The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-10-25
M i s. @ eIIaneou us
How He Received the News.

On Tuesday morning, the 18th of April
1889, venerable old gentleman, with fine
eyes, an amiable countcnace, and long,
white locks, rode into the lawn of Mount
Vernon, coming from Alexandria. The
gentlemen of the latter town accompanied
him. 1t was between 10 and II o'clock.
A negro man sailed out to take the nags,
and the old gentleman, entering the man
sion, was received by Mrs. Washington.
"Why, Mr.. Thompson" said the good
lady, "where are you from, and how are
your people q
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 Pres
ident of the United States under the new
Constitution, and l am the bearer of the
happy tidings in letter from John Lang
don, President of the Senate"
The General was out visiting on his
farm however, the guests were entertain
ed for two or three hours, as we take care
of our visitors in the country now-a days.
A glass of tue Generals favorite Madeira,
imported in the cask, was not the worst
provision made for them, and the cheerful
gossip of Mrs. Washington, who had
known Mr.. Thompson and visited his house
in Philadelphia, helped to enliven the time.
This grave and respectable 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 eventful
career of the Continental Congress, which
had directed the cause of the Colonies from
dcsultory revolt to independence and 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 countrymen. At one o'clock General
Washington rode into the lawn of Mount
Vernon, in appearance what Gusts, his adj
opted son, has described An old gentle
man, riding alone, in plain drab clothes, q
broad-b rimmed white hat, 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. Washing
ton greeted Mr.. Thompson with grave cor
Giality, as was his wont, inquiring for his
family, and, divining already the object of
his visit, broke the seal of John Langdon's
official letter. Dinner followed, and while
the visitors retired to converse or stroll
about the grounds, tie Pfesident-elect
wrote II letter to the President of the Sen.
ate, and sent it forthwith to the postoffice
at Alexandria by servant The letter
was as follows:
mount VERNON, 14th April, 1889.
"SIR-I had the honor to receive your
official communication, by the hand ofM
Secretary Thompson, about o'clock this
day. Having concluded to obey the i'm
portant and tlattering call of my country,
and having been impressed with the idea
of the expediencY of my being with Con-
gress at as early period as possible, 1 pro-
pose to commence my journey on Thurs
day morning, which will be the day after
tomorrow"
This done, the rest Of the day passed in
conference 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 IL
brary and grounds. There was another
female dear to the newly-elected President,
and he kept her filial remembrance at the
very moment of his greatest promotion. 1t
was growing late in the evening of the day
on which our chapter opens when Wash
ington mouted his horse, and, followed by
his man Billy, rode into the woods of Vir-
ginia with speed. His destination was
Fredericksburg, nearly forty miles away,
with two ferries between one at the Oc-
coquan, the other at the Rappahannock
His purpose was to see his old mother, now
about so years of age, and drawing near
the grave. 1t had been long since lie had
visited her, but he could not feel equal to
the responsibilities of his great office until
he should receive her blessing. Few can
didates 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 very old woman. But thus piously
the administration of Washington began.
He passed old Pohick Church, of which he
was vestryman-soon to tumble to ruins
crossed the roaring Occoquan, and by
its deep and and picturesque gorge, where
passed the waters of the future bloody
Bull Run, and by night he saw the old
churches of Acquia and Potomac rise
against the sky he saw the decaying sea-
port of Dumfries In the morning he was
at fredericksburg, and his mother was in
his arms. Marches, perils, victories, hon
ors, power, surrendered to that look OF