Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-07-13
RELICS OF WASHINGTON.

RELICS OF WASHINGTON.
The House Committee on Appropria-
tions has under consideration the expe-
diency of purchasing great number of
relics of General Washington which are
now, and have been ever since the death
of that eminent man, in possession of the
Lewis family, of Virginia. This family
is one of the Oldest in the State, and its
members are the Immediate relatives Of
General Washington. In common with
nearly all the prominent families Of what
is known as the Northern Neck Of Vir
giria, where it resides, the Lewis family
was much reduced in wealth and pros
perity by the devastations of the war and
the abolition of slavery, so that the pre-
servation of these relics in the family can
no longer be the easy matter it once was.
The examination of these relics and the
question of their purchase have been in
and that gentleman made his report on
the 9th of May to the Secretary Of the
Interior. In the recaptulation Of the
relics occur the following:
mirror" chairs, one on which the
General sat q. few minutes before his
death.
One double brass candlestick, by which
the farewell address was written.
Silver candlesticl<s.
One field glass spy glass used in the
Revolution.
2 One ledger kept monthly by General
| Washington.
Knives, forks, one plated cake basket.
Portrait Of Washington.
The robe in which he was christeneG.
Silver plated lamps thrty-six pieces
of chinaware.
! One bedstead, presented to Mr.. Law
renee Washington 5y his friend Admiral
Vernon, and by Lawrence left to his
brother the General.
Several surveys made by the General
| himself.
One guitar, presented by General
Washington to Miss Nellie Curtis.
Miniature portraits of tae General and
Mrs. Washington, on wood, painted by
/ Trumbull.
One shaving glass in frame, with
drawer.
An engraving of the Countess OF Hunt
ington, presented by her to General
Washington.
The Commissioner says that these ar
ticles have been in the possession of the
Lewis family since the death Of General
/ Washington that they are all in an ex-
cellent state of preservation, and thst
there can be no doubt whatever of the
genuinenoss of every article. The half
length portrait of General Washington is
Of life size, clear and we'll preserved. 1t
is a matter of tradition that it was the
best likeness of the General ever painted.
OF more interest than that is the ledger,
which contains the record of all Wash
ington's private transactions for more
than twenty years. Most OF the record is
and expenditures, including even his loss
es and gains at cards, he set down with
the most scrupulous exaetness. The ar
ticles of household use arc in their Origi-
nal condition, and illustrate the style of
living of the first President of the United
States. The whole collection is far super
ior TO that now in the possession OF the
Government. The total number of arti-
clcs 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 impeled by the con
siGeraton that inevitably in few years,
with the separation of the family, the ar
ticles Will be scattered, and perhaps a
/ 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 az,
0O0) the Com missioner says does not APP
pear to him to be excessive. In his
judgment the relics could be sold for that
amount, and perhaps more, to private
persons. This statement and recommen-
dation of the Commissioners of Patents
aided by the natural feeling of veneration
cherished by all Americans for the name
and services of Washington, will proba-
bly, lead Congress to make the necessary
appropriation to put these relics beyond
the risk OF possible oss,or OF transfer to q
foreign museum MY. Tribune.