Evening Star Newspaper, October 15, 1881, Page 2

A DISTINGUISHED FRENCH VISITOR. LAPAYETTE’S VISIT TO AMERICA IN 1824—HOW HE WAS RECEIVED IX WASHINGTON—SOME IN- TERESTING REMINISCEN: Now that we are about to weicome some of the descendants of the patriot heroes of the old cid who lent their aid to the establishment of “an independence, it may be of interest to recall the particulars of the visit of Lafayette to | this city in 1824. President Monroe. in August, 1824, gave di- rections that when Lafayette arrived that he be | received ataall military — he might visit with | the honors due tothe highest military rank in | our service. en. Lafayette arrived in New | York Amgust in the ship Cadmus, from Havre, and remained at the county seat of Vice President Tompkins, on Staten Isiand, until his formal reception by the civic and military au- | thorities the next day. His son, George Wash- | ington Lafayette, and companion, Auguste La | Vasseur, accompanied him. RECEPTION IN NEW YORK. town. While in this city almost every mi woman and child had the privilege of shak hands with him. DEPARTURE OF LAFAYETTE—AFFECTING PARTING SCENES. This illustrious guest of our country took his ing | departure from the seat of government on Wed- nesday, September 7, 1825, to his native country after a continuous ovation from the American re from the day of his arrival in New York. Alt jiness was suspended in this city bmi tne day he left; the shops and banks were closed, and bite! prompt indicated the deep feeling which pervaded the community. At an early hour the corps of marines, the volunteer companies of the District and those of Alexandria were on the ground on the President’s square, where they were Jomed by Governor Spriggs and Capt. Dun- lop’s troop of cavalry, from Maryland, the whole forming to make up the escort. The boards of aldermen and the common councils of the three cities in the District. headed by their respec- tive mayors, assembled at the President's house in the m where farewell addresses were made, and responses followed. The following day Broadway and the Battery | were crowded with ladies and gentlemen, their faces beaming with joy, all anxious to catch a | gtimpse of the veteran hero. Fort Lafayette | fired a salute of thirteen guns, answering to the | original number of states. The national flag | was run up at ail public placesand onall theships | inthe harbor. The day was one of great bril- | lianey, the streets and windows were lined with | the beauty and fashion of the city, the roaring | of the artillery and ringing of bells was inces- | sant. The reception was in Castle Garden, and | the distinguished visitor was then taken to the | city hall, where he was received by the mayor and comimon council and a general reception followed. actTr OF THE AUTHORITIES OF WASITINGTON. August 19, 18%, the city council of Washing- ton met in extra session and passed resolutions | in relation to the reception of General Lafay- | ette, and a committee consisting of Mayor S. N. | Smallwood, W. W. Seaton, president board of aldermen; Peter Force, president board common council, and other prominent citizens was ap- | pointed to make suitable arrangements for the Feception. The venerable tent of Washington | was offered by Mr. Custis, of Arlington, to be | used at the reception. Gen. Lafayette left | New York on a journey to Boston on the 20th | of August and arrived in New Haven, Conn., on the morning of the 2ist where a public break- | fast was prepared for him, the whole town | turning out en masse to welcome him amid the firing of cannon and ringing of bells. LAPAYETTE WELCOMED IN WASHINGTON. in every city and town of New Engtand he was | received with great enthusiasm; traveling by | stage he was greeted on almost every mile of | his journey with demonstrations of mine | welcome. Goy. Eustis, of Massachusefts, sent } his aid inacoach with four beautiful white | horses with outriders anda wagonon a day's Journey to meet the visitors and conduct them to the executive mansion in Roxbury. While in New York Gen. Lafayette accepted ‘an invitation from Gov. James Pleasants, of Vir- ginia, to be present at Yorktown on the 19th of October, of that year, to attend the celebration of the surrender of ihe British forces. He entered Boston on the 29th of August, at 11 o'clock, with all the splendor which the | Wealth, taste ana organized police force of that old town enabled its citizens to display. The ssion which escorted him was about five miles long. As Lafayette passed the house of the deceased John Hancock the mayor said to him: - There sits the widow of your friend at the | window.” He immediately caught her eye, and | in the most enthusiasticmanner pressed his hand | upon his heart. She burst into tears, and ex- elaimed: “I have now lived long enough.” He | Visited Cambridze. and partook of a public din- | @er, and many patriotic toasts were drank. His | ess wherever he went was constantly in- pted by the citizens of the villages and towns through which he passed. and at every | he stopped he was surrounded by crowds cet and ardent visitants. From seventy to red thousand persons witnessed his wel- | ne to Boston. Salutes were fired, bells rang, on Beacon street hundreds of young misses | el in white. protected by files of soldiers | ches of flowers in his ¢ their white hand- | aching the landing of the state | irs the general turned toward the mul- | and at this moment the veteran Capt. | Stepnen Oniey (who served under the general | Tepeatedly and was said to be the first to force | the enemy's works at Yorktown, in which he Was seconded at another point alinost simulta- | Beously by Lafayette), approached the general, | xnized his old companion in ns, and embraced and kissed him in the most | afctionate manner. A thrill went through the | Whole assembly, while the shouts of the mul- titude, at first suppressed, evinced the deep | ! wed bi feeling and proud associations Ht excited. Aiter | ¥ the different cities and towns of New Enziand he returned to New York by way of West Point. There a repetition of the former scenes were witnessed agai given him by the New York Society of the Cin- Ginnati he took his departure tor Philadelphia, | 5 where he arrived September 28. He was met at Trenton by a committee and escorted to that | tity. amid ‘the wildest enthusiasm of the vast | multitude. He left that city October 5 and ar- | Fived on the evening of the 6th at Fort Me- | Henry, three miles below Baltimore, and on | Thursday October 7th, was received by the Maryland society. COMES TO WASHINGTON BY STAGE. | He travelled by stage to this city, passing the District line about 12 o'clock on the 13th Octo- ber. He was escorted from Baltimore by the Pa wre committee of arrangements and by Captain Hollinzsworth’s handsome cavalry com- is of fifteen miles from the city, the first Bladensburg d by Captain Sprig, ad a company of unted) conducted patriet to this city. At the mpany was met by the com- this city and a num- | ry officers and escorted by valry and Cap- | omery cavalry. arrangements urs ge riflemen (1 insuishe the di District line the mittee of a ber of Revolut: Transferred to an elegant landan for his use, drawn by four | ustis, of Arlington, rode in | i The whole then ad- ional salutes from fred from the feld met the a Maryland avenue, | © turn-out the plain east of the »vered with amass of animated . The reception was most joyous and The troops wheeled into line on | t Capitol strect, and the general and suite persed in review amid the plaudits of the vast and with the @apitol was hi wultitude. After the military _proces- sion had = reached the east end of the k nm East € tol street, which y decorated with proper aration of Independence. ¢ eagle of the hrouch the market- ide was lined with eager to the east entrance of . over which was thrown a ‘h decorated with evergreens and other Ou the. pinnacle stood another | n entering the gate, the General vee ts. P OF TWENTY-FIVE YOUNG GIRLS, J to represent the twen- | md the District of Columbia, each th of flowers, and bearing in her | ith the name ot ates inseribed upon it. When the inher hand the flag representing the District advanced and arrested his progress, | ech modestly weleomed him as ruest. the general was conducted to of the Capitol by the committee | ots, throagh the great door, up the #rand staircase, into the central rotunda of the with ladies and peatio- < the rotunda he passed under £ Washington, also filied with | ; st of the Capitol, when he was introduced to the mayor of Georgetown and other gentlemen present. Here speeches fol- lowed. a dinner and another review in line. At! 7 O'elvck in the evening he bezved to be permit- ted to retire, that he might pay his respects to Some intimate friends, the eonnections of the nd of the late General Washington in George- wT. In the evening a vast number of rockets were fred off and mary ot the citizens illuminated their houses in a brilliant manner. though no Previous arrangements had been made for that purpose. Lafayette and his attendants were ‘Well accommodated and provided at the charge of the city of Washington. The tent of Wash- fnzton was sent from this District to forma part of the military equi ‘On bis expedition to _ during the of Gen. Lafayette orktown, where it was festival there in 1824. Mr. Gen. Lafayette to York- and after a dinner | { had a big procession. Several members of Congress in the city were nt, and other distinguished citizens also formed a part of the group, which waited in silence until Gen. Lafayette entered the hall, attended by the marshal of the District and one of the sons of the President, and presented him- self in the vacant space within the circle. Mr. Adams then, with mach dignity, delivered an impressive address. The General listened with deep interest, and at the close embraced Presi- dent Adams, saluting him in the French manner on each cheek, and then replied in a most eloquent speech, closing by “God bless you, sir, and you all who surround me; God bi American people, each of their ‘states, and the federal government.” As the last sentence was pronounced the General advanced, and, while the tears poured over his venerable cheeks, again took the President in his arms—he retired a few paces, but, overcome by his feelings, again returned, and, uttering in broken accents “God bless you,” fell once more on the neck of Mr. Adams. He was then greeted by the whole assembly. The ex- Pression which beamed from the face of this exalted man was represented by the wit- nesses as of the finest and most touching kind. The friend of Washington seemed to linger with a mournful delight among the sons of his adopted country. His carriage, preceded by the cavalry, Marine corps and Captain Edwards’ rifle corps, and followed by the carriages of the corporate authorities and numerous military and high civil officers of the government, moved off amid the peals of artillery and military bands. He took passage on the steamer Mount Vernon. As the vessel moved off for some time after the deepest silence was observed by the whole of this vast multitude that lined the shore. The feeling that pervaded them was that of children bidding farewell toa venerated parent. Another salute was Fone forth at Greenleaf’s Pointand another at Fort Washington. The General was accompanied to the United States frigate Bran- dywine by the S ‘of the Navy, the mayor's of the three cities the District, the com- mander-in-chief of the’ army, generals of the militia of the District, Commodore Bainbridge Mr. Custis, of Arlington. THE DEATH OF LAFAYETTE. The following is Guizot’saccount of the death of Lafayette: “A few months before M. de Tal- leyrand retired from public life, another remark- able individual, very different, and celebrated ‘on very opposite grounds—M. de Lafaye:'e— disappeared from the stage ot the world. “No life had ever been more passionately po- litical than his; no man had ever placed his ideas and political sentiments more constantly above all other professions or interests. But politics were utterly unconnected with his death. Ill for three weeks, he approached his last hour. His children and household surrounded his bed; he ceased to speak, and it was doubtful whether he could see. His son George observed that with uncertain gesture he sought for something inhis bosom. He came to his father's assistance, and placed in his hands a medallion which he al- ways wore suspended around his neck. M. de fayette raised it to his lips; this was his last motion. That medallion contained a miniature and a lock of hair of Madame de Lafayette, his wife, whose loss he had mourned for twenty- seven years. Thus, already separated from the entire world, alone with the thought and image of the devoted companion of his life, he died. In arranging his funeral, it was a recognized fact in the family that M. de Lafayette had al- ways wished to be buried in the small cemetery adjoining the Convent of Picpus, by the side of his wife, in the midst of victims of the revoiu- tion—the greater part royalists and aristocrats, whose ancestors had founded that pions estab- lishment. The desire of the veteran of 1789 was serupulously respected and complied with. An immense crowd—soldiers, national guards, and populace—accompanied the funeral proces- sion along the boulevards and streets of Paris. Arrived at the gate of the Convent of Picpus, the crowd halted; the interior enclosure could only admit two or three hundred persona. The family, the nearest relatives and the principal authorities entered, passed through the convent in silence, then across the garden, and finally entered the cemetery. There no political mani- ation took place; no oration was pronounced; ion and the intimate reminiscences of the Jone were present; public polities assumed no place near the death-bed or the grave of the man whose life they had occupied and ruled.”* —.o- = REMINISCENCES OF LAFAYETTE'S VISIT. WHAT MR. NASH REMEMBERS OF THE AFFAIR— THE MILITARY DISPLAY—A WASHINGTON Laby WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE RECEPTI Mr. Michael Nash, who for over sixty years has resided in the eastern part of the city, re- members well Lafayette’s visit here in 1824, hay- ing, asa sergeant of the Columbian Light Infan- try, Capt. Bully, taken part in the reception. Mr. Nash states that, as fur as he knows, John Smallwood and Joseph Radeliffe, residing in East Washington, and Thomas Jenkins, of Uniontown, are with him- self the only survivors of the comp: Speak- ing to Mr. Nash on the subject on Thursday, his face brightened up as he narrated reminiscences ofthat occasion. “Yes,” said he, “I was among thenumber, and w Il we could to honor the old patriot. It was this very day, too, aad we I don't recollect much about the procession outside the military and only as to the home (city) companies. There were Alexandria and “Georgetown troops in the procession. Let's see; Gen. Weightman commanded = the regiment. Then we had Birch’s artillery of four guns, uni- formed in blue. My company was the Columbia Light Infantry, Capt. Bully, from the Navy Yard, about 49 men, uniforined in gray, with black plumes in their hats. Capt. Doughty had arifle company out. He was thea in the Navy Yard, and they were uniformed in green, with fringed capes to their coats, wearing bear- skin caps. It was a popular company after having 120 men out. They had all out that day and with their rifles carried powder horns and bullet pouches. Col. Hickey he was captain, then commanded the Hibernian Greens or Guards I forget which. They were uniformed in green of course and carried spontcons and pikes and made a fine show having some 80 men in line. Col. Seaton commanded the Wash- ington Guards, a company having a fine band, and at that’ day it was looked on a6 the crack company. They wore a dark blue uni- form, and made a fine show with about 80 mu: kets in line. Peter Wauro, the auctioneer, had acompany, the German Yagers, about 70'men uniformed in green, and they were out. A rifle company, commanded by Capt. Dyer, was out, o, with 60 mea in line. They were called “Bucktails,” from the plume they wore. We were ordered out to join in the escort, and went to the tollgate to meet the general. It was only necessary to set the time, for I never saw anything like it; every- | body seemed only too glad to honor the old patriot. Well. we escorted the general to the itol, and getting out of the carriage he was escorted to the rotunda of the Capitol (the dome at that time not haying been put in place) and the military were dis- missed. I got in just in time to see Mayor Cox, of Georgetown, receive the old veteran. Mayor Cox actually clasped the latter in his arms, and with some feeiing said: ‘‘My dear General, I extend to you a cordial invitation to visit our little city and see our improvements.” The general replied, after a little pause: “My dear friend, I'll be delighted to see your city, and shall visitit.” After this my coinpany (the Columbia Light Infantry) visited Alexan and took part in the recep- tion given Lafayette there. The little town had a magnificent arch erected at the corner of King and Washington streets, and the entertainment given was said to have surpassed that given by any city of the same size in the country. | OTHERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE RECEPTION. The wife of Mr.Edward M.Drew personated one ‘ays that Lafayette passed through the Capitol Hil pasar nde then located on East Capitol street, between Ist and 2d streets east. On the east end of the market-house was perched a large live eagle, who flapped his wings as the nation’s guest passed under him. A mass of school children lined the gravel waTks from a beautiful arch erected on ist street, and the whole walk from that point to the portico of the : was covered with flowers, over which yette walked. Mrs. Mary Ellen Shaw, (nee Gannon) of Georgetown, was a pupil of Miss Julia Comp- ton’s school, and strewed flowers before Lafay- ette at the Capitol gates at the time of his re- bas sce here. john N. Lovejoy. (now in his 84th year) was on that occasion an officer in the “Union Rifle Company,” (mustering 130 rifles), and which company su) ently assisted in the Alex- andria cele! ion. Mr. A. Duffy, an old citizen of Washington, but who, at the time of Lafayette’s visit, was a resident of Alexandria. He says: ‘The recep- tion given Layfayette in Alexandria was the finest in the United States. I was a school boy then, wir ey old Jimmy Caden, a famous teacher at time. We marched out Washing- ton street to an open field, just north of the Philip R. Fendell vault, where the military and schools formed in line. Gen. Lafayette drove up, ‘ot out of his carriage,and walked up the entire line, uncovered, and when he came to the school boys, a great many of us had the pleasure of shaking hands with him.” a GEORGETOWN SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. Municipal Legislation in the Olden Time. COMPROMISE OF THE “‘FROGLAND” CONTEST—A WELCOME TO GEN. JACKSON, ETC. In the early history of Georgetown, there was a long contest between the heirs of Col. Charles Beatty and the corporation of that city respect- ing the title of “Frogland,” purchased by the corporation from Col. Beatty as an addition to that city. It was finally determined by the au- thorities to settle the same by compromise, and on the 20th of August, 1806, a resolution was passed by the common council referring a reso- Tution from the board of aldermen respecting the compromise to a committee of three—Messrs. Luffborongh, Corcoran and Dodge. [The Cor- coran referred to was the father of W. W. Cor- coran, the banker.] At the next meeting the committed reported the result of a survey they had caused to be made, and a compromise proposition was adopted: “That all the streets, lanes and alleys leading to the water shall be extended through the property in dispute—and the streets called “Wapping.” “The Keys” and “West Landing” to be made and laid out seventy feet wide, and the whole property south of ‘the Keys,” “Wap- "and ‘West Landing,” when so widened and extended, to be equally divided between the corporation and the said heirs, the latter to have the right to select as a part of their moiety all of the property which has been sold or leased, whether by Charles Beatty, deceased, Beatty & Deakins, or by the heirs of Charles Beatty, in all other respects the mayor, Thomas Corcoran, and John Threlkeld, who are hereby appointed commissioners for the purpose in ‘ing the division shall attend to the in- terests of the corporation.” ‘This was adopted February 16, 1807. Mr. Corcoran, one of thecom- missioners, made a report of the agreement entered into between the parties interested. The lines agreed upon were as follows: ‘‘Begin on the weak. side of Fishing Lane and give to the Beattys 113 feet, including 48 feet claimed by Mr. Stewart, reserving to the corporation that on the north side of the causeway, except— ing the 48 feet on the lane eovered by Stewart's claim, to the corporation 113 feet, including the alley for use of the town to east side of Duck Lane. Fifty feet west and on Duck Lane to the Beattys, &c., &c.” This ageement was signed by Thomas Corcoran, John Threlkeld, Daniel Bussard and John Ott on the part of the committee, and by J. M. Beatty and Charles A. Beatty on the part of the heirs. The report was adopted, and on the 6th July, 1807, a deed from the corporation to John M. and Charles A. Beatty was executed, conveying to them ‘the right of the corporation to certain ground which had been in controversy lying next and adjoining the Potomac river.” The deed was acknowledged and executed before Thomas Corcoran and John Ott, both justices of the peace, and signed by A. Reitzel, Mayor, with the seal of the corporation attached. THE RICHMOND THEATER FIRE. January 6, 1811. in the common council, “On leave Mr. Francis Key, (author of the ‘Star Spangled Banner,”) brings ina resolution rec- ommending to the inhabitants of the town to abstain for one month from attending theatrical amusements, and so forth. in consequence of the lste fire at Richmond, which was passed.” The same day Mr. Thomas Corcoran was elected mayor and Mr. James S. Morsell recorder. DOES THIS REFER TO THE ALEXANDRIA CANAL? February 26, 1812, a resolution from the lower board respecting a contemplated canal to the westward of the causeway was passed by the al- dermen with amendments. THE WATER QUESTION IN 1812. March 13, the same year, the board of alder- men adopted a resolution “that Mr. Getty, Mr. Dodge and Mr. Peter, be a committee to inquire into the propriety and expediency of supplying this town, or certain parts thereof, with good and wholesome water from any fountain or spring for the purpose of extinguishing fires and for culinary purposes, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.” A resolution was adopted at the same meeting that a committee be appointed, consisting of Mr. Morsell, Capt. Peter and Capt. Marbury, to take into consideration the number of free colored people, and to repert by bill or otherwise. In April. 1814, an ordinance was passed pun- ishing Sabbath breaking. An act was passed “to prevent accidents from galloping horses, and suffering them to go at large.” THE PROPOSED REMOVAT. OF THE SEAT OF GOV- ERNMENT IN 1814. July 26, 1814, a resolution was passed provid- ing for the appointment ofa committee of safety, and at a special meeting on the 28th, called by the mayor, on leave, Mr. McKenny introduced a bill on the subject of the removal of the seat of the general government, and a resolution direet- ing the issuing of change, boti of which were passed. THE ERECTION OF FORT WASHINGTON. November 25, same year, at a special meeting of the city councils, calied by the mayor, on r. MeKenny introduced a bill entitled which was read the third time, passed and signed by the mayor. CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO THE HERO OF NEW ORLEANS. A special meeting of the councils was held November 18, 1815, to prepare a congratulatory address to Major General Jackson, whose arrival in town was announced. The two boards went into joint meeting, John Ott, esq.. in the chair, when a committee, consisting of Gen. Smith; Major Peter and Messrs. John Ott. Thos. Cor- coran and J. J. Stall were appointed a commit. tee to draw up and report an address. The | committee the same evening reported the ad- dress as follows: “General:—In the name of the inhabitants of George Town the corporation, highly gratified by the occasion, hastens to welcome your ar- rival amongst them. In union with the senti- ments of their fellow-citizens throughout the union, the citizens of George Town receive with the most pleasing recollections the distin- guished services which during the late war you rendered to our common country, and highly appreciate the noble stand made against a vet. eran foe, bythe brave men under your com. mand. The defence of Orleans was a3 grateful to the feelings of the individuals composing this community as it was honorable to the mil- itary character of this people and glorious in its results to the nation. The corporation, in be- half of the citizens of this town, pray you to accept their cordial congratulations and good wishes for your future health and happiness, With great general respect and consideration we have the honor to be, general, your obedient servants.” Whereupon it was ordered that the committee who reported the address, together | with the mayor, sign and present the same in behalf of the corporation, to Major General An- drew Jackson. GEN. JACKSON'S ANSWER TO THE COMMITTEE, dated Georgetown, November 20, 1815, was as follows: ing welcome you :—The flatterl offer me, in the name of the inhabitants of wn, is recei’ of the states of the Union in the welcome given to Lafayette. She was so young that a gentle- | Man in the crowd placed her on his shoulders | to enable her to get a good look at the proceed- ings. Among others who im the recep- participated ti last Soon ewe me forty years who not only saw, shook Myet anether’eltizen who welcome to Lafayette was Tait, (one of John McLeod's pupils.) end es @ distin- ance for aiding in the erection of Fort | THE STORY OF YORKTOWN. MEMORIES THAT OLUSTER AROUND AN OLD VIR- GINIA TOWN—RELICS OF COLONIAL DAYS—VES- TIGES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY SIEGE—SOME- THING ABOUT THE GREAT BATTLE. In the trenches of Yorktown a nation was born. When the fate of the colonies—wearied and impoverished by a long-continued and almost hopeless against a powerful people,—trembled in the balance in that event- ful October, 1781,—had some inspired seer spread out a panorama of the new century, and pictured the great republic of 1881, with its fifty millions of people, its splendid cities marking each advance in the peacetul conquest of @ con- tinent, spreading from ocean ocean, with towns noisy with the bum golden harvest fi of workshops and of busy traffic; harbors filled with white-sailed fleets, bearing the rich pro- duets of the land to guartee of the globe— a nation mighty among le e earth, in ite influences for i peey possibilities for evil—the dreams of the most sanguine patriot would have been morethan surpassed. But the century has rolled by and left Yorktown to slumber and cramble—unnoticed, unvisited— known only as an abstraction in history. AN HISTORIC REGION. No region in America is more full of -historic and poetic interest than that which lies about the mouths of the York and the James. The adventures of the first daring explorers whose shallops breasted the tides of the James, the York and the Potomac, the savage royalty of Powhatan and the lovely princess Pocahontas, the early chronicles of the colonists for whom the earth teemed with plenty, would inspire an a as grand and tuneful as ever poet sang. ‘he events of succeeding years even, if its earlier poetic history were forgotten, would give to York- town a marked distinction in the annals of our country. In one century three wars have swept this region, fretted and stormed about this an- cient town and left it now a neglected, battle- | worn, straggling hamlet, whose wretchedness | Seems in strange contrast with the pomp and gayety and splendor of the old colonial seaport, recalled now only by a few mouldering ruins. In rambling about the place, where the last scenes of the struggle for independence were enacted, one cannot help thinking of some ancient walled town, only instead of solid masonry and chan- neled moats, nature's own ramparts and deep passes environ thehamlet. Its importance as a base of military operations were recognized in three wars. The spot that witnessed the final scenes in 1781 eighty years later witnessed the opening operations of the great civil war, and the eminences where Cornwallis built his re- doubts were crowned in 1861 with the earth- works of McClellan and Magruder. SCOTCH TOM NELSON. “Little York” or Yorktown was founded 175 years ago by Thomas Nelson—“Scotch Tom” ashe was known among the gentry for miles around. His house, built strong with narrow windows like some old feudal castle still stands, and the memories that cluster about it form a most interesting chapter in the traditionary lore of Virginia. George Mason, George Washing. ton, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de fayette have slept under the hospitable roof, and Cornwallis, an unbidden guest, made his headquarters there during the last days of the siege that ended so disastrously for the British arms. The name of Nelson is conspicuous in Virginia's history. The descendants of “Scotch Tom” became great both in war and council, and belonged to that company of noble men who have made Virginia’s name venerated. Scotch Tom’s tomb can still be seen in the en- closed common near the old church on the bluff at Yorktown, and is pointed out among the revered antiquities of the place. THE OLD CUSTOM-HOUSE, (said to be the first custom-house erected in America.) still stands es a sad reminder of de- parted greatness, fur in olden days Yorktown, was the chief seaport town of the Virginia colo- nists until it was reduced in importance by the competition of the growing towns of Baltimore and Norfolk. Here, at the custom-house, the stately burghers and young beaux of the town used to assemble and discuss the politics of the day, circulate the last news from the old coun- try—old enough when it reached them—and ex- change neighborly courtesies. Yorktown was one of eight boroughs in which Virginia was originally divided, and a typical old colonial borough. On the hanks of the river, three- quarters of a mile back from the line of the old British redoubts, is Governor Spottswood’s house, an old weatherboarded mansion. At the time of the siege this house was occupied by Aunt Moore, and in its sitting-room the articles of capitulation were drawn up. Old Governor Spottswood won his spurs at Blenheim, and came to Virginia as.a colonist. The tradition that he here erected a temple of worship has given the plantation the name of the Temple farm. The foundations of what is said to have been the temple still: remain and encircle an old grave, whose slab bears the name of Major Wil- liam Gooch, who died October 29, 1655. Across York river, beyond Gloucester point, a few miles away, is Rosewell, a grand old mansion, the fnmily seat, in good old colonial times, of the Pag The broad acres of the Page estate cover the very ground where POWHATAN HELD HIS COURT with savage pageantry, and the huge mounds of oyster shells testify tothe savage appetite and the savage love for the bivalves. Near at hand is Powhatan’s chimney erected by Capt. John Smith on the requisition of the forest king, which remains as an enduring monument to the wisdom and success of Capt. Smith’s Indian policy. The stately old Page mansion, which still stands, though it has suffered greatly at the hands of vandals, was built in 1725 by Mann Page, the grandson of Col. John Page, who came from England in 165 It was then the largest mansion in Virginia, and its size and elegance are seldom exceede enin this day. The fortifications of the late civil strife are still anding about Yorktown, but the revolutionary th-works have almost ‘entirely disappeared, except on Secretary's Hill, where Secretary Nelson's fine house stood, and where Cornwallis’ and his staff entrenched themselves until the house became a conspicuous mark for American and French cannoneers, when they sought safer quarters in Scotch Tom’s old mansion. Before the revolution, as has been stated, Yorktown was quite an emporium. With the revolution began the era of decay, and when Virginia be- caine a state Yorktown had but 800 inhabitants, a large majority then, as now, being nezroes. | Now it is but a forlorn and stra with barely has been ur sling village, inhabitants. The march of time elt and upknown, except in the ‘ing age. Primitive customs still ‘The grist is brought to the miller in vy carts, drawn by bullocks. The tourist seldom sets foot in that region, and eyen the people of the nei ring towns have hardly DOOR 2 f the existence of Yorktown. Now the town, which seems to have slept for a cen- tury, las been awakened. THE CLOSE OF A CENTCRY of unprecedented growth and prosperity, has brought the peopie to this oid place, as to a shrine, where they will offer thanksgiving and erect a monument to the heroes who won the fruitful victory. The quiet of azes that has hung about the old town, has been rudely dis- turbed by a noisy railroad, and steamboats are moored where the wharves of the Colonial mer- chants long ago rotted away. The boom of the revolutionary guns is echoed after a hundred years of sleep and decay to old Yo?ktown, in which the very spot where the British lay down their arms has been fergotten—by patriotic salvos—and the shouts of battle, the hoarse alarms of war, find responses in the chorus of a thousand soices and the inspiring strains of martial music. THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. Military reviewers have long azo analyzed the Yorktown campaign and given to George Wash- ington the praise due not onlyto abrave-hearted patriot, but to a military genius, equal to every emergency, and having at ready command ail the resources of stratézy. His fame as a chief- tain could rest on his achieyementsat Yorktown alone. That his little army would haye been annihilated by sheer, force without the aid of the gallant French soldiers is beyond a doubt, and Americans will néver fall to award to their French allies their share of the glory of the last battles of the Revolution. But the French com- Manders, veterans ined on scores of bloody fields in Europe, readily accorded all authority ington, in whom they recognized a mas- ter mind, and were proud to serve as his lieuten- ants. No more gallant troo; the Yorktown, _Wash- including the French al eas of burned. A witness of the conflagration says that the ship was wreathed in fire from the water-line to the main truck. The lurid light illuminated the whole harbor, and brought out in bold relief the imposing array made by the French fieet, commanded by Admiral De Grase, who blockaded the mouth of the river and watched with eager vigilance for the coming of the expected British fleet, bringing reinforee- ments to Cornwallis. AN EPISODE OF THE SIEGE. Perhaps the most gallant and daring action of the whole siege was the capture of two British redoubts near the river, torming the outmost sts of the strong chain of fortifications wn up by the British. The the allied armies were chosen for baardous enterprise. The American light —than whom Lafayette said there were no better soldiers in world—were assigned to the task of capturing the redoubt on the high bank of the river, while the other, ofa mile away, was left to the French chasseurs and Beuxponts. " Deuxpont commanded the Preset uxpon' comm: the Frencl column of 400 men, and Col. Alex. Hamilton was at the head of the American column —— in numbers. It was a night assault. redoubts were gallantly stormed and bravely defended. The ich column halted a few minutes to beat dowa an abatis, during which they were exposed to a most destructive fire, but with splendid courage and discipline they kept on, never wavering, and dashing over the works shouting “Vive le Roi” were quickly in possession of the redoubts. The Americans did no less bravely. Hamilton and his gallant followers plunged through the abatis and won the goal before the French had yet charged into the redoubt which they had under- taken to ca When Hamilton inside the redoubt sent to inform the French leader of his success, and to inquire if he was in his, the latter, it is related, replied: ‘No, but I will be in five minutes,” and kept his word. For that day’s gallant charge Deuxpont was made a chevalier of France, and Hamilton was knighted in the hearts of his countrymen. THE SURRENDER. At 10 o'clock on the morning of the 17tha red-coated drummer appeared upon the British parapets and beat a parley, which at once caused ‘ cessation of hostilities. On the 18th the com- missioners representing the two armies met at the Spottswood or Moore house, which was in the rear of the American lines. On the 19th the articles of capitulation were signed by Corn- wallis “in the trenches,” and at 2 o'clock on that day the British soldiers marched out of own = oo of ee beat ant yun arms, soldierly step to the march “The World Turned Upside Down,” the articles of surrender prescribing that their drums should not beat an American orFrench march. The scene at the surrender is, it 1s claimed, very accurately portrayed in Trumbull’s painting in the rotunda of the Capitol. In writing the story of York- town eles Grae be made of me operations on ucester Point, especially as another gallant young Frenchman distin- guished himself here for his zeal and daring courage. Gen. Weedon, with 3,000 raw militia- men, unused to steel and gunpowder, were here posted to hold in check the British troopers under the impetuous Tarleton. De Lauzun’s cavalry was sent across from Yorktown to rein- foree Weedon, to whom De Grasse also sent 800 French marines under the orders of M. De Choisy. De Choisy taking command of the force determined upon a reconnoisance to secure a r position. Here occurred an interesting episode of battle, which is entirely French in Or. DE LAUZUN AND TARLETON. De Lauzun and his lancers led the advance. They are told by the Virginia dragoons, who have a wholesome dread of Tarleton’s troopers, that the English are near at hand and are coun- selled against approaching too near to them. Suddenly as they near a fine mansion they eapy a handsome lady, and the dashing De Lauzun is not slow to accost her with the gallantry of phrase in which his countrymenexcel. Thelady has just been honored by a visit from Tarleton, and seems by the manner of her repartee to regard him with interest. “How long since he has gone?” She will not say but remarks instead that he would be only too happy to shake the hand of the French duke. ‘The conversation is hardly over before shots are heard. The American scouts come fying back with the cry that they have seen Tarleton. De Lauzon is up and away, encounters the British leader, charges him without drawing rein, and unhorses him. He attempts to carry him off, but the British dragoons rush between them and rescue theirleader. They have lost an officer and about fifty men; the French but three hus— sars. Tarleton has shaken the hand of the French duke andisgravely wounded. The sub- sequent exploits of the American and French arms before Gloucester were in keeping with the greater operations across the river. PUBLIC REJOICING. The news of the surrender of Cornwallis was communicated to Congress in session in Phil- adelphia, on the 25th of October, Lieut. Col. Tilghman, who bore the dispatches having ar- Tived at midnight of the 24th. The following day Congress voted to erect a monument on the field at Yorktown. At night the city was illuminated. When news reached France, Paris was illuminated and Ze Deums were sung. ae THE MUTILATION OF COIN. WHOLESALE SWINDL OPERATIONS—HOw SIL- VER IS PUNCHED AND GOLD SWEATED. The mutilation of silver coins has become a matter of serious importance to the public. There has been more or less mutilation ever since there were coins, but, until about three years ago, the holes were only punched in silver and gold for harmless purposes, with no idea of gain. There was never any difficulty in passing these anutilated coins. It wasnoticed about three years ago that the market was being filled with punched coin. It was ascertained upon investi- gation that there was a wholesale system of punching going on for the abstraction of bullion. WHERE THE COIN IS PUNCHED. The operators in clipped coin have principally worked in Philadelphia, New York and St. Louis. At other points coin mutilation has gone on, but not to the extent or with the system that has characterized the operations in St. Louis, New York and Philadelphia. In New York the muti- lation has been carried on by a band of Cubans. They have reduced the work toa science. In mutilating the coin they take from each piece about one twenty-fifth of the bullion contained. They place about a hundred coins of the same size ina shell or tube,.one atop of the other. This shell isthen placed standing under a drill worked by machinery. The drill goes straight through the stack of coin and punches out a piece from each. ‘These pieces fall into a recep- tacle placed below to receive them. As most of the people engaged in this punching operation are traders in a small way they have until recently passed the ‘punched coins at par value without any trouble. Ir 38 A PECULIARITY of the operation that the coins mutilated are punched in a different way in eachcity. In New York, for instance, there is a round hold near the rim. In Philadelphia the punch is and about half way ween the rim and the center of the coin. core In St. Louis the tat ike a] to cut out the lion is shaped somew! ce star. If it were not known otherwise that there has been an organized system of swindling by cutting into coins, the fact of this peculiarity in the holes punched would prove that it had ex- isted. The profit made by the coin mutilators is, however, falling off rapidly. Thecountry has become so flooded with the punched coins that they no longer pass at their face value. In many cities they are not taken at all in large business. In short there is no longer any money to be made by cutting coin. A NEW SWINDLE. Swindlers who were in the businesshave, how- ever, set out in a new scheme. They will now buy the mutilated coin at rates much below the yalue of the bullion that is contained in them. They have issued circulars stating that ‘United States government has fixed the follow- ine values ‘on silver: with holes in them: This is a common practice along Chatham street, in New York. By “sweating” a hundred eagies for four hours it is estimated that the gold dust obtained by the abrasion of the coin is worth about four dollars. There is not much done in the way of cutting gold coin. The in- trinsic (or real) value of tire gold coins of the United States is the same as the nominal value, or the value at which they are issued. A “double eagie,” contains eactly $20 worth of gold, an “eagle,” exactly #10 worth, anda one lar gold piece exactly one dollar's worth. ‘The intrinsic value ofthe silver coins varies from day to day with the fluctuations in the market Price of silver bullién. WHAT MUTILATED COIXS ARR WORTH. tilated coins are worth. They areonly worth their bullion value, and that, even when these coins are intact, is something less than the face value. The United States Twenty-cent pieces . ee seocss., 0.083 The silver coins of jess face value than the dollar are issued for only, and change are intentionally overvalued to prevent their being exported. The alloy of the gold and sil- Yer coins, which is copper, is of such slight value that it is not reckoned in estimating the value of the coins, and is put in principally to make the coins durable. As is stated above, the average run of the cut from the coins is about 1-25 of the whole weight of the coin. Therefore, the most accurate way to get at the yalue without weighing the coin is to deduct 1-25 from the exact value of the silver coins given in the table above. +92 ARCHERY, ANCIENT AND MODERN. HOW TO TANDLE THE BOW—ITS USE FOR HEALTH—ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CLUBS— THE POTOMAC CLUB OF WASHINGTON. In days of old, to handle the bow skilfully was considered an accomplishment worthy of a prince. The Greeks and Romans attained great perfection in its use, employing archers to lead an 0] ing army into action. The ancient Egyptians, whom we used so erroneously to consider as grand and gloomy as the specimens of their still left us. rivalied in their feats the archers of the middle ages. The Persian bowmen were aiso noted, and who, that has read Eber’s novel, “The Princess,” will ever forget the bow of the princely Bartja, which even the mighty Cambysses himself could not bend? The Anglo-Saxons and Danes in y ing the use of the bow, till the invention of fire- arms, towards which the cross-bow was the iniatory step. William the Conqueror was an admirable archer and so a man, that few could bend or draw the bow he used. His victory at Hastings was undoubtedly due to the expertness of his bowinen. Will we soon for- get the enthusiasm of our youth, as we read of the exploits of good King ard in the holy land? Where, according to Gibbon, he sus- tained the charge of the whole Turkish and Sar- aceninic army, with 300 archers and 17 knights, and need I say they were headed by the lion- hearted king himself? In his reign lived THE FAMOUS ROBIN HOOD, roanfing the pleasant gladesof Sherwood forest, shooting down the deer by the friendly light of the moon, and quietly and courteously relieving passers through this noted wood of any surplus funds they might be imprudent enough to carry with them. How we delight to read accounts of the skill of this gentlemanly robber, as clad in simple Lincoln-green he stands calmly ele- vating his bow, full of confidence in his ability to excell all that may compete with him. In 1363 Edward III. commanded the people to practice archery on Sundays and other holi- days, instead of engaging in the raral sports customary at such times. Following in the footsteps of Edward, succeeding monarchs fos- tered the practice by various devices, and in noted battles was the fact proved, that the English bowsmen had become adepts in their art. As time passed, firearms gradually and almost imperceptibly superseded THE BOW AS A MILITARY WEAPON, and archery became an amusement, highly fash- ionable, indeed, but still an amusement. In 1682 a grand féte was given by the London Artil- lery Company at the artillery grounds. It is said there were over one thousand archers pres- ent. Then occurred the grandest gala of the kind ever seen in England, but from that. time archery went gradually out of vogue, and was little esteemed till the beginning of the present century, when the following reason for its re- vival was published in 1801: THE USE OF THE BOW FOR HEALTH. “About the year 1776 Mr. Waring, who then lived with Sir Ashton Lever at Leicester House, and who may be justly styled the father of mod- ern archery, having, by continued business, contracted an oppression upon his chest (arising principally from sitting too closely at his desk and pressing his breast against it, and which the most eminent in the faculty had attempted in vain to remove), resolved to try the effects of the bow in affording relief. He accordingly made it a regular exercise. and ina short time derived great benefit from the use of it, and ascribed his eure, which was fect, to the practice of archery. Sir Ashton Lever, perceiv- ing the good eifects which so engaging an amusement had upon the constitution. followed Mr. Waring’s example, and took up the bow; he was soon joined by several of his friends, who in the year 1781 formed themselves into a society, under the title of “The Toxopholites, and met regularly at Leicester House, having butts erected in the gardens belonging to it.” The society so formed was the parent of many others, among which the ROYAL TOXOPHOLITE SOCIETY OF LONDON ranks first, and is patronized by the Prince of Horace A. Ford holds the position of world’s champion—there may have been greater feats of skill in legendary days, but there never has been recorded a score equal to his highest—in which he made 1,251 with 245 hits, at Chelten- ham in 1857. Within a comparatively recent period many American societies have sprang into existence, doing excellent work and show- ing excellent scores. Every American archer speaks with pride of Maurice Thompson, who, if not a Ford. yet promises well for the future, and we can afford to wait. We see with pleasure that the tide of popular opinion is again ee towards us on its crest, the love for this favorite practice of by-gone days, and we begin to recognize the claims of archery as a scientific sport; beneficial, physically and’ men- ta eae te induce habits of accuracy and deliberation, a love for fresh air, sunlight and exercise. ‘There is,” remarks Mr. H. A. Ford, returns more true and the man who practices it.” midst of the hi and bustle of life, we find it ‘ible and profitable to throw aside for an afternoon the for arrows sometimes miss THE POTOMAC CLUB, of this city, is, perhaps, the only regularly or- ganized atsociation of the kindin the District. This club, organized in the spring, adopted a ‘a | constitution, &e., and began fieldwork at once. Fives oo 4 The government has fixed no such rates. It has to redeem mutilated coin at its bullion vated and other business companies haye refused receive the punched coin. One of the officers since which time many of its members have iced diligently, and the scores of its Wales and other members of the nobility. Mr. | bronze medal to Geagge Chrisian’s 3 bes short-horn bull, between one and two years old, bronze medal to'E. B. Emory's Kirstenington Lad: Dest short-uorn ull calf, bronze medal to George Chrisman’s Rose Lexington; best short-horn cow, three years old and over, premium §50 to Geonée Chrisan’s Julia McHenry; best short-horn cow or hbelier, betwoen one and t ears, mun $13 to George Chrisman'’s Matue the Fourth; best short-horn heifer calf, bronze medal "to George Chrisman’s Salle the First; Peet her of Bev 0 Ww. Fe Mook; Hest of Jerseys, $100, to ‘T. L. Hume; also tirst_premtums for best bulls and. Dest cow, ‘three years old and over; best Devon bull best heifer calf, premiums to John KR. best Devon helfer, between one and two G, Campbell; Channel Island, derney herds, bronze medais ‘to cattle, bronz? medal to B.S. Hil: working oxen, premium to G best grade cattie, bronze medals for best display of Martin; best Berkshire shoats,' premiums to T. L. Hume, who also won ‘the medals In the Essex class, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. Best mowing machine, silver medal to the ter A. Woods inachine, entered by N. M. Saunders, of Montgomery county, Md; Feaping ma- chine, sliver medat to the machine, en- tered by Heiskell & Co., of Washington; best com- Dined mower and reaper, stlver medal to same par- Ues; best self-binding: Teaper, silver medal to same irties; best steam-power ond 5 Uiresher and separator, Bronzeinedatioc, R ‘Mace, of Mont Co., Md. best sulky horse rake, brohze medal to & Co.; best fanning mili, bronze medal to Sons & Co., of Baltimore; Dest. cor crusher, bronze medal to same parties: and straw-cutter, hand John Laughitn, of York, pronze Inedal engine for agricultural’ purposes, C."R. Mace, of Mont ‘iiree-norse tron-beain plow, Bronze kell & Co.; best wood-4 to the Penn Harrow Mam | In ee rohan we any, mahure spreader, bronze foewlal. to Manufacturing company; best washing mi bronze medal to the Atkinson washer; the Ver= mont Farm company were awarded bronze the best churns John Tey Mitchell « bromet taehet el + LJ e for the best display of horseshoes. LADIES DEPARTIENT. presery: ; best 5 juinces, dal {to Mra. Han! bee q 2 apple Jelly, medal to Mrs. W. L. Nicholson: bess gray a t same; best butter, Tiedai fo Mis M-A. Wetzel: best canned quinoes, first premtum to Mrs. B.A. Yerkes: mushroom darn net Andere Potts 3 best catsup, medal to Mrs. L. Price; best pillow Shams, first premium to Mrs. A. B. Bon; est princess ‘tape lace, first premium to Mixa Haddie 3 best. cimen of Macrame ompsON ; lace, first premium to Miss Minnie Kelly; bes® child’s lace cape, first premium to Mrs ME Moore; best lace needle-work, first premium to Miss Florence Ridenour; ki needie-work, first premium to Miss Minnie Kelly; best Guipure lace, medal to Mrs. M. L. Tho is best point lace, first premium to the Sisters of the v Washington, Also to same, medals for Dest child's sacque, embroidered in’ crewel; for best embroidered group-flowers, and for best em broidery in gold iver; best pillow-shams em broidery medal to Catherine Beall best embroidered: child's dress, first premium to Miss Mary Thecker; best Roman embroidery, medal wo Mrs M. B Clagett; best. embroidered hose, first premium to Miss Marian Hough; best paper Howers, medal t@ Miss Alice Zimmerman; best carriage steham eleven competitors,) first premium to the wife a be nde remium to Mi: 5 Jeut. E. C. Richmond, U. erman; also medal to same for best leather work; best f Mrs. Robert White; best specimen plain sewe ing, first premium to Mrs Hannah A. Yerkes; best white quilt, medal to Miss Kete E. Price; worsted quit, medal to Mrs D. Burdett: atchwork quilt, first tum to Mrs Mary Ulta; bast fancy-work quilt, (eh tors.) first premium to Mrs. A. J.C beatest made callco dress; fir: Jennie Mattingly; best and underclotes, medal to Mrs. H. 4 home-made Wheat bread, first premium Mr. Amanda Matthews; best home-made biscuit first premium to Mrs. 8. F. Anderson; best 1; best roll premium to M cs made pound cake, medal to Mrs. R. 1. T butter, silver medal to D, C. Turner; best butter, medai to Mrs. E. J. Northup. POULTRY, PIGEONS, ETC.. Best and largest display of poultry fir to Charles E. Boilleau, of Middleto id; Steinmetz recetved first premiums for best pouter geons, best tumblers, best fantalls, best Lurbits, st swallows and best magp! E. E. Schreiner Teceived first premiums for best Jacobine pigeons, for best nuns, for best moorheads, for best priests and for best shells; for best Pekin ducks, miedal to Dr. W. Lee White; best Guinea pigs, medal to Master John J. Connell. FRUITS, FLOWERS, ETC. To John Saul, for vest and Lanrest collection of pears, first premiuni; also first premium for best | Owelve Verieties of pears; to William Smith, for best quinces, first premium; also first premium for best and lanzest collection of peaches; to W. B. rem a, ut for best dish of peal any . MeDowell, of New York, first pre- collection of native grapes; also bronze medal for best seedling grapes: to William Whalen, of Virginia, first preia.nm. for best collec tion of ‘sweet potatoes; Dr. Willian Lee Whita, first_ premium for best long blood beats; to Mrs M. Fulton, first premium for best carrots; John Martin, ‘first premiums for best onions and "for best lim to Robert Holliday, of Baltic for best six varieties of plants best six Varieties of palms, for best sluzle spec ades, for best sing!e spectinen palm, distinct 'varteties crotons; to John Saul, Washing- ton, first premiums for best collection of ferns ots, for best single speckinen fern, for best twelve jot-house and green-house or best singie rimen ditto, for best twelve ornamental foliage aed for best (en disUnct varieties marantas, for st single specimen maranta, for best wwenty-five hot-house or green-house plavts, for best collection bi ly evergreens, not less then thirty kinds; to same, second’ premiums for Lest varictles cro tons, for'best_singie specimen hot-house or 5 Small, of Washington, remiums [or best exe hibit or cycades, for Best collection of foliage be- honias; also, second premiums for second specimen ferh in pots, for second best dlsplay hot- house and grven-house plants, for second best dis. play of palins; to Geo. Glorius, of Washington, first remiums for best collection ‘of scarlet gerablum: bloom, over twenty kinds; for best exhibition of coleus, over twelve varleties; also, to seme,second i We Vi PS; also, remftins for display of crotins, for display of hot yuse and green. plants,for display of foltage ants, for collection of ferns in mall, first premiums for best flowers, for best table ornament flowers, for best bride's boquet: jum for basket-stand; to John best fresh water aquarium, stocked; t Schmidt & Sons, first premtums for best pair of hanging bas- Kets "nlled ‘with plants (amal oniy), for best lay of florists’ requisites; to George premfuim for best rustle hanging me with’ plants (professional florists on! dest Wire na filled with 3 | nis tr eroaretetsk