The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-10-03
George A. Townsend in Chicago Tribune.l Il
GEORGE WASHIEGTON'S ELECTION AND
HOW HE RECEIVED THE NEWS.

On tuesday morning. the 18th Of April,
l709, venerable old gentleman, with fine eyes,
an amiable countenance, and long white locks,
rode into the lawn on Mount Vernon, coming
from Alexandria. Two gentlemen from the
latter town accompanied him. 1t was between
10 and IL o'clock. A negro man sailed out to
take the nags, and the old gentleman, entering
the mansion. was received BY Mrs: w Washington,j
"Why, Mr.. Thompson" said the good lady,
"Where are you from and how are your peo-
ple?" =
"From New York, madam" answered the
old man. II come to Mount Vernon upon an
errand-fOr the country, at least. The Gen.
eral has been elected President of the United
States under the new Constitution, and lam
the bearer of the happy tidings in a letter from
John Langdon, President of the Senate
The General was out visiting his farm, how,
ever, and the guests were entertained for two
or three hours as we take care of visitors in
the country nowadays A glass of the Gener-
ais favorite Madeair, imported in the cask,
was probably not the worst provision made for
them, and the cheerful gossip of Mrs. Wash
ington, who had known Mr. Thompson and Wis.,
tied his house in Philadelphia, helped to enliven
the time This grave and respectful old man
was the link between the new magistrate at
Mount Vernon. Charles Thompson had been
the Secretary through all its eventful career,
of the Continental Congress which had direct
ed the cause of colonies from desultOry revolt
to independence and to union. and now he had
ridden over the long and difficult roads to ap-
prise the first President of the Republic of the
wishes of his countrymen. At l o'clock Gen.
Washington rode into the lawn at Mount Ver-
non, in appearance what Gusts, his adopted
son, has described him: An old gentleman rid
ing alone, in plain drab clothes a broad brim-
med white hat, hickory switch in his hand.
and carrying an umbrella with long staff,
which is attached to his saddle bow. The um-
brella was used to shelter him from the sun,
for his skin was tender and easily affected by
its rays Washington greeted Mr.. Thompson
with grave cordiallty, as was his wont, inquir-
ing for his family, and divining already the OBJ
ject of his visit, broke the seal of John Lang
dOn's official letter Dinner followed, and
while the visitors retired to converse or stroll
about the grounds, the President elect wrote
letter to the President of the Senate, and sent
it forthwith to the postoffice at Alexandria by
a servant. The letter was as follows:
MOUNT VERNON, 14th, 1889.
Sir: had the honor to receive your official
communication, by the hand Of Mr.. Secretary
Thompson, about / o'clock this day. Having
concluded to obey the important and fattering
call of my country. and having been impressed
with the idea of the expediency of my being
with Congress at as early period as possible,
1 propose to commence my journey on Thurs
day morning, which will be the day after to-
This done, the rest of the day passed in con-
ferences between Washington and his wife, in
the preparation of his baggage for the not un-
Journey, while, meantime, the dis
tinguished guest was amused by the young Of
fetal household in the library and grounds.
There was another female dear to the newly
elected President, and he kept her in fhal re-
membrance at the 7ery moment OF his greatest
promotion. 1t was growing late in the even
ing of the day in which our story opens, when
Washington mounted his horse and, followed.
by his man Billy, rode off into the woods OF
Virginia with speed. His destination was
Fredericksburg. nearly forty miles away, with
two ferries between-one at the OccOquan,
the other at the Rappahannock. His purpose
was to see his old mother, now 80 years OF age
and drawing near the grave. 1t had been long
since he had visited her, but he could not feel
equal to the responsibilities of his Office until
he should receive her blessing Few candi-
dates for the Presidency in our day would
leave warm mansion, filled with congratu.
|ating friends, to ride all night through the
chilly April mists, to say adieu to very old
woman. But thus piousiy the administration
Of Washington began. He passed old Pohick
church, of which he was yestryman-soon to
tumble to ruins-crossed the roaring Occoquan,
and by its deep and picturesque gorge. wnere
the waters of the future Bull Run, and by
night he saw the churches of Aqua and Po-
tomac rise against the sky, he saw the decay
ing seaport of Dumfries. In the morning ne
was at Fredericksburg, and his mother was IN
his arms. Marches, perils, victories, honors,
power, surrendered to that look OF helpless
owe. too deep for pride to show through its
tears. and the President of the new State was
10 her new born babe ngain, no dearer, no
greater. He was just in time, for she had but
the short season of summer to live, and, like
nany dying mothers, life seemed upheld, at
and FIVE, by waiting love till he should
come. History is ceremoniOus as to what
passed between them; but the parting was
solemn and touching, like the event. lou
will see me no more," she said; my great
ZOE and disease warn me that l shall not be
ong in this world. But go, George. to fulfill
The destiny which Heaven appears to assign
vou. Go, my son, and may Heavens and your
mothers blessing be with you always"
Passing from that dear pathetic presence
the President elect, perhaps, did not hear the
plaudts Of the people in the streets Of Fred
sricksburg. He rode all day by the road ne
had come. and reached Mount Vernon before !
evening, having exhibited his pswSr Of end1r-
ance at the age Of 81, by riding easnty msss s
in "a hours. His good wife had made aI lsaay;
The eauipages were at the door next morning anu
leaving M Mrs washington and most Of the
behind, he set out for New York az
10 o'clock on Thursday, the 10th Of April, @ nc
by Thompson and Humpnrles. I've