National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-18
WASHINGTON RELICS.
Discovery OF Several Intcrestiag Articles
Belonging 20 the Father drills Country.

Belonging 20 the Faith err al Hiss Country.
Several interesting relics Of Washington were
shown the writer some days since. They are the
property OF Mr.. Charles W. Nolan, of Alexandria,
Va. and the manner in which he came in possess
sion of them is rather curious. The collection
consists of small gold watch walking cane Of
hard polished wood, silver Spanish dollar (l7g),
hand bell Of ordinary size, pair of venerable
spectacles hand mirror Of great magnifying
power, several old books, and curious looking
stone found upon the banks OF one OF the small
streams that run through the Mount Vernon es-
tate. The watch is of small size, being no larger
than a silver quarter This tiny time-keeper
is of Guinea gold and antique workmanship.
II bears no makers name, but must be the handi-
craft Of some skilled Swiss or English artisan. II
Is in good Running order The cane is said to be
the one used by Washington in his walks and
rambles over the garden and estate at Mount Yer.
non. The old silver dollar was given to Uncle
Harry Herbert, the old colored house, servant at
Mount Vernon, by General Washington as q Christ
mas gift The hand bell was used as the call bell
for the horse carriage and is remarkable for its
clearness oftone. The old specs belonged to old
Harry Herberts father, the colored individual who
nursed the Father of His Country. The hand.
glass; used in shaving is as large as an ordinary
plate, and was presented 10 Uncle Harry Herbert
by Washington.
THE BOOKS ARE ANCIENT AND MOTH EATEN,
one containing number OF revolutionary hymns
Mr.. Nolan Informed us that these relics were In
the possession of old Uncle Harry Herbert, one Of
the chief house servants at Mount Vernon, and by
him were given TO Mr.. Nolan. Harry Herbert
long since dead is well remembered by some of
Nolan became acquainted with Harry Herbert
when quite boy and was very fond Of visiting
the old man and listening TO his talks
and anecdotes OF Washington and his times
ION one occasion, about Christmas time"
said Mr.. Nolan. II called to see Uncle Harry
and gave him little present for n
Christmas gift When went into his small house
the old man was seated on an old chest; Noticing
the chest had been somewhat abused, offered to
paint It, the first chance ] got The old man
thanked me, and remarked he wanted the inside
painted blue and the outside green. According TO
promise, went down with my paint. The old
man took his clothes, &C., out Of the chest, aud
took 1t outside. Afer busting IL off turned 1t
over to empty the dust, when to my surprise
OUT FRIL PALsB BOTTOM
and the little gold watch. 1t was wrapped in some.
thing like gauZe but when the air struck II the
gauze disappeared like snuff. Uncle Harry was
years. and had been totally ignorant of the exist
ence of the false bottom, and the watch. He,
however. recolected that there was great fuss
about a watch that had been stolen from the Wash
ington family ut Mount Vernon, years ago, so that
there eau be no doubt as to Its being genuine
Washington relic" For years Mr.. Nolan was the
sole contributor TO the old servants support, and
in appreciation Of his kindness and charity, the
old man presented him not only the valuable
little watch, but the other relics which form the
collection. To antiquarians and lovers OF relies
of bygone times this collection would be not only
interesting but valuable, as their authenticity Ii
beyond question. especially the watch.