The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-30
SWORD OF FREDERICK.
Evidence That Washington Receive Such n Present.


 The story that Frederick the Great sent George Washington a sword with the characteristic and epigrammatic message, From the oldest general to the greatest general in the world" has been familiar from our earliest child hood, says the Washington Star. It is a plain narrative, IS given by members of the Washington family. who alone have any knowledge, real or tradition al. of the fact. The appraisers list of the personal effects of Washington, made at Mount Vernon, May. 1900. con- tains this item: Swords and blades, $12.000." Among these, which were chiefly presents, was the one sent by the King of Prussia. The personal eff fects of Washington were divided among the heirs. but a large portion were left at Mount Vernon for Mrs. Washington, who was still living. Upon her death Justice Bushrod Washington took possession of the mansion, for he was his uncle's chief heir and the one to whom he intrusted his papers. Bushrod Washington lived 30 years at Mount Vernon, and bequeathed the es- tate and personal property, save an oc- casional gift. to his nephew, Col. John Augustine Washington. who also lived there 80 years. There was an immense accumulation of papers and relics, and among other souvenirs. of interest was the sword of Frederick
 Maj. Lewis Washington of Belle Air, Jefferson county, Va. visited his cousin at Mount Vernon in 1858. At this time he was the owner of two fthe five swords willed by General Washington to his nephews-one direct from his grandfather. William Augustine Wash ington; the other. that one which Jus tice Bushrod Washington received and had willed to his father, George Cor bin Washington. Major Washington admired the elegant dress sword sent by the King, and offered in exchange for 1t, being perfectly satisfied as to its authenticity, the Bushrod Wash ington sword. During his life this beautiful rapier was seen by many neighbors and friends at his home Some years after his death his widow Mrs. Ella Bassett Washington, sold it.. with other valuable Washington relics, to the state of New York. These are now deposited in the library at Albany, in the catalogue will be seen NO. 4. dress sword of Washington. The sword acquired by Colonel Washington In this exchange was sold a few years since by his son. Lawrence Washing ton, of Alexandria, to John H. Haver- meyer of New York. who presented it to Mount Vernon, being thus happily returned to its original abode.
 When Col John A. Washington dis posed of the home of our first Presi- dent to the Ladies' Mount Vernon as sociation of the Union, he gave pos session early in the year 1880. He carefully packed his valuable papers 1 in barrels, of which there were 12. He l left them In the care of his friend. Upton Herbert, first superintendent of Mount Vernon, thinking, in the dis | turbed state of the country. they would be safer than at any other place. l Colonel Washingtons sad death oc- | cured in 1861, and these papers re- mained at Mount Vernon until Mir. Herbert left his office. In 1886 he re- moved them to Alexandria, and stored them in an old bank building; this | building, in 1868, burned and nearly all the papers and documents were destroyed. A few baskets full of the half charred debris were hawked about the old town by boys. for which they got 25 cents each. In these some ! fine autographs were found, showing how great the loss; also some few let ters, one of which brought a large price. It was from Mary Washington. l and was in good condition.
 | The surviving children of Colonel Washington say documents referring to this sword were in these barrels. A daughter, Mrs. Chew. of West Vir- ginia. writes My father always spoke of he sword he save up as having been presented by Frederick the Great, and there was in his possession a let- l tar trora Frederick to General Wash