The western sentinel., 1891-06-04
THE lOOTH ANNIVERSARY
OF GEORGE wASHINGTON'S VISIT
TO SALEM.

The Presidents Great Southern Tour
and His Sojourn Among the Old
Wachovia Settlement a Noted Page
in North Carolina Annals-Interes-
ting Notes from Washington's Diary.
Sunday marked the Tooth anni-
versary of General George Washing
tons visit to Salem! 1t is an impor-
tant page in the history of North
Carolina, and of particular interest
to the people of Salem. Then small
Moravian settlement of 200 souls,
the distinctive characteristics have
lived through these hundred years,
and to-day a population of over
1000 can gather around the spot
where posterity has made historic.
The extracts below from Washing
toms diary speaks for itself:
"On Tuesday, May 81, 1871, left
Salisbury about 4 O'Clock, at 5 miles
crossed the Yadkin, the principal
stream of the Pee Dee, and break
tasted on the north bank, (while my
carriage and horses were crossing)
at a Mr.. Young's, fed my horses 10
miles further at one Reeds and
about 3 O'Clock, (after another halt)
arrived at Salem, one of the Mora
Wan towns 20 miles further, in all 35
from Salisbury. The road between
Salisbury and Salem passes over very
little good land. and much that is in
different, being q good deal mixed
with pine but not sand
"Salem is a small but neat village,
4 I, 80
settlements, is governed by an excel
lent police, having within itself all
kind of artisans. The number of
souls does not exceed 200.
"wednesday, June 1st, having re-
eeived information that Gov. Martin
was on his way to meet me, and
would be at Salem this evening, 1 re-
solved to await his arrival at this
place. instead Of halting a day at
Guilford as l had intended. Spent
the forenoon in visiting the shops of
the different tradesmen; the ehouses of
accommodation for the single men
and sisters of the fraternity, and
| their place of worship. Invited six
of their principal men to dine with
| pe, and in the evening went to hear
them sing, and perform on a variety
of Instruments, church music.
'In the afternoon Governor Mar
| tin and his Secretary arrived
The following is the correspond
ence between the town authorities
and his excellency the President:
$40 the President of the United
States:-Happy i'll sharing the honor
] of visit from the illustrious Presi-
dent of the Union to the Southern
States, the brethren of Vachovia,
humbly beg leave upon this joyful
occasion, to express their highest es-
TEEN, duty and affection for the great
patriot of this country
| "Deeply impressed as we are with
| gratitude to the great Author of our
being for His unbounded mercies, we
cannot but particularly acknowledge
His gracious providence over the
temporal and political prosperity OF
| the country, in the peace whereof We
do find peace, and wherein none can
take a warmer interest than our
selves, in particular when we consider
that the same Lord who preserved
your precious person in so many i'm
minent dangers has made you in q
conspicuous manner an instrument
in His hands to forward that happy
constitution, together with those i'm
provements whereby our United
States begin to flourish, over which
you preside with the applause of 6
thankful nation.
| "Whenever, therefore, wesolicit tht
protection of the Father of mercies
over this favored country, we cannot
but fervently implore His kindness fol
your preservation, which is so init
mately connected Herewith.
"May this Gracious Lord vouchsaf,
to prolong your valuable life as {
further blessing and an ornament o
the Constitution, that by you
worthy example the regard for relig
ion be increased, and the improve
ments of civil society encouraged.
"The settlements of the unitet
brethren, though small, will make i
their study to contribute, as much a
in them lies, to the peace and i'm
provement of the United States, an,
all the particular parts they live in
joining their ardent prayers to th
best wishes of this whole continen
: that your personal as well as domes
tic happiness may abound, and a 81
ries of successes may crown your ls
| bors for the prosperity of our time
and an example to future ages, unit
the glorious reward of a faithful SCI
, want shall be your portion.
, Signed in behalf of the Unite
Brethren of Wachovia.
FREDERICK WILLIAM MARSHALL
:. JOHN DANIAL KOEHLER,