Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-06-14
Naffl'nran &c gournaL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE II, 1876.


4 Visit to Mount Vernon.
wAmSGros, D. c., June TO- 1876.
M''"s Editors r. 4 few days since we took
Trip 10 Mount Vernon, the " American Mecca, so
familiar - us all, and believe we can interest yonr
readers in no better way than by giving q ltief
description Of the last rcstiug-place " The
Father Of his Country
"MouSr yrnNoN"
II that beautiful spot Of earth which Washington
chose at an early day as his home, and which
became, after his eyentful public career the place
Of his death aud burial II Is situated in the
county Of Fairfax, Virginia and fronts ON the
beautiful Potomac river at conspicuous point
about seven miles below Alexandra, and about
fifteen from The city Of Washington The Mount
Vernon estate comprised the half which was ~.
signed on division to John Washington who. with
Nicholas Spencer, patented an estate Of five thou
sand acres in 1910 from Lord Culppper John
Washington, who was the troatgundiathor Of
General Washington, bcqueathcd it to his son
Lawrence, who left It 10 his son Augustine. who.
In April l7i3 bequeathed 10 lis son Lawrence,
who WIS the half-hrother Of George Washington,
and who had named II Mount Vernon in honor Of
High Admiral Vernon OF the British Navy At
the death of Lawrence Washington, July 26. 1852,
the estate descended 10 his half-brother, George
Washington, by whom II was willcd, upon his
death, TO his nephew Bushrod Washington, upon
whose death 1t descended to his son, John Angus
tine Washington, the greatnephew Of General
Washington who was killed near Cheat Noun
tain, September 10, 1851, while aid-de-camp to the
confederate General Robert + lee
In 1855 Mrs. Ann PAMELA Cunningham and
other ladies conceived the plan Of forming an a..
sociation, the object Of which was to purchase
Mount Vernon The matter was brought before
the legislature Of Virginia, and in the spring Of
1886 the association was incorporated under the
name Of the Mount Vernon ladies Association
Of the Union" on the 9th Of April, 1873 the AZ
sociation purchased Of John A Washington two
hundred acres Of the estate. including the man
sion, tomb and steamboat landing The sum paid
therefor was two hundred thousand dollars An
Arrangement was made shortly, prior t1 the
breaking out Of the war, whereby the payment
was made and the association freed from debt
They now hold and cultivate the estate
rnE MANSION
was occupied by Washington both before and
after tic war for Independence 1t oyerlool,s the
NhAfl- hA Alf tttNlAA anu INC fNulfr OF MArN-
land beyond, and from It's situation commands an
extensive and magnificent view Of this lovely
river and the green hills Of Mary land II has an
elevation Of at least two hundred feet above the
surface OF the river, which at this point is abou,
two miles wide The mansion Is built Of wood,
cut so a. to resemble stone and is two stories in
height. Tie central portion Was built by law
renee Washington, and the wings were added by
General Washington. Standing upon an elipti-
cal plain, it Is somewhat remarkable Tor its great
simplicity and Tie excellence Of general arrange
ments. II presents fine appearance from what
ever position il may be viewed ON the eastern
or river front is piazza extending the entire
length Of the building, which is ninety-sx feet.
This spacious portico is fifteen feet in width, and
in height it reaches to the caves Its pilasters
are square it has light and graceful balustrade
on its top, and it, ground floor is paved with Fat
stone Here the old hero, it Is said, used To
walk aud here, as his eye glanced over the beau
tful river spreading out like hay at the foot OF
the hill his mind was often filled with reflection.
| upon the alternate gloom and grandeur Of hi.
countrys early history, aud with glowing con
eeptions Of the glorious future which awaited her
Built Of the best material and with the mos, dur
| able frame work, this edihce has withstood the
rayages Of time remarkably well All ts front.
are cut in imitation oi freestone The roof slopes
east and west, and has three douner windows
looking eastward and two westward on the
first and second stories In the east facade, river
front, are fourteen windows. An octagonal Gu
pola surinounis the center Of the roof, answering
/ the purposes Of an observatory. on the ground
| floor are six rooms, most Of which are wanscoted
| The central building has a very spacious hall,
communicating with three parlors and the main
stairway, which leads to the chambers above
The south wing Of the building contains the library
and breakfast room, and a stairway that leads to
! Washingtons private chamber Here We were
shown bed which was an exact imitation, in
size and furnishing, Of the one on which Wash
neton died The room where his death occurred
is open to the public gaze, bat is entirely empty
while it, architecture remains unchanged. The
room known as the library remains as nearly as
/ possible, in the condition in which il was when
occupied by the Immortal patriot. The large
north room in which he entertained his friends
| is preserved with the furniture Ia nearly an IN
changed condition. Upon the walls are pictures
of hunting and battle scenes The large drawing
room in the north wing is decorated with hand
some mante the pillars Of which are of rich
variesated marble, partly set into the wall. upor
the frieze Of the remaining portion, which is com
| posed Of a fine white Italian marble, are promi
nent objects representative Of agriculture and hus
bandry, sculptured in bas-reliei by a masterl,
hand, and presenting beautiful appearance. i
was presented to General Washington in 1875, b,
Samuel Vaughen, Of London. Among the many
INTERESTING ASp yALuAmy RELICS
aud noteworthy souvenirs preserved in the house
is the key Of the Bastile, incosed in glass cas'
placed on the wall in the hall. Lafayette sen
this key to Washington soon after the destruction
Of that famous French prison Upon the hracke
over the library door is Houdon's model bust il
plaster, taken Of Washington in i7Sj The statu
Of Washington in the Virginia State Capitol wa
executed from this model. The old harpsichord
preserved as relic in the drawing was
wedding present from General Washington 10 Mis-
Eleanor Park Curtis his adopted daughter ON tn
occasion Of her marriage to Mr.. Lawrence Lewis
General Washington's nephew. There are ais
military and hunting equipments worn by Wash
ington during his early life, besides many othe
interesting souvenirs Of the days which trie
mems souls.
from the nunt phthNd WHICH "u"lHH WV NV
front extends
nRAUriFUL LAWN
to the brow Of the hill, embracing several acre
planted with shrubbcry and ornamental trees
and affording the spectator charming view q
the Potomac On the west front Of the mansio
is another extensive lawn which Is surrounded
serpentne walks, their borders skrted with III
choicest forest trees, transplanted from the wood
on the estate, with evergreens and tOwerin
shrubs selected, planted. and attended in his da
By Washington himself South Of this lawn is th
vegetable garden, and north of 1t are gardens an
a conservatory for flowers. The orchard lies we
OF the gardens and the lawn. The negro quarter
seed-houses tool-honses and necessary appendag'
to plantation, were also located on the west frol
Of the mansion
TIE ToMB or WASHINGTON
is spacious brick vault with an arched roof, i
iron doors open into a yestbue in which, visib
through the picketed iron gates or doors, stan
fat, t1tap atao ~