The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-30
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY, s77-WTH SUPPLEMENT
A WASHINGTON ROMANCE.
LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON Ac-

A LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON AC-
KNowLEpGING THE POWER OF LOVE.
In collection OF valuable autograph letters
which will be sold py Bangs Co., this afternoon we
find the accompanying letter written by General wash
ngton at the age OF weniy-sx aud before made
public Tho present owner purchased II in England
years ago for the OF els, where 1t was prob
ably taken by members the Fairfax family Of Viz
gina Tho letter is addressed to Sarah Fairfax. at
Belvoir. This lady Miss Cary, to whom Wash
ngton at time offered his hand but was refused for
his friend aud comrade George William Fairfax Irving
that 1t a sister OF MIRA Fairfax Miss Mary
Cary, afterward Mrs Edward Amber. We have the
authority Of Mira Constance c. Harrison, descendants
OF Lord Fairfax, who says IN paper called "a Little
Centennial Lady" published IN .Scritaers Monthly OF
July last, that Sally Cary, Mrs. Fairfax the lady
for whom Washington had tenderness. Mrs. Harri-
son says
II fair to soy that papers which have never been
given to the pubic set This question beyond doubt
Mrs George William Fairfax. the object o. Georse
Washington's early aud passionate love, lived 20 an
advanced age IN Bath, England, widowed, chilaiess
ami utterly innrn. Upon her death, at the ago OF
cghty-onc letters, stu in possession OF the Fairfax
family, were found among her effects showing that
Washington had never forgotten the influence OF his
youthful disappointment.
1t is hardly probable that Washington means to ex-
press his love for Mrs. GUSTS, to whom no alludes
here, for her husband was thcn vingn fact, did not
die until twenty odd years after the date OF this letter.
For the that, Mrs. Fairfax husband did not
until 1884, The following letter s without doubt,
ono OF those letters which Mrs. Harrison declares will
'ssct this question beyond doubt" II will be found
very interesting, as It shows Washington IN quite
new light. Even q lover he has all tho slatelincss
OF tho General and the Father Of His Country
CAMP AT Fort CUMBERLAND, 18th september, 1888.
DEAR MADAM
Yesterday | was honored with your short but very
agreeable avor of the first inst how joyuy eaton
NJ ma A "A IA
which feared disreshed on your part leave To
time that mover failing cxpositor OF all thnss-and to
u monitor equally faithful In my own breast 10 testify
In silence now express my JOY. Silence which, IN
sono cases-i wish the prcsent-speaSs more nteill-
gently tnan the sweetest eioqucncc.
II you allow that any honour can be derived from
my opposition to our present system oil management
you destroy the merit Of II entirely mo by attrbut-
lug my anxiety the anmating prospect OF possessing
Mrs Custis--when-l need not name it--guess your
no. tho my ewn meSor rnu 9us
profess myself votary OF Love-l acknowl.
edge that q lady Is IN the case-and further |
US well she Is TO one VINO Is LOO sensible Of her
charms deny the Power whose Influence he feels
and submit TO- feel the force OF her ANITA
BILE beauties the RECOLLECTION oil thousand tender
passages that could wish to obiiteratc IN nm bid
| 10 revive thcm,-but experience, alas! sadly reminds
| how impossible this Sand svinces an opinion
which have long entertained that there Is Destiny,
which has the sovereign control OF actons-no to
be resisted by the strongest efforts OF Human Nature
You havo drawn mo dear madam, or rather have
drawn myself, into an honest confession 9! simple
expose 1.-THE world has no business TO know tho OBJ
ject OF my lovc--declared Ia this manner to--you-
when want conceal It, Ono thing above all things
| III this world wish TO know. ana only ono person OF
your acquaintance can solve me that or guess my
meaningbut ndieu 10 this I'LL happier times II ever
shall them. The hours at present are melancholy
dull, neither tho rugged tolls OF war, nor tho
| gentler conflict Of A. BIS Is IN my choice
| dare believe, you are happy you say
wish was happy also. Mrth, good humour. case OF
nina and-what else? Cannot tail TO render you SO
and consummate your wishes.
Ir one agreeable lady could almost wish herself fine
gentleman Tor tho sake OF anothcr apprecend, that
| many Tine gentcmon will wish themselves finer e'cr
Mrs Spotswood Is p0ssest She has already become u
regning toast In this camp ana many there are IN H.
who intend fortune iavoring) to make honorable
scars speak the funess OF their merit and BIO mes
senger OF their Love TO Her.
cannot easily forgive tho unreasonable haste OF my
last express II he deprived mo thereby OF single
word you amended to add,-tho time Of the present
messenger 49, tho last might have been, entirely ut
your disposal can't expect to hear from my friends
than this before the late OF the expedition
| will some how other DO determined. therefore
| beg TO know when you set out for Hampton and when
you expect to TO Bevolr agan-and should be
glad also TO hear OF your speedy departure as sna
thereby hopo for your return before get down
the DISAPPOINTMENT OF seeing your family would
give me much conccrn.-From any thing
can yet see It's hardly possible 10 say when
We shall finish, don't think there Is probability OF
II TIL tho middle OF November Your letter to Captr
GIst forwarded by sale hand tho moment 1t came u
me. His answer shall be carefully transmitted.
Col Mercer, to whom delivered your message ant
compliments joins me very heartily In wishing yor
and the Ladies' OF Bclvoir the perfect enjoyment y
every happiness this world affords DO assured that
| am, DR. madam, with the most uncigncd regard, VI
most obedient aad most oblig'd H'bie seryt
q. WASHINGTON.
NIB Many accidents happening to use vulgar
saying) between the cup and the lip, choose 4
make tho exchange Of pets myself since 1nd 20,
| will not me The honour ~ accept nine.