Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-21
"REMINISCENCES AND RAMBLES
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA.

WASHINGTON AND THE ALEXANDRIA PEOPLE.
Washington was exceedingly attached to
Alexandra and its people. Throughout all his
public career be always came back here IN the
ipterva Is Of respite from public tolls with the
greatest delight; and IN his letters was always
looking forward to the time when his happiness
would be complete 10 his becoming permanent.
ly located at Mt. Vernon, among his "old
neighbors, as he was wont to call the people
of Alexandria. In 1871, on the occasion of the
capture of Cornwallis, the citizens Of Alex
and in his reply to VIM" Ramsay, Wm. Rum.
ney, John Fitzgerald, Robt. F. Hooe and
Others inhabitants of Alexandria, 10 letter
dated Alexandria, Goth November, 1881, he
says: ''ro make peaceful return to this
agreeable society of my'fellow- citizens is among
the most ardent of my wishes, and would prove
my greatest comfort for all the tolls aud Vlcls-
STUDIES which have exp; ri.nced during my
Absence Again. 10 March, 1897 when about
to retire into private life, in answer to another
letter from his neighbors, he replies: ''To
the citizens of Alexandria and its neighbor
hood" expressing ':the pleasure shall derive
from the prospect of spending the remainder
OF my days in case and tranquility among you. .
THE ALEXANDRIANs FEDERAL TO MAN.
When the news reached the city that the
reuu site Dine States had acceded to the Federal
Constitution, the people Of Alexandria imme-
diatey ordered festival, and Washington,
after attending it, takes up bis pen aud ad
dresses his friend, Chas. Calesworth Pinckuey,
under date Mt Vernon, 18th June, 1888, 10
which he says:
No sooner had the citizens of Alexandria,
who are Federal to a man, received the inlelll-
gcnce by the mail last uight, than they deter
mined to devote this day to festivity. But their
exhilaratiou was greatly Increased and much
keeuer zrst given to their enjoyment by the
arrival of an express, two hours before day,
with the news that the Convention Of New
HAMPSHIRE had on the 2lst instant acceded to
the New Coutederacy by majority of eleven
yoices--that is to say, 81 to Is.
'Thus the citzeus of Alexandria, when con-
yeued constituted the first public assembly in
Amcrica who had the pleasure OF pouring
libation to the prosperity of the ten States
which had already adopted the General Gov
erumeut;' aud; after Specializing upon the
course of the remaining States, he adds "
have lust returned in assisting al the enter
taiuneut" They had dinner at the City
Hotel, of which Gadsby, the father OF the
Washington Gadsby, was landlord.
BRADDocK, WASHINGTON, AND THE FIVE
GOVERNORS.
Itisa familiar history that Washington's
first military expedition was as a lieutenant
coloue Of regiment OF SIX companles-5OO
soldies-agaiust the French and Indians on
Wills Creek, or Cumberland river, as it was af-
terwards named. He left Alexandria with two
companies, $50 men, 10 March. 1854, and Col.
Fry, with the other companies were conveyed
up the Potomac with the artillery. Washing
ton refused the command of the regiment. he
was then but % years old,
Washington's first achievement ln public
capacity was with the Ohio country, to couclll-
ate the Indians 10 1853, when twenty one years
old; aud the next year be went back as second
in command of regiment Of six companies,
three huadred men, With the design OF estab-
lisbiug the authority of the English 10 that
country. He marched with two companies
FROM Alexandria 10 March, 1854; Colonel Fry,
with the remaining companies and artillery,
going up the Potomac. The expedition was not
successful, and iu the next year was organized
ment, determined to drive out the French, sent
over two prime regiments, five hundred men
each. iu the two ships-o of war, uuder Commo-
dore Keppel, and several transports. These
ships with the troops arrived at Alexandria
early 10 1885, and here the military and naval
commanders met the Governors in the famous
council. Their ject was to concert plan OF
military operations Governor DiDwiddie, OF
Virginia; Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts;
Lieut. Governor Delaney, of New York; Lieut..
Governor Sharpe, OF Maryland, and Lieut..
Governor Morris, of Pennsylvania, were the
gubernatorial dgnitaries. Washington was
summoned from Mt. Vernon, and presented to
them with great formality. He made great
and miud, upon them. Shirley characterized
him as the model of gentleman and states
man. He was himself a statesman aud a
gentleman Bred to the law, he bad risen
to emineace by merit. His son was military
secretary to Braddock. The grand council
was held on the l4th of April, 1854, in
what was afterwards known as
THE OLD STONE MANSION,
and which is still staudiug in 6ne state of
preservation. 1t was built of sand stone i'm
ported from England, and upon the keystone
of the arch above the front entrance we're carv-
ed ~. S. C. 1852 }. S. Carlile, 1852. That
stone, with its inscription is still to be seen set
iu the wall of the mansion. The exterior OF
the structure has been in some respects chang
ed, but the spacious drawing room, with Its
Eugsh style of carved 6pish, is still preserved
iu its exact original condition. 1t Is from this
building that the Mansion House Hotel took
its name. This is the best hotel edlhce, per
haps, 10 the original limits Of the District The
main structure was built for the use OF the old
Bank of Alexandria. which exploded 10 the
tune of the general crash 10 General jackson
day. Subsequently it was used for postofhce
aud was finally svld by the United States au-
thorities to James Green, ESQ.,, who still owns
it, in 1913. Mr.. Green afterwards added to
the premises by purchasing the stone mansion
and lot adjoining, aud connecting the two struc.
lures by an immense intervening building tor
establishment was furnished in 4 most superb
manner from top to bottom, every foot OF the
floors and staircases being covered with carpet,
aod much of the furniture was very elegant.
Ia the early months of the war he was mott
fed on Saturday to clear his house and give
itup for hospital purposes on the succeeding
Monday. Every team 10 the town and all the
men fl for such work we're at work all Sunday,