The Washington herald., 1907-08-16
alexandria and ARLINGTON.
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.


To ancient Alexandria and halIowed Ar
lington is an easy Journey for visitors 10
the National Capital, and 1t is q trip that
all should take. because the sights to be
seen there are like illustrations in the
book of our national story. In Alexandria
one is caught on a receding billow Of time
and carried back to the days OF King
Georges colonies. II was from here that
George Washington started out TO make
his immortal fight for the cause OF free
dom. At Arlington. where sleep the ma
tons dead. one is brought to realize the
sacrifice Of blood and treasure afterward
made to preserve the great country from
disruption. Alexandria and Arlington tell
the story OF the nations struggles; Wash
ington Is the monument to that nations
triumph.
Alexandria has street that was paved
with cobble stones by the Hessan pris-
oners during the war of the Revolution
The paving IS preserved more because OF
its historic interest than for its excellence
as a roadway. It is the Oldest street
paving in America. Alexandria was one
OF the most important shipping ports OF
the country when Baltimore was a strag-
Cling village.
Alexandria was first settled in 1925 by
Thomas Pearson, a planter. Soon there
after another PLANTER named Belhaven
came and established a tobacco ware
house. The settlement took the name OF
Belhaven. and ii was 10 BeIhaven that
Lawrence Washington looked IS a base
Of supplies when he was building Mount
Vernon In 1749 the Belhaven settlement
had grown 20 the proportions Of a village.
and ii was duly organized under the name
OF Alexandria, in honor OF the Alexander
family. Thomas. Lord Fairfax Earl OF
Cameron, was the head Of the first board
Of trustees, of which Lawrence Washing
ton was also a member. George Wash
ingtOn became one OF the trustees OF Al
eXandria IN 1853. II was his market place
and his post-office. He was a member OF
its lodge of Masons, trustee Of its cor
poration, the commander Of its local
militia. and a member OF its volunteer
fire company.
From Alexandra Washington went out
70 survey lands for Lord Fairfax From
Alexandria he rode forth with Braddock
10 that generals Untimley end From
Alexandria he went 70 take command OF
the armies OF the rebelling colonies. and
in Alexandria he delivered his Farewell
Address. Every visitor is taken TO Christ
Church, where George Washington was a
vestryman The church was built in 1773
and In It's yard Washington babe farewell
70 Er.f rf8
old church was once improved" but
thanks to the good sense OF the congre-
cation, the old furnishings have been re-
stored. There IS the great. square pew
with its silver plate engraved Geo Wash
ington, in which the whole Mount
Vernon family took their places on sun
days. Across the aisle. and a little farther
back, Is the pew owned by Robert Z.
Lee.
There are two marble tablets against
the wall one on each side Of the chancel
sacred TO the memory of two Christian
gentlemen who once took communion there
George Washington and Robert z. Lee.
Not word Of the craven legends indi-
Gates that either had any distinction in
life outside that church. In the church.
yard are the graves Of those early Alex
andrians who lived their lives and passed
the way Of all flesh. For a hundred years
no bodies have been buried there. the
last interment being that of Mrs Ann
Warner, IN 1905. Mrs. Warner was the
greatest actress Of her day. and was the
aunt Of the late Joseph jefferson.
Alexandria's most ancient monument is
the Carlyle house, a mansion built by
one John Carlyle in 1852. Under II is
fort. for the Indians were near, and dan
gerous. when the house was built. and
there was need for the protection of
strong stone walls The house is now
hidden from the street. and is nearly
surrounded by a hotel The arm Of the
Potomac. which formerly came I'D he
hind IT, has long since been filled in. and
the underground passages, which afford
ed opportunity of escape TO the river.
are but memories. The house is kent
open, and Is filled with interesting relics
for the delight OF the curious. In this
home, when It was but three years old
Gen. Braddock held his famous council
of war with the representatives Of the col
onles Of Virginia, Maryland, Massachu-
SetlS new 1OTkt ana pennsylvania and
here It was that George Washington
commander Of the Alexandria militia. was
invited 10 advise with the great British
general.
Not all Of Alexandrias story Is Of the
colonial and revolutionary periods. For
there is the Marshall House, the scene Of
the first clash of the great war between
the States, where Col. Ellsworth was shot
and killed by James w. Jackson. who.
in turn, fell by the hand of one of Els
woTth's men. Jackson was defending the
Confederate flag he had raised. and Els
worth had torn it down. The adolescent
guide VIII not fail 70 point out the City
Hotel. where Col. Washington was wont
to dance with pretty Sally Fairfax. Nor
viii he forget TO show my lord Fairfax's
town house. the old lodge rooms. the
house where Lee lived, and many others
Of the kind.
On the wooded he{Phts Of -1s-..--