Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-04-19

turn from father to son, we reproduce from the
cYirginia Historical Register" the following
letter from Gen Washington. All our present
trials are there depicted as well as the sins OF
our people; the Congress of 1854 finds it's sins
and short comings, also, in this letter, and even
the'party of the States'fnds its sins photograph
ed by Genl. Washington in the figure Of the
clock:
- ORIGINAL LETTER.
From General George Washington to George
Mason Esq, Of Gaastop Hall.
rive copy the following letter from General
Washington to George Mason, ESQ.,, of Gunston
Hall, from the swHIa" of January 31st, 1862,
where it appears as taken from the Alexandra
GAZETTE, y and is introduced in these terms:--
aWe have before us" {says the Alexandiia s'Ga-
zette, ~ sin the weli-known, bold, legible, and
excellent hand writing of General Washington,
the following letter, which friend fron an ad-
joining county has been kind enough to send to
us. It is addressed to Col. Geo. Mason, and ls
very interesting for although begun only ID
answer to one asking letters OF Introduction tor
COL Mason's eldest son, whose i'll health fore,
ed him to try the climate of the South of France
vet the occasion is eeized to exhibit, In most
striking degree, the deep concer nthat ever f1il-
ed the mind of the Patriot Chief for the pub
lie welfare. Without farther preface, we ape
pend the letter." $s
CAMP AT MIDDLEBRoeK,
~ March 9th, 1915. :
DEAR sIR-By some interruption OF the last
weeks mail. your favor of the 9th did not reach
my hands till last night. Under cover of this,
Mr.. Mason, (if he should not have sailedl to
,,,l,. lu oh cf
health, will receive two letters -one of them to
the Marquis de Lafay ette, and the other to DR..
Franklin, in furnishing which am happy, as
wish TOR instances in which | can testify the
sincerity of my regard for you.
Our Oommssary of Prisoners hath been inva-
riably, and pointedly instructed to exchange
those officers first, who were first captured, as
far as rank will spply, and have every reason
to believe he has obeyed the order, as have
refused great many applications for irregular
exchanges in consequence, anfI did it because
would not depart from my principle, and
thereby incur the charge of partiality. 1t
sometimes happens, that officers later in cap
tivity than others have been exchanged before
them, but it is in cases where the ranks of the
enemy's officers in our possession do not apply
to the latter. THERE'S prospect now, think,
of general exchange taking place, which will
be very pleasing to the parties and their con-
nexions, and will be means of relieving much
distress to individuals, though it may not, cir
cumstanced as we are at this time be advantas
geous to Us, considered in national and politis
cal point Of view. Partial exchanges have, for
some time past, been discontinued by the ene-
my.
Though it is not in my power to devote much
time to private correspondence, owing to the
multiplicity of public letters (snd other busi-
ness) have to read, write and transact, yet |
can with great truth assure you, that it would
afford me very singular pleasure to be favored,
at all times, with your sentiments in q leisure
hour, upon public matters Of general concern
ment, as we'll as these which more immed lately
respect your own State, lif proper conyeyances
would render prudent free communication. J.
am particularly desirous of it, at this time, be-
cause view things very differently, fear, from
what people in general do, who seem to think
that the contest is at an end, and to make mon
ey, and to get places, the Only thing now re-
manning to do. | have seen without despon-
dency, (even for moment,) the hours which
America has styled her gloomy ones-but have
beheld no day since the commencement of hos
tilities, that have theughther liberties in such
imminent danger as at the present. Friends
and foes seem now to combine to pull down the
goodly fabric we have hitherto been raising at
the expense of go much time, blood and treasure
and unless the bodies polite will exert them
selves to bring things back to first principles.
correct abuses, and punish our internal foes,in-
evitable rain must follow. Indeed, we seem to
be verging 80 fast to destruction, that am flu
ed with sensations to which, have been stran-
ger, till within these three months. Our ene-
my behold with exultation and joy, how effect
ually we labor for their benefit, and from being
- 49, .1,.Aa fhn asuf
of evacuating America, are now on tiptoe.-
Nothing, therefore, in my judgment, can save
us, but a total reformation in our conducts or
some decisive turn of affairs in Europe. The
former, alas! to our shame be it spoken is
less likely to happen than the atter,as 1t is now
consistent with the views of spoculators-var>
ous tribes of money>makers-and stock jobbegs
of all denominations, to continue the war for
their own private emolument, without consider.
ing that their avarice and thirst for gain must
plunge everything Gncluding themselves) in one
comm On ruin.
We're to indulge my present feelings, and
give loose to that freedom of expression which
my unreserved friendship for you would prompt
me to, / should say great deal on this subject.
But letters are liable to so many accidents, anc
the sentiments of men in Office, sought after by
the enemy with 90 much svidity, and besides
conveying useful knowledge, IF they get into
their hands, for the superstructure of their
plans, are often perverted to the worst of pur-
poses, that shall be somewhat reserved, not
withstanding this letter goes by private hsnd
TO Mount Vernon. | cannot refrain lamenting,
however, in the most poignant terms, the fatal
olicT too prevalent in most OF the States, of
employing their stlest men at home in posts of
honor or profit, till the great national interests
are fixed upon solid basis. To me it appears
no unjust simile to compare the affairs OF this
great continent to the mechanism of clock,
each State representing some one or other OF the
smaller parts of it, which they are endeavoEing
to put in fine order, without considering 3bw
useless and unavailing their labor, unless the
great wheel or spring which is to set the whole
in motion. is also well attended to and kept in
order. I allude to no particular State, nor do
mean to cast reflections upon any one of them
nor ought I, it may be said, to do so upon
their representatives; but as it Is fact too no.
tor;ous to be concealed, that c. is rent by
party--that much business OF tritiing nature
and persopal concernment wlthdraWs their at.
tention from matters of great national moment
at this critical period-when it is also known
that idleness and dissipation take the place Of
close attention and application, no man who
wishes we'll to the liberties OF his country, and
desires to see his rights established, can avoid
CRYING out Where are our men OF ability e.
Why do they not come forth to save their coun'
try Let this voice, my dear sir, call upon you
Jefferson and others. Do not--trom q mistakeI
opinion, that we are about to sit down under
our own vine and our own fig tree-let our hith
erto noble struggle end in ignominy. Believe
me when tell you there is Ganger of it.
have nrettv GOOD reasons for thinking. that ad,