The Washington herald., 1909-02-21
General Washington a Descendant
of King Edward |, of England

the washington genealcgy, OF which he
writes 20 friends on this side as follows.
7 hunted up the descendants OF these
ancestors fof the Wsshingtons) and the
result Will, think be surprising. L ought
10 delight all Americans" Aside from a
brief reference to the obstacles and de-
lays which beset the student OF Eenealogy
this is the only mention OF the chart OF
the ancestral descent which involved
weeks OF patient research and inyestisa-
ton.
There were other European Washing
tons Of noble Hneage-Baron Macmillan
Washington. VINO died a few years ago al
an advanced age at Graz, Austria. as
member Of the Austrian House Of Lords
and chamberlain TO Emperor Francis JO-
seph. traced his descent from that same
north of England family from which our
own George Washington was descended
The baron, who was succeeded IN honors
and estates by his son George. a retired
captain OF the Austrian Lancers, bore
the same arms as his illustrious name
sake IN this country, a shield with three
stars and two stripes. Baron George
Washington and the baroness, by bi-th.
a Countess WeIserheimb. paid their first
visit 10 this country a few years ago.
He Is the last surviving representative OF
the German branch OF the historic house
OF Washington. which branch viii be-
come extinct al his death, since he has
no children.
Besides the washington blood II his
- L ~ ~
or Oldenburg. for his father. the late
Baron Macmillan Washington, who
spent many years at the grand ducsI
court Of Oidenburg as the governor and
mentor OF Duke Elimar. eventually con-
trscted a morganatic marriage with his
pupils half-sister. Duchess FredeTica Of
OldenbUrg, sister Of Queen Amelia OF
Greece and aunt OF the now reig1ing
STandduke. After their marriage they
settled at PCls. Austria. near Graz, and
both became imbUed with such an
amount OF enthusiasm f1r everything
American that they gave the name Of
George to their only son. who is a man
Of about ifty-two years Of age, and cav
airy officer on the retired list OF the
Austrian army
The American Washingtons. az every
one knows. are descended from that John
Washington. who. being concerned in AT
attempt TO overthrow Oliver Cromwell
and to restore the old stuart dynasty. was
was obliged 70 fee across the Atlantic
70 join other royalist exiIes in Virginia
He was the great-grandfather OF George
Washington, the frst President OF the
United States Baron Washington g de-
srended from Henry Washington. VINO
was 3 young Drotner OF John Washington,
ard whose son, after Distinguishing him
self al the battle Of Worcester. and at
the s1crming OF Bristol. under PrinCs
RGppert- settled in Bavaria. where. while
retaining his Protestant faith, he became
an officer in the BsvaTian army. and q
Bavarisn citizen
The grandfather OF the present Baron
Washington vas a distinguished general
I'm the Ravarian service. AID chief q
the military household Of BavaTia's first
king receiving the Bavarian title OF
baron for his services His son. The laIs
Baron Macmillan, transferred his al
ieZianCe from the Crown OF Bavaria 20
that OF Austria. and died about seven
years ago. full Of years and hOnoTs. as a
member OF the Austrian House OF Lords,
and as q privy councillor Of the Emperor.
IN the fan Of 1870 IN the general de-
preston which followed upon the 6is-
asters Of the American revolutionary
army Al Charleston and Camden. the col
lapse OF the paper money and the trea-
son Of Arnold. there was serious danger
that the half-starved and ill-clad Cont
mental Army would fall 10 pieces At this
critical moment Gen. Washington had ap-
pealed 70 Congress. and Al length eX-
torted the promise Of haIf-psv for Hfe
for All the army IN the spring Of 17s2.
seeing the utter inability OF Congress
10 discharge its pecUniary obligations.
many officers began 10 doubt whether the
/ promise would ever be kept Il had been
made before the articles OF confederation
which required the consent OF nine States
TO anv such measure. had been finally
ratified Il was weIl-known that nine
States had never been found 20 favor the
/ measure. and il was now feared that Z
might be repealed OF repUdiated. so loud
was the popular clamOr against IL All ot
this comes Of Republican government,
said one Of the officers. too many cooks
( spoil the broth. dozen heads are a. bad
as no head: a monarchy. with good
king whom all could trust would extrf-
.
mood Col Louis Nicola Of the PennsyI-
va-ia line. address a long and welI-ar-
ssled letter 10 Washington. setting forth
/ the troubles Of the time, and urging him
TO come forward as a savior Of society,
and accept the crown from his faithful
soldiers. Nicola was an aged man, of
2 numerous and powerful clique Of Of
ioers
I believe + VIII be unCOutrOVeTtsd- he
wrote. that the same abilities which
have led US through difficulties. apparent
I i insurTnountsbie by human power. 20
victory and glory. those qualities which
have merited and obtained the universal
1 esteem and venerafiOn Of an army would
be most likely to conduct and direct Is
I in the smoother paths Of peace Some
people have so connected the ideas q
I tyranny and monarchy as to find It DIFF
+ icult 70 separate them It may. there
( fore. he requisite to give the head Of such
& government as propose a title mora
/ moderate: but. Il ali other things were
/ once adjusted. I believe strong argument
might be produced for admitting the title
OF king, which I conceive would be st
I tended with some material advantages
/ Upon receipt Of this letter Cen Wash
( ington fell into one lef those RACES
which have become memorable because
| OF their rarity and their vehemence. His
/ reply has been preserved With a mix
! ture Of great surprise and astonishmeat.
( he wrote. 7 have read with attention the
/ sentiments you have submitted 10 my
persuai. Be assured. sir, no occurrence IN
the course Of the war has given NE more
( painful sensations than your Information
| Of there being such ideas existing In the
army as you expressed. and which I uslsst
view with adherence and reprehend With
/ severity. I am much al loss 20 con-
/ ceive what part OF my conduct could
/ have given encouragement 10 2n address
which seems 10 be big with the greatest
mischiefs that can befan my country II