The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-02-20

rs EXED
partment paper surgeons rendered unavailable.
AS labor of love and appreciation for the his
torcal value Of the document and it's famous
author the library of congress finally volunteered
to send its most expert manuscript repairer down
TO Fairfax to make the repairs and put the "a
pages into Il condition that would insure them
against further destruction. This entailed the
shipping TO Fairfax of considerable equipment.
including heavy press.
TO put the battered paper in good condition re-
CURED LIZ days of the most painstaking work on
the part of William Berwick, the library's 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 setting the ink This
was done by a liquid process or bath designed to
prevent further fading Then each one of the
sheets was backed or mounted upon crepeline, a
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 a
most fortunate circumstance.
When 1t came to grating material into the
old 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 was written. Mr.. Der.
wick was in despair to where to find paper for
good as new, when by lucky chance in a second
hand book store in Washington a number of blank
sheets OF the writing paper which George Wash
ington had made especially for his personal use
discovered. This was exactly what was
wanted and now unless one holds the sheets of
the restored will in such position that the bright
light will shine through them. there is 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 book mounted with handsome
red levant cover, were placed in steel fireproof
and burglarproof safe constructed especially for
the purpose in accordance with the specifications
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 cf the man
himself rejecting his personality nothing else
could do so perfectly, opens follows:
I. George Washington of Mount Vernon. a citizen of
United States and lately president of the do
make ordan and declare this instrument, which Is
written with my own hand every page thereof
subscribed with my be my last will and tes-
lament. revoking all others
In 1t he directs that:
To my beloved wife. Martha Washington. give and
and personal. the term of her natural fe except
such parts thereof are specifically disposed Of
He also ordered that his body be inferred "n a
ouiet manner, without parade or funeral Grafton"
One clause which has been extensively quoted,
IS as follows:
Upon the decease of my wife It is my will and de-
ere that all the slaves which hold In my own right
shall receive their freedom.
Concerning the disposition OF his slaves, the
roneraI gave more explicit directions than TO any
tbar mart of his estate, and ne especially directed
,not none of them should be sold outside Of vir-
ginia.
Ua directed that his debts, which he said were
afo,v and none of great magnitude" be "punctuai.
10 and speedily paid" He also called attention
90 rho fact that many of the young men OF the
limited States were being sent abroad to foreign
Countries to be educated and contracting
hobits of dissipation and principles unfriendly 10
republican government. To aid In stopping this
10 gave 90 shares I'm the Potomac company to-
ward the endowment of a university within the
D,s,rict of Columbia under the auspices Of the
General government. He also made provision m
iis will for the construction of family vault
ar Mount Vernon. in which might be pnred the
ranoins of himself and his near relatives.
The will may he seen through the glass side OF
rho vault In which 1t is deposited. before which
b.np heavy green curtains to exclude the light.
Fairfax Court House Is douby rich In view of
the fact that II now also treasures the will OF
Martha washington, also returned to 1t after
many years of wandering. 1t was signed or Sep