled fences; the pros
trate gate lying across the threshold of Mount
Vernon, no longer opening to welcome guests, or
shutting out the wandering herds the unmistakable
signs Of neglect and decay all about us bespeak-
ing the absence OF the master-splrit, enkndled a
feeling somewhat akin to solemn grief, quite in
unison with the reverential awe that impressed
us as we first entered the historic grounds. How
sickenng to every patriotic heart the reflection
that these relics Of the noble, good and great are
crumbling into ruin, instead of being cherished
and preserved by grateful country. in remem-
branoe of him we hail its Father
A few minutes involuntarily passed in such re-
Elections as these, and crossing the PROSTATE gate
we entered the noble forest, consisting chiefly of
white and black oak. This road-about three
quarters of mile in length--is, without excep-
ton, the worst I ever saw. For years it seems to
have had no care. Streams of water flow into it
during heavy rains, washing deep gullies, which
are strewn with great stones, laid bare by the
floods The carriagc-way is almost impossible;
vet few resist the temptation to brave its dangers
It is beautifully divershlBd running over hill and
down dalc--now crossing q babbling brook, and
then deep rayine; while for nearly the whole
distance the elevated branches of the forest lords
meet over it in graceful arch. Passed in safety
which sometimes happens-the road brings us to
the dilapidated brick wall of Washington flow
er-garden, near which stands the inner gate, ad-
hitting to the grounds belonging more especially
to the mansion. Just inside of this stand the hot
houses, and the workshops where tools for use on
the estate are made and repaired. But do not
propose to visit the mansion now from this d.
rection. thE III
The pleasantest and readest method of reaching
Mount Vernon now, during the summer months,
is by steamboat. You leave Washington city in
the morning, and after delightful sail of an hour
or more down the Potomac, lre landed at wharf
below the mansion, The site of the mansion is a
steep bluff rising On hundred feet above the river
Many forest trees, and profusion Of wild shrub
berry and flowers, fringe the steep hillside towards
the water. The front of the house is about one
hundred and fifty feet from the brow of the bluff
the space between laid out in gently-sloping
lawn, skirted by few venerable oaks, which par
tally the mansion from the river, but only
sufficiently to give it the air of modest retirement
and quiet, suited to the country seat of gentle
man of refined tastes Instead Of entering the
honored mansion Immediately, let us pursue the
road which the reader will take if he should have
future opportunity to visit these cherished scenes
Stepping ashore from the steamer, we follow
a planked path laid through deep ravine-
the. same, suppose, through which General
Lafayette, his son George, and Levasseur
the gifted Frenchman, passed when they paid
fearful tribute at the grave of Washington, not
long after his death. A walk of perhaps an hun
bred Yards brings us to the tomb, where now re-
poses oil that is left of the form of him whose
we love. Sacred spot The associations
clustering around thee, and the historic memories
which CROWD so thick and fast, as we gaze upon
thine honored ashes, inspire with purer patr-
otism and nobler ambition than all the busy scenes
Of CAV, bustling, worldly life. TITS pity that
the emotions of reverence which SO impress us
here, should be disturbed by the negress who
stands, the only sentinel, at the worry door of the
tomb, offering us canes fur purchase at a dime a
niece! From Greenwood wo exclude everything
that can distract the emotions of reverence and
love so natural and no becoming in
place of sepulture. No traders are permitted
there. Parties are even forbid taking with them
baskets of refreshment for use within the ground.
Public sentiment approves these rules and re-
strictions; but the very grave OF washington IS
made the standpoint for this trader in canes, and
the GLANCE at the receptacle of the great man 3
ashes takes in also the negress and her canes!
know not how others view it; but to mo Suoh pro-
family is MORE than UNPLEASANT.
The tomb in which the remains now repose is
erected at the edge of the hreat, in the bank of
slight activity fronting to the south, Its walls
are of stone, very thick, and faced with brick
the entire structure being about thirty feet front
by fifty deep. In style it is severely simple.
The front is about twelve feet high, and presents
no trace of ornamentation. Over the entrance is
got plain marble tablet, which informs us that
"Wthin this enclosure
le-.s Rest 5000 I.r
The remains of
General GEORGE WASHINGTON"
Massive double gates of iron are hung in the
front wall guarding the entrance Looking
through these, we see room about twelve feet
gffayel. And here, exposed fully to the view,
are placed the marble sarcophagi containing the
ashes of Washington and his excellent consort.
SIa. - ~, ~;rhf IL his restinp -place We need