Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-14
ALExAGAzErTE VIRGINIA ApvERTrsEE
WashtngtOn's Election.

On Tuesdav mo-ang, the l4th ot April,
11so venerable old p,u.Iensn. with an ami
able couutepance and loug White looks rode
up TO the mansion q: MI. ,rernon' coming
from Alexandria. A gentleman from that town
accompanied him. Ii was between t>'a anu
eleven clock. A negro man sailed ont 20
take the uags, aud the old gentleman entering
the mansion was received by Mrs Wash
iugton.
"Why, MIR. ThompsoD," said the good lady,
"whcre are you FROM, and how are your
people 7"
"From New York, madam answered the
old mau. Il come to Mt. Vernon on an cr..
rani-for the country at least. The General
has been elected President of the Uoted
States under The new constitution, and am
the bearer Ut the happy, lidlngs 10 letter
from j ohm I4angIon, President OF the Senate. >
The General was out visiting his iarm, how
ever, aud the guests were entertained tor t;Po
or three hours az we take care OF visitors III the
country now adays. The cheerful gossip Of
Mrs. Washington, who had known Mr.. Thomp.
sou and visited his house iu Philadelphia,
heiped TO enIiven the time. lie had been the
Secretary, through all its career OF the CONT
uental Congress, which had directed the cause
of the colonies from desultory revolt &c inde
peudence and 10 union, and now he had
ridden over the long and dlthcut roads
70 apprizc the first President OF the he
publlc vi The wishes OF hls countrymen.
At one o'clock General Washington rode
into the lawn at Mt. Vernon, 10 appear
ance, what Custis his adopted 500, has de-
scribed him An old gentleman, riding alone,
10 plain draS clothes, broad brlnmed white
Il al, hapR md
iug All umbrella with long staff, which Is
attached to bis saddle. bow The umbrella was
used to shelter him from the sue, lor his skin
was tepdcr and easily affected u It's rays.
Washington greeted Mr.. Thompson with grave
cordially, as was bis wont; iEqulriog for his
family, aud diViniug already the object OF his
visit, broke the seal Of John l4augdon's official
letter. Uinuer followed, aod while the vlsl
tors retired TO converse or stroll about the
grounds, the President eject wrote letter 10
the President OF the Sc nate, and sent it forth.
with 10 the postotice at Alexandria By ser
want.
"AloUNr VERNON, April IA, l7sg
SIR had the honor TO receive your ofhcial
communication by the hand OF Mr.. Secretary
THOMPSON about one o'clock to- day. Having
concluded to obey the important aud datterng
call Of nv country. and having been Impressed
with the idea of the expediency OF NY being
With Congress at as early period as possible, l
nronosc to commence my journey on Thursday
morninp, which will be the day after to-mor-
row"
This done, the rest Of the day passed 10 con-
f.rence between Washington and bis VILE III
the preparation Of his baggage Tor the not uu'
.xnected tourney, while, meantime, the dis
tiDguishel guest was amused by Inc young
Official household in the library and grounds,
It was growing late IN the evening OF the
day on which our story orens, when WashiGg
ton mounted his horse, and, followed ny us
man Billy, rode of into the woods OF pirg'pia
With speed. His destination was rfeuerlchs,
huro nearly forty miles away with Two ferries
botss'sen-.one bbats' at the Occoquan, the other ct
,bs Rannaharuock. His purpose was TO see
h;s ola mother. now eighty years OF nge and
lno,u;nr I.0 near the graye. 1t had not been ong
s;nca he had visited her, but be could not 1tei
s"nal ~ the responsibilities OF his o!hce upt!i
hs should receive her blessing. Ie" oauul.
Jatea for the Presidency ln our day Woula iea'o
a warm mansion Glled with congratu'a'ii,n,e
friends, to ride all night through the chliIy
Anil m;sts 70 saw adieu TO very ou WomaG.
Rpt thus piously the administration OF i" aS,.'
;npton began. He passed old lohlck chufC1,
of which he was pesryman- sooh " 'u'np's
to ruips-crosscd the roaring occoquao' ahu
NV its deep and picturesque gorge we're tne
sg,ters or thc future Bull Ruo, and by night
he saw the churches Of Acqula anu Potomac
r;sa against the sky, aud saw the deeaylng sea-
,ort If Dumfries. In The u!crning he was AZ
fredericksburg, aud his mother was 10 l'Is arms.
Marches. pers, victories, power, surrenderea 10
that look of helpless love. too deep lcrprlde 10
skow through tears, and the President OF the new
:, tote was 10 her i new bGfn babe again no
o. o., -er, 90 greater lie was Just IL time; LOT
"ha I'd but the short season OF summer 10 l,'e.
sue ud i III many dying mothers, lile seemed 20
IaiIo aut fourscore and i've by waiting tlii ne
upu,j 'tpn,,,j ~ we. History is ceremonlous as 20
nno. '.S". ,asSs,,N Eetwecn them, bnt the parting
wuas pa =, Vi touching, like the cveut. You
8aS .n soema -, suors," said she. My great
wiz ssc seq lie I,oos. gsrn me that shall not be
age auu ,I;s ISo worla But 20, George, to fulfil
.ous .' 5o,,;n, ~ which heaven appears TO assign
YOU. Go, my sou. md may heayea 'sars s!'0 'o0'
,Uu n",ber's bIcssiog be with you always. ,..,
Passiog from that ear pstne!lc p'ess1 neas tLs
tho President eject perh cps did not near tue
"andts Of the people in the streets OF rre1u' na1
,or rshnru lie rode all day by the roau Ae uaa
"nme and reached Mount Ftrnoa before csou,
;D. naviny exhibited his power oi enaulauoe ,,
ut the age of fifty seven by r!d'nS e.saayg W LII
o ;n ,weniy four hours. His good Hue hsa msue le
~ ~ ,ms nssSn the cuupases we're at tha door mex.
noro;ng and leaving Mrs. Washington anu
snost Of the household behi ID, he SET ouS .v
Now York at ten o'clock on Thursdsy' tuI unm iv,n
Of Aprl, accompanied by Thompson anu ;nusIr Mu
nhries. The new State was waiting auA''"''