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A GUIDE 
 
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 EMBRACING 
 
 A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTICULARS OF MOUNT VER- 
 NON; ALSO THE INCIDENTS PERTAINING TO WASHIN«iTON, 
 AS TO HIS BURIAL, HIS REMOVAL FROM THE OLD FAMILY 
 VAULT, AND FINALLY HIS BEING PLACED IN THE NEW 
 TOMB, IN A MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS. 
 
 BY J. A. WINEBERGER. 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 1857. 
 
31^ 
 
 ^r 
 
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 76 
 
 Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the Year 
 Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-Seven, 
 
 By J. A. WiNEBERGEB, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. 
 
There rests the Man, the flower of human kind, 
 Whose visage mild bespoke his nobler mind ; 
 There rests the Soldier, who his sword ne'er drew. 
 But in a righteous cause to Freedom true ; 
 There rests the Hero, who ne'er fought for fame, 
 Yet gained more glory than a Caesar's name ; 
 There rests the Statesman, who, devoid of art. 
 Gave soundest counsels from an upright heart. 
 And, ! Columbia, by thy sons caress'd, 
 There rests the Father of the realms he bless'd, 
 Who no wish felt to make his mighty praise. 
 Like other Chiefs, the means himself to raise ; 
 But ivhen retiring, breathed in pure renown. 
 And felt a grandeur that disdained a crown. 
 
 Mount Vernon has a deep and endearing interest 
 for those who esteem the memory of Washington. It 
 is a Mecca, where the heart may cling with intense 
 feelings in memory of historical associations. Whilst 
 the Grecian's eye may moisten over the Phgedon, or as 
 it meets with Socrates in Gorgias, so here at Mount 
 Vernon may the American patriot come and meditate 
 with suggestions of the past, link by link, till his spirit 
 finds rest in the presence of the true and great 
 departed. 
 
Ten miles below Alexandria and sixteen below Wash- 
 ington City the majestic flood of the Potomac laves 
 the shore of Mount Vernon, 
 
 The present owner of Mount Vernon is John A. 
 Washington, (the 3d,) who inherited the estate from 
 his father, John A. Washington, (the 2d,) who was 
 the nephew of Judge Bushrod Washington, and was 
 appointed one of his executors, and who received 
 the bequeathment of the estate from hira, where he 
 died, June 16, 1832, aged 43. 
 
 Judge Bushrod Washington was the son of John A. 
 Washington (the 1st) and nephew of General Wash- 
 ington, who appointed him one of his executors, and 
 bequeathed him Mount Vernon. He died in Philadel- 
 phia, November 26th, 1829, aged 68. General Wash- 
 ington was appointed in the will of his half-brother, 
 Lawrence, one of his executors ; and the estate of 
 Mount Vernon, bequeathed to his daughter, was to 
 pass to the General, if she died without issue ; and he 
 therefore came in possession of the same July 26, 1752, 
 which he enlarged ; also set apart a small quantity for 
 cultivation during his life-time. At his death, he dying 
 without issue, his whole real estate, amounting to at 
 
least ten thousand acres of land, was divided. Among 
 the recipients was Bushrod Washington, who received 
 Mount Vernon proper, (after the expiration of the life 
 estate of General Washington's wife,) which contained 
 upwards of four thousand acres. The residue of Mount 
 Vernon he gave to Lawrence Lewis, making about two 
 thousand acres. He bequeathed to his grandson of his 
 wife, and his ward, G. W. P. Custis, and his heirs, a 
 tract of land on Four-Mile Run, containing one thou- 
 sand two hundred acres, more or less, in extent. The 
 balance of his real and personal estate was bequeathed 
 to the other portion of the children of his brothers 
 and sister, amounting altogether to twenty-three in 
 number, and to his own neices and nephews, and his 
 wife's grandchildren. 
 
 Mount Vernon originally belonged to Augustine 
 Washington, the father of Lawrence and George. He 
 bequeathed the estate near Hunting creek (which then 
 consisted of twenty-five hundred acres) to Lawrence, 
 who gave it the name it now bears, in honor of Admiral 
 Vernon, then high admiral in the British navy, under 
 whom Lawrence served in the navy. 
 
 Mount Vernon is situated on an eminence on the 
 
6 
 
 iVestern bank of the Potomac, commanding from its 
 position a grand view of the meanderings of this lovely 
 river iii either direction. The mansion-house* " ex- 
 hibits, in any position in which it may be viewed, the 
 outlines and semblance of the residence of a gentle- 
 man." Built of the most durable frame-work, this 
 edifice has withstood the ravages of time remarkably 
 well, which can be noticed from observation. This 
 house is two stories high. Upon its roof, surmounted in 
 the centre is an observatory and cupola. Attached to 
 the house is a very wide portico, fifteen feet in width, 
 and exceedingly high, reaching from the ground to the 
 eaves of the roof, having square pilasters, extending 
 entirely across the eastern or river front, ninety-six 
 feet in length, with a light and graceful balustrade 
 on its top. It has a lawn on the west front, flanked on 
 the right and left with gardens and conservatories, 
 Containing many valuable plants presented to Washing- 
 ton and preserved by him while living. There is on 
 the ground floor six rooms, wainscotted, having large 
 worked cornices and shafts, in accordance with the 
 tastes of the olden times. 
 
 * Lawrence Washington built the central portion of the house, and 
 the wings were added by General Washington. 
 
"A spacious hall is formed in the centre of the build- 
 ing upon the same level with the pavement of the 
 portico, which is of wide dimensions, laid with tesselated 
 Italian marble, and communicates with three parlors, 
 with the main stairway leading to the chambers of the 
 second story, and with the observatory. 
 
 " The wing to the south of the main building contains 
 the library and breakfast-room, with a narrow staircase 
 leading to Washington's private study on the second 
 floor. Among the many curiosities and relics contained 
 within the walls of Mount Vernon, we were shown an 
 ancient map of Virginia, representing in etched outlines 
 all the territory between the Atlantic Ocean and the 
 waters of the Ohio ,upon which are to be seen many 
 pencilled traces and marks from Washington's own 
 hand of the route which he traversed during Brad- 
 dock's disastrous and fatal campaign against the In- 
 dians. His spyglass, sword, and other weapons of a 
 military kind, are objects of great curiosity ; likewise: 
 the key of the Bastile, which is enclosed in a glass case 
 and suspended on the wall in the hall of entrance. 
 
 His bust, an original by Houdon, stands upon a 
 bracket, over the door of entrance into the library » 
 
*' This work of art possesses much interest, from the 
 circumstance of its having been executed from the life, 
 by a mask in plaster. It conveys a truly character- 
 istic and strongly-marked expression, and is, without 
 doubt, the best likeness extant. 
 
 " The fireplace of the drawing-room is decorated with 
 a rich Italian mantel, presented in the year 1785 to 
 General Washington, by Samuel Vaughan, Esq., of 
 London, the father of the venerable and highly re- 
 spected John Vaughan, of Philadelphia. It is composed 
 of variegated Sienna marble, sculptured with a bold 
 chisel, and represents on the tablets of the frieze the 
 most prominent objects of agriculture and husbandry 
 in chaste and beautiful bas-relief." 
 
 SUMMER HOUSE. 
 
 Upon the brow of a hill and not far from the water's 
 edge, also within, two hundred yards southeast of the 
 mansion, stands a frame unfinished summer-house, and 
 underneath an ice-house, both partially in ruins, in the 
 rear of which is a beautiful lawn having a few acres in 
 extent, reaching a distance beyond the north of the 
 mansion, planted with shrubbery and ornamental trees. 
 
From the summer-house a spectator has a fine view 
 of the Potomac and the Maryland shore. This house 
 is the most conspicuous object seen in passing up the 
 river along Mount Vernon on boats, and presents a 
 handsome appearance. 
 
 THE OLD FAMILY VAULT. 
 
 About two hundred and fifty yards south of the 
 mansion-house can be seen the old family vault, in a 
 very dilapidated condition, situated on the declevity of 
 a dell, embosomed among some trees, arched with 
 brick, and over this is a deep sod. Washington had 
 contemplated moving this old family vault some time 
 prior to his death, and in making his will he left a 
 clause as follows : " The family vault at Mount Vernon 
 requiring repairs, and being improperly situated besides, 
 I desire that a new one of brick, and upon a larger 
 scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly 
 called the Vineyard Enclosure, on the ground, which 
 is made out, in which my remains and those of my 
 deceased relatives, (now in the old vault,) and such 
 other of my family as may choose to be entombed 
 there, may be deposited." But it was not finally done 
 
10 
 
 until an attempt was made some years ago to desecrate 
 this hallowed spot by some demon in human form. 
 The vault was entered, and a skull with other bones 
 were taken from it. The robbery was discovered and 
 the bones returned. The bones stolen, however, were 
 not those of the illustrious Washington. The desire of 
 Washington in reference to the removal of the old fam- 
 ily vault and the spot designated by him previous to his 
 death, and mentioned in his will, was carried out iu 
 1831, or immediately after the robberywas committed, 
 through the agency of his nepheAV and friend, Major 
 Lewis. In the old vault the body of the hero remained 
 from 1799 until 18o-l — a period of thirty years. 
 
 THE NEW VAULT. 
 The new tomb is perhaps one hundred yards west of 
 the old vault, and three hundred southwest from the man- 
 sion, on the side of a long sloping hill, surrounded by 
 a deep wooded dell, which have several venerable old 
 oaks and thick shrubbery, spreading its green foliage 
 down to the water's edge. The front of the tomb has 
 a kind of ante-chamber, (containing the remains of the 
 patriot in a marble sarcophagus,) built of bricks, twelve 
 feet high, having in front an iron gateway, flanked 
 
11 
 
 with pilasters^ surmounted by a stone cornice and 
 coping, covering a pointed gothic arch. Over this is a 
 plain slab, upon which is inscribed the words : 
 
 "WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE REST THE REMAINS OP GENERAL 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON." 
 
 Beyond the ante-chamber is the vault, built in 1831, 
 or six years previous to the ante-chamber, and where 
 the body of the chief laid, arched over at the height 
 of eight feet from the ground, with a rough-cast front, 
 and having a plain iron door fixed in a freestone case- 
 ment. Over this there is a stone tablet, with the fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
 »' I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; HE THAT 
 
 BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, 
 
 YET SHALL HE LIVE." 
 
 In the lapse of thirty years the wooden coffins have 
 been three times renewed, and ultimately has his friends 
 succeeded in placing his ashes in a more permanent 
 and durable receptacle. 
 
 Mr. John Struthers, a marble and granite cutter of 
 Philadelphia, was consulted by the friends of Wash- 
 ington in reference to the construction of a marble 
 sarcophagus to enshrine the remains of their illustrious 
 personage. Mr. Struthers, with a deep feeling of 
 
12 
 
 respect and liberality, desired the privilege of con- 
 structing and presenting to the friends a sarcophagus 
 made of Pennsylvania marble ; it was granted ; and in 
 performing the work he has evidently displayed an 
 unusual amount of artistic taste and skill in the sculp- 
 tured execution of the same. The following is a 
 description of it •. 
 
 " The construction of the sarcophagus is of the mod- 
 ern form, and consists of an excavation from a solid 
 block of marble, eight feet in length, three feet in 
 width, and two feet in height, resting on a plinth, 
 which projects four inches round the base of the 
 coffin. The lid or covering stone is a ponderous block 
 of Italian marble, emblazoned with the arms and in- 
 signia of the United States, beautifully sculptured in 
 the boldest relief. The design occupies a large portion 
 of the central part of the top surface, or lid, and 
 represents a shield, divided into thirteen perpendicular 
 stripes, which rests on the flag of our country, and is 
 attached by cords to a spear, embellished with tassels, 
 forming a background to the shield, by which it is 
 supported. The crest is an eagle with open wings, 
 perching upon the superior bar of the shield, and is 
 
13 
 
 in the act of clutching the arrows and olive branch. 
 Between these armorial bearings and the foot of the 
 coffin, upon the plain field of the lid, is the bold and 
 deeplj-sculptured name of 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 "The foot of the coffin is inscribed as follows: 
 
 BY THE PERMISSION OF LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ., THIS SAR- 
 COPHAGUS OF WASHINGTON WAS PRESENTED BY 
 JOHN STRUTHERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, 
 MARBLE MASON." 
 
 The sarcophagus was intended to be placed in the 
 new vault ; but Mr. Strickland, who accompanied Mr. 
 Struthers to Mount Vernon, sajs : 
 
 " Upon a consultation with this gentleman, [Major 
 Lewis,] after stating to him the difficulties which would 
 attend the placing of the sarcophagus in the damp 
 vault, and the inappropriateness of the situation for such 
 a work of art, and upon suggesting to him a plan for 
 constructing a suitable foundation on the right of the 
 entrance gate, on the outside of the vault, between it 
 and the surrounding walls, and the practicability of 
 extending the side walls of the vault to the surround- 
 ing enclosure, and arching it over beyond any contact 
 with the soil of the sloping hill, taking care to guard 
 
14 
 
 the vaulted chamber with a metallic roof, with an ad- 
 ditional grille of iron bars in front, and other fasten- 
 ings and securities, as guards against idle curiosity 
 and the chances of attempt at desecration, he con- 
 sented to the plan. 
 
 " We were accompanied to the spot by the steward, and 
 the grated doors were opened for the first time in the 
 lapse of seven years. During the operation the steward 
 was directed to procure lights for the purpose of enter- 
 ing the vault, and preparing the way for the removal 
 of the body to the outside .of the vault. The gate of 
 the enclosure was temporarily closed, and upon the 
 opening of the vault door we entered, accompanied by 
 Major Lewis and his son. The coflEin containing the 
 remains of Washington was in the extreme back part 
 of the vault ; and to remove the case containing the 
 leaden receptacle, it was found necessary to put aside 
 the coffins that were piled up between it and the door- 
 way. After clearing a passageway, the case, which 
 was much decayed, was stripped off, and the lead of 
 the lid was discovered to have sunk vei'y considerably 
 from head to foot ; so much so, as to form a curved 
 line of four to five inches in its whole length. This 
 
15 
 
 settlement of the metal had perhaps caused the solder- 
 ing of the joints to give way about the upper or widest 
 part of the coffin. At the request of Major Lewis this 
 fractured part was turned over on the lower part of 
 the lid, exposing to view a head and breast of large 
 dimensions, which appeared, by the dim light of the 
 candles, to have suffered but little from the effects of 
 time. The eye-sockets were large and deep, and the 
 breadth across the temples, together with the forehead, 
 appeared of unusual size. There was no appearance 
 of grave clothes ; the chest was broad ; the color was 
 dark, and had the appearance of dried flesh and skin 
 adhering closely to the bones. We saw no hair, nor 
 was there any offensive odor from the body, but we 
 observed, when the coffin had been removed to the out- 
 side of the vault, the dripping down of a yellow liquid, 
 which stained the marble of/ the sarcophagus. A hand 
 was laid upon the head and instantly removed ; the 
 lead of the lid was restored to its place ; the body, 
 raised by six men, was carried and laid in the marble 
 coffin, and the ponderous cover being put on and set in 
 cement, it was sealed from our sight on Saturday, the 
 7th day of October, 1837. 
 
" [mmediately after the performance of this melan- 
 choly ceremony, the sarcophagus was cased up with 
 plank to prevent any injury being done to the carving 
 during the operation of enlarging the vault. 
 
 " The relatives, consisting of Major Lewis, Lorenzo 
 Lewis, John Augustine Washington, George Washing- 
 ton, the Reverend Mr. Johnson and lady, and Miss 
 Jane Washington, then retired to the mansion. 
 
 "The deepest feeling of reverence pervaded this 
 assembly. The descendants of this illustrious man 
 had the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing his ashes 
 imperishably secured from the slow but sure attack of 
 time. 
 
 " It is proper here to remark, that when the wooden 
 case was removed from the leaden coffin, a silver 
 breast-plate, in the shape of the old continental shield 
 or escutcheon,* was found, upon which was engraved, 
 in Roman characters, the date of the birth and death 
 of Washington. This escutcheon was about the size 
 of the palm of a hand, with an ornamental chased 
 border or margin. It had evidently been attached to 
 the leaden lid, but, from some cause or other, it had 
 
 * The common impression of a heart. 
 
17 
 
 given way, and was found between the fragments of 
 the exterior wooden case or covering." 
 
 And yonder, on the left of the gateway, which occu- 
 pies the other side of the ante-chamber, rests the 
 remains of his beloved wife, Mrs. Martha Custis 
 Washington, in a marble coffin sculptured by the same 
 hand, in a plain style, and upon it are the words: 
 *' Martha, consort of Washington : died May 21, 1801, 
 aged 71 years." She partook in life the same spirit 
 of complacent dignity and even temperament as her 
 husband — having no desire to disturb his intentions, 
 but rather gave him encouragement in all his under- 
 takings for his country's welfare. Whilst he was in 
 the field, she was exerting her influence, in conjunction 
 with other ladies, to provide food and clothing for the 
 soldiers ; and, after having exhausted their own re- 
 sources, went from door to door to actuate others in 
 this laudable project. No doubt it was, in a great 
 degree, owing to the talents, virtue, and animation of 
 his wife, that Washington had his patriotic zeal en- 
 couraged in the cause which was congenial to this 
 pair, and which they mutually shared and invigorated. 
 On the right of the road leading to the tomb is a 
 
monument erected to the memory of Judge Bushrod 
 Washington and his wife, Anna Blackburn, who sur- 
 vived Jiim but two days, aged 60. These words are 
 ujion the monument : " Within this vault lies the mor- 
 tal remains of Bushrod Washington, * * * ^nd 
 by his side is interred his wife." 
 
 Immediately opposite, on the left side of the road, 
 is a monument erecced to the memory of John A. 
 Washington (the 2d) and Hannah Lee, his wife, with 
 these words : " Within this vault lies John Augustine 
 Washington and his wife ." 
 
 At the right of the tombare two monuments. These 
 are enclosed with iron railings ; one erected to the mem- 
 ory of Eleanor Parke Lewis, grand-daughter of General 
 Washington. It has these words inscribed upon one 
 side : " Reared under the roof of the' Father of his 
 Country, this lady was not more remarked, while living, 
 for her beauty of person than for the superiority, of 
 her mind. She lived to be admired, and died to be 
 regretted, in the 74th year of her age.',' The other 
 is, " Sacred to the memory of Mrs. M. E. A. Conrad, 
 wife of Charles, of New Orleans, and daughter of 
 Charles and Eleanor P. Lewis, and grand-neice of 
 General Washington, born April 1st, 1813, at Wood- 
 down, Fairfax county, Va., and died September 21st, 
 1839, at Pass Christian, Miss., in the 27t.h year of her 
 
19 
 
 The tomb of Wasliington will ever stand on the list 
 of cherished and admirgd places, that have a halo of 
 glory encircled around it. This sacred spot has a 
 thousand tongues, and whether it speaks silently to the 
 mind or in words of sweet accent, none the less does it 
 proclaim all the associations of his great name, which 
 is baptised in everlasting gratitude in the bosom of his 
 people. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the deep feelings of veneration 
 and reverence as we approached the august shades of this 
 hallowed spot, which contains the ashes of him who was 
 *' first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts 
 of his countrymen." At the time the heavens were 
 most propitious ; the sun shone forth that day with a 
 peculiar beauty and loveliness ; the sky was blue, deep, 
 and lofty, stretching its heavenly arch to span the 
 variegated landscape. As we stood in front oP the 
 tomb, with the Potomac glimmering in the sunlight 
 below, .there was around a calm in nature, as a token, 
 in adoration of the solemnity that reigned, save only 
 now and then we heard the murmer of the breeze play- 
 ing over the hills, and the rustling of the winds in the 
 low tree tops, in gentle minstrelsy of him who rests in 
 their midst. 
 
 A holy infl.uence seems to pervade all who love the 
 man, when feasting their imaginations on the past. 
 ■How vividly came before our mind's eye, (as though 
 
20 
 
 one could realize the scene,) the remarks of Mr. El- 
 kanah Watson, who says, he arrived there (Mount 
 Vernon) in the afternoon, January 23, 1785, and oh- 
 served a peculiarity in his (Washington's) smile, which 
 seemed to illuminate his eye ; his whole countenance 
 beamed with intelligence, while it commanded confi- 
 dence and respect. 
 
 Washington came upon the stage of action when 
 the world had grown in anarchy. The few, by the 
 iron hand ot tyranny, crushed the many, and there 
 was no balm for their woes, until he heard the whispers 
 of the down-trodden, low, yet full of meaning. The 
 golden era at last dawned, when man was permitted 
 to step beyond the boundary in which he had so long 
 been fettered. 
 
 He saw, as by prophetic vision, as the clouds of 
 ages rolled themselves away, a beautiful form in the 
 shape of a woman, presenting a look of hope upon her 
 brow. She had a shield for defence, stripes were em- 
 blematic of her tribulation, and stars of her dominion. 
 Heroes fought for her, and maidens wove chaplets and 
 spread garlands in her pathway. Washington beheld 
 the glorious vision, and called the woman's name 
 Liberty — the spirit of his beloved Country. 
 
 He saw the antecedents in aristocracy and despotism, 
 that he could not endure, from his correct notions, that 
 all men are free and equals and possess rights and im- 
 
21 
 
 liiunities in common with mankind, and are capable of 
 enjoying blessings one with the other. 
 
 Washington should have the appellation of the 
 " Father of his Country, the founder of the Republic," 
 if any person merited such a cognomen. He command- 
 ed, with surpassing adeptness, his country's armies ; 
 he trained them in the mystery of warfare ; confirmed 
 their dubious resolutions, with invincible courage ; 
 taught them to be magnanimous in the cheering hour 
 of victory. 
 
 It is not only to" his brilliant success in his great 
 official career in the army, leading our fathers on to 
 conquer, and his great chart of constitutional and po- 
 litical teachings, which are prominent, and stand out 
 in bold relief, that the world loves to admire and his- 
 tory glories to emblazon upon its pages ; but it is in 
 the shade of life that he deserves no less admiration 
 from all classes and conditions of men. 
 
 Mark his quiet disposition, his modest pretensions,; 
 and his undaunted perseverance. 
 
 His difficulties he had to encounter through his public 
 life ,and his fierce, determinable private enemies, that 
 traduced his great, just, upright life from his earliest 
 colonial days down to the very time of his death as an 
 aged civilian, citizen, and warrior, is well known to the 
 student of history. 
 
 The following just tribute to the memory and virtues 
 
ii!2 
 
 of Washington, from the pen of Phillips, an English- 
 inan, do justice to the head and heart of the writer :• 
 
 " It matters very little what immediate spot may 
 have been the birth-place of such a man as Washington. 
 No people can claim, no country can appropriate him. 
 The boon of Providence to the human race, his fame is 
 eternity, and his residence creation. Though it was the 
 defeat of our arms, and the disgrace of our policy, I 
 almost bless the convulsion in which he had his origin. 
 If the heavens thundered, and the earth rocked, yet, 
 when the storm had passed, how pure was the climate 
 that it cleared ! how bright, in the brow of the firmament 
 was the planet which it revealed to us! In the pro- 
 duction of Washington, it does really appear as if 
 Nature was endeavoring to improve upon herself, and 
 that all the virtues uf the ancient world were but so 
 many studies preparatory to the patriot of the new. 
 Individual instances, no d.oubt, there were, splendid 
 exemplifications of some singular qualification : Cassar 
 was merciful, Scipio was continent, Hannibal was 
 patient ; but it was reserved for Washington to blend 
 them all in one, and, like the lovely masterpiece of the 
 Grrecian artist, to exhibit, in One glow of associated 
 beauty, the pride of every model, and the perfection of 
 every master. As a general, he marshalled the peasant 
 into a veteran, and supplied by discipline the absence 
 of experience ; as a statesman, he enlarged the policy 
 
- 23 ■ • 
 
 of the cabinet into tfie most comprehensive system of 
 general advantage ; and such' was the wisdom of his 
 views, and the philosophy of his councils, that, to the 
 soldier and the statesman he almost added the character 
 of the sage ! A. conqueror, he was untainted with the 
 crime of blood ; a revolutionist, he was free from every 
 stain of treason ; for aggression commenced the contest, 
 and his country called him to the command. Liberty 
 unsheathed his sword, necessity stained, victory re- 
 turned it. If he had paused here, history might have 
 doubted what station to assign him ; whether at the 
 head of her citizens, or her soldiers, her heroes, or her 
 patriots. But the last glorious act crowns his career, 
 and banishes all hesitation. Who like Washington, 
 after having emancipiated a hemisphere, resigned its 
 crowns, and preferred the retirement of domestic life 
 to the adoration of a land he might be almost said to 
 to have created ! 
 
 "Happy, proud America ! The lightning of heaven 
 yielded to your philosophy ! The temptations of earth 
 could not seduce your patriotism !" 
 
 On" Friday, 13th of December, 1799, he was taken 
 with an inflammatory disease of the throat ; and as it 
 made its rapid advancement, he felt its power severing 
 the silver cords of life ; extending himself on his dying 
 bed, closed his eyes with his own hands, then folded 
 his arms upon his breast, and uttered the words. 
 
24 
 
 " Father of Mercies, take me to Thyself!" and fell 
 asleep, to wake no more on earth, on Saturday night, 
 the 14th. He expressed in his will that he should be 
 buried in a private manner, and without any parade 
 or funeral oration. But in this instance his fellow- 
 citizens could not be induced from going contrary to 
 his desire, and therefore assembled in great numbers 
 to witness this melancholy event, and pay their last 
 tribute of respect to his earthly remains : whereas he 
 was buried with military honors and religious ceremo- 
 nies, on Wednesday, the 18th, at 2 o'clock, p. m. 
 
 The procession moved out through the gate in the 
 rear of the house, at its left wing, and proceeded 
 around to the east or river front, along the right wing 
 of the house, down to the old family vault. 
 
 Washington was, in the prime of life, six feet two 
 inches, and when attired for the grave measured ex- 
 actly six feet. 
 
 When the proud fleet of the English, in the time of 
 the last war, was coming up the Potoma.c river, in front 
 of Mount Vernon, in hostile aspect, halted in their 
 course, amid the curling smoke of their minute-guns, 
 showing their deep respect and veneration to the mem- 
 ory of our illustrious Washington. 
 
 "Great, without pomp; without ambition, brave; 
 Proud, not to conquer fellow-men, but save." 
 
 W 73 
 

 
 
 
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