Washington sentinel., 1855-03-11
From the National In,elligencer.


On Thursday, the 9th Of January 1924, the
anniversary of the battle of New Orleans
Colonel Charles F. Mercer, Of the House o.
Representatives, presented to General Andrew
Jackson the pistols carried by General Wash
ington throughout the revolutionary war. Al
IL o'clock, Colonel M. accompanied by Gene
quarters, and presented to him, in the presence
the following address:
GENERAL: Allow me to fulfil the request Of a
friend and constituent, Colonel William Robin
SON, of Sudley, Fairfax county, Virginia, one
Of the legatees of General George Washington,
by delivering to you the arms that he wore
during many of the vicisstudes of that revolu.
ton which conducted him to the summit Of re-
nown, and our country to independence.
They were the gift of his distinguished pupil,
General Lafayette, and they associate the name
of the steadiest friend Of Liberty in the Old
with the memory of her most distinguished
champion in the New World.
Another interest will be impaired to these
arms. In becoming yours on this day, they
are destined to multiply the memorials of the
most brilliant and extraordinary achievement
in the military annals Of this eventful age.
To which General Jackson replied:
COLONEL: The present rendered to me, at
the request of your friend, Colonel William
Robinson, Of Sudley, Virginia, is most accep-
table. No man living entertains higher ven-
Grafton for the character, the virtues, and dis
interested patriotism Of the Father Of American
liberty than do; and no present, assure you,
could be- more acceptable to me, or better
priced, than that which once was his. But it
possesses additional value; it was the gift OF
Lafayette to our illustrious chieftain-a man
who lives, as he merits to live, in the hearts
and affections OF the people of this country.
Without motive and without any consideration,
save what generous soul, fired in the cause OF
liberty, inspired, Lafayette embarked in our
service, and, by the side Of Washington, con-
tended for the. liberties we enjoy.
These considerations combined give TO the
present you offer me history and a value cal.
culated to excite the warmest feeling Of my
nature. / accept il, sir; and shall, while
live, retain 1t with the greatest satisfaction.
That it should be presented on this day, too,
inspires me with additional feeling. It was a
day when-I, the humble instrument of su.
perintending Providence, was enabled, through
the valor and frmness of the brave yeomanry
Of my country to ward of blow which might,
IL successful, have greatly endangered our
.xnace, prosperity, and happiness. To those
brave and suffering men pine and the thanks
Of our country are due. I pray you accept my
thanks and tender them, if you please, to your
friend.
The subjoined is the letter Of Col. William
Robinson
SupLEY, (vay) Jan. 8, 1924.
SIR Be pleased to accept the pistols which
we're presented by the Marquis Lafayette to
Gen. George Washington, and, worn by him in
the service Of his country. 1t fell 10 my lot to
become, as one Of the legatees Of General
Washington, the proprietor of this interesting
property, and cannot dispose Of it than by
transferring it TO the successor Of Washington
in the military character Of America.
With perfect respect, have the honor to be,
your fellow-citizen and most obedient servant,
VIM. ROBINSON.
To Gen. A. JACKSON, Washington, d. c.