The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1884-08-08
WASHINGTON LgTTER
frsia eur regular eorrespondsnt.)
WASHINGTON, July 9Th, 1884.

WAsHIFdToS, July 9th, 1884.
This is favorIie season for visit "a
Mount Vernon, and duringthe months
o. July and August thoavcrage num-
Der OF visitors to tho interesting, ven
Grated spot, Is creator than 1t any
other time OF the year Yesterday was
0 perfect day fora sail down the Po-
tomac and at ten o'clock A. NJ, I boar
ed the w. w. Corcoran with about
one hundred other passengers, al on
pleasure and patriotism bent. This
boat sometimes makes two trips day
to Mount Vernon, and Is the only one
that is allowed to land passengers
there. Everyone who coInes to the
National Capital wants to 90 down
the river aud see the old homestead
aud the tomb Of the "Father OF his
country" and everyone who resides
In Washington likes to take the pleas.
ant trip once Ia u while. So, the dol
lar entrance fee, including passage
fcots up handsomely at the end OF the
year.
We found the quaint family home
stead surrounded with roses and wild
flowers, green lawns, IshadIng oaks,
new mown hay, and the bright clear
river AowIDg silently below.
In 1858 Col. John Washington saw
that Mount Vernon would have TO 20
by tho auctloneers hammer, ifsome-
thing did not happen and here comes
In the romance. A woman who had
been an invalid for years raiEed a fund
OF 5000, 900, and inyeuied plan that
gave tho home Of Washington 10 the
Nation. Miss Cunnlngham, OF South
CalolIna, from her sick bed, aroused
enthusiasm, especially among South
ern women. She inspired Edward
Everett with her spirit, and his lee
lure on Washington put money In
TO the Treasury. Sho interested Ma
dame Le Vert aud Mrs. Cora Now
att Richie, ard In 1850, 1t was ac-
cornpllshed. The house, the tomb Of
Washington, and 200 acres OF land
belonged TO a national association.
After this no member OF the Wash
ington family could be inferred at Mt.
Vernon aud the key Of the vault was
thrown In The Potomac.
Around the marble tombs OF George
and Martha Washington Is u wooden
flooring, which II stepped upon starts
an electric alarm at the house.
Through the open iron grating one
looks into the brick auit,.whCre are
only the two tcmbs. "ffats OF" Is
the stringent rule at the graves, and
even the most thoughtless arc forced
into something like reverence. Dur
ing the bIoodIest days OF the war Nj.
Vernon was treated as a neutral
ground, aud soldiers OF both armies
were seen fraternIziug under the tree
that shades the grave of the father Of
his country.
Hanging In the entrance hall Of the
house Is the key Of the Bastile, sent
TO Washington by lafayette and over
the door OF what Is called the state
dining room Is washington's field
glass, placed there by his own hand
and never since moved. The mantel
and hearth In this room are OF marble
AMI of curious workmanship. They
were sent from France, and the ship
bearing the gift was captured by pi-
rates. When they foucd the marble
was intended for Washington, they
landed It on American shores, and II
was forwarded to Mt Vernon. As
far as Is practical every state has
charge of a room, all Of which are or
namented with relics ofrevolutionary
times, arranged 10 the style that pre-
vailed at Mt. Vernon during the lie
time OF Washington.
In the South Carolina room hangs
the portrait OF the heroine Miss Cum
nIngham. Her face Is thoughtful and
refines, but deeply traced with suf-
fering. The room in which Martha
Washington died, Is In almost the
Identical condition she left IL. In q
quaint little parlor Is the grand harp
sichofd, as large as modern grand
piano, which Washington gave Nelly
Custis' as wedding present. In the
old fashioned kitchen visitors may
obtain lunch served by colored wait
ers. The place Is managed upon a
practical plan, the green houses beirg
made scurse OF revenue as well SIS
the farm. A superintendent Is eTn-
ployed who keeps things In good or.
der. Year by year improvements are
made and If the first President and
his wife could return to the old place
for day they would see none OF the
changes that surprised Rip Van
Winkle, but feel perfectly at home.
The Princess Mansour, the Khedive'i