Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-19

ing financially able to do SO, had Kenmore
constructed Many years ago it was said Of
the place that
THE mansion is large and well preserved
outside, though the interior decorations de-
cayed at an early date. The original freScoing
OF walls and ceilings, which so pleased Madam
Betty's eSthetic taste, was the work of an
English soldier captured during the Revolution
and sent for Safekeeping to Fredericksburg.
The tradition in the family was that immedi-
ately after finishing his work he accidentally
fell from the scaffold and was killed. The old
building has recently been purchased by a
gentleman from Baltimore, and he has under
taken to restore its former spIendor."
THE old mansion still stands at the corner of
Lewis street and Washington avenue and
seemed to be in very good shape when the
writer saw 1t about two years ago. It is one
OF the real sights Of Fredericksburg and it
should be seen by all lovers of American his
tory and colonial architecture
The Lewis collection was purchased by the
Government in accordance with the act of
Congress approved June 20, 1873, which set
aside $4,000 cor so much thereof as may be
necessary" for this purpose, and it is safe To
say-as is usually the case-that the entire an
preparation was utilized in the purchase of the
relics, but even If such were the case, the
Government obtained a wonderful bargain for
it is probable that the present day some of the
pieces would bring this price separately
Especially might this be said of the personal
relics OF Washington, which are naturally the
most appealing. In this connection, the COL
lection m the museum containing the robe
used on the occasion of Washingtons christen.
ing, his Continental Army uniform which in.
cludes his dark blue cloth coat with bun fac
dngs and plain gilt buttons, his waistcoat and
knee breeches. This uniform is peculiarly in
teresting since 1t is the identical one he wore
xyfHar1 kza NaAl Ill,
mander in chief of the Continental Army at
Annapolis, Md, on December %, 1888
OF course the museum collection contains
many articles relating TO Washington other
than those secured from Lewis heirs, and the
uniform referred to happens to belong to tho
former collection, having been presented to the
United States Government by George Washing
ton Parke EustiS and placed in the Patent
ONCE, where it remained until 1883, when it,
together with many other relics, was trans
terred to the National Museum.
The Lewis collection contains Washington,s
easy chair from his bed room at Mount YER
non and used by him short time before his
death: his spyglaSs, which was used by him
for viewing boats on the Potomac; his field
glass and case, used during the War of the
Revolution; shaving glass. also used during the
War for Independence.
An English keyed either and case owned by
Nellie Gusts is shown. It is inscribed Long
man & Broderip. London" and was presented
to Miss Gusts as birthday gift by Gen
Washington. This young lady was evidently
musicaliy inclined, for we find here too, a
mahogany music case which also belonged to
her
Several Chinese tea chests; rectangular
mahogany chest presented to Washington by
his half brother Lawrence and used at Mount
Vernon; remnant from one Of Mrs WASH
mgtons costumes and a worsted lamp mat
knitted by her; coach panel from the coach
used by the FIRST President: an invitation card;
oil painting Of Washington, artist unknown
and miniature portraits Of both him and Mrs
Washington, and ever many other interest
ing relics
The authenticity of this collection naturally
adds greatly to its value, and before it was
taken over by the Government each article was
checked over by the commissioner Of patents,
Gen. Ellis Spear, nearly all Of the relics having
been on exhibition in the Patent ONCE at the
time they were purchased by the Nation.
Ten SPEARS letter is dated May 9. 1878.
and is in the nature Of q report to the Sec
rotary Of the Interior, Carl Schurz, and
though rather lengthy, yet its Importance win
at least justify the repeating Of the following
extracts:
I'm compliance with your order, have care
fully examined these relics and submit the
following report
The relics consist OF q large number Of
articles chiefly Of personal and household use
The following inventory was made by the
family and has been carefully verified by me-
"One large mirror: two small mirrors
zone dozen handsome parior chairs.
1.-TWO armchairs
zone large easy chair in which the general
sat few minutes before his death
zone double brass candlestick by which the
Farewell Address was written.
1.-TWO silver plated candlesticks
SOna large and tuon small rIafad uyaitarS