The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-06-11

ments (l74o-5N, shin-buildinn and fisheries
nao declined and people were moving
away, but business revived under the
stimulus Of specie. and the Colony grew
more prosperous daily. In 17l2. South Caro-
lima issued paper promises 20 pav--a war
beng the cause-and the bills fell one-thir.l
the hrst year, and half the second and
sank steadily lower. Prof. sumner. 81 Yale.
groups some fresh facts around Continental
currency. When it was proposed "a issue
the notes, Peletiah Webster argued in favor
Of taxation. About 1850 the bills ceased
to circulate, and BARRIERS shop in PhiladeI-
phia was papered with them. A dog coated
with tar, in which numbers of notes were
stuck, was paraded through the streets. As
soon as this currency was fairly out OF the
way, specie began 20 circulate, thus Illus
trating the truth that specie viii inevitably
flow into a country unless il is kept out by
the use of a bad currency. These are facts
which bear on the great question Of the day.
a Hundred Years Ago-A Pleasant Chat
with = Grand-Nephevv o. Gen. George
Warrington - Interesting Autograph
-The very clothes re wore sIill Pre-.
served.
Last Sunday, the thirty-iirst May, we had
the pleasure of forming the acquaintance
of DR.. Lawrence A. Washington and family.
DIR. Washington is the nearest living kin TO
Gen. George Washington. His grandfather,
Samuel Washington, was George Washing
tons brother, which, OF course, makes the
doctor the Generals granddaughter.
George Washington was the guardian Of
DR.. Lawrence A. Washington's father when
he was boy, and raised him in his own
family.
DR.. Lawrence A. Washington was born in
Winchester, Virginia, but moved to Texas
some twonty-eight years ago. Before the
war he owned a valuable plantation, in Col
orado county, and a good many negroes,
but lost large portion of his property dur
ing the struggle for Southern independence,
OF which he was warm supporter. After
the declaration of peace, he decided TO
leave the State and make home in Cali
fornia, and started North, but got no fur
ther on his journey than Kansas, where he
remained until few months since, when he
returned to Texas and located in Denison.
DR.. Washingtons family consists of three
sons and three daughters, two of the latter
are married. All the children are in Texas,
and the daughters are residents of Denison
We should judge DR.. Washington to be
about sixty years of age, strong and vigor-
Gus, scarcely above his prime, apparently.
During our short visit the Doctor showed
US various interesting relics of the past
but, to us, the most valuable of them all are
several original letters, written by George
Washington TO his brother Samuel, bearing
dates extending over the eventful period
embraced between the years 1870 and 1880.
These confidential letters contain much val
liable information regarding the country
during the most exciting period of the revo-
luton, and have never been published.
Appearing, as they do, over General Wash
ington's own signature, they derive an i'm
portance that no other authority could give
them.
We also bad an opportunity of inspect
ing suit of clothes worn by General Wash
ingtOn not long before his Inauguration as
President Of the United States. The salt
consists of coat, waiscoat and pants,
made of repp silk of a dark brown color,
and shows long service. The style is very
peculiar, such as is shown in prints repre-
senting the costumes Of hundred wears
ago. The long-tailed coat, the. vest reach
ing half way to the knees, with huge
pockets, and pants cut off at the knees and
ending with massive buckles, would look
extremely odd these days.
1t will be a long time before we shall for
get our very pleasant visit to DR.. Washing
ton; and those letters that the signature of
George Washington has made sacred, and
those clothes, in which, perchance, he was
habilitated at the very time he indicted
them to an affectionate brother, made a
vivid impression upon our mind that time
can never etface.-DenisOR Nelos.