The Washington times., 1902-05-11

various rooms in the mansion were as
signed to the thirteen original States.
The vice regents of these States we're each
| to refurnish a room. as far as possible
with the furniture which had once been in
Mount Vernon and where that was not
possible to furnish with historic articles
! and in colonial style. New Jersey has
the honor Of being the first State which
succeeded in doing this. Its second vice
regent. Mrs. Halstead. who was appointed
by Miss Cunningham in 1867. selected the
! bed room which was occupied by Lafay-
cite when he visited Washington soon af-
ter the close of the Revolutionary war,
and. raising the money throughout her
State. she refurnished It. Unfortunately
she was not able to restore any of the
articles which were H. it originally, but
she made perfect reproduction of bed
room of that period.
Relics Brought to Their Home.
Soon after that the council sent out let
tors TO all who were known to have Wash
ington relics asking them to loan them for
exhibition in the mansion, pledging to in
sure them, and to return them upon re-
quest. This has had the effect of bring
ing back to the estate much of that which
was originally there, and contributes very
largely in making the place what it is to-
day-America's most sacred shrine In
the main hallway Of the mansion there is
little glass case containing the key of
the Bastile, which Lafayette presented to
Washington on the occasion Of his visit.
Three of the Generals swords hang on
the opposite wall, and the engravings in
this apartment are reprints OF the
originals which hung there. In the lower
part Of the hall is a mahogany case with
a glass front. which contains a number of
priceless relics loaned by Mrs Conrad, Of
New Orleans. Mr.. Conrad was direct
descendant Of Mrs. Washington and inher-
tied these relics. There is miniature of
Washington painted on ivory and back of
it in the gold case Is a lock of his hair.
There are three pieces OF lace which were
owned and worn by Mrs Washington. her
needle book, and the little toilet case
which she used. There are also two
pieces Of china. which are part of a set
once in use at Mount Vernon, and some
letters of Nellie and John Parke Custfs.
There is a little green silk purse. which |
was knitted by the former. and several
other equally interesting articles.
Washington's Musical Instruments,
In the music room there is a harpsi-
chord which General Washington sent to
England for and gave as a wedding gift
to Nellie Custis. His flute, either. and
card table are there also. The west par
lor is one of the most attractive parts
Of the mansion. while Washington's coat
Of arms is carved above the mantel and
his crest and initials are cast in the heavy
iron freback. The old painting impaneled
over the mantel is said to represent a
part of Admiral Vernon's feet at Cartha-
gena, and was sent by the admiral TO
Lawrence Washington In 17i3 as an
of the latter's courtesy
in naming the estate for him. The rug on
his floor is OF great historic interest
Louis XVI had II designed and woven as
l present for Washington while he occu-
pied the Presidents chair. but as the laws
of the young Republic prohibited its Chief
Executive from accepting a gift from a
oreign Power, II was sold by the Govern
nent, and Judge Jasper Tate, OF Pennsyl-
Tania. bought It, 1t was handed down in
ais family. and 1t is his great great
Mrs. Thomas whelan. OF
who sent 1t to Mount Yer
ION. The carpet is Of blue plush with
border and center circle over which
itars are strewn. In the very middle of
{ is the emblematic eagle and shield.
There are three original chairs in this