The sentiment of love for the Great Patriot was too deeply rooted in the American heart to be eradicated by the intense hatred which such a war engenders. It was shown at Mount Vernon in the most delicate manner. No notable injury was inflicted upon building, tree or shrub during all the time of the internecine strife. Since the close of the war the Regent of The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, has resided at the Mansion and, with the assistance of a Secretary, has had a general supervision of affairs there. The work of interior renovation has gone on slowly, until now, (1870,) a greater portion of the wood-work has been painted, and the roof of the Mansion has been newly shingled. The whole building is now in a state of fair preservation. An appropriation by Congress, has been spent in the work of renovation, mostly in the rebuilding of the Conservatory for plants, on a larger scale, which was destroyed by fire in 1863, and with it, the ancient Lemon Tree, Century Plant and Sago Palm—all there in Washington's time—delineated on pages 158 and 159 of this work. From the sale of plants and flowers reared in the Conservatory, a considerable income may be expected, among which will be found descendants of the Sago Palm. Much of the old Vegetable garden, yet surrounded by the brick wall built by Washington, is devoted to the raising of strawberries, the sale of which, to early summer visitors is a source of considerable profit. These fountains of revenue, the sale of hickory canes cut from the forest of the estate, the price of admission to the grounds and Mansion, and per centage of the receipts of the steam-boat from passengers to and from Mount Vernon, constitute the entire income of the Association. These are insufficient to put and keep the grounds and buildings in good order and to make the restoration complete. There should be an endowment, either by Congress or by the free gift of the American people large enough for the interest on the sum to be ample for making Mount Vernon, aside from its associations, one of the most attractive spots in our country. Now it is quite otherwise. Nature has done much, but art and labor has done so little, that from the Wharf to the Tomb and up to the Mansion, the visitor sees, at every step, evidences of poverty. The Tomb and its neighborhood have a most forbidding appearance; while the Mansion itself, bereft of nearly every thing mentioned in this work, is less attractive than it might be, if its surroundings could be beautified by Art and skilled Labor, and its rooms present an exhibition of objects of every kind, yet in existence, that were associated with Washington's life. Already, some contributions of that kind have been made by patriotic citizens. These may and should be increased until the Mansion of Mount Vernon shall become a rich Museum of relics of that classic period in our history, the old War for independence and the establishment of our National Government. Considered in its relations, historic and patriotic, Mount Vernon should be one of the most precious objects of the care of the American people. The means to make it creditable to our patriotism, gratitude and generosity, should be given with a quick and lavish hand; and it is to be hoped that the Association may soon be able to proclaim, as a part of its own experience, that the great Republic of the West is not ungrateful toward its Founders. INDEX. Adams, John, description of the inauguration of Adams, Mr. and Mrs., visit Mrs. Washington after the death of her husband. Address card of Washington... Alexandria, Washington invited to partake of a public dinner at.... Alison, remarks of, respecting Washington's Farewell Address. Amelung, J. F., glass manufacturer, visits Mount Vernon in 1789 66 presents some specimens of his art to Washington.. Ancient entrance to Mount Vernon, picture of.. 66 present condition of.... Appearance, personal, of Washington, when on horseback. Arch, triumphal, at Trenton, in honor of Washington . Arlington Spring, kitchen and dancing hall erected at, by Mr. Custis. 66 Washington's tent at.... Arms of the Washington family, picture of... Armstrong, John, letter of, to General Gates respecting Washington's reception in New York Asses presented to Washington by the King of Spain.... Atkins, Rev. A. B., wife of, has Washington's telescope. 66 ...................... Washington's butter-bowl in possession of............. Aurora, letter hostile to Washington published in, soon after his retirement from office Bed and bedstead on which Washington died kept as sacred mementos at Arlington House, 337 46 mansion of the Fairfaxes consumed by fire. 66 owner of never returned from England... Bianca, Florida, the Spanish premier, letter of, to Washington.. death of, hastened by intemperate habits.. Bier upon which the body of Washington was conveyed to the tomb 66 Birth of Washington..... Birth-place of Washington... 66 present desolation of.... 343 352 353 33 34 35 66 picture of the inscribed stone that marks it. 36 Bishop, Washington's body-servant.... Bishop White, at the farewell dinner given by Washington in Philadelphia in 1797. 77, 120 294 Box made of the wood of the oak tree that sheltered Wallace after the battle at Falkirk, sent 272 Box sent to Washington by the Earl of Buchan recommitted to his care by the Will of the Bradford, Mr., impromptu effusion of, on learning the misfortunes of Lafayette.... Bridport, Lord, respect paid to the memory of Washington by. Brienne, Marchioness de, sister of Count de Moustier, at Mount Vernon. painted a miniature of Washington..... 66 her picture of Washington and Lafayette.. Brown, Dr., called to attend Washington in his last illness. Burgesses, Virginia, Washington a member of, the House of.. 301 182 349 198 198 199 333 85 PAGE Bushrod Washington, nephew of the General, comes into possession of Mount Vernon, on 350 66 appointed by President Adams to be Judge of the Supreme Court of the United 357 66 picture of............... Century plant at Mount Vernon.. น sketch of.. Carthagena, British soldiers perish at Cave Castle, the seat of Washington's ancestors in England.. Chairs at Mount Vernon, pictures of... 66 described by Washington... 66 Colonel Washington lingers at the house of.. Chastellux, Marquis de, at Mount Vernon in 1781 Calvert, Benedict, miniature of daughter of, painted by Peale... 66 daughter of, wife of John Parke Custis..... Camp-chest, leathern, used by Washington in 1753, picture of... Candelabra, mural, used in Washington's dining-room at Philadelphia, described. 66 picture of.... Candlesticks, Washington's, massive silver............ 66 picture of Capitol, singular historical fact respecting the site of the.. 66 corner-stone of the north wing of, laid in September, 1793.. 66 plan for the, submitted by Dr. Thornton, approved by Washington. Carey's House, at Alexandria, place where Braddock had his quarters.. 66 picture of....... Carpenter's Hall, place of meeting of the first Congress. Carrington, Mrs., her description of Mrs. Washington at home.. letter of G. W. P. Custis to Washington, respecting son of, as a suitor for the hand of Casseday, Alexander, drawing by, of Washington's secretary. Chamberlayne, Mr., the host of Washington when he first saw Mrs. Custis. Chatham, Earl of, his opinion of the Continental Congress.. Children, great fondness of Washington for...... Chimney-piece presented to Washington by Samuel Vaughan, of London. |