Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-09-21

"STRATFoRD," Wcstmorcland county, Va,
Il Correspondence OF the Petersburg Index, |
-IlAGUE, Va, August 29-The extensive
.caie upon which the old colonial Cdltices were
constructed, by greatly increasing the cost Of
preserving them in state OF repair, seems IN
these times of poverty 10 threaten as general
a ruin upon the cherished homes OF our anccS-
tors as that which has Overtaken their yet
more cherished political Institutions. This re
Election increased our natural desire TO see an
old mansion of historic interest, and led Us, IN
COMPANY with nearly a score OF ladies' and gentle,
men, among whom were several from your City,t
brave the sun on August 20, over fourteen
miles OF sandy road, to visit Strattord, on the
Potomac river, four miles from Westmorcland
courthouse. 1t was midday when we behcld
the towering grove OF sugar maple trees, which
betOkened our proximity to the object OF our
search. In a few minutes more we halted be-
fore the door of the venerable mansion, and
were courteouSly conducted up the massive
stone steps TO the platform OF the same heavy
material, from which a wide door admitted US
into the airy and spacious hall. Here the carved
wainScOta and other devices upon tho wall added
a vet more vivid impression to the sense OF the
antiquity of the place, which we had received
from hurried notice OF tho massive walls
around the garden, the enormous prleA Staoie'
and other buildings, as we.approached the mouse.
The formation of the main building Is pecu'
liar, there being, as it were, two houses
.;xtv feet in length and bTty IN with
noroIIel 70 each other and connected by
n central building thirty feet square, OF
which the hall, which we enter from the front,
forms The chief apartment. Opposite doors IN
the hall omen upon passages which divide the
.ilo hnilllngs, and terminate upon their slces
in ont doors, with balconies In front and stair
eases to the ground. There are nineteen rooms
IN the house, which, for the most part, are
very lsrge. Two groups OF four chlmneys each
ascend from the centre Of the main buildings.
Roilinps connect these chimneyS on the top OIL
the houses, thus forming two separate obserVa-
tories for fair weather. The aroorS aud par
terrcs of flowers, which beautlhed the yard IN
other days are not to be seen now thOugh
ornaments of another species remain IN the
stately and wide. spreading beech ana Engnsh
hickory trees, which afford most inviting
sbodr The exact date OF the building OF
Strattord is not known to the writer 1t was
early. however, in the lifetime OF Thomas Lee,
President of the Council, who died about the
middle of the last century, at the moment
whom he had been commissioned as Governor
ot the colony. The office OF Richard Henry
Lee. tie distinguished son OF the protector oil
StrotIorl. is still 10 be seen in the yard here
Here doubtless, we're moulded many OF those
elooucnt thoughts which secured for him the
title of the Cicero of America. and when
c,leA forth from Lord Chatham the memora-
bile encomium upon the papers OF which Lee
and Jay we're the authors: Il have reau
Thucv,ides and admired the master statesmen
of the earth and must say that none nave sur
passed ,he men assembled In Phliadeiphla IN
soldity of rcasoniuE, force or Sagaclty, ana WIS,
Supb cOmDlpltlOn
circumstances" Strattord was also the birth
place Of Francis LghttoOt Lee, who, with his
brother Richard Henry, was Slgner oi the
Declaration of independence. Arthur, the
Youngest of the illuStriOus family, was horn
here also in the year lIi0. lie has been
STYLED "thc scholar, the writer, the phloso-
nber and uccotiator." His career as student at
tdon where he received diploma, and at f.dln-
burph. where he gained a medal; as success
fullswvcr afterwards In London; as the agent U,
Noss.cbusctts: as Commissioner at the cour''o "
Eoyl,,a France, Spain, and RusSi3' as ln1Iilai'
associate of Sir William Jones, ana c0rrcspoutu
ont with Burke, WyndSam, C0l. barrc, tr'
Earlol l.ansdownc, the Duke de hocue.oueaIL'u
the Baran dc Brevetil, ana 0ther uiStus -,
-, oborocters. both in England and on IN
W,n,'nout NOT 10 mention his varied and im
nortant rublic services at home, invests MS MS
his older brothers Juuius wrote OF MN Us
man Of abilities" and paper IRON ms Pc
was for a long time attributed to that ol .n
eloquent Chatham. Passing over less inp't
tant characters associated with the history
Strattord, we next notice the family VINO nav
added lustre to the military annals OF inc cout
try as their cousins had done to the depar
ments of literature and craftsmanship. Stra
ford was the home OF Henry Lee, whose achlev'
ments during the war OF l776 gave such ceIet
ritv 10 Lees Legion" General Green wrot
70 him, II believe that few officers, either
Europe or America, are held in so high poll
Of estimation as you are aud Washiugtc
wroto him letter abouuding in expressions
Live and thanks" 1t was while member
ConVress in 1869, that he INTRODUCED series
rssoIntiops upon the occasion OF Washington
Scatb. in which occurs the famous eulogIu1
SF;rst in war, first in peace, and hrst m L
hearts of his countrymen. his pubic ssrl
n.s onart from brilliant military career and
var;ra fortunes Of his later years, form E 81
irct Of great interest, and We hail with ueiie M :
,6o G announcement Ar that his Memoirs 3, OF IT.