The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-02-07
a visit 90 Mount vernon.

visit 90 Mount vernon.
We copy the following interesting account Of
visit 10 Mount Vernon in 1896, from 70
Gently published memoir OF the late Thomas II
PERKINS. one OF the solid men Of Boston,
When In France during the terrible scenes Of
the Revolution, he was able to render some i'm
portant services to the family of lafayette, to
which be attributes his recivins an invitation,
In after years, TO visit Presideut WAsmSGros
at Mount Vernon: In 40 aatobiographical
sketch Of his life, which be prepared for bis
children, Col. PERKfss gives the following in.
teresting account Of his visit
The circumstance ormy interference 10 send.
ing young Lafayette to this country, was the
cause Of one Of the most interesting events Of
my lie. II was known TO General Washing
ton, through the father or son, or both, that I
had been active in eiiecting the removal Of the
young man to this country and from the great
Partially he had Tor the Marquis he was pleas
Cd 10 regard the actors IN u favorable light.
In the summer Of 1876, | visited the city Of
Washington. which was decided upon as the
future scat OF Government. lie lodged at the
house Of Mr.. Peters, who married Miss Gus.
It's. granddaughter to Mrs. Washington. AT
ball given by Mrs. Peters, to wSie,i was in.
yited, was introduced 10 the General by Col.
Lear; his private secretary, and was gra,ously
received and invited to visit Mount Vernon,
and spend some time there This was not to
be declined; and Nv days after went as
i,,,,.t.l %, % L. 4 a.
ished in my mind beyond any earthly being
There was no company there except Mr.. Thomas
Porter, formerly Of Boston, who then lived at
Alexandria, with whom was intimately ac-
euainted. and who was a great hvorite at Mt.
Vernon. lie took nc TO the residence Of Gen
eral Washington, and returned afer dinner to
his own residence.
II IL well kHawn that the General was hot in
the habit of talking on political subjects with
any but those connected with him in the Gov
rrnment. Indeed. be was what may be called
u silent man, except when necessity called upon
him TO be otherwise. He conversed with me,
on internal improvements and observed to
me, that should probably live to Sc an in
ernal communication, ny canals and rivers,
from Georgia to Massachusetts. The state OF
Maine had not then been separated from the
old Bay State. lie little thought at that time
or ever, Of the railroads that nov span the
country. General Washington. IL il under
TODD. was the first protector OF the Daniel
Swamp Canal, between Chesapeake Bay aud
Albemarle Sound, in North Carolina, at that
time great undertaking. as well as the lock.
age OF the Little Fall of Potomac. As was
before remarked. WAS the only guest at Mount
Vernon at the time spoken Of Mrs. Washing
ton and her granddaughter, Miss Nelly Gus.
lis. with the General, were the only inmates OF
the parlor.
The situation II Mount Vernon 10 known 10
every one TO DC Of surprising beauty. II
stands on the banks Of the Potomac, but much
elevated abovc the river, and affords an ex
teusive view Of this beautiful piece OF water
and Of the opposite shore. Al the back OF
The house. overlooking the river. il a wide pi
azza, which was the general resort In the az
ternoon. On one eccnsion, while sitting there
with the family, q toad passed near where
sat co''versiug with Gen. Washington. which
led him to ask eve if ] had ever observed this
reptile swallow tire.fy. Upon my answer
ing in the negative. be told me that be had.
and that, from the ihibness OF the skin Of the
toad, he had seen the light OF tho FREELY after
IT bad been swallowed. This was new. and
to me surprising fact in natural history,
need not remark how deeply was inter.
cstcd In every word which he'll from the lips OF
this great man. found Mrs. Washington to
DO nd extremely pleasant and unaffected lady.
rather silent but this was made up for by the
face,ious and pleasant young lady. Miss Gus
It's, who Afterwards married Major Lewis, a
nephew Of the General. aud who Is yet living.
During the day the General was either IN his
study or in the saddle, overlooking the cultivn-
ton Of his farm.
! shall never forget circumstance that
took place on the first evening lodg,d q,
Moubt Vernon. As ] have aid before. Il
WAS 10 July, when the day ,renehed far upoo
the evening, aud at seven or eight o'clock we
were taking our tea: not long alter which the
ladies retired. Knowing the habit Of the
General. when not prevented by business. 10
retire early, At about nine O'Clock made a
in my chair. which led the General
to ask me il wished To retire 10 my chambcr.
Upon my answering in the Affirmative obscrv-
ing there was no servan, in the room, be took
Que Of the candles from the table, leading the
way to the great staircase, then gave i've the
capdle. and poin:ed out 10 me the door at the
head Of the stairs as my Sleeping room. Think
Of this
In the ROOM in which laid myself down
Tor do not think slept at al. so much Was
occupied with the ocrurrences Of the day
sas a partial, OF Lafayette. the elder, and.
aang,ag over the fireplace. the key of the
Bastile, which, think, retain the san,e places
% this day. On the afternoon Of the second
lay after l arrived, ! took my leave Of Mount !
Verucn. more grati6ed than can express.
In tho sstamn Of the year OF my visit, Mr.. |
,tssr, (sabert) painted the fall Ieasth por-
RAFT of the Ge1esal, which il mech the best
ikeosss have ever seen Of bun. The bus, |
ave. also by START. Is lac siui,le Of the orr.
,'ual. Tas portrait oi Mrs. Washington. ,oo
~ Staart. Don " the AtAeE1an, IS an excel-
IN, likeness Of tina, exccll~oi lady. yernarn-
'er Der amiable expression Of eolntenauce,
nd courteous. unaffected H,anaer, a. vel al
bis time as half ceotary sincs.