, 1878-07-11
Relics of Washington.

relics OF General washington WllCn are
now, and have heen ever since the death
of that eminent man, in the possession OF
the LOWS family, of Virginia. This
family is one of the Oldest in the State,
and its members are the immediate rela.
tives Of General Washington. In common
with nearly all the prominent families of
what is known as the Northern Neck
of Virginia. where it resides, the Lewis
family was much reduced in wealth and
prosperity by the devastations Of the war
and the abolition of slavery, SO. that the
preservation of these relics in the family
can no longer be the easy matter it once
was.
The examination of these relics and the
questions of their purchase have been in
trusted to the Commissioner of Patents,
and that gentleman made his report on
the 9th of May to the Secretary of the In
terror. In the recapitulation of the relics
occur the folowing:
"MirrOr' chairs, one on which the
General sat few minutes before his
death.
One double brass candlestick, by which
the farewell address was written.
Silver caudlesticks.
One feld-glass; spy-glass used in the
Revolution.
One ledger kept monthly by General
Washington.
Knives, forks, one plated cake basket.
Portrait of Washington.
The robe in which he was christened.
Siver-plated lamps; thirty-six pieces
of Chinaware.
One bedstead, presented to Mr.. Law
renee Washington by his friend Admiral
Vernon, aud by Lawrence left to his
brother the General.
Several surveys made by the General
himself.
One guitar,presented by General Wash,
lngton to Miss Nellie Curtis.
Miniature portraits of the General and
Mrs. Washington, on wood, painted by
Trumbull.
One shaving glass in frame, with
drawer.
An engraving of the Countess of Hunt
ington,p presented by her to General Wash
ington.
The Commissioner says that these ar
ticles have been in possession of the Lewis
family since the deaf of General Wash
ington; that they are all in an excellent
state of preservation, and that there can
be no doubt whatever of the genuineDess
of every article. The half-length portrait
of General Washington is of life-size, clear
and well-preserved. 1t is a matter Of
tradition that it was the best likeness of
the General ever painted. OF more in
terest than that is the ledger, which con-
tains the record of all of Washington's
private transactions for more than twenty
years. Most of the record is in bis
own hand. Every item OF receipts and
expenditures, including even his losses
and gains at cards, he set down with the
most scrupulous exactness. The articles
Of household use are in their original con-
ditien, and illustrate the style Of living
of the frst President Of the United States.
The whole collection is far superior to
that now in the possession of the Govern
ment. The total number Of articles is
more than ninety. Added to those in the
possession of the Government they would
form the largest and best collection of
the relics of Washington that could now
be made.
The family is reluctant to part with
these relics, but is impelled by the con-
sideration that inevitably in few years,
with the separation of the family, the ar.
ticles will be scattered, and perhaps
great number in course of time lost or
destroyed. The family feels that every
citizen will be glad to have these relics
made public property and accessible to
all. The sum suggested for them ($l2,-
000) the Commissioner says does not ap-
pear to him to be excessive. In his judg-
ment the relics could be sold for that
amount, and perhaps more, to private
persons. This statement and recOmmen-
dation Of the Commissioner of Patents,
aided by the natural feeling of veneration
cherished by all Americans for the name
and services Of Washington, will probably
lead Congress to make the necessary ap.
preparation to put these relics beyond the
risk of possible loss, or of transfer to
foreign museum.--N. Y. Tribune.
----~-o--------
LET those who are curious in coinage