The times., 1901-05-05
THE WASHINGTON RELICS
Articles Which Are to Be Restored
10 the Lee Family.
Tine Presidents Recent Decision
Arouses Renewed Interest i'm the
Collection = The Generals Tents
and His Wife's Treasure Chest.

Arouses Renewed Interest in the
Collection = The Generals Tents
and His Wife's Treasure Chest.
The recent decision of the President 10
order the restoration of the historic relics
of Georget Washington now in the Ma
tionaI Museum to George Washington
Gusts Lee has aroused renewed interest
in them. This is the second time Presi-
dent has ordered their restoration TO the
Lee family. Andrew Johnson. on Febru-
ary is. 1863. instructed Orville r. Brown
ing, then Secretary of the Interior. to re-
turn them in response to the request of
Mrs. Robert Z. Lee. The news Of Presi-
dent Johnson's decision was published
the same afternoon in the Evening EX-
press, and caused much comment. The
next day John A. Logan, then a Repre-
sentative, brought up before Congress a
resolution against their restoration and it
was passed.
Since that time the relics have remain
ed in the care Of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition, although repeated efforts have
been made by the Lee family TO regain
possession of them. The articles, while
they do not comprise the major portion
of the Washington historical collection at
the Museum, are nevertheless extremely
interesting and their removal will neces-
sariIy curtan the completeness of the ex-
hibit
It would be difficult to select the moss
interesting objects in the collection, bu-
perhaps the tents used by General Wash
ington during the Revolutionary war ap-
peal most to museum visitors They are
his sleeping tent of linen and marquee
tent made of wool. with a complete linen
~rrI- Il. hair nrrr = lrrl
1t is difficult to believe that they were
made over a century and quarter ago
and that they were used in vigorous
campaign and doubtless saw hard ser
vice. Styles in this sort Of habitation DO
not change in any great degree. and the
photograph of these tents erected has
most commonplace and Iatter-day look
The collection of china has an entirely
different aspect-it has the hall mark OF
good old age on every piece. The most
conspicuous pieces are the Cinciunatus. or
perhaps, more properly speaking, the Cin-
cinnati china. The history Of this china
is somewhat curious, and has a little OF
mystery connected with it. Ii was made
in China. and has something the appear
ance of old Canton. The decoration, how
ever. instead of covering it, is confined
TO a heavy border The centre of every
piece has a design of an angel bearing
the arms of the Society of the Cincinnati
1t seems curious the Chinese should know
anything of this society, which had just
then mad it's inception. However the arms
are thereon every piece. The bill of lading
mentions two sets; it is not known Tor
whom either was imported. but General
Washington. who. il he be not misrepre-
sented, always knew good thing and
Il of
at the Baltimore port and sent an agent
10 buy one As the first President of the
Cincinnati Society. it naturally had spe-
ciaI value in his eyes. The fate OF the
other set has always remained a mystery
AS these are associated with General
Washington so there are several pieces
of a set associated with MIS-. w aShiuStOn-
These belong 10 q service said 10 have
been presented to her by the french OF
ficers who fought with her husband dur
ing the Revolution. They consist or a
large plate, small plate, and a cup and
saucer of " hite porce tain, with the initials
M w in monogram in the centre of each
piece. The monogram Is in gold, surround
ed by a green band. with the motto. De
Gus ct Tutamen al llO. below, the
border bears the names or the thirteen
original States in oval medtlions or
green. These pieces are all sadly cracked
and mutilated which might lead 10 the
suspicion that the walters and maids CT
Colonial DAYS We're not a great improve
mcnI on those OF the present time
Another article belonging to the original
First Lady of the Land is an iron treas
ure chest, 10 which Mrs. Washington was
wont to keep her jewels. papers, and 9TH
er valuable possessions. In the same
case with this are the iron hall lantern
from Mount Vernon, and pair or
WrOught-irou audirOns
The most valuable items in the cOllec-
ton are two Worcester vases, thirteen
and a half and eighteen inches high. re-
snectiyelv fhey are of dark blue pOrce-
lain. relieved with gold and are decorated
in O'Neale's best manner. with some OF
his celebrated animal paintings broken
punch-bowI of Chinese porcelain, a pair OF
handsome cut glass candelabra. large
mirror, and a few minor articles complete
the Lee collection.
curious feature IN regard 90 II y tna1
thc expIauation placards which accom-
pany almost every article on eXhlbiti0n at
the Museum are lacking on all Of these.