The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-05-25
Interesting Relics.

A short time since paid visit TO " Belle
Air." the residence Of l.. w. Washington, Esq,
of this county, and having understood that Mr.. w.
possession of many most interesting relics
OF The Father Of his Country, we went alone,
thereby to be enabled more fully to enjoy the
sight Of, and. at the same time, to handle these
precious remaus Of other days; and to make q
note of oil we were thus enabled to look upon.
We were first shown sword, and found on
the parchment label thereto attached '' Presented
to General Washington by Ere derrick the Great
of Prussia with the complimentary address,
"t1ona the oldest General IN Europe to the great
est General 1u Tie UorLd.' TITS sword was
worn by General W ashlngton as his dress sword,
when delivering his messages TO Congress-
1t was chosen by his Oldest nephew and executor,
Col. William Augustine Washington, (in accord
ance with the will OF Gen. W., leaving him the
first choice of his sword, vide Gen. WIS will }
and by him bequealhed in 1910 TO his son, Col.
George &. Washington, OF Maryland, and by him
10 his only son, l.. w. Washington, in 1854.
This sword is OF exquisite finish. being a straight
raper with the highest polished steel hir and now
in a most beautiful state of preservation; in fact
it has The appearance of being perfectly new, ii
having been always kept with particular care.
We we're struck torcibly with the difference be-
tween the present Of distinguished King to a
markable General and the voted presents by our
Congress and Legislatures, to the distinguished
c,ilitary men of the present day. The compliment
of the former consisted in the deicacy OF the Of
isring, the latter in the size and amount OF gold
appended to the same.
We next had The pleasure to grasp the sword,
appended to which we found The following inscrip
zion on parchment: Sworn by Gen. Washington
on funeral occasions during the Revolutionary
war, and chosen Gn accordance with his willy BY
his nephew, Judge Bushrod Washington. Of Mount
Vernon, and by him bequeathed in 1926 to his
nephew, Col. Geo. G. Washington, and by him in
1854 to his only son, L. w. Washington" Then
we examined pistol Zone of par) presented by
L4fa yelle 10 General Washington, and used by
him during the Revolutionary war, from whom it
decended his nephew, Judge Bushrod Wash
ington, and by him bcqueaiaed in 1925 10 his
phew. Col. George G.. Washington, and by him 10
his son, l.. w. Washington. in 1854.
After laying aside this interesting memento Of
our country's friend, gallant defender, and per-
sonal friend Of Washington, we took in hand the
desk knife, used by country's father during
the struggle for independence, which made EaDd
mended many pen which was the instrument
used 10 convey the reflections OF chief, when
even his frmness shaken By the difficulties
and lorebodings which oVershadowed our glorious
undertaking Tor freedoms cause and great ma
lion's future prosperity. This knife has engraved
on the ivory handle, General George Washing
ton, l776."
We were curious enough TO stretch cur pocket
tape.line on the sword belt. as worn by Gen. W.,
and found it to measure 40 inches showing that
for man devoid Of corpuIence, there was q man
Iy frame. Mex, we had the pleasure I" inspect a
case of rare and pecLliar interest. 1t consisted
OF mahogany bog containing surveyors com.
pass made by David RittenhOnse, Of PhiIaderphil,
the friend of Benjamin franklin. Also, two lev.
els, the ore used during the Revolutionary war as
a gunner's level, the other for adjusting the sur.