The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-07
KOSOIUSZKO.
Discovery OF HIS wan at AIbsu

Oisc0Very OF Ah Will AT Albemarlo.
The University Magazine says:-The In closed
paper is a copy of the will of General Thadd Gus
Kosciuszko, which for nearly half q century has
been lying buried and forgotten in the Clerks
Office In the Circuit Court of Albemarle. 1t was
admitted to record on the 18th day of May, 1919.
was then a Deputy Clerk, and the order Of
court (admitting IL to record) and the indorse-
ments are all in my handwriting. The scenes
and facts connected with this transaction are
vividly impressed upon my memory. The Cir
cult Court Of Albemarle, Judge Archibald
Stuart Gather of the Hon. Alexander
II. H. stuarQ presiding, was then in
session. An illustrious man-then, as at all
times, the observed of all observers, walked into
court. The Judge, on perceiving that Thomas
Jefferson stately and erect, was standing before
him, bowed and invited him TO take seat on
the bench. To this Mr.. Jefferson replied: -"As
soon as your Honor shall have leisure to attend
to me, have matter Of business which 1 wish
sent of the parties concerned, further proceed
ings the matter then before the court were sus-
pended, till Mr.Jeherson could be heard. He took
from his pocket paper which he said was tue
will OF his friend General Thaddeus Kosciuszko;
that the will was written entirely in the hand
writing of the testator; he was well acquainted
with his handwriting aud could testify on oath
to the facts which he stated. The usual oath
was then administered by the clerk the ncces-
sary interrogatories formally put, atirmatively
answered. and the will was, by order OF Court,
admitted to record.
Mr.. Jefferson then stated that at his advanced
age, 1t was not in his power to undertake the
Dur0en OF t0e execution OF tne VIII, ana tlere-
upon declined to qualify as executor.
The services of KosclusZko to thebAmerican
cause in our revolutionary struggle, his subse-
quent career in endeayoring to give freedom
and independence to his own country, his final
overthrow at MaciejQwice, and the prophetic
lament which he uttered when falling from his
horse covered with wounds: Ftnas POlOn3@-are
facts well known to history, but nothing exhibits
more graphically or beautifully the character of
the man than the short and simple paper which
l send u-disnterestedness, universal philan-
tbropy, and a heart bursting with desire for
liberty, freedom, and happiness to all mankind
are pictured as in mirror. Well did the poet
say
"And Freedom shrieked when KoscIuszko fell"
WIN. WERTENBAKER.
University of Virginia. June 10, 1868.
TIE WILL.
l. Thaddeus Kosciuszko, being lust in my
departure from America, do hereby declare and
direct that should make no other testamentary
disposition of my property in the United States,
hereby authorize my friend Thomas JiJersOn
to employ the whole thereof IN purchasing
negroes from among his oRR or any Others, aud
giving them liberty in my name, in giving them
en- education in trades or otherwise and in
having them instructed for their ne condition
in the duties of morality which may make them
good neighbors, good fathers or nIodcrS, hus-
bands or Uiues, and In their duties citizens
teaching them to be defenders of their liberty
and country, and of the good order of society,
and in whatsoever may make them happy and
useful and make the said Thomas Jefferson
my executor of this.
9th day of May, 1898. T. KosCIUszKo.
At Circuit Court held for Albemarle county,
the 18th day of May, 1919.
This instrument of writing, purportiug to be
the last will and testament OF Thaddeus Koc-
ciuszko, deceased, was produced into court and
satisfactory proof produced of its being entirely
written by the said Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the
same is ordered to be recorded, and thereupon,
Thomas Jefferson, the executor therein nam ed,
refused to take upon himself the burthen of the
execution OF the said willie. Teste.
JOHN CARR, G. G.