Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-07-03

Ion Iney set IRE 10 tue NluS VI thS
house containing the library. 1t was
here TAT Daniel Webster, friend OF
Commodore Robert Stockton, grand
son OF the signer, wrote many OF his
legal briefs. The family owns pic
ture of Webster which is quite unlike
the usual likenesses one sees Of him.
1t shows him in turned down collar,
open at the neck, a flowing tie and a
soft hat. He looks more like poet
than q statesman.
George Washington's relations with
the family were of the warmest kind.
Anniee Boudinot Stockton had poetic
gift. Naturally enough, the exploits
of the distinguished General and
friend inspired her to glorify him IN
verse. A number of delightful letters
passed between them. The one fol
lowing, little known, portrays the first
President in a charming light. 1t IS
dated Rocky Hill, September 2. 1883
and reads:
You apply TO me, my dear Madam.
for absolution as though was your
father confessor, and as though you
had committed crime, great IN
itself, vet in the venial class. You
have reason good, for | find myself
strangely disposed to be very m
dulgent ghostly adviser on this oe>
casion, and notwithstanding you
are the most offending soul alive"
Chat is, if it is a crime to write Gle
CANT poetry; yet, if you will come
and dine with me on Thursday, and
90 through the proper course OF
penitence which shall be prescribed,
| will strive hard to assist you in
expiating these poetical trespasses
on this side of purgatory. Nay,
more, if it rests with me to direct
your future lucubrations, | shall
certainly urge you to a repetition OF
the same conduct, on purpose to
show what an abominable knack you
have at confession and reformation;
and so, without more hesitation, |
shall venture to recommend the
muse not to be restrained by i'll
governed timidity, but to go on and
prosper. *
You see, Madam, when once the
woman has tempted US, and we
have tasted the forbidden fruit,
there is no such thing as checking
our appetite, whatever the conse-
quences may be. You will, l dare
say, recognize our being the gen
uine descendants of those who are
reported to be our great progeni-
tors.
Before / come to the more seri-
Gus conclusion of our letter, |
must beg leave to say a word or
two about those fine things you
have been telling in such har-
monious and beautiful numbers.
Fiction is, to be sure, the very life
and soul of poetry. All poets and
poetesses have been INDUCED in
the free and indisputable use of it,
time out Of mind; and to oblige
you TO make such an excellent
poem, on such a subject, without
any materials but those of simple
reality, would be as cruel as the
edict Of Pharaoh, which compelled
the children of Israel to manufac-
ture brick without the necessary
ingredients.
Thus are you sheltered under the
authority Of prescription, and |
vii! not dare to charge yoJ with
an intentional breach of the rules
of the Decalogue in giving so
bright a coloring to the services l
have been enabled to render my
country, though am not con-
scious of deserving anything at
your hands than what the purest
and most disinterested friendship
has a right to claim, actuated by
which you will permit me to
thank you in the most atfectionate
manner for the kind wishes you
have so happily expressed for me
and the partner of all my domestic
enJoyments. Be assured, we can
never forget our friend at Nor
ven, and that am, my dear
Madam, with every sentiment OF
friendship and esteem,
Your most obedient and obliged
servant, ,-
G. WASHINGTON.
Morven. after the death of the most
distinguished member of the family
Richard Stockton, the signer, con
tinued to be the visiting place OF
eminent persons. Among the Presl-
dents whe were received there were
Washington, Jefferson, John Quincy
Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Val
Buren,, L. S. Grant, Grover Cleve-
land, Benjamin Harrison, and Wood
row Wilson. The last is very great
friend of the family.
Today Morven is visited by every
distinguished visitor coming to The
country who wishes to see what a
Colonial house built before the ma
tons independence looks like. Every
thing is practically intact. The bolts
on the shutters are those of 200 year,
ago and more; the doors are hnec
with iron forged by muscular rebel
the rooms are low-raftercd and wide
The slave quarters, now used as 9
storehouse, still stand short dis
lance from the big house.
The beautiful old garden enclosed
by red brick wall presents the
same appearance today as when
Lafayette brought out the lovely
Mrs. Stockton for a breath of air
and there perhaps encountered
George Washington. If Colonial spirits
return, it is here that they Will be