The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1909-02-19

2 bearer of messages from the field of war to the
capital. by the Establishments of the future mis-
tresS of Mt. Vernon.
Washington at this particular time, and prob
ably through the influence of, his tancee, declueu
to retire from the army and settle down on MS
farm on the Potomac and incidentally enter poll
ties. Upon the force of this declaration he was
chosen a member of the cOlonys mouse OF Dur-
sesses while he was yet in the field, for he was
retained there until the end of 1888 and lbs wed
ding was accordingly greatly delayed.
There is little of the correspondence that
passed between Martha Custis and George WASH
ington in existence, for the very good reason that
it was al! burned by the lady after the death OF
her spouse. she holding that it was sacred De
tween them and should never be made puphc'
One letter is found, however, that may evlhce
something of the spirit of Washington In "rltlns
to his future wife, it being somewhat or a modei
in it's way, yet less loquaciOus than might nave
been expected. He wrote her on July z, after
they had become engaged, as follows:
1--WE have begun our march for ONO. A courier
is starting for Williamsburg and l embrace the
opportunity to send a few words 10 one "Aose
life is now inseparable from mine. since tha'
happy hour when we made our pledges 10 each
other my thoughts have been constantly gong 10
Won as another self. That an all-powerful Provf-
deuce may keep us both in safety is the prayer
of YOUR ever anectionate and faithful friend.
Contrasting quite f~ercefully with this letter IS
one written two months later from the neld also,
but to Mrs. George William Fairfax, the wlIe OIL
a family friend, but despite this the OBJECT OIL
probably the only infatuation that washington
ever had. He says in part:
"'Tis true l profess myself a votary Oh love;
I acknowledge that a lady is in the case anu
further | confess that this lady is known 10
you. Yes, madam, as well as she IS TO one WIN
is too sensible of her charms to deny the power
whose influence he feels and must ever submit TO.
I feel the force of her amiable beauties IN the
recollection of a thousand tender passages tnat l
could be wise to obliterate, till l am bid to revive
them. :
you have drawn me, dear madam, or rather l
have drawn myself, into an honest confession OIL
a simple fact. Misconstrue not my meanlng'
dcubt il not or expose it. The world has no Dusl-
ness to know the object of my love, declared III
this manner to you, when l want you to conceai
- But adieu to this till happier times,
g. 7 ever. shall see them. The hours at present
.re melancholy and dull. I dare to believe you
are as happy as you say. wish was happy
ALSO" ~
rairfax who died in England at the ripe old age
of 90 It is taken to reveal a sadness In the NE
~ the first president and an unrequited love-or
Nv come it is taken as an evidence that ne was
something of "a gay Lothario, who might say
many things to a fair lady and not mean them.
There was nothing of sadness about Col. Wash
.ngton when. at the holiday session of 1853, he
returned to Williamsport and preparations were
made for the wedding SO long delayed. On Janu'
ary 6. 1859. the DAY was clear and cold, when