Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-19
GEO. WASHINGTON,S ELECTION.


anu AOH ne keeeaVeu the news.
[eeOrge Alfred Townsend in Chicago Tribune.J
Ona Tuesday morning, the 14th Of April,
1850, venerable old gentlemen, with tine
eyes, an amiable countenanee, and long,
white locks, rode into the lawn on Mount
Vernon, coming from Alexandra. The
gentlemen Of 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. Washington.
"Why, Mr.. Thompson" said the good
lady, "Where are you from, and how are
your peOple?" @
"From New York, madame" answered
the old man. 81 come to Mount Vernon
upon a good errand-for the country, at
least. The general has been elected Presi-
dent of the United States under the new
constitution, and am the bearer Of the
happy tidings In letter from John Lang
don, President of the Senate.o
The General was out visiting his farm,
however, and the guests were entertained
for two or three hours as we take care of
visitors in the country nowadays. A glass
of the Generals favorite Madeira, import
ported in the cask, was probably not the
worst provision made for them, and the
cheerful gossip of Mrs. Washington, who
had known Mr.. Thompson and visited bis
house in Philadelphia, helped to eniiven the
time. This grave and respectful old man
was the link between the new government
at New York and the new magistrate
at Mount Vernon. Charles Thompson
had been the Secretary through all its event
full career, Of the Continental Congress
which had directed the cause of the colo
MES from desultOry revolt to Independence
and 10 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 cOuntTymen. At l O'Clock Gen.
Washington rode into the lawn at Mount
Vernon, in appearance what Gusts, his
adopted son, has described: An old gentle
man, riding alone, in plain drab clothes, a
broad brimmed white hat, a hickory switch
in his hand, and carrying an umbrella
with a long staff, which is attached
to his saddle bow. The umbrella
was used to shelter him from the sun, for
his skin was tender, and easily affected by
its rays. Washington greeted Mr.. Thomp-
son with grave cordially, as was his wont,
inquiring for his family, and diyining al
ready the object of his visit, broke the seal
of John Langdon's official letter. Dinner
followed, and while the visitors retired 10
converse or stroll about the grounds, the
President-elect wrote a letter 10 the Presi-
dent of the Senate, and sent it forthwith to
the postOfice at Alexandria by servant.
The letter was as follows:
MOUNT VERNON, 14th April, 1TS9.-Sir:
l had the honor to receive your official com
municatiOn, by the hand of Mr.. Secretary
fTbOrnrrOr, abort I - l.
ing concluded to obey the important and
hattering call of my country, and having
been impressed with the idea of the expedi-
ency OF my being with Congress at AS early
a period as possible, propose to commence
my journey on Thursday morning, which
will be the day after tomorrow.
This done, the rest Of the day passed in
conferences between Washington and his
wife, in the preparation of his baggage for
the not unexpected journey, while, mean
time, the distinguished guest was amused
by the young official household in the libra
~ and grounds. There was another female
dear to the newly elected President, and he
kept her in flial remembrance at che very
moment Of his greatest promotion. It was
growing late in the evening of the day On
which our chapter opens, when Washing
ton 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 about so years of
age and drawing near the grave. It had
been long since he had visited her, but be
could not feel equal to the responsibilities
Of his great Office until he should receive
her blessing. Few candidates for the pres
idency 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 very old woman.
But thus piously the administration of
Washington began. He passed old
POhick church, Of which he was a
yestryman-soon to tumble to rufns-
crossed the roaring Occoquan, and by its
deep and picturesque gorge, where passed
the waters Of tho future bloody Bull Run,
and by night he saw the old churches of
Acquia and Potomac rise against the sky;
he saw the decaying seaport Of Dumfries.
In the morning he was at Fredericksburg,
and his mother was in bis arms. Marches,
perils, victories, honors, power, surrendered
to that look of helpless love, too deep for
pride to show through its tears, and the
president of the new State was to her
a born babe again, no Gearer,
no greater. He was just in time, for she
had but the short season of summer to live,
and, like many dying mothers, life seemed
upheld, at fOur-scOre and five, by waiting
love till he should come. History is cere-
mOnious as to what passed between them,
but the parting was solemn and touching,
Ike the event. "YOu will see me no more"
she said; "my great age and disease warn
me that shall not be long In this world.
But go, George, to fulfil tie destiny which
Heaven appears to assign you. Go, my
son, and may Heavens and your mothers
blessing be with you always
Passing nom that dear pathetic presence
the president elect perhaps, did not hear
the plaudits Of the people In the streets Of
Fredericksburg. He rode all day by the
road he had come, and reached Mount Yer
ron before evening, having exhibited his
power Of endurance at the age Of 81, by rid
ing eighty miles in 81 hours. His good
wife had made all ready; the equipage and
baggage were at the door next morning,
and leaving Mrs. Washington and most Of
the household behind, he set out for New
York at 10 O'Clock on Thursday, the 10Th
of April, accompanied by Thompson and
Humphreys, The new state was waiting
anXiOusly for its MAGISTRATE.