^C^Sb 
 
 ^C<. ' 
 
 *^^ .S^ 
 
 -- li<^« 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 <<<-S'^t^# 
 
 - c . ft ■ ^*-;' 
 
 < M^MLjK,; V <a 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^.^c^m 
 
 
 I LIBRARY OF CUNGR,ESS,# 
 
 ||l'»H :-..-5- |o|I5ri3M |o: I 
 
 I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA^ ^ 
 
 
 
 • <:<:> c <■<■« cL <r ^pf: e 
 CCC'^e4"C' C'CT^r < 
 
 
 -Y" C ^<- C C"'CCC<. C: <iSS<5 
 
 ^.cc^io'.g^ ^<^c ^:^;:^^^ 
 

 <^.^ 
 ^®^' ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 <iCc «ccc c/ ^^* 51. ■ 0- c:-' < . 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 ^<<ac 
 
 
 
 
 - <: 
 
 <!«;«: a: <^ <<jeK^cc' 
 
 
 c 4X ^ <C 
 
 c.<i«^s_ 
 
 err '#::C ^^p< ^' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <:Kc«c 
 
 :< «ac^ 
 <:c<'C <«: <-' 
 
 IT c C 
 
 [ C <4C'^ C<c: 0^ 
 
 
 ccsiec ^ 
 
 cc«sc<i. <^<^«^^*'- 
 
 c C ^^^ < « 
 

 
 <^^<^ ^ ^, /r^F, 
 
 / • 
 
 '.•^ 
 

 :\\. r\ .^^^> \^^ 
 
 -•:^-J 
 
 f \ 
 
 
 .V"' > 
 
?i2^-=^ 
 
 -.-'tSS: 
 
 THE 
 
 \i<^ 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON 
 
 MOXJ¥T VER5fO¥, 
 
 EMBRACI5Q A 
 
 FULL AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF MOUNT VERNON, 
 
 AS WELl AS OF 
 
 ^U mm^n, dStntaloss. ©^siaUtr, fSiKXxim, anU 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 INCIDENTS PEBTAININa TO THE BTJKIAL OF WASHINGTON, REMO- 
 VAL FROM THE OLD FAMILY VAULT, AND HIS BEING PLACED 
 IN THE NEW TOMB, IN A MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS. 
 
 BY J. A. WINEBERGER^'^^ 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 
 THOMAS McQILL, PRINTER 
 
 1858. 
 
 

 
 The author is under obligations to John A. Washington, 
 Esq., of Mount Vernon; the late G. W. P. Custis, Esq., of 
 Arlington, Va. ; and Rembrandt Peale, Esq., of Philadel- 
 phia, for many facts contained within these pages. 
 
 Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1858, 
 By J. A. W1NEBER8EE, 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. 
 
 I 
 
 C. W. MURRAY, STEREOTYPER, 
 
 WASHINQTON, D. C. 
 
 I6typ^ 
 
 "^"^^ll 
 
 .fo 
 
l^^ --:?^< 
 
 uM 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 ( 
 
 I. 
 
 MOUNT VERNON 6 
 
 Its influential emotions as a Mecca. Distance. Present owner. 
 Judge Bushrod Washington. General Washington appointed exec- 
 utor in the will of his halt-brother, Lawrence, who bequeathed him 
 the estate of Mount Vernon. Washington's will. 
 
 II. 
 
 PATENTEES OF MOUNT VERNON 12 
 
 The amount of land originally patented. The name given in 
 honor of High Admiral Vernon. 
 
 III. 
 ORIGIN AND GENEALOGY 14 
 
 Derivation of the name. The name in the local history of Eng- 
 land. Sir Henry Washington. 
 
 IV. 
 MARRIAGES AND DEATHS 15 
 
 John Washington. Lawrence. John. The father of Washing- 
 ton, Augustine. Kiswill. To Lawrence. To Augustiue. To George. 
 To the rest of his sons. To his daughter Betty. The mother of 
 Washington. Lawrence Washington. 
 
 V. 
 WASHINGTON'S MARRIAGE 20 
 
 His marriage with the widow, Martha Custis. Where it took 
 place. G. W.P. Custis's remarks upon the occasion. Mrs. Custis'a 
 two children. The removal after marriage to Mount Vernon. 
 
 VI. 
 WASHINGTON'S COURTSHIP 22 
 
 Accidental meeting. The engagemeot. Preparations for mar- 
 riage. 
 
 VII. 
 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHPLACE 25 
 
 In the parish of Washington. ColonelJohn Washington. Law- 
 rence. Colonel George C. Lewis W. Gov. H. A. Wise's visit. The 
 spot. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 MOUNT VERNON ESTATE 29 
 
 Its location. Boundary when bequeathed to Judge Bushrod 
 Washington. Mansion house. Curiosities and relics. The orchard, 
 garden, and conservatories. 
 
 IX. 
 SUMMER HOUSE 38 
 
 Its location. A fine view. 
 
 l^^^^ ^ -^"^€61^ 
 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 X. 
 THE OLD VAULT 39 
 
 Its location. Washington's will in reference to a new vault. The 
 remoTal. 
 
 XL 
 
 THE NEW VAULT 41 
 
 Its location. The antechamber. The marble sarcophagus. The 
 design on the lid. Inscription at the foot. Relatives present on the 
 occasion of the removal. Uemains of Mrs. Martha Washington. 
 
 XIL 
 
 MRS. MARTHA WASHINGTON 48 
 
 Her instructions regarding her remains. Mr. Marshall's resolu- 
 tions in Congjess. The resolution communicated to Mrs. Washing- 
 ton. Her response. Her worthy deeds. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 MONUMENTS 51 
 
 To the memory of Judge Bushrod Washington and Anna Black- 
 burn, his wife. To the memory of John A. Washington, (the 2d.) 
 To the memory of Eleanor Parke Lewis. To the memory of Mrs. E. 
 A. M. Conrad. 
 
 XIV. 
 THE TOMB 53 
 
 The feelings when visiting it. Washington's deeds in his coun- 
 try's cause. 
 
 XV. 
 
 PERSONAL APPEARANCE 56 
 
 His features. Combination of qualities. Measurement. 
 
 XVI. 
 A TRIBUTE 58 
 
 From the pen of Phillips. The whole world should claim him. 
 XVII. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S LAST DAYS 60 
 
 The la-st visit around his farm. His illness. Calls in medical 
 aid. Proves unavailing. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S DEATH 62 
 
 Tobias Lear. Time of Washington's death. The melancholy news 
 arrives at the seat of government. Mr. Marshall's resolutions. The 
 Senate'a letter to President Adams. 
 
 XIX. 
 THE BURIAL 68 
 
 The procession. Inscription upon the coffin. His wish how he 
 should be buried. The English fleet. Its token of respect. 
 
 m^^^P^ "^""^^Sl:! 
 

 TOMB OF WASHmGTOF. 
 
 Hlouitt fenmr. 
 
 " 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 Coesar'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 when retiring, breathed in pure renown, 
 And felt a grandeur that disdained a crown." 
 
 Mount Vernon has a deep and enduring interest 
 for those who esteem the memory of Washington. It 
 is a Mecca, towards which the heart turns with intense 
 emotion, and which every American may visit to com- 
 memorate the virtues of his country's greatest benefac- 
 tor, upon whose character and history he may meditate 
 until, from the suggestions of the past, as memory brings 
 them up, link by link, he may catch something of the 
 spirit of the mighty dead. Here the lessons of patriot- 
 

 % 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 ^- 
 
 ism may be enhanced, the mind elevated to nobler views 
 of the vital questions that concern our country's vrel- 
 fare, the elements of our pure institutions brought to 
 remembrance, and the tone of public life in former gen- 
 erations recalled. 
 
 Ten miles below Alexandria, and sixteen below 
 Washington City, the majestic waters of the Potomac 
 lave the shore of Mount Vernon. 
 
 The present owner of Mount Vernon is John A. 
 Washington, Esq., (the 3d,) the great-grand nephew of 
 General Washington. He inherited the estate from 
 his father, John A. Washington, (the 2d.) The latter 
 was the nephew of Judge Bushrod Washington, who 
 appointed him one of his executors, and bequeathed 
 him the estate, on which he died, June 16th, 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 the estate. He died in Philadelphia, 
 November 26th, 1829, aged 68, having been for thirty 
 years an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
 United States, which situation he held at the time of 
 his death. 
 
 General Washington was appointed, in the will of 
 
W ^-^^^^ . ^^-d^Q^l 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 his half-brother, Lawrence, one of his executors, and the 
 estate, bequeathed to his surviving daughter, Sarah, was 
 to pass to the General if she died without issue; and ho 
 therefore came in possession of the same July 26th, 
 1752. He made extensive improvements, and enlarged 
 the estate, of which he set apart a considerable quan- 
 tity for cultivation during his lifetime. At his death 
 — he dying without issue — he gave and bequeathed to 
 his wife the benefit of all his real and personal property 
 during her natural life, with the exception of some 
 special bequests which he made to some of his rela- 
 tives and most intimate friends, not on account of their 
 intrinsic value, but as tokens of his high respect. Among 
 these were : A box made of the oak that sheltered 
 Sir William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk, origin- 
 ally designed to be presented by the Goldsmith's Com- 
 pany of Edinburgh to Lord Buchan, who received it 
 upon condition that it might be transferred to General 
 Washington, who recommitted it by bequest to Lord 
 Buchan, and in case of his death to his heir. 
 
 To his brother, Charles Washington, he gave his gold- 
 « 
 headed cane, left to him by Dr. Benjamin Franklin in 
 
 his will. 
 
 To Lawrence and Robert Washington, of Chotanck, 
 King George's county, Va., "acquaintances and 
 
 
539V_ ^^,:r9^^Sm 
 
 i 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 friends of his juvenile years," he gave his other two 
 gold-headed canes, with his arras engraved upon them, 
 one to each ; also two spy-glasses, one to each. The 
 spy-glasses, he said, constituted part of his equipment 
 during the Revolutionary war. 
 
 To his compatriot in arms, his old intimate friend 
 and family physician, Dr. James Craik, he gave his 
 secretary and circular chair. These were appendages 
 to his study room. 
 
 To Dr. David Stuart he gave his large shaving and 
 dressing table and his telescope. 
 
 To Lord Fairfax he gave a Bible in three large folio 
 volumes, presented to him by the Rev. Thomas Wilson, 
 Bishop of Sodor and Man, England. 
 
 To General De Lafayette he gave a pair of finely- 
 wrought steel pistols, which were taken from the Brit- 
 ish in the Revolutionary war. 
 
 To five of his nephews — William Augustine Wash- 
 ington, George Lewis, George Steptoe Washington, 
 Bushrod Washington, and Samuel Washington — he 
 bequeathed a sword to each, adding the injunction not 
 to take them from their scabbards with the intention 
 of shedding blood, except in self-defence or in defence 
 of their country, and, in the latter case, to keep them 
 unsheathed and die with them in their hands rather 
 
 r^e.V" 
 
 ■~"H<^^ 
 
 ;o 
 

 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 than give up the same. Some of these swords were 
 worn by his side in his engagements with the enemies 
 of his country. 
 
 To his nephew, Bushrod Washington, he bequeathed 
 all his civil and military papers. These were purchased 
 by Congress, and are now in the archives of the depart- 
 ments. Also his private papers and the books of every 
 description in his library. 
 
 To his wife and her heirs forever he bequeathed an 
 improved town lot in Alexandria and his household 
 furniture of every kind. 
 
 By his will his whole real estate, amounting 
 nearly to ten thousand acres of land, was divided, 
 after the death of his wife, among the following re- 
 cipients : 
 
 First. To his nephew, Bushrod Washington, and his 
 heirs, he gave and bequeathed Mount Vernon, (proper,) 
 which contained upwards of four thousand acres of land, 
 together with the mansion and all other buildings and 
 improvements, as Washington said, " partly in consid- 
 eration of an intimation to his deceased father, while 
 we were bachelors, and he had kindly undertaken to 
 superintend my estate during my military services in 
 the former war between Great Britain and France, that, 
 if I should fall therein. Moujit Vernon, then less ex- 
 
W/ • 10 TOBIB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 tensive in domain than at present, should become his 
 property." 
 
 Second. To George Fayette Washington and Charles 
 Augustine Washington he gave and bequeathed, to 
 them and their heirs, the estate east of Little Hunting 
 creek, bordering on the Potomac river, containing up- 
 wards of two thousand acres. In giving this bequest he 
 said : "In consideration of the consanguinity between 
 them and my wife, being as nearly related to her as to 
 myself, as on account of the affection I had for and 
 the obligation I was under to their father when living, 
 who from his youth had attached himself to my person 
 and followed my fortunes through the vicissitudes of 
 the late Revolution, afterwards devoting his time to the 
 superintendence of my private concerns for many years, 
 whilst my public employments rendered it impractica- 
 ble for me to do it myself, thereby affording me essen- 
 tial services, and always performing them in a manner 
 the most filial and respectful." 
 
 Third. To his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Elea- 
 nor Parke Lewis, his wife, and their heirs, he gave and 
 bequeathed the residue of the domain of the Mount 
 Vernon estate not already devised to his nephew. Bush- 
 rod Washington, and a tract of land west of this, to- 
 gether with a mill, distillery, and other improvements 
 
 M<^^yp^~~" ' ^^^^^^'^Sll 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 11 
 
 ou the premises, both together making about two thou- 
 sand acres. In giving this he said : " And whereas it 
 has always been my intention, since my expectation of 
 having issue ceased, to consider the grandchildren of 
 my wife in the same light as I do my own relations, 
 and to act a friendly part by them ; more especially by 
 the two whom we have raised from their earliest in- 
 fancy, namely, Eleanor Parke Custis and George Wash- 
 ington Parke Custis ; and whereas the former of these 
 hath lately intermarried with Lawrence Lewis, a son 
 of my deceased sister, Betty Lewis, by which union 
 the inducement to provide for them both has been in- 
 creased." 
 
 Fourth. To his ward, who was also his wife's grand- 
 Don, George "Washington Parke Custis, and his heirs, 
 he bequeathed a tract of land on Four-Mile run, near 
 Alexandria, containing one thousand two hundred acres, 
 also his entire square No. 21 in the city of "Washington. 
 In giving this, he said he was actuated by the principle 
 already mentioned — that is, considering the grandchil- 
 dren of his wife in the same light as he did bis own 
 relations. 
 
 Fifth. The balance of his real and personal estate, 
 accompanied by a schedule and a reasonable esti- 
 mate of its value, he desired might be sold by his 
 
 i 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
§ 
 
 12 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 executors,* if they could not agree otherwise in the 
 division. 
 
 Lastly. He generously gave freedom to all the slaves 
 he owned, and made ample provision for the helpless 
 ones, both old and young. 
 
 * The executors were his wife, Martha Washington, his 
 nephews, William Augustine Washington, Bushrod Washing- 
 ton, George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Washington, and 
 Lawrence Lewis, and his ward, George Washington Parke 
 Custis. 
 
 (^ 
 
0\ 
 
 
 II. 
 
 patentees of lioimt Wmxm. 
 
 The Mount Vernon estate was originally the half of 
 5,000 acres of land that was assigned, on division, to 
 John Washington, the great-grandfather of General 
 Washington, who, in conjunction with Nicholas Spen- 
 cer, patented it from Lord Culpeper in 1670. John 
 Washington bequeathed this estate to his son Lawrence, 
 who bequeathed it to his son Augustine, who be- 
 queathed it to his son Lawrence, who gave it the name 
 it now bears, in honor of High Admiral Vernon, of 
 the British navy, under whom Lawrence had served. 
 Lawrence bequeathed it to his half-brother, George, as 
 has already been stated. 
 
 18 
 
 l^DP^ 
 
 -^"c^S^I 
 
 ^ 
 
^22^>^ ^r^w^m 
 
 re d~> 
 
 III. 
 
 The family name of Washington is derived from a 
 person originally named William De Hertburn, whose 
 name was changed in the 13th century, from the fact 
 of his owning a manor called Washington, in the county 
 of Durham, in England, where a custom prevailed in 
 those days to name the person after his estate. 
 
 The name became conspicuous in the local history 
 of England, which has uniformly spoken of the family 
 as being composed of individuals of the highest respect- 
 ability, possessing wealth, talent, and influence. 
 
 Sir Henry Washington, one of the family, a British 
 colonel, made himself renowned for the active part he 
 sustained at the capture of Bristol, in 1640, in the 
 army of Charles I. Two uncles of this Colonel Wash- 
 ington came together to this country — John, the origi- 
 nal owner of the land now called Mount Vernon, and 
 his brother Lawrence — from England, in the year 1657, 
 and settled upon the banks of Bridge's (afterwards 
 called Pope's) creek, in the colony of Virginia. 
 
 i^^y^p^ ~^^^^<^ii 
 

 IV. 
 
 John Washington, soon after he came to America, 
 was appointed to a military command against the In- 
 dians, and was afterwards raised to the rank of a colonel. 
 He married Anne Pope, by whom he had two sons, 
 Lawrence and John, and a daughter, named Anne, 
 who married Major Francis Wright. 
 
 Lawrence, the eldest son of John and Anne, married 
 Mildred Warner, daughter of Col. Augustine Warner, 
 of Westmoreland county, Virginia, and had two sons, 
 John and Augustine, and a daughter, named Mildred, 
 who married for her first husband a Mr. Gregory, and 
 for her second Col. Henry Willis, by the latter of 
 whom only she had issue. 
 
 John, the eldest son of Lawrence and Mildred, mar- 
 ried Catharine Whiting, of Gloucester county, in which 
 he settled, diedj and was buried. He left two sons, 
 Warner and Henry, and three daughters, Mildred, 
 Elizabeth, and Catharine. 
 
 THE FATHER OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 Augustine, the youngest son of Lawrence and Mil- 
 dred, married, on the 20th April, 1715, Jane Butler, 
 
 „ 15 is 
 
16 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. '• ^^ 
 
 the daughter of Col. Caleb Butler, of Westmoreland 
 county, Va. She died November 24th, 1728, and was 
 buried in the family vault at Bridge's creek. She left 
 three sons, Butler, Lawrence,, and Augustine, and a 
 daughter, Jane ; Butler and Jane died quite young. 
 Their father married, March 6th, 1730, for his second 
 wife, Mary Ball, by whom he had six children, 
 George, the illustrious patriot, Betty, Samuel, John 
 Augustine, Charles, and Mildred. The latter died 
 when an infant. Augustine (the hero's sire") died 
 April 12, 1743. Sparks says : 
 
 " Little is known of his acts. It appears by his 
 will, however, that he possessed a large and valuable 
 property in lands j and as this had been acquired chiefly 
 by his own enterprise, it may be inferred that in the 
 concerns of business he was methodical, skilful, honor- 
 able, and energetic. His occupation was that of a 
 planter, which, from the first settlement of the country, 
 had been the pursuit of nearly all the principal gentle- 
 men of Virginia. Each of his sons inherited from him 
 a separate plantation. It is thus seen that Augustine 
 Washington, although suddenly cut off in the vigor of 
 manhood, left all his children in a state of comparative 
 independence. Confiding in the prudence of the mother, 
 he directed that all the proceeds of the property of her 
 

 I 
 
 TOMB OF -WASHINGTON. 17 
 
 children should be at her disposal till they should re- 
 SDectively come of age." 
 
 To his son Lawrence he gave the Mount Vernon 
 estate, together with lands and shares in iron works 
 which were very valuable in Virginia and Maryland. 
 
 To Augustine he gave the old home farm at Bridge's 
 creek, the place where he was buried, in the tomb of 
 his ancestors. 
 
 To George he gave the new home farm, opposite 
 Fredericksburg, on the east side of the Rappahannock 
 river, the place where he lived at the time of his 
 death. 
 
 To the rest of his sons he gave each a separate estate 
 of from six to seven hundred acres. 
 
 For his only remaining daughter, Betty, ample pro- 
 vision was made in his will. 
 
 THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 Mary, the widow of Augustine, General Washington's 
 mother, died in Fredericksburg, August 25th, 1789, at 
 the age of 82. She was buried upon the estate (adjoin- 
 ing Fredericksburg) of her son-in-law. Col. Fielding 
 Lewis, on an elevated spot, which was selected by 
 her for the purpose a number of years previous to 
 her death. 
 
^rs' 
 
 >V^ 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 18 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 " Within a few steps from the place where she lies 
 interred is a romantic ledge of rocks to which she used 
 often to resort for private meditation and devotion. She 
 was a lady of uncommon excellence, and was greatly 
 endeared to all who had the happiness of her acquaint- 
 ance. She was truly estimable in all the relations of 
 life ; but among the distinguished traits of her char- 
 acter, none was more remarkable than her constant and 
 generous attentions to the necessities of the poor. She 
 for years was expecting the approach of death from a 
 deep-rooted cancer in her breast, and was long desirous 
 to lay aside her clayey tabernacle to depart and be with 
 Christ, in whom was all her hope ; yet she was enabled 
 to exercise a becoming resignation to the will of God 
 under all the sufferings she endured from her excruci- 
 ating disorder." Over her grave is now to be seen 
 a half-finished white marble monument, (presenting 
 rather an" imposing aspect, notwithstanding its unfin- 
 ished state,) the corner-stone of which was laid May 
 7th, 1833, by General Andrew Jackson, then Presi- 
 dent of the United States 
 
 LAWRENCE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Lawrence, the eldest son then living of Augustine 
 and Jane, married, July 19th, 1743, Anne, eldest 
 
 l^^yp^ 
 
 "-^^^^^€1 
 
 o 
 
:;^a- 
 
 UM 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 19 
 
 daughter of the Hon. William Fairfax, who was a 
 distant relative of Lord Fairfax. They had four chil- 
 dren ; three died young, and the other lived some time 
 after the death of her father : he died in 1752, aged 
 34, and was placed in the family vault at Mount 
 Vernon. 
 
 C^\ 
 
 l^t)P^ 
 
 '^^^^^1:1 
 
^^2^-=^ 
 
 ,_^t^c^; 
 
 
 Maslington's Carriage. 
 
 George, the eldest son of Augustine and Mary, mar- 
 ried, January 6th, 1758, Martha Custis, widow of 
 Daniel Parke Custis, and daughter of John Dandridge, 
 of New Kent county, Virginia.* The marriage took 
 place on the banks of the Pomunkey, a branch of the 
 York river, in New Kent county. The ceremony was 
 performed by the Rev. Mr. Munson, who was the rec- 
 tor of St. Peter's church. " This union," says Sparks, 
 " was in every respect felicitous. It continued forty 
 years. To her intimate acquaintances and to the nation 
 the character of Mrs. Washington was ever a theme of 
 praise. Affable and courteous, exemplary in her de- 
 portment, remarkable for her deeds of charity and 
 
 * Mrs. Custis had two children living at the time of her 
 second marriage — one a son (named John) 6 years old; the 
 other a daughter (named Martha) two years younger. The 
 son afterwards became aid-de-camp to General Washington, 
 and during the seige of Yorktown was seized with a camp 
 fever, then raging in the British entrenchments, from the 
 effects of which he died, in the 27th year of his age, at his 
 home, Eltham, in New Kent county, whither he had been 
 removed. He was the father of the late and highly esteemed 
 G. W. P. Custis, of Arlington, Va. The daughter died in 
 her 19th year at Mount Vernon. 
 
 l^ii)P^ 
 
 "~~^^<^^ 
 
TOMB OF ■WASHINGTON. 21 
 
 piety, unostentatious, and without vanity, she adorned 
 by her domestic virtues the sphere of private life, and 
 filled with dignity every station in which she was 
 placed." She was noted for her beauty and accom- 
 plishments, and possessed considerable wealth. 
 
 Soon after their marriage they moved to Mount Ver- 
 non, and there permanently settled. 
 
 I 
 
 ^5^^ ^^^^ 
 

 VI 
 
 It was in the month of May, 1758, when Washing- 
 ton, (then a Colonel,) being on his way to Williamsburg 
 from Winchester, then his headquarters, on official busi- 
 ness, was accosted by Mr. Chamberlyne — living in the 
 mansion known as the White House, situated on the 
 southern side of the Pomunkey river, near Williams' 
 Ferry, in Kent county — who insisted upon his stopping 
 and partaking of hia hospitality during the day. The 
 Colonel apologized by saying his time would not permit; 
 but, Mr Chamberlyne oflfering, as an inducement, the 
 promise of an introduction to "a young widow" who 
 was then under his roof, he waived his objections and 
 consented to stay until after dinner. Orders were given 
 accordingly to the Colonel's attendant — a body servant, 
 bequeathed, with a noble charger, to Washington, 
 by General Braddock in his dying moments. On be- 
 ing ushered into the house, he was introduced to several 
 guests, and among the rest the fascinating young widow. 
 The result of their interview was a mutual reciproca- 
 tion of the tender feeling. He dined, and the servant 
 was ready with the charger ; but love induced procras- 
 
 22 
 
>ip- 
 
 ^dK^] 
 
 TOJIB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 tiaation. Time passed on, and yet the Colonel did not 
 appear; the servant meanwhile wondering at his unusual 
 delay, as he was noted for his great punctuality. The 
 host at length ordered the horses to be put up for the 
 night, as no guest left his house after sundown. The 
 next morning late, the Colonel put spurs to his charger, 
 and, having reached the seat of government, soon dis- 
 patched his business, and returned again to Mr. Cham- 
 berlyne's mansion, where an engagement was entered 
 into and preparations made for the marriage. Mr. G. 
 W- P. Custis said he had often "heard of that mar- 
 riage, from the gray-haired domestics who waited at the 
 board where love made the feast and Washington the 
 guest. And rare and high was the revelry at that 
 palmy period of Virginia's festal age ; for many were 
 gathered to that marriage, of the good, the great ; and 
 they, with joyous acclamations, hailed in Virginia's 
 youthful hero a happy and prosperous bridegroom." 
 
 " ' And so you remember when Colonel Washington 
 came a courting of your young mistress ?' said Mr. 
 Custis to old Cully, in his hundredth year. 'Ay, 
 master, that I do,' replied the ancient family servant, 
 who had lived to see five generations ; ' great times, sir, 
 great times — shall never see the like again !' ' And 
 Washington looked something like a man, a proper man 
 
 I6t)^' 
 
 ^-^(3€^ 
 
 i^ 
 
^" 
 
 ^32^^ 
 
 ^^^r9QS^l 
 
 24 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 — hey, Cully ?' * Never seed the like, sir — never the 
 like of him, though I have seen many in my day — so 
 tall, so straight ! and then he sat on a horse and rode 
 with such an air ! Ah, sir, he was like no one else. 
 Many of the grandest gentlemen, in gold lace, were at 
 the wedding ; but none looked like the man himself.' 
 Strong indeed must have been the impression which 
 the person and manner of Washington made upon the 
 ' rude, untutored mind' of this poor negro, since the 
 lapse of three-quarters of a century had not sufficed to 
 eflface it." 
 
 l^SSP^ 
 
 -^"^i^m 
 

 VII. 
 
 ilje §irtljplaci^ of Maslrngtcn. 
 
 Blest be the spot that gave thee birth, 
 
 Immortal Washington ; 
 Thy name will ever shine on earth 
 
 Bright as the midday sun. 
 
 The birthplace of General Washington is in the 
 parish of Washington — named after his great-grand- 
 father, John — situated on a tolerably elevated plain, 
 which commands a bold and majestic prospect of the 
 Maryland shore and of the broad Potomac, extending 
 many miles towards the Chesapeake bay. It is half a 
 mile from the mouth and about sixty yards from the 
 shore of Pope's creek, which flows gracefully on its 
 course, around precipitous and crescent-formed banks, 
 into the Potomac river, ninety miles south of Wash- 
 ington city, in the county of Westmoreland, Va. The 
 spot is designated by a granite slab, now broken in 
 three pieces, bearing this plain inscription, " Here, on 
 the 11th of February,* 1732, Greorge Washington was 
 
 * Old style, which corresponds to the 22d of February new 
 style, the day celebrated as the anniversary of Washington's 
 birth. 
 
 Washington was baptized on the 16th of April, 1732, accord- 
 
 25 
 
 1^^ -==^35^ 
 

 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 born." The slab was placed there by George W. P. 
 Custis, esq., in June, 1815. 
 
 Col. John Washington, who came from England and 
 settled on Pope's creek, granted a tract of land at its 
 mouth to his son Lawrence. 
 
 Lawrence, in his will, dated March 11th, 1698, says, 
 " I give the tract of land on which I now live to my 
 son, John Washington." There were also bequests 
 made by him to his son Augustine and to his daughter 
 Mildred. It appears from authentic information that 
 John Washington sold this estate to his brother Au- 
 gustine, the father of George, who bequeathed it to his 
 son Augustine, who bequeathed it to his son William 
 Augustine, who bequeathed it to his son. Col. George 
 Washington, who sold it to John Gray, with the excep- 
 tion of a reservation of sixty feet square around the 
 site of the house, which is memorable as being the 
 birthplace of General Washington ; and a reservation 
 of twenty feet square around the burial-ground and 
 vault of the Washington family, situated about a mile 
 from the site of the house, in which are interred the 
 remains of the father, grandfather, and great-grand- 
 
 ing to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal 
 church, -which was the established church and the prevailing 
 religion at that period in Virginia. 
 
 — ^ \ \xT^ 
 

 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 27 
 
 father of General Washington, and members of their 
 respective families. A few partially decayed posts only 
 remain of the old enclosure around this consecrated 
 locality. 
 
 Near the vault is a moss-covered tombstone, having 
 upon it the following inscription : " Here lyeth ye 
 body of John Washington, eldest son to Captain Law- 
 rence Washington, who departed this life ye 10th of 
 January, 1690, aged 10 years and 6 months. Also 
 Mildred Warner, eldest daughter to said Washington, 
 who died ye 1st of August, 1696." 
 
 Lewis W. Washington, son and heir-at-law of Col. 
 George C Washington, presented these reservations 
 " to the mother State of Virginia, in perpetuity, on 
 condition solely that the State require the said places 
 to be permanently enclosed with an iron fence based on 
 stone foundations, together with suitable and modest 
 (though substantial) tablets, to commemorate to the 
 rising generation these notable spots." 
 
 The grant has been accepted by the State of Vir- 
 ginia, and the sum of $5,000 appropriated for the pur- 
 pose of fulfilling the conditions mentioned, and erect- 
 ing upon the sixty -foot lot consecrated as Washington's 
 birthplace a memorial to the I'ater Patriae. 
 
 On the occasion of Gov. H. A. Wise's visit, April 
 
28 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 27, 1858, in order to have the grounds surveyed as 
 granted to the State of Virginia, an aged person pres- 
 ent remarked, " that he distinctly remembered when a 
 house occupied the spot where the chimney now stands, 
 and that it was used for a kitchen and laundry." Near 
 this place is plainly visible a filled-up cellar, having 
 chimney marks at each end, about sixty feet apart. 
 This is supposed to be the identical locality where the 
 house stood in which General Washington was born. 
 It was either burnt or pulled down previous to the 
 Revolutionary war. 
 
 Another aged gentleman living in the neighborhood 
 remembered the kind of house, and stated, years ago, 
 to Mr. J. K. Paulding, that the " house was a low- 
 pitched, single-storied, frame building, with four rooms 
 on the first floor, and an enormous chimney at each 
 end on the outside. This was the style of the better 
 sort of houses in those days, and they are still occasion- 
 ally seen in the old settlements of Virginia." 
 
 Immediately beyond the chimney, and close by the 
 slab, a cluster of luxuriant fig trees have sprung up 
 the parents of which yet exist in a decayed condition, 
 as remaining relics to point the traveler to the spot that 
 gave birth to AVashington, which no American can ever 
 behold without feelings of the profoundest homage. 
 
•i^' 
 
 ^\. 
 
 9 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Ulauitt Vernon ^statt. 
 
 " Oa yonder swelling height, 
 
 With ivied oaks and cedars crowned, 
 Where Freedom's banner floats in light, 
 
 And every whispering sound 
 
 Breathes of the past, 'tis consecrated ground. 
 
 "Pilgrim, ascend the steep. 
 
 And there, with true and feeling heart, 
 On Vernon's brow deep silence keep ; 
 
 Ay, let the tear-drop start, 
 
 While proud yet hallowed thoughts a balm impart !" 
 
 The Mount Vernon estate is located in the county 
 of Fairfax, Va., on the western bank of the Potomac, 
 commanding, from its situation, a magnificent and ex- 
 tended view of the meanderings of this lovely river in 
 either direction for many miles. 
 
 It was bounded, when bequeathed to Judge Bushrod 
 Washington, by the Potomac river ; thence by Little 
 Hunting creek as far up as Gum Spring on said creek ; 
 thence to a ford on Dogue run ; thence along Dogue 
 creek to the Potomac river. 
 
 THE MANSION HOUSE. 
 
 The mansion house,* consecrated as the home ot 
 
 * Lawrence Washington built the central portion of the I 
 
 house, and the wings were added by General Washington | 
 
 M'S^^^P^ 
 
 "-^^^^^^ 
 
 o 
 
'I 30 TOMB OF •WASHINGTON. || 
 
 Washington, was .built in accordance with the architec- 
 tural style then peculiar to the country, and is well 
 marked for its great simplicity and the excellence of 
 its general arrangements. It stands upon an elliptical 
 plain, and has an elevation of at least two hundred feet 
 above the surface of the river, which is at this point 
 about two miles broad. The mansion presents a fine 
 appearance in any position in which it may be viewed. 
 Built of the most durable frame-work, with all its fronts 
 cut in imitation of free-stone, its gray and time-worn 
 aspect is in contrast with houses of the present day, 
 with their newly -painted walls, green blinds, and nicely- 
 colored doors. This edifice has withstood the ravages 
 of time remarkably well, as may be readily seen upon 
 inspection. The bouse is two stories high, and is over- 
 topped with a slanting roof looking east and west, hav- 
 ing three dormars eastward and two westward. On 
 the first and second stories in the east fa§ade or river 
 front are fourteen windows. Upon the roof, in the ■ 
 centre, is an octagonal cupola, answering the purposes 
 of an observatory. There are on the ground floor six 
 rooms, the most of them wainscoted, and having large 
 worked cornices and shafts, in keeping with the taste 
 of former days. The central building has a very roomy 
 hall on the same level with the pavement of the portico. c 
 

 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 31 
 
 ^ 
 
 No doubt this ample hall was built by its original pro- 
 prietor that there might be room to receive guests in 
 that generous manner which prevailed among our Vir- 
 ginia ancestors. It has communication with three par- 
 lors and the main stairway, which leads to the chambers 
 in the second story, and above these to the observatory. 
 
 Attached to the house is a spacious portico fifteen 
 feet in width, its height reaching to the eaves of the 
 roof, having square pilasters. It extends entirely 
 across the eastern or river front, is ninety-six feet in 
 length, and has a light and graceful balustrade on its 
 top ; its ground floor is paved with flat stone. Here 
 the hero used to walk, and here, doubtless, as his eye 
 glanced over the beautiful river, spreading out like a 
 bay at the foot of the hill, his mind was often filled 
 with reflections upon the alternate gloom and grandeur 
 of his country's early history, and with glowing con- 
 ceptions of the glorious future which awaited her. 
 
 The south wing of the building contains the library 
 and breakfast room, and a stairway that leads to Wash- 
 ington's private chamber on the second floor. The 
 library remains very much as when occupied by the 
 old hero. This wing has attached a porch facing the 
 south, giving an entrance to the house through the 
 library. 
 
 !^?>P^ ^^^"^^5551 
 
fg.H>V_ . ^rf^^y^ 
 
 • _.. .. . . .^ 
 
 32 TOMB or WASHINGTON. ; I V< 
 
 Oa the north wing is an extensive drawing-room, 
 decorated with a handsome mantel, presented in the 
 yeav 1785 to General Washington by Samuel Vaughen, 
 esq., of London, the father of the late and venerable 
 John Vaughen, of Philadelphia. The pillars are of a 
 rich variegated marble, partially set into the wall ; the 
 other portion is composed of a fine white Italian marble, 
 having upon its freize, sculptured with a masterly hand 
 in bas-relief, prominent objects of agriculture and hus- 
 bandry, presenting a beautiful, gay, and graceful ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 The original mansion house, built by Lawrence Wash- 
 ington, forming the centre of the present building, con- 
 sisted only of four rooms upon each floor, to which its 
 present extent, with the numerous outbuildings at- 
 tached, exhibits quite a contrast. 
 
 The improvements, such as the additions to the 
 house, the buildings around, and the laying off of the 
 gardens and grounds surrounding the premises, began 
 soon after peace was declared, in 1783, on Washing- 
 ton's return home from the seat of war. 
 
 There are many things of note and many highly- 
 esteemed relics in the house. Among these is an 
 ancient map of Virginia, representing the territory be- 
 tween the Atlanti c ocean and the Ohio river, with. pen.- 
 
^12^^ 
 
 _-^.::^Ci5:'a 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 33 
 
 cilled traces and marks from Washington's own hand, 
 designating the route he traversed during Braddock's 
 memorable and disastrous campaign against the. French 
 and Indians. The key of the Bastile is here, enclosed in 
 a glass case placed on the wall in the hall. This key was 
 sent by Lafayette from France to General Washington 
 soon after the destruction of the prison. Upon a 
 bracket over the door of the entrance into the library is 
 a model bust, originally taken from life in a mask in 
 plaster by M. Houdon, a French sculptor, who visited 
 Mount Vernon in October, 1785, and spent three weeks 
 there for the express purpose of procuring a likeness as 
 exact in all its lineaments as his art and ingenuity 
 could produce. The result is a work of art possessing 
 much interest, as conveying a truly characteristic delin- 
 eation and strongly-marked representation of the origi- 
 nal, admitted without doubt to be the best likeness 
 extant. This work was designed as a model from 
 which to execute a statue of Washington for the State 
 of Virginia, which authorized Franklin and Jefferson, 
 then in Paris, to select an artist for this purpose. They 
 chose M. Houdon. The statue is in the State Capitol 
 at Richmond, Va. 
 
 The costume of this statue is the military dress of 
 the Revolution. One hand holds a cane, the other rests 
 
 l^St^^^ 
 
 1 *^ 
 
 "^-^H^je^, 
 
34 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 upon the fasces, with which are united the sword and 
 ploughshare, and over it a martial coat. The inscrip- 
 tion, by James Madison, on the pedestal, is as follows : 
 
 "George Washington. The General Assembly of the Com- 
 monwealth of Virginia have caused this statue to be erected 
 as a monument of affection and gratitude to George Wash- 
 ington ; who, uniting to the endowments of the hero the vir- 
 tues of the patriot, and exerting both in establishing the liber- 
 ties of his country, has rendered his name dear to his fellow- 
 citizens, and given the world an immortal example of true 
 glory. Done in the year of Christ, one thousand seven hun- 
 dred and eighty-eight, and in the year of the commonwealth 
 the twelfth." 
 
 The following composition on the character of Wash- 
 ington, designed, perhaps, for a monumental inscription, 
 was written, after Washington's death, on the back of 
 a picture frame, in which is placed a miniature like- 
 ness of Washington, now hanging in the drawing room. 
 The author gave in his name to the family as John 
 Smith, of New York, but is supposed to have been an 
 English traveller. 
 
 WASHINGTON, 
 
 The Defender of his Country — The Founder of Liberty- 
 
 The Friend of Man. 
 
 History and Tradition are explored in vain 
 
 For a Parallel to his Character. 
 
 In the Annals of Modern Greatness 
 
 He stands alone ; 
 
 And the noblest names of antiquity lose their Lustre 
 
 In his Presence. 
 

 Born the Benefactor of Mankind, 
 
 He united all the qualities necessary to an illustrious career. 
 
 Nature made him great— He made himself virtuous. 
 
 Called by his country to the defence of her Liberties, 
 
 He triumphantly vindicated the rights of humanity, 
 
 And m the Pillars of National Independence 
 
 Laid the foundations of a great republic. 
 
 Twice invested with supreme magistracy 
 
 By the unanimious voice of a free people. 
 
 He surpassed in the Cabinet 
 
 The Glories of the Field, 
 
 And, voluntarily resigning the Sceptre and the Sword, 
 
 Retired to the shades of Private Life. 
 
 A spectacle so new and so sublime 
 
 Was contemplated with the profoundest admiration. 
 
 And the name of Washington, 
 
 Adding new lustre to humanity'. 
 
 Resounded to the remotest regions of the earth. 
 
 Magnanimous in youth. 
 
 Glorious through life. 
 
 Great in Death, 
 
 His highest ambition the Happiness of Mankind, 
 
 His noblest Victory the conquest of himself. 
 
 Bequeathing to posterity the inheritance of his fame, 
 
 And building his monument in the hearts of his countrymen, 
 
 He Lived— The Ornament of the 18th Century ; 
 
 He Died— Regretted by a Mourning World. 
 
 ''All the regard one could wish seems to have been 
 shown to the sacredness of these public relics, and all 
 things have been kept very nearly as Washington left 
 them. 
 
 "Money made in the stocks can purchase the bedi- 
 zenry of our city drawing-rooms ; but these elevating 
 associations, which no gold can buy, no popular favor 
 
36 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 win — which can only be inherited, — these are the heir- 
 looms, the traditionary titles and pensions, inalienable, 
 not conferred, which a republic allows to the descend- 
 ants of her servants/' 
 
 In visiting the mansion, and beholding the various 
 articles it contains, which were constantly in contact 
 with the great man, little eflFort is required to lead one 
 back to the days when there were assembled within its 
 walls those associates of his who laid the foundation of 
 our glorious Union. 
 
 Mr. Elkanah Watson, who visited Mount Vernon in 
 1785, arriving there in the afternoon of January 23d, 
 remarks that he observed a peculiarity in Washington's 
 smile, which seemed to illumine his eye; his whole 
 countenance beamed with intelligence, while it com 
 manded confidence and respect. 
 
 The house on the west front has a very extensive 
 lawn, surrounded by serpentine walks, their borders 
 skirted in symmetry and beauty with the choicest for- 
 est trees, which were transplanted from the woods on the 
 estate, with evergreens and flowering shrubs, all selected, 
 planted, and attended by Washington. South of the 
 lawn, and a considerable distance from the left wing of 
 the house, is the vegetable garden ; and opposite to 
 this, on the north of the lawn, about the same distance 
 
 ?SD^P^ "^-^c^ 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 3/ ^-^ 
 
 from the right wing, are gardens and a conservatory 
 for ornamental shrubs, plants, and flowers. These con- 
 tain many valuable plants presented to Washington 
 and preserved by him while living. Beyond the gar- 
 dens and lawn is the orchard. The orchard, gardens, 
 and conservatory were furnished with all varieties of 
 rare fruits, vegetables, shrubs, and flowering plants, 
 native and exotic. Horticulture was one of Washing- 
 ton's favorite pursuits, which he prosecuted with char- 
 acteristic method and skill. Also on this front of the 
 house are located negro quarters, seed houses, tool 
 houses, and other buildings, the necessary appendages 
 to a plantation. These things have no peculiar interest 
 in themselves, except as belonging to the place, and 
 being objects that received the owner's frequent atten- 
 tion. 
 
 l^SP^ ^^^"^G^^ 
 
P9^^>^ 
 
 ^/cK^^ 
 
 "/<€? 
 
 IX. 
 
 Summer ^ouse. 
 
 " How oft with placid eye 
 
 Has he, whose spirit awes us still, 
 Stood where we stand, and -viewed the sky, 
 
 The river, vale, and hill. 
 
 And heard the forest bird its anthem trill." 
 
 Upon the brow of the hill on which the mansion is sit- 
 uated, and not far from the water's edge, stands a frame, 
 unfinished, square summer-house, and underneath an 
 ice-house, both partially in ruins, in the rear of which 
 is a beautiful lawn several acres in extent, reaching 
 northward beyond the mansion, and planted with shrub- 
 bery and ornamental trees. A spectator has a fine view 
 of the Potomac and Maryland shore from the summer 
 house, which is the most conspicuous object seen in 
 passing up the river, and presents a handsome appear- 
 ance. 
 
 l^^^^P^ 
 
 ""^^"tX^I 
 
 [(^ 
 
?39V_ 
 
 ^/tf^Q^^ 
 
 u)\!r 
 
 ■<aP 
 
 X. 
 
 ©lb JfamiliT 0ciiilt. 
 
 About two hundred and fifty yards south of the man- 
 sion house can be seen the old family vault, in a very 
 dilapidated condition, situated on the ridge of a steep 
 hill, embosomed among trees. It is arched with free- 
 stone, and over this 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 ray de- 
 ceased 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 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 and other bones were 
 taken from it. The robbery was discovered and the 
 bones returned. The bones stolen, however, were not 
 
 39 
 
 ?S^>P^ 
 
 ~^S<S^5 
 
^ 
 
 : 3gb^ \ _^tfCi9s« 
 
 40 TOMB OP WASHINGTON. 
 
 those of the illustrious Washington. The desire of 
 Washington in reference to the removal of the old fam- 
 ily vault to the spot designated by him previous to his 
 death, and mentioned in his will, was carried out 
 through the agency of his nephew and friend, Major 
 Lewis, in 1831, or immediately after the robbery was 
 committed. In the old vault the body of the Hero re- 
 mained from 1799 until 1831 — a period over thirty-one 
 years. 
 
 liS^^" 
 
 <^ 
 
^Il 
 
 ^^2^^ 
 
 ..^x^Q^^? 
 
 Y^ 
 
 XI. 
 
 %\t iclu fault. 
 
 "Nature hath marked the spot 
 Where sleeps the great, the good, the wise, 
 
 Entombed — yet ne'er to be forgot: 
 Ah, there the Hero lies ! 
 The man of mighty deeds and high emprise." 
 
 The new tomb is perhaps one hundred yards west of 
 the old vault, and three hundred southwest from the 
 mansion, on the hillside of a lovely retreat, and, though 
 not seen from the river, is suddenly brought into full 
 view as one ascends the long sloping hill from the 
 landing. This hallowed spot is surrounded by a deep 
 wooded dell containing thick shrubbery and many ven- 
 erable, stately oaks, spreading their green foliage down 
 to the river banks. 
 
 The remains of the patriot and those of his wife lie 
 in marble sarcophagi, the two occupying (one on the 
 right side and the other on the left) a kind of ante- 
 chamber, forming the entrance to the new vault, which 
 is visible from the outer gateway. This antechamber 
 is covered with a metallic roof, and its walls, built of 
 brick and elevated to the height of twelve feet, are so 
 extended in the rear as to surround the new vault on 
 all sides. Its front, which is surmounted with a stone 
 
 ^'5^>f^ 
 
 ■^^s<s^^ 
 
 ._<^ 
 
42 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 coping, is pierced by a gateway with a pointed gothic 
 arch. The gate is composed of iron bars. Over the 
 gateway is a plain slab, upon which are inscribed the 
 words : 
 
 "WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE REST THE REMAINS OF 
 GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON." 
 
 The vault beyond the antechamber, where the body 
 of the chief lay previously to the erection of the latter, 
 (which was completed in 1837,) was built in 1831. 
 The vault is arched over at the height of eight feet 
 from the ground. Around this vault grew a few cedars, 
 giving very little shade, many of the branches of which 
 were lopped off by visitors as mementoes. The vault 
 has a rough-cast front, with a plain iron door fixed in 
 a free-stone casement. Over this there is a stone tablet, 
 with the following brief passage from the Scriptures : 
 
 "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE ; HE THAT 
 
 BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, 
 
 YET SHALL HE LITE." 
 
 The vault was constructed as it is seen at present, 
 with the exception that the simple words " Washington 
 Family" originally appeared upon a cap-stone, which 
 the building of the antechamber made it necessary to 
 remove. 
 
 In the lapse of more than thirty-one years the wooden 
 
 ^5^ "^^^6^; 
 
 vtj 
 
C>]\ 
 
 ;3S>V^ 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINaTON 
 
 43 
 
 ,w 
 
 coffins have been three times renewed, and ultimately 
 his friends succeeded in placing his ashes in a more 
 durable receptacle. 
 
 Mr. John Struthers, a marble and granite cutter of 
 Philadelphia, was consulted by the friends of Washing- 
 ton in reference to the construction of a marble sar- 
 cophagus to enshrine the remains of the illustrious 
 chief. Mr. Struthers, with a deep feeling of respect 
 and liberality, desired the privilege of constructing and 
 presenting to the friends a sarcophagus made of Penn- 
 sylvania marble. It was granted ; and .in the execu- 
 tion of the work he has evidently displayed an unusual 
 amount of artistic taste and skill. 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 insignia of the 
 United States, beautifully sculptured in the boldest 
 relief. The design occupies a large portion of the cen- 
 tral part of the top surface or lid, and represents a 
 shield divided into thirteen perpendicular stripes, which 
 
 fVU 
 
 l^^^p^' 
 
 "-^■SsG^^ 
 
44 TOMB OF -WASHINGTON. 
 
 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 in the act of clutch- 
 ing the arrows and olive branch. Between these ar- 
 morial bearings and the foot of the coffin, upon the 
 plain field of the lid, is the bold and deeply-sculptured 
 name of 
 
 WASHINGTON." 
 
 At the foot of the coffin an inscription reads as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 BT THE PERinSSIOJf OP LAWRENCE LEWIS, THE SURVIVING EXECUTOR OF 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, THIS SARCOPHAGUS WAS PRESENTED BT 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS, OP PHILADELPHIA, MARBLE MASON, 
 
 A. D. 1S37. 
 
 The sarcophagus was intended to be placed in the 
 new vault, built in 1831; but Mr. Strickland, who 
 accompanied Mr. Struthers to Mount Vernon, says : 
 
 "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 
 
 I'StJP^ ~--^^d 
 
 .(^ 
 
ITI' 
 
:iI^D^ 
 
 TOMB OF aVaSHINGTON. 
 
 45 te 
 
 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 
 the vaulted chamber with a metallic roof, with an addi- 
 tional grille of iron bars in front, and other fastenings 
 and securities, as guards against idle curiosity and the 
 chances of attempt at desecration, he consented 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 entering 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, accom- 
 panied by Major Lewis and his son. The coffin con- 
 taining the remains of V/ashingtcn was in the extreme 
 back part of the vault ; and to remove the case con- 
 taining the leaden receptacle, it was found necessary 
 to put aside the coffins that were piled up between it 
 and the doorway. After clearing a passage-way, the 
 case, which was much decayed, was stripped off, and 
 the lead of the lid was discovered to have sunk very 
 
 m^§t)p^~ 
 
 -^^^'dS^m 
 
)^\ 46 TOJIB OF WASHINGTON. IW 
 
 considerably from head to foot ; so mucli so as to form 
 a curved line of four to five inches in its whole length. 
 This settlement of the metal had perhaps caused the 
 soldering of the joints to give way about the upper or 
 widest part of the coffin. The lead of the lid was re- 
 stored to its place, and the body, raised by six men, 
 was carried and laid in the marble coffin, and the pon- 
 derous cover being put on and set in cement, it was 
 sealed from our sight on Saturday, the 7th day of Oc- 
 tober, 1837. 
 
 " Immediately 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, Richard Black- 
 burn Washington, George Washington, 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 imper- 
 ishably 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- 
 
,.^-rPC^^ 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINQTON. 
 
 ;<^ 
 
 plate, in the shape of the old continental shield or es- 
 cutcheon,* was found, upon which were engraved, in 
 Roman characters, the dates 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 given 
 way, and was found between the fragments of the ex- 
 terior wooden case or covering." 
 
 * The common impression of a heart. The words upon it 
 were as follows : " George Washington, born Feb. 22, 1732, 
 died Dec. 14, 1799." This plate also was deposited in the 
 marble sarcophagus. 
 
 m^^^yp^ 
 
 

 XII. 
 
 Prs. Sart^n ^as^mgt0n. 
 
 "And with him, at his side, 
 There rests the loveliest of her clime, 
 
 His bosom friend and sainted bride — 
 Death's dream, oh how sublime ! 
 Responsive still to memory's magic chime!" 
 
 On the left of the gateway, by the side of Washing- 
 ton, rest the remains of his beloved wife, Mrs. Martha 
 Custis Washington, in a marble sarcophagus 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." Her remains were placed, 
 agreeably to her directions previously to her death, in 
 a leaden coffin, and entombed by the side of her hus- 
 band in the old vault. Since then they have been re- 
 moved whenever and wherever her partner's have been. 
 
 On the 23d of December, 1799, Mr. Marshall offered 
 the following resolution in Congress : " That a marble 
 monument be erected by the United States, in the 
 Capitol, at the city of Washington, and that the family 
 of General Washington be requested to permit his body 
 to be deposited under it, and that the monument be so 
 designed as to commemorate the great events of his 
 military and political life." To a letter from the Pres- 
 
 48 
 
^'>(.> 
 
 ident of the United States communicating this resolu- 
 tion, Mrs. Washington responded as follows : 
 
 Mt. Vernon, Decemher 31, 1799. 
 Sir : While I feel, with keenest anguish, the late 
 dispensation of Divine Providence, I cannot be insen- 
 sible to the mournful tributes of respect and veneration 
 which are paid to the memory of my deceased husband; 
 and, as his best services and most anxious wishes were 
 always devoted to the welfare and happiness of his 
 country, to know that they were really appreciated and 
 gratefully remembered affords no inconsiderable con- 
 solation. 
 
 Taught by that great example which I have so long 
 had before fne never to oppose my private wishes to 
 the public will, I must consent to the request of Con- 
 gress, which you have had the goodness to transmit to 
 me ; and, in doing this, I need not, I cannot, say what 
 a sacrifice of individual feeling I make to a sense of 
 public duty. 
 
 With grateful acknowledgments and unfeigned thanks 
 for the personal respect and evidences of condolence 
 expressed by Congress and yourself, I remain, very 
 respectfully, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 1 MARTHA WASHINGTON. 
 
 n To the PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. 
 
 ^ - p 
 
50 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 It is doubtful whether his or her remains could fiud 
 a more appropriate resting-place than amid Mount 
 Vernon's sacred shades, where no sound of angry pas- 
 sion or political strife disturbs their quiet repose. 
 
 She partook in life of the same complacent dignity 
 and even temperament as her husband. She betrayed 
 no wish to interrupt his plans, but rather gave him 
 encouragement in all his undertakings for his country's 
 welfare. Whilst he was in the field, she was employ- 
 ing her time and means, in conjunction with other 
 ladies, to provide food and clothing for the soldiers, 
 and even went fi-om door to door to enlist co-operation 
 in the accomplishment of this laudable design. 
 
 Her virtues, her accomplishments, and her lively 
 sympathy with the cause to which her illustrious part- 
 ner was devoted, doubtless tended greatly to encourage 
 his patriotic zeal and nerve his heart for the trying 
 scenes through which he was called to pass. 
 
 '^ 
 
 .^ 
 
mi^2^ =^s^i 
 
 XIII. 
 
 On the right of the walk leading to the tomb from 
 the landing is a monument erected to the memory of 
 Judge Bushrod Washington and his wife, Anna Black- 
 burn. These words are upon its side facing the tomb, 
 "Within the vault lie buried the mortal remains of 
 Bushrod Washington, an Associate Justice of the Su- 
 preme Court of the United States. He died in Phil- 
 adelphia, November 26th, 1829, aged 68. By his side 
 is interred his devoted wife, Anna Blackburn, who sur- 
 vived her husband but two days, aged 60. 
 
 The heart was broken and aches no more.' 
 ' They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death 
 they were not divided.' ' 
 
 Immediately opposite, on the left side of the walk, is 
 a monument erected to the memory of John A. Wash- 
 ington, (the 2d.) These words are upon its side facing 
 the tomb : " Sacred to the memory of John A. Wash- 
 ington, son of Corbin and Hannah Washington, and 
 nephew of Judge Bushrod Washington, who ap- 
 pointed him one of his executors, and bequeathed 
 him Mount Vernon, where he died, June 16th, 1832, 
 aged 43." 
 
 I 
 
 ^'5?>P^" ~"^^<5^* 
 
52 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 On the side facing the monument of Bushrod and 
 Anna Blackburn Washington, are the following words ; 
 "His mortal remains are interred within the vault, and 
 this humble monument to his worth, his purity, and 
 unostentatious excellence in all the relations of life, is 
 erected by his widow." 
 
 At the right of the tomb are two monuments enclosed 
 with iron railings. One was erected to the memory of 
 Eleanor Parke Lewis, grand-daughter of General Wash- 
 ington, and has these words inscribed upon it : "B,eared 
 under the roof of the Father of his Country, this lady 
 was not more marked, while living, for her beauty of per- 
 son 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-niece of General Washington, born April 1st, 
 1813, at Wooddown, Fairfax county, Va., and died 
 September 21st, 1839, at Pass Christian, Miss., in the 
 27th year of her age." 
 
 m'^t^p^ "'^^'^^^i 
 
 '<^ 
 
sia9v_ --^^<^^ 
 
 
 w 
 
 XIV. 
 
 '♦The echoes of its vaults are eloquent I 
 The stones have voices, and the walls do live ; 
 It is the house of Memory." 
 
 The tomb of Washington must ever be regarded as 
 a sacred spot. A halo of glory encircles it. It has a 
 thousand tongues, speaking silently to the heart, and 
 proclaiming, in sweet accenss, all the associations of 
 his great name, which is baptized with the everlasting 
 gratitude of his people. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the deep feelings of venera- 
 tion and reverence experienced as we approached the 
 hallowed soil where rest 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 with a peculiar beauty 
 and lovelines's; the sky was blue, deep, and lofty, 
 its heavenly arch spanning a rich and variegated land- 
 scape. As we stood in front of the tomb, with the 
 Potomac glimmering in the sunlight below, there was 
 around a calm in nature, betokening solemnity in pre- 
 sence of the illustrious dead. Silence reigned, save 
 only as now and then the murmur of the breeze play- 
 
 53 \\^ 
 
>/\\ 54 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 ing over the hills, and the rustling of the winds in the 
 low tree tops, were heard, in gentle minstrelsy to him 
 who reposes amid these august shades. 
 
 Washington came upon the stage of action when the 
 world most needed such a man. The golden era was 
 about to dawn in which man was to step beyond the 
 limits within which he had been so long confined. The 
 rights of the many required to be vindicated against 
 the tyranny of the few, and he was to be the chosen 
 leader in the mighty conflic:. 
 
 He saw, in his prophetic vision, as the clouds of ages 
 rolled away, a beautiful female form, with hope beam- 
 ing from her lovely brow. For her defence she wore a 
 shield; the stripes emblazoned thereon were emblem- 
 atic of oppression — the stars, of her ultimate dominion. 
 Heroes fought for her, and maidens wove chaplets 
 and spread garlands in her pathway. Washington 
 beheld the glorious vision, and called it Liberty — 
 the spirit of his beloved country. Finding, as he 
 consulted the records of aristocracy and despotism, 
 that they comprised a history of injustice, rapacity, 
 and blood, he vowed " hostility to every form of 
 tryanny over the mind of man ;" and, adopting the 
 motto that " all men are created free and equal," being 
 endowed by their Creator with the inalienable rights of 
 
;3 S^^ .^cXjgi 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 55 
 
 • 
 
 "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," he be- 
 came the chief among that band of heroes who nobly 
 pledged their "■ lives, their fortunes, and their sacred 
 honors" to the maintenance of the position they had ■-- r'** ** 
 
 Washington well deserves the appellation of the Fa- 
 ther of his Country. He commanded, with surpassing 
 adeptness, his country's armies 3 he trained them in 
 the mystery of warfare ; confirmed their dubious reso- 
 lution by his invincible courage; and taught them 
 to be magnanimous in the cheering hour of victory. 
 While his brilliant successes in the army, and his 
 great constitutional and political teachings, standing 
 out in bold relief, command the admiration of the world 
 and are emblazoned upon the pages of history, his quiet 
 disposition, his modest pretensions, and his undaunted 
 perseverance in the most retired walks of life, no less 
 endear him to the hearts of all. 
 
 '^^Jyp^ -^-SsGcM 
 

 XV. 
 
 In the prime of life Washington measured (without 
 shoes) six feet one inch; four years previous to his 
 death, (1795,) six feet one-half inch. He was erect 
 and well proportioned in his person, slightly corpulent. 
 His complexion was florid. His forehead not extremely 
 broad, but well formed. His nose prominent and some- 
 what aquiline. A firm expression of mouth, indicative 
 of silent habit. His countenance, bearing the impress 
 of intelligence and meditation, indicated a pleasant dis- 
 position within. His eyes were dark blue, and his 
 hair of a brown color. His lips expressed good will 
 and kindness. His manners never failed to engage 
 respect and esteem from all who had intercourse with 
 him. He was quite accessible and pleasant in conver- 
 sation, but cautious in expressing an opinion which he 
 thought it prudent to conceal. The signet of brilliant 
 genius was not so fully stamped upon his mind as 
 correct judgment and consummate prudence. He was 
 not so pre-eminent for possessing any single quality in 
 the highest degree as for that combination of all the 
 elements of greatness which is so seldom found in the 
 same individual. 
 
 56 
 
 'o 
 
^^9^ . ^.^^sF&m 
 
 Q\i — ^" ■ ~~ — ^ — ^ 
 
 TOMB 0? ■WASHINGTON. 
 
 " He was not only distinguished for his bravery and 
 intelligence, but for the purest virtues which can adorn 
 the human heart. He has been venerated in the mem- 
 ory of distant nations, and immortalized by the bless- 
 ings he shed upon his country. He resembles the orb 
 of day, imparting his twilight long after he is set, and 
 invisibly dispensing his light and cheering warmth to 
 the world. Cautious and prudent, he was never sur- 
 prised by the most disheartening failures, nor alarmed 
 into compliance by the most undaunted threats." 
 
 ll^t)^?^ ~~~"^S<^5 
 
(*y. 
 
 
 XVI. 
 
 The following tribute from Phillips, an Englishman, 
 does justice to the heart and head 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 firma- 
 ment, was the planet which it revealed to us ! In the 
 production of Washington, it does really appear as if 
 Nature was endeavoring to improve upon herself, and 
 that all the virtues of the ancient world were but so 
 many studies preparatory to the patriot of the new. 
 Individual instances, no doubt, there were, splendid 
 exemplifications of some singular qualification : Caesar 
 was merciful, Scipio was continent, Hannibal was pa- 
 tient; but it was reserved for Washington to blend 
 them all in one, and, like the lovely masterpiece of the 
 
 58 
 
rOMB OF WASHINGTON. 59 
 
 ( 
 
 Grecian 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 
 of the cabinet into the most comprehensive system of 
 general advantage ; and such were the wisdom of his 
 views and the philosophy of his councils, that to the 
 soldier and the statesman he almost added the charac- 
 ter 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, victo- 
 ry returned 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 Wash- 
 ington, after having emancipated a hemisphere, resign- 
 ed its crowns, and preferred the retirement of domestic 
 life to the adoration of a land he might be almost said 
 to have created ? Happy, proud America ! The light- 
 ning of heaven yielded to your philosophy ! The temp- 
 tations of earth could not seduce your patriotism !" 
 
l^s&^ =.^&^_9^ 
 
 XVIJ. 
 
 SSlitsIjiii(!t0ns Just gap, 
 
 "Oh ! shade of the Mighty, how calm is that sleep 
 
 In which Death with his pitiless fetters has bound thee, 
 While a nation of Freen-en their love-watches keep, 
 With Henrt and Jeffekson waiting around thee!' 
 
 It was customary, when at home, for Washington to 
 ride out on horseback around his estate during part of 
 each day. This he did on the 12th of December, 
 (Thursday,) and spent several hours ri'ding about to 
 inspect his farms and give directions to his overseers ; 
 and while returning home late in the afternoon, he was 
 exposed to falling weather — hail, snow, and rain — which 
 caused his hair and neck to get wet, and his person 
 chilled. The next day, the 13th, (Friday,) it was also 
 his purpose to ride out, but a heavy snow-fall that 
 morning prevented him. He complained lightly of a 
 sore throat from his exposure the day previous, yet he 
 did not seem apprehensive of any danger from it. He 
 went in the afternoon in front of the house some 
 distance towards the river, to mark some trees that 
 were to be cut down in order to make an ornamental 
 improvement ; then returned and passed the evening 
 with the family in the usual manner. The next morn- 
 ing, which was Saturday, the 14th, between two and 
 
 60 
 
^-^^>^ _^tKiS:;^ 
 
 TOME OF WASHINGTON, 
 
 61 
 
 three o'clock, he called his wife and told her his con- 
 dition. She noticed that he breathed with great diffi- 
 culty and had considerable hoarseness in speaking. 
 According to his request, she sent for one of the over- 
 seers to bleed him. The family became alarmed when 
 they saw the rapid advancement of the disease. A 
 messenger was despatched for the family physician, 
 Dr. Craik, who resided in Alexandria. In the mean- 
 time, another messenger went for Dr. Brown, who lived 
 nearer Mount Vernon. They arrived during the morn- 
 ins, and in the course of the day Dr. Dick was also 
 called in ; but the skill of the physicians, though ex- 
 erted to the utmost, proved insufficient to arrest his 
 disease — quinsy. 
 
 As dissolution was fast approaching, he endeavored 
 to raise himself up in bed, when Dr. Craik held out 
 his hand and assisted him. He then cast a benign look 
 around the room, and said to the physicians, '' I feel 
 myself going : I thank you for your attention ; but I 
 pray you take no more trouble about me. Let me go 
 off quietly ; I cannot last long." 
 
 :;\f^ 
 

 XVIII. 
 
 SHasljingtans gcatlj. 
 
 About ten o'clock in the evening he made several 
 fruitless efforts to converse with some of those around 
 the bedside. At length he succeeded in saying, " I 
 am just going; have me decently buried, and do not 
 let my body be put into the vault in less than three 
 days after I am dead." 
 
 Mr. Tobias Lear, who was for many years Washing- 
 ton's secretary, and afterwards superintendent of his 
 private affairs, being present during Washington's last 
 illness, says : " About ten minutes before he expired, 
 which was between ten and eleven o'clock, his breath- 
 ing became easier. He lay quietly ; he withdrew his 
 hand from mine and felt his own pulse. I paw his 
 countenance change. I spoke to Dr. Craik, who sat 
 by the fire. He came to the bedside. The General's 
 hand fell from his wrist. I took it in mine, and pressed 
 it to my bosom. Dr. Craik put his hands over his eyes, 
 and he expired without a struggle or a sigh. While 
 we were fixed in silent grief, Mrs. Washington, who was 
 sitting at the foot of the bed, asked, with a firm and 
 collected voice, ' Is he gone ?' I could not speak, but 
 held up my hand as a signal that he was no more. ' 'Tis 
 
 (^1 62_ 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 63 | \5 
 
 well/ said she, in the same voice * all is now over ; I 
 shall soon follow him ; I have no more trials to pass 
 through.'" 
 
 Thus did the great man fall asleep, to wake no more 
 on earth ; but his spirit winged its flight to happier 
 realms. He died on Saturday night, December 14th, 
 1799. 
 
 The painful news of the death of Washington arrived 
 at the seat of government (Philadelphia) before the 
 information of his sickness. It caused a general gloom 
 to pervade the minds of the members of Congress. 
 Silence reigned in the House of Representatives for a 
 short period, after which Mr. Marshall, (who afterwards 
 became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
 United States,) with a voice and countenance indicative 
 of the,, deepest sorrow, commenced an address to the 
 House, as follows : " Mr. Speaker, information has 
 just been received that our illustrious citizen, the Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of the American army and the late 
 President of the United States, is no more. Though 
 this distressing intelligence is not certain, there is too 
 much reason to believe its truth. After receiving in- 
 formation of this national calamity, so heavy and affict- 
 ing, the House of Representatives can be but ill fitted 
 for public business. I move you, therefore, that we 
 
 l^^iyp^ ~ --SsG^^ 
 

 TOME OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 adjourn." The House adjourned immediately, as also 
 did the Senate. 
 
 The next morning, in the House, Mr. Marshall ad- 
 dressed the chair in the following manner : 
 
 " Mr. Speaker : The melancholy event, which was 
 yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered too 
 certain. Our Washington is no more ! The hero, the 
 patriot, and the sage of America ; the man on whom in 
 times of danger every eye was turned and all hopes 
 were placed, lives now only in his own great actions 
 and in the hearts of an affectionate and afflicted people. 
 
 " If, sir, it had even not been usual openly to testify 
 respect for the memory of those whom Heaven has 
 selected as its instruments for dispensing good to man, 
 yet such has been the uncommon worth and such the 
 extraordinary incidents which have marked the life of 
 him whose loss we all deplore, that the whole Ameri- 
 can nation, impelled by the same feelings, would call 
 with one voice for a public manifestation of that sorrow 
 which is so deep and so universal. 
 
 '*' More than any other individual, and as much as to i 
 
 one individual was possible, has he contributed to found 
 this our wide-spreading empire, and to give to the 
 western world independence and freedom. Having 
 effected the great object for which he was placed at the 
 
 gj! 
 
m^9^b^ ^^t^Ki^l 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. Co 
 
 head of our armies, we have seen him convert the sword 
 into the ploughshare, and sink the soldier in the citizen. 
 
 " When the debility of our federal system had be- 
 come manifest, and the bonds which connected this vast 
 continent were dissolving, we have seen him the chief 
 of those patriots who formed for us a constitution, 
 which, by preserving the union, will, I trust, substan- 
 tiate and perpetuate those blessings which our Revolu- 
 tion had promised to bestow. 
 
 " In obedience to the general voice of this country, 
 calling him to preside over a great people, we have seen 
 him once more quit the retirement he loved, and, in a 
 season more stormy and tempestuous than war itself, 
 with calm and wise determination pursue the true 
 interests of the nation, and contribute, more than any 
 other could contribute, to the establishment of that 
 system of policy which will, I trust, yet preserve our 
 ^eace, our honor, and our independence. 
 
 " Having been twice unanimously chosen the Chief 
 Magistrate of a free people, we have seen him, at a time 
 when his re-election with universal suffrage could not 
 be doubted, afford to the world a rare instance of mod- 
 eration, by withdrawing from his station to the peace- 
 ful walks of private life. 
 
 " However the public confidence may change and tho 
 
 m^^F^p^ ' ~-<t6^^ 
 
u>, '- " 
 
 I 
 
 66 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 public affections fluctuate with respect to others, with 
 respect to him they have, in war and in peace, in public 
 and private life, been as steady as his own firm mind 
 and as constant as his own exalted virtues." 
 
 He then offered three resolutions, which passed. 
 Among the rest it was resolved, in conjunction with 
 the Senate, that there be appointed a committee to con- 
 sider the most appropriate manner of paying honor to 
 the memory of the man first in war, first in peace, and 
 first in the hearts of his countrymen. The resolutions 
 had no sooner passed, than a message was received 
 from the President of the United States, John Adams, 
 transmitting a letter from Mr. T. Lear, " which," said 
 the message, ^'will inform you that it had pleased 
 Divine Providence to remove from this life our excel- 
 lent fellow-citizen, George Washington, by the purity 
 of his life and a long series of services to his country 
 rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for 
 an affectionate and grateful people, in whose hearts he 
 can never die, to pay suitable honor to his memory." 
 
 On this mournful event the Senate addressed a long 
 letter to the President. It closed as follows : " This 
 event, so distressing to all our fellow-citizens, must be 
 peculiarly heavy to you, who have long been associated 
 with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, sir, to 
 
 l^^^ir^ ' ^^^^^6^^ 
 
r7 I TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 67 
 
 mingle our tears with yours. On this occasion it is 
 manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, 
 is no common calamity to the world Our country 
 mourns a father. The Almighty dispenser of human 
 events has taken from us our greatest benefactor and 
 ornament. It becomes us to submit with reverence to 
 Him who 'maketh darkness his pavilion.' " 
 
 The arrangements of the funeral procession were 
 made by Colonels Little, Sims, and Deneale, and Dr. 
 Pick ; and 12 o'clock on "Wednesday, December 18th, 
 was the appointed hour to bury the body; but as some 
 of the military troops from a distance failed to arrive 
 at the hour, and persons were coming in from various 
 quarters, the hour was postponed. Between 2 and 3 
 o'clock p. m. a signal gun was heard from a vessel 
 moored near the river shore, in solemn token that the 
 funeral cortege was in readiness to start. 
 
 is^^ "^^^^^^5* 
 

 XIX. 
 
 The procession moved out through the gate in the 
 
 rear of the house, left wing, and proceeded around to 
 
 the east or river front, along the right wing, down the 
 
 lawn, to the old family vault, in the following order: 
 
 Cavalry, infantry, and guard, with arms reversed ; 
 
 Music ; 
 
 Clergy, consisting of Rev. Messrs. Davies, Muir, 
 
 Moffat, and Addison ; 
 
 The General's horse, with his saddle, holsters and pistols, 
 
 the horse being led by two grooms, dressed 
 
 in black, named Cyrus and Wilson ; 
 Colonel Blackburn, preceding the corpse ; 
 PaU Bearers. Fall Btarers. 
 
 Col. Sims, ^ C Col. Gilpin, 
 
 Col. Ramsay, V CORPSE. I Col. Marsteller, 
 Col. Payne, ) \ Col. Little. 
 
 Principal Mourners. 
 Misses Nancy and Sally Stuart ; 
 Miss Fairfax and Miss Denison ; 
 Messrs. Law and Peter ; 
 Dr. Craik and Mr. Lear ; 
 Lord Fairfax and Ferdinando Fairfax ; 
 Lodge No. 23 of the Free Masons ; 
 Corporation of Alexandria ; 
 Citizens, preceded by Mr. Anderson and the overseers. 
 
 As soon as the head of the procession had arrived at 
 the bottom of the lawn, near the family vault, the cav- 
 alry halted and then formed their lines; the infantry 
 did the same; immediately after, the clergy, maeonic 
 
 68 
 
M22^>^ : ___^,<^2£^ 
 
 '>^\\ I '■ ' — ■ !i w 
 
 ra III 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 69 
 
 brotlieis, aud citizens descended to the vault, when the 
 Rev. Mr. Davis read the funeral services of the church' 
 and pronounced a short address ; after which the ma- 
 sonic brethren performed their ceremonies, and depos- 
 ited the corpse in the vault. A general discharge of 
 guns from the military that lined the banks of the river 
 closed the scene. 
 
 The coflSn bore the following inscriptions: at the 
 head, "Surge ad Judicum;" about the middle, "Gloria 
 Deo;" and on the ornamental silver plate, "General 
 George Washington departed this life on the 14th De- 
 cember, 1799. ^t. 68." 
 
 He expressed in his will the desire that he should 
 be buried in a private manner, and without any parade 
 or funeral oration ; but in this instance his fellow-citi- 
 zens could not be dissuaded from going contrary to his 
 wish, and therefore assembled in great numbers to 
 pay their last tribute of respect to his earthly remains. 
 
 The proud fleet of the English, coming up the Poto- 
 mac river, in hostile aspect, in the time of the last war, 
 halted in front of Mount Vernon, and, amid the curling 
 smoke of their minute guns, testified their respect for 
 the memory of our illustrious Washington — 
 
 " Great, without pomp ; without ambition, brave ; 
 Proud, not to conquer fellow-men, but save." 
 
 ry — ^ 
 
 I 19 An 
 
 gJ859. 
 
^^r' /^< 
 
 THE TOMB 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 FR,IOE, 38 CElsrXS. 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 
 TUOMAS McGILL, PRINTER. 
 1858. 
 
 ^ ^J.^;^ Z(^^SeC^ /^^% 
 

 
 JLXo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 > >»< ^> Oi> > >,. , 
 
 >^> jr '•::»> > >.> 
 
 ■ >>■ :>■• ~^> ■■> ■.- 
 
 > >>^ ::*> "» > > 
 
 
 ^•^ JS3b > ' , 
 
 ► 3^>» 
 
 >_::x>> 
 
 > > > 
 
 
 3» ^^ 
 > :3^3 y> 
 
 
 
 
 
 >^ 3 
 
 ► > ,■■ ■ 
 
 
 > 3^:3> - >:>-'^ ■ ■ -; 
 
 5, ^y^ ^ ^ :^ 3>»^ >:->>»^^.> 
 
 ^^3>> > >> 5^ - 
 
 
 ::i2iL> .^ j> :) 3^ 3x> > ^ i^>^>r^ 
 
 :^^ '^»:?> :» 3>>> > \? 
 
 
 >>> 3> 
 
 3^> ^> JJf^ 
 
 > :^» 
 
 
 J "2X» - >^>> >>^>j»' 
 
 3:r>>> 
 
 ~^3' ;~ 
 
 ^ » 
 
 2Jfc.-> > 
 
 :^^ >. > 
 
 -> > 
 
 --> ^ »> _> >3' >aote>' . :^^ ^^^ 
 
 > -> > -<> > 7>- » 3"^*:J^> ■ 0-1!> ^53>3^ 
 
 

 
 
 
 fc^;>A' 
 
 :% 
 
 3^ - > "^ 
 
 > > > . 
 
 
 
 
 
 > >> > 
 
 >> \ 
 
 ■ ^» >:>> > >^ -» 
 
 .':>» >> > ^ J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^^ ~^^ ^ 
 
 
 
 5> 
 
 
 
 
 
 > 3^ 
 
 >^p 
 
 
 
 =3t:3^LJ>