Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-14
Relics Presented with Speeches in
House and Senate, Febr. z 1843.

! precious nlementO OF MS iilusIi ioe'
kinsman. It then became the prop
erty of his son, who, animated by
that patriotism which so character
ized the "father of his country" has
consented that such a relic ought not
to be appropriated by an individual
citizen. and has instructed me, his
representative, to offer it to the Ma
tion. to be preserved in its public
denositories. as the common property
of all: since it's office has been to
achieve and defend the common lib
erty of all. ;,
He has. in like manner, requested
me to present this case to the
Congress of the United States, deem
ing it not unworthy the public accept
ance.
This was once the property of the
philosopher and patriot, Benjamin
Franklin.
By a codicil to his last will and
testament we find it thus disposed
| Of:
"My fine crab tree walking stick,
with gold head, curiously wrought
in the form of the cap of liberty, |
give to my friend and the friend OF
mankind, Gen Washington. If it
were a scepter, he has merited it and
would become it."
Gen. Washington in his will de.
vises this came as follows:
"Item. To my brother, Charles
Washington, give and bequeath the
gold-headed cane left me by DR..
Franklin in his will"
Capt. Samuel Washing, on was
the only son of Charles Washington,
the devisee, from whom he derived,
by Inheritance this interesting me,
mortal, and having it transmitted
it to his son, Samuel T. Washing
ton, the latter thus seeks to bestaw
it worthily by associaing it with the
battle sword in a gift to his country
| cordially concur with Mr. Wash
ington in the opinion that they each
merit public preservation; and |
obey with pleasure his wishes IN
here presenting them, in his name,
to the Nation.
Let the sword of the hero and the
staff Of the philosopher go together.
Let them have place among the
produest trophies and most honored
memorials Of our national achieve
ments.
Upon the staff once leaned the
sage of whom it has been said. "He
snatchd the lightning from heaven
and the scepter from tyrants."
A mighty arm once welded TINS
sword in a righteous cause, even I'M
to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of empire.
In the hand of Washington this was
the Sword Of the Lord and Of Gid
con-" II was never drawn except in
defense of the public liberty. 1t was
never drawn except in defense of the
public liberty. 1t was never shatheG
until glorious and triumphant sue
cess returned it to the scabbard, with
out stain OF cruelty or dishonor upon
it's blade. 1t was never surrendered,
except to that country which be-
slowed it.
Speech OF Senator Cass in U. S.
Senate
Mr.. Cass, Mr.. President, l must
ask the indulgence of the Senate
for requesting that it's usual business
may be suspended, in order to give
me opportunity to discharge trust
which has been committed to me;
trust l have not the heart to de-
cline, but which l knew had not the
power to fulfill as such mission
should be fulfilled. / hold in my
hand the sword Of Gen. Jackson,
which he wore in all his expeditions
while in the military service of the
country, and which was his faithful
companion in his last and browning
victory, when New Orleans was saved
from the grasp Of rapaclous and
! powerful enemy, and our Nation
from the disgrace and disaster which
defeat would have brought in its
train. When the hand of death was
upon him, Gen. Armstrong as tes-
timonial of his high appreciation of
the services, worth, and courage of
that most estimable citizen and dis
tinguished soldier, whose desperate
valor on on occasion stayed the tide
of Indian success and saved the
Army from destruction. The family
of the lamcnted depostary, now that
death has released him from the
guardianship of this treasure of pa
triotism, arc DESTROYS it should be
surrendered to the custody Of the
National Legislature, believing that
to be the proper disposition of the
memorial which, in all time to come,
win be a cherished one for the
American people. To AIRY that pur-
pose into effect I now offer it in
their name to Congress.
Mr.. President, this is no doubtful
A hTEy XET ANEDETThIE 6