davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

France was involving Europe in her
chaotic affairs, that he refused to re-
ceive even the French emigres who
came to America with letters from
French officers who had served in the
American revolution, adhering strictly
to the rule he laid down for his gov
eminent during the wars and troubles
of European nations. viz: Respect
and consideration for own affairs. with
non-intervention in the affairs Of
Others" But after his term of Office
was over he received at Mount Vernon
Louis Philippe, then Due dOrleans, and
his two brothers. Montpensier and
Beaujolais. as well as many others.
The friendship between Washington
and Alexander Hamilton began when
the latter was about twenty years old
and Washington between forty-f1ve and
fifty. The one in the full powers of
his manhood and the other just enter
ing on career which was to place him
among the distinguished men of the
world and which ended in the most SEN
sational duel of the time, when he was
shot by Aaron Burr on the same field
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

at Weehawken. N. J.. where his son
had been killed three years before by
schoolmate whom young Hamilton had
criticised for making speech in favor
of Burr.
Doubtless Washington's first meeting
with Hamilton was during some dis
astrous hours of fighting when he no.
ticed how skillfully some earthworks
were being thrown up under the direc-
ton of a young captain of artillery.
He sent for the young man, and shortly
afterward made him his abide camp
with the rank of lieutenant colonel. and
kept him near him as secretary.
When Washington went to New York
to assume the presidency and the social
duties which the Office entailed 1t was
to young Hamilton he turned to assist
Mrs. Washington in forming code of
etiquette which would be agreeable to
the budding republican court. And
after his presidential days were over
and he was made commander-in-chief
of the armies of the United States in
1898 he accepted the position with the
reservations that the principal officers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

ATTENDED to IEG fOFDnat corrGSponQenC0
Of Mrs. Washington. serving her in
the same faithful fashion in which he
had made himself invaluable to her
husband.
Among these letters ere several with
curious requests. which are made after
expressing regret for the death of Gen.
Washington. the writer gives detailed
reasons for his intrusion One of these
is from Pe!eg Wadsworth written in
March following the death of Wash.
ington. and begging for lock of his
hair. which he purposes giving to his
daughter as relic of the great hero.
Mrs Washington had other letters with
this same request-not in this collec-
tion, however-and while she sent the
coveted lock of hair to Mr.. Wadsworth,
1T is doubtful If she could have 40.
ceded to many such requests. as from
personal descriptions it is shown that
Gen. Washington's hair was never
abundant, and in later life is said to
have been very thin.
There are also three interesting let.
ters from Gen. Washington to Thomas
Peter, one from Mr.. Peter to Gen.
Bushrod Washington to Mrs. Washing
ton relative to the price of corn. Il
was to Bushrod Washington, a nephew
of the first President. that he be.
queathed all papers in his possession
which related to his civil and military
administration of the affairs of the
country. Also such of his private pa
pers as were worth preserving, and at
the death of Mrs. Washington, or be.
fore, his library Of books and pamphlets
of every kind.
After the death of her husband, Mrs.
Washington moved to the small dormeP
chamber on the third floor of the man.
sion, whose window overlooked the
tomb of Washington: and, while she
busted herself with the affairs of the
plantation and readjusting her life to
the loss of her beloved companion. she
spent many hours in this quiet room
patiently waiting the hour when she
would join him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

Of transparent durable silk gauze.
which allowed any reasonable amount
of handling. Then came an end
less amount of scraping,, patching.
FASTING and cutting which only
the deftest, most expert fingers could
do. and the results would not have been
SO remarkably satisfactory but for
most fortunate circumstance.
When it came to grating new ma
terial into the old manuscript to re-
place the old which had been worn
away. the great problem lay in finding
new material that would match in tex
will was written. Mr.. Berwick was
in despair as to where to find paper
for the patches which would make the
will look good as new. when by a
lucky chance in secondhand book
store in Washington number of blank
sheets of the writing paper which
George Washington had made especial
ly for his personal use were discovered
This was exactly what was wanted and
now, unless one holds the sheets of
the restored will in such a position
that the bright light will shine through
them, there is no way Of telling where
the old part. or rather the original part,
leaves off and the grated sections be-
gin.
When Mr.. Berwick completed his
task, which cost the Fairfax authors
ties nothing, the sheets of the docu-
ment, mounted upon cardboard, bound
in the form of book mounted with
handsome red IeVant cover, was placed
in a steel freproof and burglarproof
safe constructed especially for the pur-
pose, in accordance with the specifica-
lions Of the government officials.
The will, which has been called the
most valuable relic Of any left to pos
terity by the father of his country
more valuable than the swords, books,
furniture or china, in view of the fact
that it more faithfully portrays the
mind of the man himself. rejecting his
personality as nothing else could do so
perfectly, opens as follows:
I. George Washington, of Mount Vernon, .
citizen of the United States and lately Presi-
dent Of the same. do make. ordain and declare
this instrument, which is written with my own
hand and every page thereof subscribed with my
name to be my last will and testament, revok-
ing all others.
In it he directs that:
To my beloved wife. Martha Washington, I
give and bequeath the and benefit Of my
entire estate. real and personal. for the term Of
her natural life. except such parts thereof
specifically disposed of.
He also ordered that his body be in
tered lin quiet manner. without
parade or funeral Grafton"
One clause, which has been extern
sively quoted, is as follows:
Upon the decease Of my wife it is my will and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

pairs: THE same exact and economi-
cal distribution of time, the same me-
thodical and active habits of business
that had SO triumphantly borne the
commander of armies through the
mighty labors of an eight-year war.
were now destined, in the works of
peace. alike to distinguish the illus
trious farmer of Mount Vernon"
Washington was his own architect
and builder. as well as landscape gar
dener. He made the drawings of every
plan. designed the relative positions of
the buildings. and all the trees were
planted according to mathematical cal
culations relative to distance. beauty
and usefulness. The original drawings,
with memoranda in his neat hand,
shows the form Of lawn on the west
front OF the mansion. the flower and
vegetable gardens, and the name and
position Of each tree. The mansion was
greatly enlarged, the broad front piazza
on the river side of the house was add
ed, the observatory and cupola, and the
kitchen and laundry, with the connect
ing colonnades as they now appear,
were erected
All OF these Improvements We're ac-
complished within four or five years. and
Gen. Washington was settling down to
happy in the thought of enjoying a well
earned rest. when he was again called to
serve his country.
On the 4th of March. 1897. he attended
the inauguration of his successor in office,
John Adams, and after a few days spent
with friends, he again, after eight years
OF absence, set out for Mount Vernon
with Mrs. Washington. her granddaugh-
ter. Eleanor Parke Gusts. and George
Washington Lafayette, who was then an
exile from France, a boy of seventeen
or eighteen. accompanied by his tutor.
Mr.. Fristel.
Young Lafayette arrived at Boston at
the close Of the summer Of 1875, con-
stEued to the fatherly cara and protec.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

sion experience the highest consolation
of religion and phiio.oDhy is the hope
IF Mrs. Knox and myself, who are with
respectful and true affection your af-
fficted friends,
TO this letter Mrs Washington re-
spends through the faithful Tobias
Lear, ending BY saying. ITO Mrs. Knox
ana yourself she begs her most alfee-
tomato regards II be presented with
assurance that VIA nave her prayers
and pest wishes for your present and
future happiness. to which with very
great respect and regard permit me to
add those Of uy dear sir. your altec-
tionate friend ard obedient servant, To-
bias Lear
The Society of the Cincinnati, COM
posed Of officers Of the Continental
Army and organized in 1888. was con-
ceived by Gen Henry Knox.
Some of the letters Of coincidence are
addressed to Lady Washington" nota-
bly, one from DR.. John Lemayere. writ
ten from near Sweet Springs, Va; an
other of a great deal of interest is from
the eminent Scotch baronet. Sir John
Sinclair with whom Washington cor
responded. as he did with other eminent
men In Europe, relative to the improve
ments in agriculture and domestic
economy in foreign countries. with a
view to more intelligently dealing with
such problems at home. 1t was in Sep
TENDER Of 1896 that sir John had writ
ten to Washington, making special and
general inquiry respecting the soil and
agriculture of the United States.
A most interesting correspondence
ensued, and at the d.ath of Washing
ton Sir John wrote to his widow. and
after expressing sorrow at her great
loss, suggested, with her approval. pub
fishing Washington's letters to him. and
using the money from the sale of the
edition for memorial. Mrs. Washing
ton to decide the form it should take.
She consented to the publication, and
a copy of the collection is now in the
Library of Congress.
There is a most CHARACTERISTIC letter
from Rev. John d. Blair, chaplain of
the Virginia general assembly, express
ing In stately terms his deep grief at
the death Of President Washington. and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

desire that all the slaves which hold in my
own right shall receive their freedom.
Concerning the disposition of his
slaves. the general gave more explicit
directions than to any other part of
his estate, and he especially directed
that none of them should be sold out
side Of Virginia.
He directed that his debts, which he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

said were few and none of great
be 'punctually and speed
lily paid" He also called attention to
the fact that, many of the young men
of the United States were being sent
abroad to foreign countries to be edu-
Gated and were contracting habits of
dissipation and principles unfriendly
to republican government To aid in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

ing mark upon all who came within the
home life of this great man. powerful in
his simplicity and all pervading in his
influence.
In the eighteenth century expressions of
sympathy were not written on visiting
cards or dainty note paper redolent of
the inlaid writing desk in madam's bou-
doir. but were substantial epistles couched
in most dignified terms. not only express
ing sympathy for the bereaved one, but
also enumerating the virtues and graces
of the departed, and closing usually with
the comforting assurance that the loved
one had passed to a land of eternal bliss.
Mrs. Washington was the recipient of
hundreds OF letters Of coincidence. while
funeral orations. addresses and. messages
were sert from all parts Of the country.
some of them skllfully engrossed and all
accompanied by letters OF sympathy Each
carrier and sailing vessel brought news
of some signal honor paid to the memory
Of Washington, and yet there was none
SO comforting to her as those letters
from the friends who shared her personal
love and admiration for the departed hero.
Napoleon Bonaparte, first consul of
France. announced the death of Gen.
Washington TO his army and ordered
Grape to be suspended from all the flags
and standards in the French service for
ten DAYS That distinguished Englishman
Lord Bridport, in command of almost
sixty sail at Torbay, ordered every ship
to lower her flag to halfmast And Presi-
dent and Mrs. Adams and other distin-
guished citizens journeyed to Mount Yer
non to condoie in person with Mrs. Wash
ington.
Among these letters In the Peter col
lection is letter from Theodore Sedg-
wick. bearing date of January II. 1900.
in which he speaks of sending a copy
of the Grafton pronounced before both
houses Of Congress December Is. 1893.
by Maj. Gen. Henry Lee. at the Luz
theran Church. in 4th street above
Arch. Philadelphia The author of this
historic address, In which he refers 10
1ssltngH - the lAst ulness Of Wash-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

Ono of the odd provisions was: 'Ts
is my will and desire that Ann Marian
Washington. daughter of my niece, be
put into handsome mourning at my
death at the expense Of my estate, and
I bequeath to her ten guineas to buy
ring
Another unusual order reads: TT -
my will and desire that all Of the wine
in bottles in the vaults be equally di.
vided between my gran daughters and
grandson. to each of whom bequeath
ten guineas to buy a ring for each"
All of the family pictures, except q
Few specifically mentioned, were left
to George Washington Parke Gusts.
and to him went a large collection Of
household furnishings, Including beds
water coolers, china and furniture, Spe.
cial provision was made for the edu.
cation OF three nephews, who were to
be fitted In some useful trade" and
she made further provision that 100
pounds be given to each to set him up
in his trade.
The belated return Of these two IA.
nous documents so essentially personal
and human in their contents to tho
little courthouse where they were both
nled Tor probate over a century ago.
has made Of Fairfax Court House
another mecca for the history-loyine
tourist and 1t is rapidly falling into
line after Mount Vernon and Alexan.
oria In point Of popularity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

time in its preparation, for. in dispos-
ing of his various properties In be-
quests to relatives he went into great
detail.
The will was signed July 9, 1899, and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

was filed for probate at the county seat
Of the county in Virginia in which
Washington had lived and died jan
uary 20, 1900, being presented in open
court by George Steptoe Washington
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

the one-hundred-and-eig
IN fifth anniversary of the birth
A\ of George Washington ap-
- K proaches and the whole nation
pauses to pay a tribute of respect to
, the memory of the greatest figure Of
American history. the realization is
forced home that Washington lives in
the hearts of the people so wildly be-
cause of his intensely human traits
The American public of today does
not worship remote legendary hero.
whose glories gather luster through
the illusions of f1attering songs and
stories, but is on intimate terms of ac-
quaintance with its idolized first Presi-
dent through the most trustworthy
agency that of his own handwritten
letters and documents. Through the
strides of modern progress and the dis
coyvry of remarkable paper surgery.
$4,000 or more private and official let
tiers. addresses, documents. reports and
accounts have been collected, repaired
and bound into volumes, 400 of them,
and are accessible to those who wish to
peruse them in the big Library of Con-
gress in the interest of research. But
the most important of all the papers
penned by Washington. and the one
which, throughout it's entire length, is
the most perfect reflection of him
man of affairs and of business. is his
last will and testament, almost the last
document penned by his hand, written
about five months before his death.
After many and varied vcisSitudes this
marvellous paper has been repaired and
saved to posterity by being safely de-
posted in a steel vault in Fairfax
courthouse where it was presented for
probate in 1900.
Washington loved life and crowded
into his Sixty-seven years many and
varied interests. Through perusal of
only few of the hundreds of letters
written to him and by him, it is seen
that he enjoyed all outdoor sports and
games, was proficient in most of them.
gambled on horses, cards, cocks and
lotteries, speculated in lands and
stocks, danced almost until the year of
his death. loved theaters, teas, recep-
lions and all social amusements.
Though he made constant use of wines
on his table, moderation and method
were the precept and principle of his
life, and these traits are forcefully i'll
Illustrated in the twenty-four pages of
his will, which he prepared without le-
gal aid, though contrary to his usual
forethought in leaving this duty until
mute testimony to his efficiency in bust
ness and his sense of responsibility.
and it shows that he spent considerable
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

stopping this he gave fifty shares in
the Potomac Company toward the en-.
dowment of a university within the
District of Columbia under the auspices
o. the general government He also
made provision in his will for the
construction of new family vault at
Mount Vernon, in which might be
placed the remains of himself and his
near relatives.
The will may be seen through the
glass side of the vault in which II 10
deposited, before which hang heavy
green curtains to exclude the light.
Fairfax Court House is doubly rich
in view of the fact that it now also
treasures the will of Martha Washing.
ton, also returned to 1T after many
years of wandering. 1t was signed on
September %, 1900. This will is not
nearly SO long nor SO involved as that
Of Gen. Washington. 1t was probated
in 1902 by George Washington Parke
Gu: tbs and Thomas Peter. two of the
executors. 1t was taken up with tho
disposition of household effects and
provisions for the education of her
relatives. Three granddaughters, four
nieces. her grandson. four nephews, q
grandniece and other more distant
relatives and friends are mentioned.
To them she gave paintings. town lots
and to nearly all CT them she gave
from five to ten guineas with which
to buy rings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-18

a the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES eighty
IN fifth anniversary of the birth
S\ of George Washington ap-
- K proaches and the whole nation
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1917-02-09
GARDEN SEED 70 COST MORE
Price Of Radish Will Go Up but Let
II tuce Remains the Same

Hady you been thinking Of knock
\ Ing the H. c.. L. by raising a lot of
truck in your garden the coming sea-
1 son I Think again, says the st. Paul
sDispatch. n. >..5. \. A: s..,;E J.
Radish5 seeds have gone up 25 per
cent in price, and though there still
4 will 5be 5 cent packets. the number Of
1 embryo plants In each will be lessen
I'D IN proportion. Spinach seed has
\ 5quardrupled in price. "a, .5,s .s s:@ 5s
s s5 Then there is the little item OF $dou-
Ssble petunia seed. It hasn't gone up.
especially because It is high enough
\ iii price anyway, but 1872 Of an ounce
win cost about IS, and catalog houses
VIII show q price Of $2,56O e pound, "a
total of twenty i've seeds IN q packet
will cost Is cents, less than two for
III cent.
The u garden seed advance is the
most recent item to be blamed upon pom
I the war Holland has placed an
lempargo 81 seed expo ortation until " "
Nits citizens have All been supplied.
Y Little cr5 none Ii coming out of Ger
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1917-02-09
GOODRICH MAY Be SUPPLIED
WITH WASBHURN POWER

. Last Friday, Joseph Pirkl, an elect
rical engineer from St.Paul, was in
Goodrich in the interests Of the Cent
raj Power Co. of North Dakota.
The Central Power Co. has bought
the Washburn electric light plant and
expect to locate near the Satterlund
Coal mine, north of Washburn and pro-
pose to enlarge the plant to sufficient
capacity that they can furnish electric
cpEEsnt for power and lighting pur-
poses to the towns Of Turtle Lake,
Mercer, McClusky, Denhoff and Good
rich.
The object of Mr. Pirkl's visit to
Goodrich was to introduce to the vii
lage board of trustees a franchise CIV
ing his company permission to sup
ply the village of Goodrich with elec-
trio current for all domestic and bus
mess purposes. This franchise will
come up for it's first reading at the
regular February meeting of the local
town board.-Goodrich Citizen.
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1917-02-09
wAssaeuRN, NORTH DAKOTA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ., 1917
The Man Who Re-
fuses To Vote

What should be done man
be this matter
the states Already
proposed which would fine and
those refuse
privilege The Washington Times recently discussed
the subject follows ,:E~
Senator Bourne declares that ten million qualified voters didn't
failure their right
apparent doesn't and thousands
the penalty of
disqualification. *
elections there large classes
people didn't
especially true
believed from voting because he
VOTE might bar him from parc
which would the most positive
convictions anxious to cast his ballot
It is another public
that too people qualified voters and
compelled multudes
something
states still permit to vote for
the United
intentions Of becoming citizen sufficient
Americanism
has convinced the great majority OF
nberality is dangerous
The greatest difficulty
equipped do it right while
to vote ntelgeny
do the best-or worst-they can
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1917-02-09

ded touch of dynamite to help in the
extra hard places. All you have to do
II you want to put in some wheat.
hitch your team, or your bull tractor
or your whopping big gasoline en-.
gine right onto your plow and holler
"giddap" or turn on the juice; stick
your plow in the ground and away you
go at 2:40 clip, and you can keep 1t
up indefinitely for all the rock or
stumps that bother you. And as for
the limit on the amount you want to
break there amt no such animal
in North Dakota with its limitlesa
expanse of broad prairies.
AS for stock raising, all you have
to do is get cow or two, and a Lit.
tie plot of ground on easy terms
build a little shack to protect them
for year or two-and presto! you're
one of the prosperous ranchers OF
our fine state.
This, in connection with the fertil
ity of our soil, Is what makes farm
ing so profitable in North Dakota
You don't spend the better part Of
your life and all you earn in getting
the land ready.-New Rockford Trans
cript