Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-02-18
In small pamphlet entitled "a,


niversaries." reprint from the Ameri.
can Historical Register OF Febru-
ary, 1895, and published by Isaac My.
er, is a treatise on the subject of an.
niversaries in general. and an inves.
tigation concerning the anniversary
Of Washington's Birthday.
Mr. Myer, who is also the author,
advocates the changing of Washing
tons Birthday from Feb. 22 to Feb.
IL, and in support of his proposition
adduces evidence that Washington
was born on Feb. IL, nevertheless ad-
mitting that Washington did not at
tain his legal majority until Feb. 20,
1853, new style, by virtue of the act
of Parliament under George H., some.
times called the Lord Chesterfield act.
This act, the author, however,
claims, does not change the birthday
of George Washington, being by no
means retroactive.
In the family Bible, George Wash.
ington's birthday is recorded as hav-
ing been "Ye 11th day of February
1731-32," and this was without doubt
the day observed by him and his fam
lily after the act mentioned had been
passed.
A letter of the Count de Rocham-
beau is placed in evidence, which
reads:
Newport, February -, 1881.
Yesterday Sunday was the an
niversary of your Excellency's birth.
day. We have put off celebrating that
holiday till to-day, by reason of the
Lords day, &c"
The celebration referred to con-
sisted of parade of French troops,
firing of salute, and suspension of
labor. The letter elected the follow.
ing reply. - .s,E.;,.t,
The fiattering distinction paid to
the anniversary of my birthday is an
honor for which dare not attempt to
express my gratitude. &C."
The Independent Gazette or the
New York Journal Revived, of Thurs
day, Feb. -. 1854, No. XVIII, quotes
from the New York Gazetteer OF Feb.
IL, 1854, an article signed Civis, which
says among other things:
TO contribute to the hilarity of a
day which, hope. will be annually
observed herewith send you a song
made in this city for the entertain
ment of select club of Wings, who
had assembled, according to their an
nual custom. TO celebrate the birth.
day of George Washington, Feb. IL,
1888"
The Pennsylvania Packet of Phila-
delphia, Tuesday, Feb. II, 1884, says:
"NEN YORK, Friday, Feby. 13.-
Wednesday last being the birthday of
His Excellency General Washington
the same was celebrated by all true
friends of American Independence
and Constitutional Liberty, with that
hilarity and manly decorum ever at
tendant on the sons of freedom"
From the same newspaper, Tues
day, Feb. 26, 1884. it appears that
State, Feb. IL, 1884, was observed:
RICHMOND, Va, Saturday, Feby.
Wednesday last, being the ami
versary of His EXcellency Gen. Wash.
ington, was celebrated here, with the
usual demonstrations of joy"
The author concludes by saying:
There are doubtless many other
statements of similar celebrations on
Feb. IL, for such were universal
through the United States during
Washington's lifetime. When and why
the celebration was changed to Feb.
%, we have not yet ascertained. Ow.
ing to this change many of the bio
graphers Of Washington have stated
that he was bornn Feb. %, 1882, which
is clearly incorrect. Why not cele-
brate the day Washington sanctioned
as correct during his lifetime, and
which there is no warrant for ever
changing; Feb. IL, the true and &C.
tualnamet day of his BIRTH"