The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-10-05

Washington OF virginia fried 20 collect
eli the original porsrsits of members Of
the Washington family. he also gath
cred data eoaeeEning the marriages,
births. and deaths of his ancestors,
With the intention OF msking . genes>
logical tree Pictures and facts invslu-
able 10 the American people and to the
Washington family we're thus rescued
from oblivion. In his sesreh Col Wash
ington applied TO the venerable George
Washington Psrke Custis far informa-
tion. Two lettsssf from that gentleman
have lately been discovered In an old
chest among Col WashiDgsons papers.
They contain interesting "reminiscences
Of the father Of his country heretofore
He WAS the adopted son
Of George Washington, aud from infan.
cy o member Of his household. The
question If WsshiDetou's genealogy
has caused 81 much investigation and
that the following quairt
letter is Of especial interest:
HousE. NEAR ALEXANDRIA.
Aug. 4. 1856 ~
MY DEAR SiR:-Your very interest :
ing letter has renamed by much too
long unanswered Ny advanced age
and weigh,y correspondence often
throws that correspondence on my part
IN arrears IL is certain that there is
no portrait sxtast of Augustine, the
father of the chief, nor does there exist
any Of bis illustrisus mother. Such is
the result Of my research and inquiries
Of more than half a century. John
WAS the favorite brother, q magnificent
Looking man, and most resembling the
chief Of all the brothers. Mrs. Lewis,
the only sister. whom l very we'll
remem Der. Was the most majestic and
imposing looking female | ever Deheld.
and she Was very dearly beloved by the
great man. There is good portrait of
her. Samuel was tall. but not 80 stout.
while Charles Was . very large man,
without anything very remarkable
about him. / regret that it is nos in
my power to aid you in obtaining por-
traits of the family and connections of
the beloved Washington. q
You are ycung man. and your
Iabors must be unceasing while hope
IS left OF success. tbs fias old portrait
of Lawrence Washington is at Mount
Vernon. Perhsps inquiries in West
Stafford and Northumber-
land may make some discoveries,
although you will bsar in mind that in
The old days Of Virginia there we're
very few portraits painted
A lady. q book writer, did me the
honor of visit the other day, to tell me
hat she had just been to England TO
visit the birthplace of Washington in
England, and to gaze with reverence
N the portrait of Mary Bal. who
forth and versed the Patsr
patrre on English soil. What sn ideal
May not we say. Lord. how the world
. kiven to lying. As we'll might We
Americans say that the immortal
was born in Choptauk.
md acquired his most famous inspire
.ion in dramatic poetry from the mint
uieps so celebrated in chat most desir-
able and hospitable region of America
A friend in Boston. writing to me
" hem the absufdity Of 'Wsshington
bern in England 6rst came out said.
They have only one mole absurdity 70
bring out-thst be was not born at all
In apy nanncr that l can aid you in
The meritorious work IN which you are
sngaged. you may freely commspd me;
md. wishing you every possible succsss,
I remain. my dear sir. - - 8
Ysurs vsry truly.
GEORGE w p GUSTS.
LEWIS W WASHINGTON. Esq. of Bsall
Air, near Hulltown. Jefferson County,
Virginia.
The absurd hypothesis regarding
Washington's nativity 10 England
seems actually at one tiine 10 have
foundymany credulous believers. Even
persons who considered themselves we'll
informed adopted the absurd story.
Daniel Webster. . close and thorough
student Of American history. made
10 . peculiar point in bis eulogy
that Washington was never of
the coil OF his own country. II has
been established beyond dispute and
question that Washington's birthplace
vas the family home. Wakefield
in wes,moreland County, Virginia. =
farm on Bridges Creek, near tae banks
Of the Potonac. The house was de-
stroyed by frs and Augustine, the
father Of Washington. removed with
his family to another plsrtatien that
he owned on the Rappahannock. near
Frederick sburg. virginis. where he
died 10 the prime of life.
Another letter by Nr Custis 10 Col.
Lewis W Washington, will be found
equally interesting:
ARLrHoroN HousE, 4th March, 1851. :
My DEAR SIR: Your esteemed. favor
OF the 18th ult eame duly to hand. l
do not feeollsct the period Of the desths
Of the Washingtons John died 10 l7S6
and within two years thereafter
think it vas about .S7 or 'SS-Charlss
was st Mount Vernon. He wss = very
large man, and did not particularly re-
scmble the chief. Mrs Betty Lewis
vas also 1t Mount vernen aboat the
period Just mentioned, or just previous
10 our departure Tor New York in the
spring Of 1889. Mrs Lewis w~ Ancem.
panied BY her son Howell. tken . lad,
and stayed four days at Aoant Vernon.
Twill relate =, you . little incident
in the life ef this lady, whom | am ssfe
will iutsrest yoa Whea. il 1851. the
chief, accompanied By the Coant de
RoehAmhsau. wss en- route fos Nss
York, following closs upon the rear Of
the French army. hs halted in Fredsr-
icksburg. and. having Consigned the
Count 10 the best hotel OF the village,
.hn s1eeinchief hostenod TO the