The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-03-13

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partment paper surgeons was rendered unavailable
AS labor of love and appreciation for the his
torical value of the document and its famous
author, the library of congress finally volunteered
10 sehd It's most expert manuscript repairer down
10 FAIRFAX to make the repairs and put the "a
pages into a condition that would insure them
against further destruction. This entailed the
shipping to Fairfax of considerable equipment
including heavy press.
10 put the battered paper in good condition re-
CURED l6 days of the most painsaking work on
the part OF William Berwick, the librarys skilled
manuscript member who made daily trips to the
quaint old courthouse. The first step toward
restoration after he had photographed every one
OF the ragged pages was setting the ink. This
was done by liquid process or bath designed to
prevent further fading. Then each one of the
sheets was backed or mounted upon crepeline
sort OF transparent durable silk gauze, which al
lowed any reasonable amount of handling Then
came an endless amount of scraping patching
pasting and cutting which only the deftest most
expert fingers could do, and the results would not
have been Sc remarkably satisfactory but for
most fortunate circumstance.
When it came to grating new material into the
ola manuscript TO replace the old which had been
worn away, the great problem lay in finding new
material that would match in texture and color
that upon which the will written. Mr. Der.
wick was in despair as to where to find paper for
good as new, when by lucky chance in q second
hand book store in Washington number of blank
sheets or the writing paper which George Wash
ington had made especially for his personal use
were discovered This was exactly what was
wanted and now, unless holds the sheets of
the restored Will in such position that the bright
light will shine through them, there is no way OF
telling where the old part, rather the original
part, leaves off and the grated sections begin.
When Mr.. Berwick completed his task which
cost the Fairfax authorities nothing, the sheets
of the document, mounted upon cardboard bound
in the form of a book mounted with n handsome
red levant cover, were placed in steel freproof
and burglarproof safe constructed especially for
the purpose, in accordance with the specifica ions
of the government officials.
The will, which has been called the most val
liable relic of any left to posterity by the father
of his country-more valuable than the swords
books furniture 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:
George Washington, of Mount Vernon a citizen of
the United States and lately president same do
make, ordain and declare this instrument which is
written with my own hand and every page thereof
subscribed with my be my last will and tes-
lament, revoking all others.
In it he directs that:
To my beloved wife, Martha Washington give and
beoueath and benefit my entire estate real
and personal for the term of her natural life except
such parts thereof as are specifically disposed
He also ordered that his body be inferred "in n
quiet manner, without parade funeral Grafton"
one clause, which has been extensively quoted,
is as follows:
upon the decease my it my win and de-
sire that all the slaves which hold 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 outside of Vir-
gina.
He directed that his debts which he said were
"few and none of great magnitude be "punctua.
" and speedily paid" He also called attention
IN the fact that many of the young men of the
United States being sent abroad TO foreign
countries to be educated and were contracting
habits of dissipation and principles unfriendly TO
republican government To aid in stopping this
he gave so shares In the Potomac company to-
ward the endowment of university within the
District of Columbia under the auspices of the
general government. He also made provision in
his will for the construction of a 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
fine vault in which 1t is 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 Washington, also returned to it after
many years of wandering. 1t was signed on Sep