New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-10
ORIGIN OF MOUNT VERNON.
HOW THE HOME OF THE wAsHINGTONs
RECEIVED IT'S NAME.
THE FRIENsuIP OF AN AMERICAN CoLONIsT
AND AN ENGLISH OFFICER DURING


AND AN ENGLISH OFFICER DURING
WAR WITH SPAIN.
In the war between England and Spain. in 1893.
history records how Colorists Of the mother
country. rendered sympathy and support"
During that conflict friendship was formed be-
tween Lawrence Washington and Admiral Vernon.
which gave the name TO of the most beautiful
historical homesone dear 10 every American heart.
Edward Vernon. commander-in-chief OF Eng
lands forces In the West Indies. was born in West
minister. England. on November II. 1854. He OBJ
tanned a commission In the navy In l702 and was
engaged that year In the expedition under Admiral
Hopson which destroyed the French and Spanish
fleets on october Y. He also engaged In the
capture Of Gibraltar on July e. 1904 and the naval
battle Of Malaga. August 10. same year. He
was made Rear Admiral in 17Gs. at the age OF
twentyf0ur. and continued in active service until
l721, when he elected to Parliament for Penryn.
In 1872 the Spaniards had made many depre-
dations upon British commerce. 1t determined
to chas.ise them. Vernon declared in the debate
that followed. THAT Puerto Beo. the Spanish
main. couc be taken with six ships The Minis
try took him at his word. gave him the command
OF six men-of-war. with the rank of Nice-Admiral
of the Blue With his small fleet he captured
Puerto Beo November %. 1879. after an assault
OF day, with loss Of only men, Spain
prepared to strike avenging blow. France offered
her assistance. England and her Colonies were
aroused. and four regiments were recruited In the
American Colonies for service in the West Indies.
Lawrence Washington. at that time spirited
young man OF twenty-five. having inherited the
military fervor OF his family. caught the infection.
and obtained a captains commission. He embarked
for the West Indies in l7i. with between three
thousand and four thousand men. under General
Wentworth
That officer. with Admiral Vernon, commanded a
joint expedition against Carthagend. IN south south
America. with disastrous results fatal illness
prevailed among the troops especially those unasr
command of General Wentworth. History records
that less than twenty thousand British soldiers
and seamen pershed during the pestilence 49,. an
Lawrence Washington returned home IN the au-
tumn of l7i2, the provincial army being dsbanded,
and Admiral Vernon and General Wentworth were
CURED the friendship and confluence Of both these
respondencc with Admiral Vernon. He received
many gifts from him. The one most priced was
capture Of Puerto Beilo which was preserved at
Mount Vernon until Washingtons death Law
preferment therein but love changed his resolution
"All the world must be as a grain OF sand IN com
beautiful Anna the eldest daughter of William
Fairfax. Of Fairfax County Va. became me
Their nupt.ais were to be celebrated in me sgrlng
Of l1@, but the sudden illness ana deitn o. NE
father. Augustine Washington, postponed the MAJ,
riage until the following July. All thoughts OF
a military lie a profession passed from MS MIND
bcqucathed to him by his father-a ncoe CONAN man
OF many hundred acres, stretching Tor ii'leS alo'6
the Potomac. ON It's highest "inntnce ne erectru u
plain substantial mansion IT was about one-tnlrd
the SIZE Of the present building Of the old gable
ro)fed style with four rooms upon each nooi. re
gave il the name of Mount Vernon, in honor or ms
friend the gallant Admiral. There he resided until
his death. which took place in July, 1752 he be
quoathed this beautiful home to his only child. a
daughter. Jane with a proviso that In the event
o. hcr deat It should become the property or MS
half-brother George She survived her father but
A short time: and thus George Washington became
the owner Of that beautiful home on the Potomac
He always STYLED the house a villa, ana II re-
tained its original form until after the Revolution
airy War 49,, ,
In the spring OF 1884 the CONSTRUCTION OF the mouse
I'm It's present form resolved upon. The villa
or central portion the TWO wings being bullt at the
same time In these imp: Ovements Washington was
his own architect and drew every plan and speci-
tcatIon for the workmen with his own hand. Thus
this home bearing the name OF one or England )
hravest sons became the loved refuge OF the
Father OF our Country" after the cares and
turmos OF public life, the Mecca Of every American