The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-23

Mount Vernon over one hundred years ago
describing in graphic word. Washington in
his home life. The letters have never before
been published. They were written by Major
Hunter. an English officer. The frst is as
follows:
ALEXANDRIA, Va,
WEDNESDAY l6ru op NOVEMBER. 1851
After breakfast | waited on Colonel Fitz-
GERALD A fire that had broke out in the town
Eindered as from getting of 80 soon as we in~
tended. However. after some trouble II was
extingushed. and al 1880 we left Alexandra
Nth MIR Lee. the president Of Congress, his
son aud the servants. You have a fine view
of the Potomac till you enter a wood. 4 small
,1vulet here divides the Generals estate from
the neighboring farmers His seat breaks out
beautifully upon you when you little expect.
being situated upon a most elegant
rising ground on the banks OF the
Potomac. ten miles from Alexandria.
Ne arrived At Mount Vernon 10y one
o'clock sO-caued 10y the Generals eldest
brother. who lived there before hmm, after the
admiral Of that name. When Colonel Fitzger-
sid introduced me to the General was struck
with his noble and venerable appearance. II
Immediately brought 20 my mind the great
part he had acted In the late war. The Gen
era Is about six foot high, perfectly straight
and well made. rather inclined 70 be lusty.
Ills eyes are full and blue and seem 20 e1-
y.
the aQuiline his mouth small. his teeth are yet
GOOD snd his cheeks indicate perfect health. Ills
forehead IS a noble one. anu he wears his hair
turned back without cufls, and quite IN the
onicer's style and tied IN long queue be-
hind Although he makes a most noble
respectable appearance and | really think
INN the FIRST man in the world. After having
hal the management and care Of the whole
Continental army. he has now retired with
out receiving any pay for his trouble, and
though solicited by the hing Of France and
some III tao first characters IN the world 70
visit Europe he has denied them all and
Knows how 20 prefer solid happiness in
bls retirement to all the luxuries and
catering speeches Of European courts The
General was born and educated near Fred
ericksUurg on the Rsppahann0ck lie must
he man Of great abilities aud strong
nstursi genius. hs master never taught
him anything but writing and arithmetic.
People come to see HIM here from all parts Of
the world hardly day passes without but
the General seldom makes his appearance be
fore dinner. employing the morning TO write
his letters aud superintend hls farm. ana
AllOtng the afternoon TO company; bat @ zen
then he generally retires for two hours be-
tween tea and supper 10 his study 20 write
lie is one of the most regular men IL The
world When no particular company If az
his house ne goes to bed always NJ g and gets
No with the sun. It's astonishing the
packets Of letters that daily come for him
from all parts Of the world, which employ
him most Of the morning 70 answer and has
secretary, Mr.. Shaw can ACQUAINTANCE 81
mine TO copy and arrange The Gen
eral has all the accounts of the war
vet 10 settle Shaw tells me he keeps as
regular books az any merchant whatever. and
Il daily journal of all hls transactions. its
amazing the number Of letters he wrote dur
ing the war. There are thirty large folio
volumes Of them upstairs as big as common
ledgers, al neatly copied. The General IS
remarked for writing most elegant letter.
Like the famous Addison. his writing o1cel5
his speaking But 10 finish this long digres-
son When / was first introduced 20 him he
was neatly dressed IN q plain blue coat.
white cassiIuir waistcoat and black
breaches and boots. as lie came from his farm.
After having sit with Us some time he retired
and sent in his lady, most agreeable woman
about fifty and Major Washington, ms
neDhew married about three weeks ago %
Miss Besset She is Mrs. Mashington's niece,
and a most charming young woman. She is
about nineteen. After chatting with them
for half an hour. the General came ia sgaln
with his hair neatly powdered. Glenn shirt
on. new plain drab cont. white wastcoat and
white silk stockings. At three dinner
was on table. and we were shown
bv the General into another rOem,
where everything Igns set oil with peculiar
taste and at the same time very neat and
plain The General sent the bottle about
the navigation Of the Potomac for his toasts,
which he has very much at heart. and when
finished will | suppose. be the INST riFer BIB
the world. He. never undertakes ANYTHING
without having first well considered OF u
and consulted different people. hut when
once he has begun anything no obstacle or
difficulty can come IN his Nay but what ne
is determined TO surmOunt Inc Genera
character seems 10 be "a prudent but very
persevering one. lie Is quite pleased al the
idea OF the Baltimore merchants laughing ~
him and saying It was ridiculous pan auu
would never succeed They begin now says the
General. 10 look alittle serious about the mat
tor. as they know il must hurt their com
Inerce amazingly.
The Colonel and I hal our horses ready
after dinner 10 return u Ale1anorla. ana not
withdrawing MI we could do the General aO-
eolutely insisted upon our STAYING On account
OF the bad afternoon. We therefore com
piled although il was fully my intention 10
have set of either 10 Fredericksburg IN ms
way TO Mr.. McCal's in the stage, II the morn
ing was fine. and if not. most certainty pach
again 10 BaltimOre) as / could not refuse the
pressing and kind invitation 81 50 great
General Though our greatest enemy admire
him as superior even 10 the Roman heroes
themselves. -
After tea General Washington retired 20
his study and left us with the President MS
LADY and the rest of the company. II ne mao
not been anxious TO hear the news OF Congress
from Mr.. Lee, most probably he W0uld not
have returned to supper, bat gone to bed al
his usual hour. 9 o'clock for he seldom makes
any ceremony. We had very elegant sup
per about that time. The General with few
glasses of champagne got quite merry ana
beino with his intimate friends Laughed ana
talked q good deal. Before STRANGERS ne Is
Generally very reserved, and seldom says
word. / was fortunate in being IN his com
panv with his particular acouaintances.
I'm told during the war he was never seen
To smile The care. indeed, OF such an army
was almost enough 10 make anybody thought,
ful and grave No man but the General could
have kept the army together without vlctuals
or clothes: they placed q confidence Ia MN
that they would have had in no other person.
His being man OF great fortune and having
no children showed them II was quite de-
interested part that he was acting with regaIu
70 money-making, and that ne bad only
the good Of his country At heart. Inc SOL
diers. though starving at times, III manner
adored him. -.
We had great deal Of conversation ABOUT
the slippery ground as the General SAID that
Frankiin was on and also about Congress,
the Potomac. improving their roads, etc. Al
" had the honor OF being lighted up 10 NY
bed by the General himself.
The Second Letter.
The second letter is IS follows
STATE or VIRGINIA..