Evening star., 1937-01-24
Bv John Claeett Proctor.

-HIS might not be just the best
time Of the year to plan TO
visit Mount Vernon, since the
i weather in this locality, espe-
cially during the Winter months, Is
rather uncertain, with snow usually
on the ground and the temperature
lowering around the freezing point
and maybe even colder. However,
when one gets as close to Mount Ver-
non as Is the Capital, he surely must
not miss visiting the home of the first
President. if the travelling Is at all
reasonable.
Naturally, there are many visitors
who have remained in washington
since the Inauguration, just Tor the
purpose Of sightseeing. If the weather
is fairly good, then Mount Vernon by
all means should be visited, for, al
though it is far from being our most
costly shrine, still it is the most
precious reminder of our first Pres'-
dent, our foremost patriot and our
greatest American. the Father OF HIS
Country" and he was, in every sense
of the words, First in war, first IN
neace and first in the hearts OF MS
countrymen."
This stately, Colonial residence was
erected in 1743 by Lawrence Washing.
ton. who inherited the property and
changed its name from Little Hunt
inc creek Plantation" to Mount YER
non. in honor of Admiral Vernon, VINO
won his lasting friendship by acknoWl-
edpment of Lawrence's meritorlous
service at the siege of Cartagena' IN
an Anglo-Spanish war. After tle
death of Lawrence. in 1852, and the
subsequent death of his only child, MS
brother, George, as reslduary
heir succeeded in full possession OF
the estate in 1851 and subsequently
Increased the size of the land from
$500 to 5000 acres.
COON after the marriage OF George
- Washington in 1853 he tooK up
his residence at Mount vernon anu
lived there until the outbreak OF the
American Revolution. From mere ne
set out for New York to be sworn III
as President, on April 80, l7o9' MS
nrogress being one continuous oVatlon'
The ringing of bells and the roaring
Of cannon proclaimed his course. Olo
ond vn,1nr. women and children,
thronred the highways to bless ana
welcome him. His Inauguration tooA
place before an immense multlVuoe'
After he declined to serve longer as
President, he returned to his nome OF,
the Potomac for repose and peace1ui
hfe In 1897, and two years later at
the close of 1899, it was here that ne
hresthed his last and was inferred
with Masonic rites. In life 1t was MS
home. In death 1t is the last resting
nlace Of his mortal remains
OF course, a majority Of Washing
.on,ans are familiar with Mount YER
non. especially the older ones 1or
whom the writer feels he can speak
nersonallv. for near by, separated
univ by an inlet, was many years ago
a picnic place called Mount vernon
springs, and the people from wash
inp+on and Alexandria crowded us
dancing pavilion during the WarH
davs of Summer and until 1t was
abandoned and the timbers permitted
10 rot and fall down Of their own
weight.
There were other resorts on the
Potomac at that time, where the DIS
trict and nearby Virginia and Mary
land people frequently went in SUM
mer, among which were Fort Foot'
Fort washington, Marshall Hall, River
view. Glymont, Lower Cedar Point,
Blackistone Island, Piney Point, COL
onial Beach and others, but we were
ALWAYS reminded by the engineer OF
the boat, when we were passing Mount
Vernon, for he never failed to salute
the home Of Washington, and when
a band was aboard, America was
always played.
CALUTING Mount Vernon was by
~ no means q custom confined tc
the period of half century ago, but
originated during the lifetime OF Gen
washington, when armed merchant
men, sailing from Alexandria, during
the maritime war with France, always
salrted when passing this historic
home on their way to meet the enemy
rJnon these occasions, on the reporl
Of the first gun, the General Wouic
leave his library, and, taking posi-
tion on the portico that fronts tne
river, remain there uncovered until
the firing ceased.
still other occasions are RECORDED
at an early date when similar MARKS
Of veneration were accorded the mas.
ter of Mount Vernon while ne wal
living and could appreciate them. one
particular salute, we are told
"was an homage of the heart, Tor Il
was paid by an old companion in arms
while its echoes called up the memor.
les of the past: A small vessel Wouic
be seen to skim along the bosom o.
the Potomac; nearing the shore, the
little craft furled her sails, let go hel
anchor, and discharged a small piece
of ordnance, then a boat put OIL ano
pulled to the shore, and soon a mes
senger appeared, bearing a fine rock
or drum fish, with the compliment:
Of Benjamin Grimes, who resided
some so miles down the river, and WHIT
was gallant officer Of the Life Guart
IN the war Of the Rev BUTTON"