Evening star., 1936-10-04

up the island in 1892. 1t moved to the
Van Ness property, where is now the
an-American Union Building. Sew.
enteenth street and Constitution ave.
nue..
Within the memory Of many old
residents there were a number of
buildings at one time on Analostan
Island, including the mansion house
Of John Mason, his outbuildings and
slave quarters, and about every luxury
and convenience a member of one Of
the first families Of Virginia could
wish for.
The owner was man Of consider
able standing and prominence in the
community, and the son of George
Mason Of Gunston Hall, who, month
before the first Continental Congress
met, had his Fairfax County resolves
indorsed and approved at meeting
over which Washington presided, and
who soon thereafter prepared the Vr-
ginia constitution. with bill of rights
at its front, it being the first con-
stitution ever written containing a
complete system of government. This
patriotic document was adopted June
II, 1776, almost a month before the
signing Of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence, to which there is admittedly
some similarity.
In 1893, Gen. Mason became an
incorporation of the old Bank Of Co.
lumbia, at first located at the north
east corner of Twenty-ninth and M
streets, and IL years later on the
north side of NJ street between Wis
consin avenue and Thlrty-fourth
streets. Later he served as president
of this bank. succeeding Benjamin
Stoddert when the latter became the
first Secretary Of the Navy in the
cabinet of President John Adams.
IN 1902 President Jefferson ap-
pointed him brigadier general of
the militia of the District of Colum-
bia. in which Office he served until
1911, when he resigned. In 1915.
when Henry Foxall decided to return
to England to live, Gen. Mason pur-
chased his iron foundry and operated
it for a number of years. He was
also active in other directions, and
at one time was a member of the
firm Of Fenwick, Mason & Co,
merchants, Joseph Fenwick being In
charge of the business at Bordeaux.
France, and Mason managing the
Georgetown house.
Just what important part. II any,
Gen. Mason played in the War Of 1912
We do not know, but it is evident he be-
lieved. as so many did, who fought
in the Battle of Bladensburg, that
"he who fights and runs away. may
live to fight another day" for we fnc
the President retiring from the NOR
tifying scene on horseback. sc-
companied by Gen. Mason and Mr.
Carroll" We also find 1t stated that
on the oath of August. President
Adams. Mr.. Jones. then Secretary of
the Navy; Gen. Mason of Analostan
Island, Mr.. Charles Carroll of Belle
vue and Mr.. Tench Ringgold took
pains to view the burning of Wash
ington at a safe distance.
Gen. Mason had a host OF friend
and admirers, and since he was fond
Of company. many were the gay par
ties held at his island home. Un-
doubtedly Gen. Washington stepped in
to say word when he was taking the
ferry over the river, and Thomas
Jefferson purposely stopped in occa-
sionally to talk matters over, when
arranging for the seat of government
Another of the many distinguished
visitors to come to the island, at a
very early date, was Louis Philippe.
who left France, his native country,
when so many heads were being
chopped off with the guillotine, in
cluding that of his own father. the
Duke of Orleans, the richest man in
Europe and chiefly noted for his
reckless dissipation. Louis Philippe
landed at Philadelphia after a most
narrowing experience. evading those
who relentlessly sought him for the
sole purpose of decapitation.
Born of father of boundless
wealth, who embraced the infdel
philosophy. King Louis. however, had
the good fortune of having q mother
noted for her piety and virtues and
who secured for him as tutor the Gel
ebrated Nine. de Genlis. whose
teaching. if religiously followed today.
especially in the primary instruction
of our youths. would unquestionably
produce valuable results.