The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-01
A Hickmanite Abroad.
He Visits WashtnE ton, H1t. Yer
NON, ETC.
For the Hickman Courier.

For the Hickman Courier.
spent several days in Washington
City, and found our talented and clev-
err representative Boone, sticking to
bis post and doing his duty like man.
1 visited both Senate and House-was
introduced by Judge Boone to Senator
McCrecry, Reps. Knott, Jones, Black
burn, aud others, from Kentucky,
| heard Morton, the "bloody shirt
man, make a speech; also, Edmundsr
of Vermont; White, of Md; aud Ker-
nan, of New York White is most
eloquent and logical speaker-every
word he utters counts.
| went through the Treasury depart
meDt, saw them manufacturing green
backs apparently by the millions, aud
wondered why they did not pay of the
Government debt and save us all this
heavy taxation. when they can make
Dsoney so rapidly.
| went to several other public build
ings; and then went to the White
House, saw President Grant, but as
was not making any new acquaintance
or seeking any appointment, nor had
any bull pups to give away, | did not
seek au introduction.
On the fourth day. | went down TO
Mt Neruon-the home OF Washing
ton. The grounds, 200 acres, have
been purchased by an ussocia,ion Of
ladies'. Tor S200. 900; and under their
judiciops management Is being again
put IN nice condition aud materially
improved. leaving however everything
about the mansion aud us Immediate
vicinity, in, as near as possibly can bc
done, the same condition &C wa. at his
death, only keeping it 10 good repair
A brick barn, the brick imported by
Lawrence Washington, built 30 years
ago. is still standing, apparently as
good as new. aud has lalely received "a
new roof The smoke house of wood
is still standing, in better repair than
most houses that have been recently
built; also the kitchen, butler house,
gardeners house, and other building
as we'll as the Mansion itself are all ~
good order. This is remarkable
house, both in historic interest and in
its arrangement aud construction. Il
bids fair to stand 500 years yet, al
though wooden structure, but has Z
stone foundation. So much has beer
written about Mt Vernon, that | viii
not try more. Every has seer
the picture Of the tomb of Washing
ton. 1t is built of brick and divided
in two compartments. ID the back one
the Washington family, about thirty
are buried, the vault sealed, aud the
monuments for each located on the out
side. In the front compartment rest
the remains of Washington and hi
devoted wife, deposited each in mar
bic sarcophagus-plain. very plain
These can be seen by visitors from th'
outside, by looking through a doubl
iron gate. There was originally onl,
one iron gate to the tomb, bu
during the war a soldier Giant eret
over it, as it did not reach to the srcl
above, enteredsthe vault and broke out
of the claws off the eagle which i
resting on the tomb Of the dead her
snd patriot Another gate was theI
put up filing tie opening completely
another lock put on and the Ike.
thrown into the Potomac river. Thi
was the only depreciation committed a
nat. Vernon during The war and tht.
iris said was done through Ignorance
The soldiers of both sides often met a
the tomb of Washington, leaving thei
arms at the Porter's bridge, on tn
confines of the estate, and talk socially
peaceably, and pleasantly, at the tom
of the illustrious dead. Many relic
of Washington and early times are still
at Mt. Vernon and in the mansion o
great interest to every one who love
his country, but space will not ALLOW
me to particuIarize. The most pleas
ant day Of my sight seeing was at NJ
Vernon, and shall long remember il
and be glad have been to the hom
of Washington.
left for home the next morning vi
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, alon
which is some Of the most beautiful
scenery have ever seen; and on whic
route is written some interesting his
tory of the late war-Harpers Ferry
Martinsburg. &c. [ have written yer
hurriediy, but hope it will not prov
uuinteresting to some of your reader
CARTER BLANToN