Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-11

mind and heart IN the right mould.
when George was II years OF age his
| half brother, Lawrence. who had been a
soldier and had complained the West
| Indies with General Wentworth and "A.
mIral Vernon, obtained for him mid
shipman's warrant In the British navy.
| The ship was ready TO sail, and the IN
| cipient midshipman's baggage was aboard.
| when Mrs. Washington received letter
| from her brother, Joseph Ball. In England.
| telling her that she had better make her
son apprentice to a tinker" than send
him 10 sea. This decided the doubtful
mother. and the reluctant boy obeyed
| nut for this Incident the name or WASH
ington might have been associated with
| The naval triumphs OF that flag which has
| "braved a thousand years the battle and
the breeze" but what would have been
the history of America? How true IL Is
that there IL nothing trivial In the con-
Germs Of man.
Another trial came when the French
| and Indian war broke out In 100. ana
v-ashIngton was about to go with Gen.
| eral Braddock on his disastrous expcui-
| ton. So opposed was Mrs. Washington to
| th,s that she visited Mount Vernon and
urged him TO forego his plans. But ne
was now q man. with mans RESPONSE
| ht,,v and when he said to her that ms
country and his sense Of duty alike de-
,narded that he should not shrink from
che undertaking. and reminded her that
! the God to whom sne had conirttea nun
mad heretofore protected him from nam.
| n was the mother who resigned "er
| wishes to her son.
THE MATRON Oh FREDERiCksboh"
The search-lights OF history have IN
| folded 20 US nothing Of interest touchihs
Mr. washington from the time OF the
| French and Indian war until the AWAKEN
Ino az the great Revolution. Fortunate Is
| tho woman, said the Greek OF oiu, Vi
whom neither good nor Ill IL SPOKEN. anu
| curtained away from the ~orio, 'hc
| matron lived under the great lashi"as-
ters eve in the bosom or that hofie' ny
whose frui. ye shall know her. rory
years had rolled by since she set'ieu al
Pine Grove. with the infant George, JUST
three years old. And. while she dei'en
and spun In silence, how had great events
rushed forward how had the child be-
come the father TO the man. Grave TASKS
were his while yet a boy. Step by step
| he ascended the ladder of honor and USE
| fulness. A surveyor for Lord Fairfax at
16: crossing the Blue Ridge on horseback;
trayersing the wilderness to the bounds
| OF civilization, getting six pistoles, or
something more than 81 day. for his efti-
Gent service. while In leisure hours he
read the history OF England and the
Spectator, and books OF that high order;
appointed public surveyor n little later,
and then Adtutant-General OF Virginia
troops at 10. managing the great planta-
ton and training the militia OF the State;
at Il penetrating the northwest as "A ne
gotiator for Governor Dinwiddie and
col I, h. Dr. \
dock "A little later. in his ill-starred ex-
petition. suffering defeat: with the victor
at Fort Duquesne. where Pittsburg now
stands, at 90; and member o,
the Virginia House OF Burgesses
AZ 21-and then ever onward. ever
upward. until, "a the great Revolution
broke out. we find him journeying 10
Philadelphia as delegate to the CONT
mental Congress, and presently appearing
on the field Of Boston as commander-In.
chief Of the Continental army.
NOW at General Washington's desire.
Mrs. Washington removed to Fredericks-
burg. and occupied the house which still
stands at the corner of Charles ana
Lewis streets In this town. Near by was
The Kenmore House. the home OF her
daughter Bette. the wife OF its proprie-
tor. Colonel Fielding Lewis, and she was
urged TO make that her home But the
Independent matron declared. with thanks.
My wants are few in this life. and I
FEEL perfectly competent to take care of
myself. Hers was a familiar form I'm
Fredericksburg during the Revolution
and its people showed her every respect
as she walked the streets leaning on her
cane. Often might she be seen driving
the old-fashioned two-wheel chaise 10 or
from the Stafford farm. where she still
directed those who titled IT, Devout and
worshipful, she appeared every Sabbath
at church at the appointed hour and
while the armies under her son were
struggling for our freedom the knitting
needles were busiy piled. and from her
home went forth her modest contributions
OF supplies for him and his soldiers \
favorite resort OF hers, sometimes called
"Oratory Rock" was secluded spot
sheltered by climbing vines from observa-
tion. on Colonel Lewis's estate, where
she frequently retired alone for medita-
ton and devotional spot near this place
of burial which she herself selected.
When the news OF the victories of Tren-
ton and Princeton lin that ten days
campaign which Frederick the Great
called the most brilliant In the annals
Of war; came to Fredericksburg, friends
gathered around her with congratulations
upon the great achievements OF her SON
She simply said she knew George would
deserve well of his country; and when
paragraphs OF letters were read I'm which
his skill and bravery were applauded.
she said: Gentlemen, here is too much
hattery; still, George will not forget
the lessons / have taught him; he Will
not forget himself, though he is the object
of so much praise"
THE NEWS FROM YORKTOWN.
That was a great day when the news
came TO Fredericksburg-"C rnwalis has
surrendered" With red spurs rode the
courers that carried the glad tidings. and
the hearts Of the people leaped with Joy.
THANK God the war is ended and we
shall be blessed with peace. happiness.
and independence. for the country is free
was her exclamation when told OF the
great event.
Yes. on the 10th Of October. 1851. twenty
eight British captains had stepped forth
from the lines and surrendered as many
colors TO the ragged Continentals With
instructive magnanimity the conquerors
gave a banquet to their captive officers
and Washington saluted CORVALLIS with
a toast to the British army. Thus the
brave honor the brave. Affairs at York.
town settled. he turned his face north
ward to the seat OF government. then at
Philadelphia and on the 18th o. November
he arrived here, attended by brilliant
retinue Of French and American officers.
No sooner had he reached the town than
he sent word to his mother Of his arrival.
and desired 10 know when II would be
her pleasure to receive him. She laid
aside her household cares to meet at the
door with a warm embrace the son whom
she had not seen for seven years. She
inquired about his health, remarked on
the lines Of care that time had graved
upon his face, talked much Of old times
and friends but Of his glory said not
word Here was the great audit this
side the judgment throne. The soldier OF
his people had laid his countrys freedom
at his mothers feet. and II ever In this
world a foretaste Of heavenly JOY be
given to human, to Mary and George
Washington alike this was the hour.
THE BANQUET IN FREDERICKS-
BURG.
The hospitable citizens Of Freder!cks'
burg prepared a splendid entertainment
for the French and American officers who
attended Washington In the Town Hall.
which was decked with evergreens and
flags. and blazsd with light on that
festive night. Mrs. Washington WAS in
vited. There was much public curiosity,
especially among the foreign friends. TO
behold the mother Of the conqueror Of
CornWallis Leaning on the arm of her