Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-17
FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Among the numerous visitors who were at
tracted TO Leesburg on the occasion of the
grand temperance celebration, on Wednesday
last, was MIR. j. L. Tustin, of Washington
CITY, son of the late Rev. Septimus Tustin,
who, ittv years ago, was pastor Of the Presby-
terlau Church there, and who is still remem-
bered by many Of our older citizaus Mr.. Tus-
tlo, jr., has furnished the Mirror with an Incl
dent connected with his fathers ministry in
Ltesburg, half cen ury ago. The following
Is the letter:
EDITOR MIRROR: It has been my great
pleasure to return 10 my native place after au
absence of forty-nine years and four mooths.
which meaos that | have not been 10 L :esburg
since the date of my birth. Meanwhile [ bave
frequently met with frleudS, residents of the
place, but more especially the former friends
OF my father, whose ensance upon the minis
try was 10 your town. Changes, many and
mar ked, have occurred in the last half century.
Some have sought other places Of residence,
whilst others still have passed from this to
other, aod, l trust, higher scenes of existence.
but, SIT, am torclbly r,minded by revisting
the place OF my birth, and partaking with my
fellow citizens of Washington, of your pen.r-
Gus hospitality. Of an incident at once inter
estiDg and hisi iorcal 10 its character, of which
my departed father makes mention, 10 a sketch
of his HE, found amongst bis lcgacies at his
death. l rccur to 1t because it serves to attach
Interest to this venerable place, and may bring
10 he recollection OF some Of you at least, a
former cllze0, loug since passed away. the
memory OF whose emneD,ly distinguished vir-
tues IS to this day held 10 honorable and CRATE
ful recognition. use the exact language as it
appears IN the sketch itself, as being the best,
The most expressive, and as being authentic
WIthal, because written by a prominent partici-
pant ln The scene, to which allusion has been
therein made. He says
During the writer's ministry in L,esburg,
General La Fayette, then the uatou's guest.
visited Mr.. Monroe, EA President of the Uni
ted States, who resided in Loundoun county,
and the citizens OF Leesburg and its neighbor.
hood rendered him public dinner, which was
served up 10 the Court House Yard, and the
writer was among the invited guests and pre-
pared the address which was decycred by L.
T. W. Balch to Gen, La Fayctte on behalf of
the Students of the Academy. The speech was
well received by the people and highly comp
mruted by the NJ .rquis. In the evening cf
the same day W. L. t. Mason, esq, model
gentleman ofthe old school style, with charac-
terlst'c generosity, gave a princely entertain.
ment at his residence, at the close of which
'he "iilSh was IeNucSlCu lO duuiuISC6r the
ordinance of baptism to Mr.. Mason's twin iD-
faots. only few weeks old, one of which was
called after Madame La Fayette, and the other
after the Marquis The parents being Epis.
copalan. the Hon. John Quincy Adams, Mr.
Monroe and the Marquis were allowed to stand
nouinally God Fathers for the children
which, however, we're baptized according to
The views and usages of the Presbyterian
Church"
All those named, together with many other
distinguished personages who we're present,
have passed away, and so has the writer from
whom lquote. beg leave in concluding to
renew my assurances Of my profound respect
tnr the talents and virtues Of the people of the
County OF Loudoun in the ever to be houored
Commonwealth of Virginia 1t will, | am sure
be excusable in me if say in closing sentence
that the Rev. Septimus Tustiu, D. D., after
leaving this place was called to occupy during
amlnistry Of nearly fifty years, numerous posi-
tIons OF distinction 10 the Presbyterian Church
and under State and the National government,
aud died 10 the 9th year of his aye, enjoying
the confidence of all who knew him, and 10 the
prospective realization of the fruitioo which is
as>urcdly attained as the result of we'll spent
lIe Very respectfully,
JAMES P. TUsTIN.