Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-10-29
G:ergc Washingten's Election
and How He Received tIse
News

Nt VS.
On Tuesday morning. the 18th of
April, 1888. venerable old ge..tle
men with fine eyes, an amiable couu-
tenance, aud long, white locks rode
into the lawn on Mount Vernon,
coming from Alexandra A gen
tlemah from the latter town accom-
panied hm. 1t WAS between 10 and
IL o'clock. a negro man saieu
out to take the nags, and the old gen
tieman entering the mansion was re
ceived by Mrs. Washington
''Wh:, Mr.. Thompson" said the
good lady, where are you from,
and how are your people"
From New York, madam" am
sw wered the Cd man. Il come to
Mount Vernon upon an erraud-for
the country. at least. The General
has been elected President of the
United States under the new con>t
tuition. and | am the bearer of tie
happy tidings in letter from John
Langdou, President of the Sem
ate"
The General was out visiting his
farm. however. and the guests we're
entertained for two or three hours as
We take care of visitors in the coun-
try row days. A glass of the Gem
erals favorite Madeira, imported in
the cask, was probably not the worst
provision made for them, and the
cheerful gossip of Mrs. Washington,
who had known Dir Thompson and
visited his house in Philadelphia,
helped to enllven the time. This
grave and respectful old man was the
link between the two magistrates at
Mount Vernon. Charles Thompson
had been the secretary through all
its eventful career of the Continental
Congress. which had directed the
cause of the colonies from deSultOry
revolt to independence ard to union.
and now he had Ridden over the
long and difficult roads to apprise
the first President of the Republic of
the wishes of his cUuntrymen. At |
O'Clock General Washington rode in
to the lawn at Mount Vernon, in ap-
pearance what Cuatis, his adopted
son, has described him: An old
gentleman riding alone. i'll plain drab
clothes, a broad brimmud white lat.
hickory switch in his hand, and
carrying an umbrella with a long
staff, which is attached to has saddles
bow. The umbrella WAS used TO snel.
ter him from the sun, for his skin Was
tender and easily affected by its rays.
Washington greeted Mr.. ThompsOn
with grave cordialisy. as was his
wont. inquiring for his family, ana
dieining already the object OF ms vis-
it, broke the seal of John Lanedon's
official letter. DinneI followed. aud
while the visitors retired to converse
or stroll about the grounds the Pres
ldent eject wrote letter to the Pres
Ident of the Senate, and sent 1t forth
with to the post-Office at Alexandria
by servant. The letter was as fol
OwS:
MOUNT VERNON, 18th. 1888.
"Sir,-I had the honor TO receive
your official communication by the
hand OF Mr.. Secretary Thompson
about O'Clock this day. Having
concluded 10 obey the important and
flattering call of my country. and
having been impre >sed with the ide
of the expediency of my being with
Congress at as early period as pos
sble, L propose to commence my
journey OH Thursday Morning, which
will be the day afte7 morrow"
This done the rest of the day pas
sed in conferences between Wash
ington and his %ife in the prepara-
tion of his baggage for the not unex-
pected journey, while. meantime. the
distinguished gust was amused by
the young official household in the Ii
bfary and grounds.
There was another female dear 10
the newly-elected president, and he
kept her in filial remembrance at
the very moment of his great promo
tion. 1t was growing late in the eve
ming of the day on which our story |
opens when Washington mounted his |
horse, and. followed by his man BIZ
ly, rode off into the woods of Virgin
ia 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
Zee his old mother, now eighty 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
possibilities of bis Office unit he
should receive her blessing. Few
candidates for the Presidency in our
day would leave a warm mansion.
filled with congratulating friends. to
ride all night through the chilly |
April mists to say adieu to a very old
woman. But thus piously the adj
nnimistration of Washington began
He passed old Pohick church, of |
which he was yestryman, soon to