San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-09-17
TRUTH NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
Sad End OF A Man OF Some Historic
Note.
A Grand Nephew OF Gen. George WASH
linton Tramps 10 Hays County asa
Mattress Maker, Dies Suddenly
Aud II Buried by the County.

1
Seldom have tho yicissitudos OF
human life been more strikingly illus
bated than in the little narrative we
arc about TO Offer 10 the readers OF
the FRgE Pass.
When quite youth in our native
state of Indiana. We casually came
into possession of pamphlet copy
Of tho proceedings OF Congress on
the presentation TO that body, Feb. y
I843, OF the Sword OF Washington
and the Staff OF Franklin. tho donor
being Samuel r. Washington, grand
son of Charles Washington, brother
of General Washington. The peru
sal OF tho pamphlet. so impressed
our mind at the time. that we had it
bound in connection with various
similar matters. Tho volume con.
tanning it il still in our possession,
and on tho first page Of this issue OF
our paper we copy from it the great
or part of said proceedings, which
will be found, intrinsically, OF very
great interest. They give us
glimpse Of the older and better days
of tho Republic, when devotion to
Liberty and Union was the rule ra'
Their than the exception in every Sec
ton Of the country. They show us
Virginia and Massachusetts,, through
their worthy and distinguish
ed representatives, fraternizing in
that sentiment and reminding over
these venerated relics the old revolu-
tionary fires of "the times that tried
mems souls" They show US in the
person of "the Old Man Eloquent
John Quincy Adams connecting
link between the old revolutionary
period and later times. And where
can be found u finer effort than his
speech on this occasion7 We are not
aware that it has ever been included
as lesson in tho school or rhetori-
cal readers of the country, but if not,
it deserves to be. 1t would indeed
be OH admirable exercise in declama-
ton, both because of it's eloquent ut
teranoes and the spirit of fervid pa
triotism which it breathes. We are
sure our readers will thank us for the
trent we have gwen then on our first
page,
But it may be naturally be asked,
Why reproduce these old proceed
ings now? We answer, because
thereby hangs local reference to the
subject which will add greatly to its
interest,
Early in tho present season, when
Mr.. L w. Mitchell began thinking OF
moving from the country, we heard
mention made of his having brought
to town some papers loft in his pos
session years ago by wandering
member of the Washington family.
TWAS further mentioned that one Of
these papers was an authorization OF
the bearer as the same man who pre-
sented the sword of Washington and
the staff of Franklin long years ago
to Congress. Our interest was Mt
once excited, and we sought and OBJ
tanned an inspection of the papers
referred to. They were contained in
a time-worn, cylindrical sheet-iron
case with tin lid, and chief among
them We found copy of the resolur
ton of thanks moved by John Quincy
Adams, which will be found on our
first page. The copy is in the shape
of q Joint resolution of both Houses
Of the 9th Congress, and is engross'
ed on parchment. It is acoompane
led by letter from the Speaker Of
the House and the President of the
Senate, transmitting the Resolution,
as was therein directed, and reads as
follows
CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON, Feb, 22nd, ls49.
SAMUEL Il. WAeHINGToN, ESQ,
Sm: In conformity with the order
of the House of Representatives of the
United States, we have the honor TO trans
nit to you copy of Joint Resolution
of Congress.
The delivery thereof we have entrusted to
the Honorable George w. Summers.
We are pleased TO have this opportunity
Of expressing our hearty appreciation OF the
proceeding, and TO assure you Of our highest
esteem for yourself,
Your obedient servants,
WILLIE p. MASouM,
President Of the Senate
Pro tempore.
JOINS WHITE,
Speaker OF the House Of
representatives.
We took occasion to interview MIR.
NF.a-lzu -. al, ..,l,,o,4 81 thea M