Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-25

Of the Life and Character Of Washington.
On WAsHINGToN's resignation of the Presiden-
cy, in 1877, one of the first employments of his
tirement as private citizen TO arrange certain
letters and papers for posthumous publication. With
this view he wrote to Gen. Spotswood in Virginia,
to select young man of respectable family, good
moral habits, and superior clerky skill to copy into
large book certain letters and papers that would
be prepared for such purpose,
Now, these letters and papers were by no means
of an official character; neither did they come with
in the range of Recolections of the Revolution or
Constitutional Government; they were more espe-
cally pirate, and could with propriety be termed
Passages, Personal and Explanatory, in tie Life
and Correspondence Of George Washington.
Gen Spotswood selected young man named
Albin Rawlins, of respectable family in the
ty of Caroline, and well qualified for the duties he
was to perform. He soon after arrived at Mount
Vernon and entered upon his employment.
The letters were delivered to Rawlins by the
Chief in person, were carefully returned to him
when copied, and others delivered out for copying
AS the duties of the clerk lasted for considerable
time, very many of the most interesting and valua-
BILE letters that Washington ever wrote or received
were copied into the Ra,ulias Book While we re-
peat that these letters were not of official charac
ter, we must observe that they written to and
received from some of the most illustrious public
men who hourished in the age of Washington, and
shed more light upon the true character of the men
and things Of that distinguished period than any
letters or papers that ever were written and pub
lished
Washington postponed the arrangement for pub
ication Of his private memoirs to the last all such
matters lay dormant during the long and meritorE
Gus careerof his public services. 1t only was when
retired amid the shades of Mount Vernon that he
thought of self, and determined in his latter days
that nothing should be left undone to give to bis
country and the world fair and just estimate of
his life and actions. ..a..
A portion Of the letters of the Rawlins' Book
were Of delicate character seeing that they intolv
ed the reputation of the writers consistent pa
triots and men of honor. These letters srhere
10 be fotaa But, although the veil of mystery has
been drawn over the lost letters Of the RawlinS
Rook that time or circumstance never remove
our readers may rest assured that there not ine
nav, word in the lost letters that Washington
wrote. that, were he living he would wish to revoke
or blot out but would readily, fearlessly submit to
the perlsal and decision of his countrymen and the
world.
During the agitation of the public mind that grew
out of the subject of the lost letters than fifty
wears ago, it was contended that the rumors were
groundless; that there were such letters. Faith
full to our purpose at the close of our labors at
the commencement of our humble work more than
quarter of century ago, to give in the Recollec-
tons and Private Memoirs of the Life and Charac-
ter of the Pater Patri only of what We were, only
of what we saw, and only of what we derived from
the undoubted authority of others, do not hesitate
to declare, and from an authority that cannot be
Questioned that there we're such letters those de-
scrbed as the Lost Letters Of the Rawsins' Book.
The ancient family vault having fallen into state
Of decay. the Chief surveyed and marked out spot
for family burial place during the last days at
'otuuut Vernon The new situation is peculiarly
unfavorabe and i'll chosen, being most uncomfort-
able location for either the living or the dead.
The executors conceivng themselves bound by
the provisions of the Will to erect burial vault on
the spot marked OUT proceeded to do to the best
advantage; but all their endeayors, together with
the abors of skilfu mechanics have resulted in the
tomb Of Washington being universally condemned
as unfit for and unworthy OF the purpose for which
it was intended, while it serves as matter of re-
proach the crowds of pilgrims who resort thither
to pay homage to the fame and memory of the
Father Of his Country.
1t is certain that Washington never gave even a
hint of his views wishes in regard to the dispo-
sition Of his remains. He no doubt believed that
his ashes would be claimed as national property,
and be entombed with national honors hence his
silence on subject that has agitated the American
public Tor more than half q century. On the de-
cease ci the Chief the high authorities of the ma
ton begged his remains for public interment at the
scat Of the National Government. They We're grant
ed by the venerable reict conditioned that her own
remains should be inferred by the side Of her hus-
band in the national tomb. This memorable com
pact go solemn in ITSELF is still in full force and
binding on the nation, inasmuch as no subsequent
authority could alter or annul it.
On the faith of this compact, Col Monroe: when
President IF the United States, ordered two crypts
vaults TO be formed in the basement story of the
centre OF the Capitol for the reception of the re-
mains Of the Chief and his consor agreeably to the
arrangement Of 1893, which vaults are untenanted
to this day. -...
Surely it cannot be denied that Mrs. Washington
had the right the only right, to the disposal Of the
remains Of the Chief, and by virtue of this right she
granted them to the prayer of the nationa express
Cd by its highest authority.
On her death-bed the venerable Lady called the
author Of the Recollections her grandson and exc
cutor to her side, and said, Remember, Washington,
to have my remains placed in leaden coffin, that
they may be removed with those of the General at
the command of the Government
Aud va. ,ra bnar of the RIGHT of State 7 No one