Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-08-23
RELICS OF WASHINGTON.

List Of the Articles Purchased BY the Cow
ernmeHt Of the Lewis Family, of vir-
Einia.
The relics of George Washington,
which have been purchased Of the Lewis
family, of Clark county, Va, at an ex-
pense of So, 900, were received in Wash
ington, and, at the request of Secretary
Sherman, have been taken into the Gus
tody OF the department of the interior,
being placed under the especial charge
OF the commissioner of patents. The
list of the different articles is given as
follows:
One large mirror; two small mirrors;
one dozen handsome. parlor chairs; two
arm-chairs; one large easy-chair, in
which the general sat a few minutes be-
fore his death; one double brass candle
stick, by which the Farewell Address
was written; two silver-plated candle
sticks; one large and two small plated
walters; one field-glass, used in the
Revolution; one spy glass, also used in
the war; one ledger, kept mostly by the
general; knives and forks; one plated
cake basket; one large mahogany box,
in which silver plate was kept; two ma
hogany footstools and three carpet-cov-
cred foot-stools; a portrait of Washing
ton: the robe in which he was christen-
ed; three silver plated lamps; half a
dozen silver-plated salt cellars; thirty
six pieces of china-ware; one bedstead,
presented to Mr.. Lawrence Washington
by his friend, Admiral Herman, and by
Lawrence left to his brother the general;
several surveys made by the general
himself; one marble,top table, four feet
IN length by three feet in breadth; one
guitar, presented by Gen. Washington
to Miss Nellie Curtis; miniature por-
traits of Gen. and Mrs. Washington on
wood, painted by Trumbull; one shay
ing-glass, in frame with drawer; an en-
craving of the Countess of Huntington,
presented by her to Gen. Washington;
several souvenirs of Washington, con-
sistlng of ornamental works and house.
hold articles.
Previous to their purchase, Commits
sioner Spear went to Virginia and care
fully examined the several articles. In
his report to the secretary he said:
"All these relics have been continuously
j." the possession of the Lewis family
nee the death of Gen. Washington.
They were received by Mrs. Lewis, who
was the adopted daughter of Gen. Wash
ington, and the wife of Major Lawrence
Lewis, his nephew, and were in her
possession until her death, in 1852,
when they passed into the hands of the
family now having them in charge. They
are ali in an excellent state of preserva-
ton, and of the genuineness of every
article there can be no doubt whatever.
Some of the relics are of especial inter-
est. The half-length portrait of Gen.
Washington is of life-size, is perfectly
clear and we'll preserved. 1t is a matter
of tradition in the family, preserved
especially by Mrs. Lewis, and also by
others, that this portrait was always
considered the best likeness of Washing
ton ever painted. The miniature por-
traits were considered excellent likeness
es, and are now in good condition. OF
more interest, even, than this is q
ledger which contains the record of all
Washington's private business transac-
tions for more than twenty-one years.
The record is exceedingly minute, and q
large part of it is in his own handwrit-
ing. Every item of receipts and expendi-
lures, including even his losses and
gains at cards, is set down with the most
scrupulous exactness. In addition to
these are many miscellaneous papers in
Gen. Washington's handwriting, includ.
irg chiefly records of surveys made by
himself. The articles of household use
are all in their original condition, and
illustrate the style of living of the first
President of the United States. The
whole collection is far superior to that
now in the possession of the government
Many of the articles of domestic use are
parts of sets now in the custody
of the interior department. The family
were reluctant to part with these relics,
but were compelled by the consideration
that inevitably in few years, with the
separation of the family, the articles
would be scattered, and, perhaps, {
large number of them in the course O.
time lost or destroyed. They felt, also
that every citizen of the country who
shared with them an interest in Wash
ington, would be glad to have thes,
relics made public property, and placed
where they would be accessible to all"