The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-10
1escriptiue pieces.
MOUNT VERNON.

Mount Vernon, the American Mecca,
so familiar to us all, is that beautiful spot
of earth which Washington chose at an
early day us his home, and whish became,
after his eventful public career, the place
of his death and burial, 1t is situated in
the county Of Fairfax, Virginia, and fronts
on the beautiful Potomac river at con-
spcuous point about seven miles below
Alexandria, and about fifteen from the
city of Washington. In the year 1870
John Washington, the great grandfather
of General Washington, and Nicholas
Spencer patented an estate Of 5000 acres
from Lord Culpepper. The Mount Yer
non estate comprised the half which was
assigned on division to John Washington,
who bequeathed it to his son Lawrence,
who bequeathed il to his sou Augustine,
who bequeathed it in April, l743, to his
son Lawrence, who was the half.brother
of George Washington, and who had
named it Mount Vernon in honor of High
Admiral Vernon Of the British Navy, un-
der whom he had served in the campaigns
in the West Indies in l74l.43.
After the death of Lawrence Washing
ton, which occurred July 26, 1852, the
estate descended to his half-brother, Geo.
Washington, by whom it was willed, upon
his death, to his nephew, Bushrod Wash
ington, son of John Augustine Washing
ton, upon whose death it descended to his
son, John Augustine Washington, who
the grcat-grand-nephew of General Wash
ington-was killed near Cheat Mountain,
September Is, 1861, while aid-de-camp,
with the rank Of Colonel to the Confeder-
ate General Robert Edmund Lee, Of Ar
lington.
In 1855, Mrs. Ann Pamela Cunning
ham and other ladies' conceived the plan
of forming an association, the object Of
which should be the purchase of Mount
Vernon, or that portion including the
dwelling, tomb, and present steamboat
landing. In the spring of 1855 the mat
ter was brought before the Legislature Of
Virginia, then in session, and on the 18th
of March, 1856, the association was incor-
porotnd ,,,Jo. tba no,no of tho HMt Vor
non Ladies' Association Of the Union"
An amendment to the act of incorporation
was passed by the Virginia Legislature on
the 10Th of March, 1858. On the 9th of
April, 1858, Mrs. Ann PAMELA Cunning
ham, Southern Matron Regent, on behalf
Of the Association, entered into an agree
mcnt with John A. Washington for the
purchase of two hundred acres Of land and
the surroundings, for the sum Of two hun
dred thousand dollars. The association
effected an arrangement shortly prior to
the breaking out of the late war, by which
they were enabled to discharge the entire
amount Of their indebtedness and to can
Gel all their bonds. They now hold and
cultivate these two hundred acres of Mt
Vernon land. The original tract contain
ed about four thousand acres. The tract
belonging to the association includes the
mansion as well as the tomb Of George
Washington, together with the garden,
grounds, and wharf or steamboat landing,
which has since been constructed short
distance below the tomb
The mansion at Mount Vernon was oc-
cupicd by Washington both before and
utter the war for independence. It over
looks the waters Of the Potomac aud the
shores Of Maryland beyond. 1t has an
elevation of at least Two hundred feet
above the surface of the river, which at
this point is about two miles wide. From
its situation it commands an extensive
and magnificent view Of the meanderings
Of this lovely river and the adjacent shores,
The mansion is built of wood, cut SO as to
Resemble stone, and Is two stories in height.
The central portion was built by Lawrence
Washington, aud the wings we're added
by Gen, Washington. Standing upon an
eliptical plain, it is somewhat remarkable
for its great simplicity aud the excellence
Of It's general arrangements Il presents
u fine appearance from whatever position
1t may be viewed. On the eastern or river
front is a piazza extending the entire