The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-03-07
The Washington Fsmily Relics.

L OubtIN. NoDonteuly bUt WEOte W
General Mcdowell, with whom she had
been acquainted az her husbands associate
on tho staff Of Con. Wool, during the Mcxi.
can war, that abe had LETT nothing at Ar.
line,on in any way connected with the
public or domestic life Of the Father Of his
Country. What Mrs. Lee, or any one "a
voring Secession and rebellion could want
with relics which must DO constant ro-
minder Of him who said,--"Whateyer
measures have tendency TO dissolve the
Union or contribute to violste or les en- the
sovereign auihority. ought 10 bo considered
as hostile to the liberty and Independence
Of America. and tho authors Of them treated
accordingly" cannot easily be imagined.
Nor 10 it surprising that, after all their
ptotcstations to the contrary, the wife of
the Confederate General should have left
bohind some o: the choicest and most valua-
bio momentocs Of the home life Of him
whose wise teachings both she aud her hos
band have 90 thoroughly ignored.
For long timo after tho fight of the
Lccs, General Mcdowell, though qusrtered
on tho grounds, refused to enter tho Ar.
lington House. A scrupulous respector Of
private rights, no would neither occupy, nor
allow to be occupied by his officers or men,
any portion OF tho mansion, which, in his
opinion. belonged to Gen. Lee quite Dc much
as though he stiil made his homo within its
massive walls. When the confscation act
was passed by Congress, and telegraph
operator had taken possession of one Of the
best rooms, he was still reluctant to enter
the old building, on account OF tho WASH
ingtOn memories clustering around IL, and
it was at last by force OF circumstances,
rather than his own FREQ will, that be made
II bis headquarters. For long time access
to tho uppor rooms was forbidden. and
even the cellar was not open to curious
visitors. The daubs of Mr. Gusts, nick.
named historical paintings, which 90 clearly
demonstrate that, however true q patriot
that worthy descendant Of the Washington
| family may have been, he was by no means
an artist, and which Mrs. Leo had shown
good taste in leaving behind, wore most
carefully guarded. Never did tenant use
house more gingerly. Relics of inestimable
value might have elumbered in iis upper
chambers, OF had quiet preservation In its
basement rooms, forever and aye, had none
but Gen. Mcdowell entered tho venerable
premises. ..g.s ia tfes "a.
But there latcly oamo to Washington q
curiosity hnntcr--an antiquarian. vigorous
aud insatiablc--au enthusiast 10 Washington
relics--Calob Lyon by name--be Of Lyons
dale, who. disdsining tho letters Of Mrs.
Leo. sought permission TO unveil the deepes,
recesses Of the establishment. He searched
/ .h~ hDsss f-e-~ fp~.a~ttou 10 .o-frtsop.
I Fortunate search for 10 an inner cellar he
found priceless prize. In o variety Of
household articles idontihed as belonging to
Washington; but which ono less familiar
with the history Of Mount Vernon and
Arlington would have passed by as of no
especial interest or value. e+
Among these articles src o number OF
pieces OF tho Martha Washington china.
| The centre Of each piece has the monogram
m. W." from which four golden rays di.
J verge. each point reaching 10 blue oval, In
which, 10 distinct rings, connected BY golden
links, arc written tho names of the Original
States and Kontucky, while around tho rim
tho Egyptian symbol of eternal unions
green serpent with It's tail 10 It's mouth
and q crimson ribbon bearing the legend
"Dcc.I d fatameR abiIo, exquisi,el,
painted. completes the decoration, which
for richness and appropriateness has ne, OF
boon excelled at Scvres. r.. E..
This set of porcelain was presented By
General Lafayette and his brother officers
| including Rochambeau and Count do Grasse
as fitting testimonial to the lady whose
house had been their homo while fighting
the battles OF the Revolution, and also with
the sanction and subscription of the Mayor
OF the municipality OF Paris. The SO
originally contained four hundred pieces
A plate, a saucer, or o cup, were occasion
ally presented by Mrs. Washington or Mr
Gusts az the choicest soapeair thoy c0ul,
give of the household relics of Mount Yer
non, Specimens are in possession of tn
widow Of Maj. Gen. Brown, the family o
the Alderman PotoIs, Major Popham, Calel
Lyon and others and it was from ia
miliarity with the ono given to tho lattel
gentleman somo years since by Mr.. Gusts
that he was ab!o to promptly identity tn,
remainder of tho set remaining at Ar
lington. s4s
Two Of the rich porcelain vases presented
to Washington by Mrs Waugh, and sketcheC
by Lossing 10 his mount Vernon and III
Associations those ornamented with lionl
and tigers-wcro also brought TO light b,
Mr.. Lyon. Tho one decorated with leopardl
has net been discovered, and 10 probably
Lost. The ground work of ihese vases 10 Of
the finest and rarest blue. but they ar.
somewhat broken.
II will DO remembered that the officers o!
the Revolutionary Army, belonging TO the
Society OF Cincinnati, sent TO China az
order for o thousand pieces, including break
fast. dinner and tea sets, Of the finGst India
ware, soE presentation 10 Washington. The
ornsmen,ation 10 blue and gilt, with the coal
of arms Of tho society, held by Famo, with
blue ribbon from which 10 suspended
tho eagle Of the order, with q green wreath
about It's neck, and on its breast shield
representing the inauguration Of the order
Altogether fifty pieces Of this SGT yet remain
at Arlington. moro or less perfect. The tea
table usOd by Washington and one book
also remain. General Mcdowell has ren.
dered Mr.. Lyon every facility for brushing
up those Interesting relics and expects On
order from the War Department. TO place
them in tho patent otiice or Smlthsonian
Institute They would be perfectly safe a
Arlington whilo tho General remains there
bot to guard against the carelessness oI
those who may como after him. when the
long promised advance begins, and'to crafty
the public. IL 10 doubtless wise to so dispose
Of the precious articles Cor. NJ y. EreR
Ing Post. v at'% '
TREArMRsT OF EEEMIEs There are many
!. who will endure any hardship, make an,
exsrtion. bear any sacrifice, for their friends