Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-02-17

niversaries," a reprint from the Ameri-
can Historical Register OF Febru.
airy, 1895, and published by Isaac My.
er, is 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.
toms Birthday from Feb. 22 to Feb.
II, 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. %,
1858, 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,
1879" 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 IL, 1881.
Yesterday Sunday was the an
niversary of your EXcellency's birth
day. We have put off celebrating that
holiday till today, by reason of the
Lords day, &c"
The celebration referred to con-
sisted of a parade of French troops,
firing of a salute, ana suspension Of
labor. The letter ELECTED the follow
ing reply.
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. II, 1854, No. XVIll., quotes
from the New York Gazetteer of Feb
IL, 1884, an article signed Civis, which
says among other things:
ITO contribute to the hilarity OF a
day which, l hope, will be annually
observed, j herewith send you song
made in this city for the entertain.
ment of a 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:
NEW 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
hilarity and manly decorum ever at
tendant OH the sons of freedom"
From the same newspaper, Tues.
day, Feb. 70, 1854, it appears that
even in Virginia, Washington's native
State, Feb. IL, 1854. was observed:
RICHMOND, Va. Saturday. Feby.
A. 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 10
graphers of Washington have stated
that he was bornn Feb. %, 1892, which
is clearly incorrect. Why not cele
brate the day Washington sanctioned
as correct during his lifetime, and
which there is no warrant for eveI
changing; Feb. IL, the true and &C
tual-namet day of his birth"