Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-10
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.
interesting Relics.

a snort time since we pald Vlslt 10 DeHe
Air." the residence of L. w. Washington, esq,
of this county, and having understood that Mr..
w. was in possession of many most interesting
relics of the Father of his Country, we went
alone, thereby to be enabled more fully to en-
JOY the sight OF, and, at the same time, to han
die these precious remains of other days; and
to make note of all we were thus enabled to
look upon.
| We were first shown sword, and found on
the parchment label thereto attached "Pre,
sented to General Washington by Frederick
| the Great OF Prussia, with the compliment
tary address, "fronl the oldest General an Eu-
rope 10 the greatest General an The World"
This sword was worn by General Washington
as his dress sword, when delivering his mes
sages to Congress. 1t was chosen by his oldest
| nephew and executor, COL William Augustine
Washington, Tin accordance with the viii of
Gen. W., leaving him the first choice OF his
swords, vide Gen. WIS will and by him be-
Washington, of Maryland, and by him to his
only son, l.. w. Washington.sin 1854.
This sword is of exqnisite finish, being
straight rapier with the highest polished steel
hilt, and now in most beautiful state of pres
ervation; in fact, it has the appearance of be-
ing perfectly new, it having been always kept
with particular care. We were struck forcibly
with the difference between the present of
distinguished King to remarkable General,
and the voted presents by our Congress and
Legislatures, to the distinguished military men
of the present day. The compliment of the
former consisted in the delicacy of the offer
ing, 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 follow
inn mo ;ptin hy Gap
Washington on funeral occasions during the
Revolutionary war; and chosen lin accordance
with his willy by his nephew, Judge Bushrod
Washington, of Mount Vernon, and by him
bequeathed in 1926 to his nephew, COL George
c. Washington, and by him in 1854 to his only
son, l.. w. Washington" Then we examined
a pistol lone of pair) presented by Lafayette
to General Washington, andtused by him dur
ing the Revolutionary war, from whom it des.
cended to his nephew, Judge Bushrod Wash
ington, and by him bequeathed in 1926 to his
nephew, Colonel George c. Washington, and
by him to his son, L. W. Washington, in 1854.
After laying aside this interesting memento
Of our couniry's friend, gallant defender, and
personal friend of Washington, we took in
hand the desk knife used by our country's
father during our struggle for independence,
which made and mended many pen which
tons of our Chief when even his frmness was
shaken by the difficulties and forebodngs
which overshadowed our glorious undertaking
for freedoms cause and great nations future
prosperity. This knife has engraved on the
ivory handle, General George Washington
l776.
We were curious enough to stretch our
pocket tapeline on the sword.belt, as worn by
Gen. W., and found it to measure 40 inches
showing that for man devoid of corpulence,
there was a manly frame Next we had the
pleasure to inspect a case of rare and peculiar
interest. 1t consisted of mahogany box
containing a surveyors compass made by
David Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia, the friend
Of Benjamin Franklin. Also, two levels, one
used during the Revolutionary war as a gun.
ner's level the other for adjusting the sur.
veyors case, scales protractors, &c, complete.
A shagreen containing all the protracting in
struments in very fine order, and two surveyors
chains, together with the wooden pins used
with the same. 1t is certain that these inter-
esting relicts have been preserved with great
care by those who have possessed them, and
we feel assured that they are now in hands
where they are fully appreciated, and will be
taken care of until the next generation shall
claim their keeping. These instruments we're
used by General Washington in l749, when he
was IL years Of age. They were carefully pre-
served by the General, and at his death in
1893, they descended to his oldest nephew and
executor, Col. William Augustine Washington,
Of Haywood, Westmoreland county, Va, at
whose death in 1926, they descended to his
son, Col. George c. Washington, Of Maryland,
by whom they we're presented, February 10,
1854, to his son.. Lewis W. Washington, Of
Belle Air, Jefferson county, Va.
These relics have been in Maryland since
1910, and are again returned to Virginia,
where their FIRST polish was worn off LOG years
since. They certainly must be looked upon as
the most interesting mementos connected with
the early history of Washington. Each year
adds an additional interest to these relics, and
in time they certainly must be looked upon as
the rarest curiosities connected with the early
history Of our country, and particularly with
respect to him who was so justly styled "the
Father Of his country"
Mr.. Washington also kindly showed us
many letters from the Generals brothers,
nepbews, nieces, and distant relatives (Mr
w. having nearly all the private correspon-
dence Of the General, therefore has in his
possession much that is interesting, as con-
.nected with the Washington family, and also
the confidential correspondence Of the distin-
guished men Of the days Of the Revolution
with General Washington, on subjects of pecu.
liar interest.
We have been thus particular with reference
to our notes Of dates and facts connected with
these interesting relics, as they are matters
deeply connected with the history Of our coun-
try. Many articles OF much interest shown us
by Mr.. Washington we have omitted to men
ton, being particularly absorbed with those
which presented an attraction so rare and
pleasing. CharJestown Free Press.