Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-08-14


interest, is silua ed on the right bank of the
Potomac, about seven milee from Washing
ioa.
The intent of this article is not to give
geographical description of the place, but to
narfate some of the impressions made and
to give an account Of few of the many OBJ
ects OF interest seen by the writer during a
recent trip to and about that city.
On our arrival we were driven to the
Braddock House which derives it's name
from the fact that Gen. Braddock had his
headquarters there. The old house stands
to-day as it did then. The hand of time has
been laid heavily on it, but with few excep
tions it is in remarkably good state of
preservation. 1t was, no doubt, in its time
magnificent mansion, built on promi-
nencs and commanding beautiful view OF
the river. The interior OF the house, 80 we
were told, has not been altered in any way
since Braddock's time aud is we'll preserved,
especially the "blue room," in which Wash-
ington received from General Braddock
his first commission. 1t was also in
this house where the conference took
place between General Braddock and his
American officers in which he was warned
Dy UQ6Iu vi WHO plOORuliiVJ VI piioO1
sighting which he fell into an ambuscade of
Indians and lost his life. The present Brad
dock House has been built around the old
one, and reminds me of q young man en-.
folding aud supporting in his arms an old
one and shielding him from danger. 1t was
at the new house where Ellsworth met his
death, after lowering or tearing down the
flag which the proprietor had seen fit to
float above bis house. This is mistake.
1t was at the Marshall House where the
tragedy referred to took place.
The city has the appearance of having
been we'll built, containing many fine build
ings The streets are wide and roomy, but
there il al air of desertion about the place
such as l have never noticed elsewhere, re-
minding me of a PROSTATE giant from whom
the life blood has been taken.
A place of much interest to visitors in
Christ's church, where Washington worship.
pad his pew remaining as 1t was when he
laet occupied 1t.
Another place of the greatest interest,
especially to Masonic visitors, is the lodge.
room containing souvenirs of inestimable
value to the craft; here may be seen the
chair in which Washington sat, while
master of the lodge. This chair is still
used, and has been by each succeeding mas
ter since his time. In recess in the wall of
the room, and protected from injury by q
glass front, may be seen the apron and sash
worn by Washington at the laying of the
They were the handiwork Of Mrs. Gen. La
fayette and were presented to Washington
by Lafayette during his visit to Mount Yer.
non in 1854. This case also contains his
farm spurs, boot strap or gaiter, piece of
cloth from the coat worn by him at Brad
docks defeat, July 9th, 1865, piece of the
coffin which contained his remains, bis field
compass, his cuppiug instrument and sever
al letters of his, besides other articles OF In
terest. Occupying prominent place in the
lodge room is the clock which was stopped
by DR.. Dick at the moment OF his death. the
hands pointing to twenty minutes past ten.
On the walls are oil paintings of rare value;
one of Washington in full Masonic dress
painted for the lodge in 1894 BY Williams,
of Philadelphia. On the back of the can.
vass in the handwriting of the artist lie this
inscription "His Excellency, Geo. Wash
ington, Esquire, President of the United
States, aged 64; Williams. ppzit ad virum,
Philadelphia, September IS, 1894 :" For this
portrait the lodge has been offered ten
thousand dollars and refused to part with
it. There is beside full length portrait
of Washington, also one of Lafayette in the
unif rm of continental guard officer paint.
ed in 1884, one OF Lord Fairfax painted In
London in 1870 and many others of great
worth and antiquity. Among the vast mum
Der ofreics are two which deserve special
mention-the three candle sticks used at
the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol
and for which five thousand dollars has
been refused, and an ancient Masonic staff,
which was presented to the lodge by COL
Mountford 10 1911. he said, "Its precise
age have not been able to trace, but I be-
lieve it has existed for centuries past in Eu.
rope as the property of gentlemen of our
order OF first standing in society,""
1t would be almost an impoesibility to de.
scribe each and every article of interest In
this treasure house, and 80 will not at.
tempt more, but will say that it is worth q
trip to Alexandria to behold the almost ss-
cred relics contained within this lodge room
and our thanks are due to Brothers Dufey,
Grigg, Cox, Warfeld, Fisher. Downham and
others through whose kind and fraternal
hospitality We secured this great privilege.
B j. T. in Petersburg linden appeal.