M. L. Weems, Lodge No. 50, Dumfries."

It was prefaced with the following letter to Wash- ington, and a facsimile copy of his reply, which were as follows :
" To his Excellency George Washington, Esquire, Lieulen- ant-General of the Armies of the United Slates : " Most iioxoREn Generai> — Scarcely was I delivered of this young republican philanthropist before I began, according
192 WASHINGTON.
to good Christian usage, to look about for a suitable god- father for it. My thoughts, presumptuously enough, I con- fess, instantly fixed upon you, for two reasons : First, I was desirous of paying to you (the first benefactor of my country) this little mite of grateful and afiectionate re- spect ; and secondly, because I_well know there exists not, on this side of heayeir, the fnan who will more cordially than General Washington approve of whatever tends to advance the harmony and happiness of Columbia.
" God, Ijyray him, grant! that you may long live to see us all catching from your fair example^tliat-re^^erence for the Eternal Being, that veneration for the laws, that infinite concern for the national Union, th.at_unextinguishable love for our country, and that insuperable contempt of pleasures, of dangers, and of death itself, in its service and defence, which have raised you to immortality, and which alone can exalt us to be a great and happy Republic.
" On the square of Justice, and on the scale of Love, I remain, honored general, your very sincere friend, and Ma- sonic brother,
"M. L. Weems."
Washington replied :
"Mount Vernon, 29th Angust, 1799.
" Rev'd Sir — I have been duly favored wnth your letter of the 20th instant, accompanying 'The Philanthropist.'
" For your politeness in sending the letter, I pray yc)u to receive my best thanks. Much indeed it is to be w'ished tliat the sentiments contained in the Pamphlet, and the doctrines it endeavors to inculcate, were more prevalent. Happy would it be for this country at least, if they were so. But while the passions of mankind are under so little re- straint as they are among us, and while there are so many
WASHINGTON. 193
motives and views to bring- them into action, we may wish for, but never see the accomplishment of it. " With respect, i
" I am your most obed't humble servant,
" G°. Washington. "The Rev'd M. L. Weems."
9
CHAPTEE X.
Washingtok's last autumn. — His sickness. — Death. — "Who present at tbe time. — Preparations for the funeral. — Ceremonies arranged by a com- mittee of Lodge No. 22. — Emergent meeting of this lodge. — Meeting of Lodge No. 47. — Other lodges in the district requested to attend the funeral. — Military of Alexandria invited to join as an escort. — Citizens as- sembled at the funeral. — Inscription on the cofBn. — Masonic ceremonies at the house. — Vessel on the river furls its sails. — Formation of the proces- sion.— Clergy present on the occasion. — Who of them were Masons. — Moving of the procession. — Arrival at the tomb. — Eeligious services. — Masonic ceremonies. — A salute fired. — Entombment concluded. — Lodge No. 22 meets on the folloveing day. — Colonel Deneale elected its Master. — Its former Masters. — Dr. Dick's address. — Lodges go to the Presby- terian church to hear sermon by Kev. Mr. Mafpit. — Lodges attend on tvFO succeeding Sabbaths to hear sermons from various clergymen. — Celebration at Alexandria on the following 22d of February. — Masonic lodges attend in mourning. — Other attendance. — Ceremonies. — Extracts from Dr. Dick's address on the occasion. — Prayers delivered on the oc- casion by Rev. Brothers Dr. Mum, TaoirAs Davis, and William Matfit.
ASHINGTON'S last summer and autumn were spent in arranging the minutest de- tails of his domestic affairs and private business. Whether he had a premoni- tion that it was his last year, no one can determine ; but like a wise man, he set his house in Guder. December came, and wdth its chilling breath and wintry mantle came also the messenger of death for Washington !
His sickness was sudden, short, and painful. It
WASHINGTON". 195
commenced on tlie evening of Thursday, the 12tli of December, as a common cold, witli soreness of the throat, Uj)on the succeeding day the inflammation there had increased, and in the night became ah^rm- ing. He was urged to send to Alesandi-ia for Dr. Craik, his family physician, but the night was stormy, and his humanity for his servant induced him to defer it until Saturday morning, using, in the mean time, all the usual domestic remedies in such cases. But these were of no avail, and his physicians came too late. It was eleven o'clock on the forenoon of Saturday before Dr. Craik arrived, and the disease had made so alarm- ing a progress, that two eminent consulting physicians, Dr. Dick, of Alexandria, and Dr. Bro^yn, of Port Tobacco, were also sent for. But none of them could afford rehef. The chilhng hand of death was akeady upon him. Fully aware that his last mortal hour had come, he met it with a composure of mind that as- tonished those about him, saying to his physician, who assured him that he had not long to live : " It is well, doctor : I am not afraid to die." Then calmly crossing liis arms upon his breast, he closed his eyes, and, ^vith a few shortening breaths, expired without a struggle, between ten and eleven in the evening.
Mrs. Washington was sitting at the time at the foot of the bed, and as liis spirit ebbed away, she buried her face in the enfolded curtains and silently prayed that it might peacefully pass. The stillness of the death-chamber was first broken by her words, as she raised her head and asked in a firm and collected, but mournful voice: "Is ho gone?" Mr. Leah, who was standing by the bedside, by a motion of his hand,
196 WASHINGTON,
silently signified that lie was no more. " 'Tis well," said she in the same voice ; " all is now over ; I shall soon follow him ; I have no more trials to pass through."
Few were present as witnesses of the scene. It was only the domestic circle of his own household, with, perhaps, a few family friends, and his attending physi- cians who were there. Of these. Dr. Ckaik, his life-long friend and family physician, and Dr. Dick, were Ma- sons ; the latter being at the time the Master of Wash- ington's own lodge at Alexandria. What Masonic requests may have been made to them during his last hours we luiow not. But it is well known to every Mason, that the mystic rites of a Masonic burial are not performgd7 except at a t>rother's request while living, or by desire of his family after his death. It was beheved at the time, by intelhgent brethren, that Washington had signified that to be his wish ; and the holy rites of the Chi'istian Church of which he was a member, and the mystic rites of Masonry, were each performed in their beautiful simpUcity at the tomb of this distinguished brother.
At midnight — the low ticelve of 3Iasonry — the body was taken from the chamber of death to a large draw- ing-room below, clothed in burial robes. The death dew had been wiped from its brow, and the pale taper at its head threw a flickering hght on the marble features where death had set his signet. From mid- night until morning there was stillness there. Words were spoken only in whispers, as if accents fi'om hu- man Hps would fall discordant on the sleeper's ear. America, too, in that dread interval fi'om midnight to
WASHINGTON. 197
Sabbath morn, lay in slumber, unconscioiis of her loss. Morning came, and the hurrying footsteps of family friends, who hastened to Mount Vernon, were heard mingling with those that left to carry the tidings of a Nation's loss ! My pen cannot describe what followed. A pencil painted it :
tDasljingtou in ©lorg; — America in ^rnrsl
During the day a plain mahogany coifin was ordered from Alexandria, and mourning for the family, over- seers, and domestics at Mount Vernon. The funeral was appointed for Wednesday, the 18th, at meridian;^ and the Eev, Mr, Davis, the EpiscojDal clergyman at Alexandria, was invited to perform the burial rites of that Church on the occasion. The selection was an appropriate one ; for Mr. Davis was not only the rector of Washington's church, but he was also a member of the same Masonic lodge.
The funeral procession and burial ceremonies were arranged by a committee of Lodge No. 22, at Alexan- dria, consisting of Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, its Master ; Colonel George Deneale, its Senior Warden; and Colonels Chaiiles Little and Charles Sijims, who were members. On Monday, the 16th, an emergent meeting of this lodge was called, at wliich Dr. Dick, its Master, presided. Forty-one of its members were present, and two visiting brethren, one from Fredericksbiirg, where Washington was made a Mason, and the other from Philadelphia.
Dr. Dick addressed the brethren in a feeling manner, on the event which liad called them together. It was
198 WASHINGTON.
tlieir first recorded meeting on an occasion like this. Tliey sat in sorrow there. The death-angel's alarm at their tiled door had found none to withstand his approach, or ask from whence he came, or what he came thither to do. "With step unseen, and saluta- tion strange to all, he had approached their midst, re- moved from before their altar a mystic tajaer, and taken it to the Grand Lodge above. To arrange for commemorating, in the burial of their departed Wash- ington, the extinguishing of that light in their lodge, and their confident hope of finding it shining with brighter rays before the Grand Orient of the Holy One on High, they were now met.
There was also another Masonic lodge at that time in Alexandria, called Brooke Lodge No. 47, which was convened at the same hour. A committee from No. 22, consisting of Brothers Joseph Neale and Thomas Peteekin was appointed to confer with No. 47 ; and the joint committee of both lodges agreed upon the ceremonies as arranged by the former committee of Lodge No. 22. There were also two other lodges at that time in the Federal District, held under warrants from the grand Lodge of Maryland. These were Potomac Lodge No. 9, at Georgetoi^Ti, and Federal Lodge No. 15, at Washington. A messenger was ap- pointed by No. 22 to wait on these lodges on Tuesday, " and invite them to join the funeral procession at Mount Vernon on Wednesday at twelve o'clock, if fair, or on Thursday at the same hour." The deacons of the lodge were directed to have the Orders cleaned and prepared, and to furnish spermaceti candles for them. The secretary was also directed to have the case in
WASHINGTON. -y^. 199
which the charter was kept repaired and gilded for the occasion. It was also arranged 'that the military companies of Alexandria should join in the procession as an escort and guard of honor. They were at that time under command of Colonel Deneale, the Senior "Warden of Washington's lodge. These arrangements having been signified to the family, Mr. Leak, Wash- ington's late private secretary, ordered, as was the custom at that day, provisions and other refi'eshments to be provided at Mount Vernon for the funeral as- sembly.
Upon the next day, Wednesday, December 18th, the citizens about Mount Vernon commenced assembling .there at eleven o'clock, and the enco^ffined body of the illustrious dead was placed in the piazza of the grand old mansion, where, while living, he had been accus- tomed to walk and muse, or converse with visitors. On an ornament at the head of the cofiin was inscribed, Surge ad Judigitum, and beneath it Gloria Deo ; and upon a silver plate on the middle of the lid was inscribed,
GENERAL
GEOKGE WASHINGTON
DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 14tU DECEMBER, 1799, ^T. 68.
The sun had passed its meridian height before the Fraternity and military escort arrived from Alexandria. The Masonic apron and two crossed swords were then placed upon the coffin, a few mystic words were s])okcn, and the brethren one by one tiled by the noble form,
200 WASHINGTON.
majestic even in death, and took a last sad look on one they had loved so well. Alas, the Hght of his eye and the breathing of his lips in language of fraternal greet- ing were lost to them forever on this side of the grave !
Adown the shaded avenues that led from the man- sion to the Potomac might then be seen a vessel at anchor, with its white sails fm-led, awaiting the pro- cession's forming. The cavalry took its position in the van, and next came the infantry and guard, all with arms reversed. Behind them followed a small band of music with muffled drums ; and next the clergy, two and two. They were four in number — viz., the Eev. Dr. MuiR and the Kev. Messrs. Davis, Maftit, and Addison — the first three of whom were Masons and members of Lodge No. 22, at Alexandria. Then fol- lowed Washington's war-horse, led by two grooms dressed in black. It was riderless that day, but car- ried saddle, holsters, and pistols. Next was 23laced the body on its bier, covered with a dark pall. Six Ma- sonic brethren attended it as pall-bearers. They were Colonels Gilpin, Marsteller, and Little on the right, and Colonels Simms, Kamsey, and Payne on the left, aU members of Washington's own lodge. Each of them wore on his left arm an ample badge of black crape, which may still be seen, together with the bier on which the body was borne, in the Museum at Alex- andria. The relatives of the deceased and a few intimate family fi'iends then followed as principal mourners. Then came the officers and members of his lodge and other Masonic brethren, all too as mourners.
The officers of the corporation of Alexandria then
WASHINGTON. 201
took their places behind the Masonic Fraternity ; citi- zens followed, preceded by the overseers of the Mount Vernon estate, and its domestics closed the proces- sion.
It was between three and four o'clock before the procession moved. The booming cannon from the vessel on the river was the signal, and then with slow and measured steps that melted their souls in all the tenderness of woe, their way was taken to the family vault at the bottom of the lawn near the bank of the Potomac. The mihtary escort there halted and formed their lines. The body, the clergy, the mourning rel- atives, and the Masonic brethren then j)assed between them, and approached the door of the tomb. There the encoffined Washington rested on his bier before them. Dr. Dick, the Master of the lodge, and the Rev. Thoalvs Davis, rector of Christ Church, stood at its head, the mourning relatives at its foot, and the Fra- ternity in a circle around the tomb.
The Rev. Mr. DA^^s broke the silence by repeating from sacred writings, " I am the resurrection and the life ; he that beheveth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Then with bowed and reverent heads all listened to the voice of prayer ; and as the holy words went on, as used in the beautiful and ex- l)ressive burial-service of the Episcopal Church, their soothing spirit was echoed in the responses of the multitude around. Mr. Da\7S closed his burial-service with a short address. There was a pause ; — and then the Master of the lodge performed the mystic funeral rites of Masonry, as the last service at the burial of Washington. The apron and tlie swords were removed
202
WASHINGTON.
from tlie coffin, for tlieir place was no longer there. It was ready for entombment. The brethren one by one cast upon it an evergreen s^rig ; and theu" hearts spoke the Mason's farewell as they bestowed their last mystic gift. There was a breathless silence there
MASONIC FUNEEAL CEREMONIES.
during this scene. So still was all around in tlie gathered multitude of citizens, that they might almost have heard the echoes of the acacia as it fell with trem-
WASHINGTON. • 203
bling lightness iipou the coffin-lid. The pall-bearers placed their precious biu'den in the tomb's cold em- brace, earth was cast on the threshold, and the words were spoken : " Eai'th to earth — ashes to ashes — dust to dust!" and the entombment of Washington was fin- ished. The mystic public burial honors of Masonry were given by each brother with lifted hands, saying in his heart, "Alas! my Brother! ive have knelt with thee in prayer, we have pressed thee to our bosoms, ive tvill meet thee in heaven!" The mystic chain was reunited in the circle there, the cannon on the vessel and on the banks above them fired their burial salute, and Mount Vernon's tomlj was left in possession of its noblest sleeper. The sun was then setting, and the pall of night mantled the pathway of the Masonic brethren as they sad^j returned to theii* homes. ^
Lodge No. 22, at Alexandria, had then left on its roU of membership sixty-nine Masons, sixty of whom were Master Masons^ and nine Entered Apprentices. It met on the following day in regular communication, and elected Colonel Geokge Deneale its Master. It had been presided over while under its Pennsylvania War- rant by three Masters — viz. : Kobert Adam, Robert McCrea, and Dr. Dick. Under its Virginia Warrant it had also had the same number — George Wash- ington, James Gillis, and Dr. Dick.
" Three there were, but one wa« not, — He lay where Cassia mark'd the spot "
It had been the custom of this lodge from its first organization to meet on the festivals of St. John the Evangelist in December and listen to charity sermons,
204 * WASHINGTON".
collect contributions for the indigent, and partake of social refresliments. St. John's day in December, 1799, was duly observed, but all hilarity was dispensed with. It was made a mourning day for the loss of "Washington. Dr. Dick installed Colonel Deneale as his successor in the chair; but before doing that duty, he addressed the lodge as its retiring Master. Having made the customary demands for charity, he closed by saying in a feeling manner :
" Whilst every recurrence of tliis festival demands that we distribute a portion of the comforts we possess among those of our more immediate neighbors who are unhappily desti- tute, it has also, hi^erto, invited us to social and convivial enjoyment. After having fulfilled the primary duties of the day, it has been heretofore our custom to indulge in festive gayety ; and, indeed, nothing can either so fully sanction such an indulgence, or capacitate the mind for a real and rational enjoyment of it, as the due observance of this pre- liminary injunction.
"But on the present occasion, my brethren, a cloud of sorrow surrounds our pi'ospects. A recent and heavy ca- lamity has obstructed every avenue to mirth. Our great and good Grand Master is no more ! He who hath so often united in our annual celebrations is gone, to return not again. He whose presence was wont to inspire surround- ing multitudes with reverence and admiration — he who was but lately the boast of his own country and the wonder of the Avorld, now lies cold and prostrate in his tomb I Thus, my brethren, is lost from the treasury of the Universal Lodge its brightest jewel 1
" Feeble is the language of eulogium when applied to a character of such luicommon worth. Statues of marble will
WASHINGTON. 205
prove the love and gx-atitude of his survivors ; but his own virtues and his services have already implanted a monu- ment far more durable than these in the bosoms of his coun- trymen. May it be particularly nurtured by the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons to the end of time. So mote it be."
Wlien this address and the ceremonies of instalment were concluded, the lodge, accompanied by Lodge No. 47, walked in procession to the Presbyterian Church, where a sermon was preached on the occasion by the Eev. Bro. Wm. Mapfit, after which they re- turned to the lodge-room. On the two succeeding Sabbaths the Masonic brethren of Alexandria met in theii; lodges, clothed themselves in mourning, and re- paired in procession to the Presbyterian Church, where sermons on the occasion of Washington's death were preached, on the first by the Kev. Bros. Thomas Davis and Dr. Muik, and on the second by the Eev. Mr.
TOLLISON.
The funeral of "Washington at Mount Yernon, and memorial ceremonies at Alexandria, had thus far been conducted by the Masonic Fraternity ; but on the 22d of the following February, the citizens there assembled in all their various capacities ; Masonic, mihtary, civic, and religious bodies uniting in accordance \nth a re- commendation of Congress, to honor the memory of him whom all had loved, and whose loss all mourned. Lodge No. 22 had, at its meeting on the 20th of this month,
" Eesolved, That the members belonging' to th's lodge wear on the 22d instant, and for thirty days thereafter, a
206 ""-^^^ WASHINGTON.
white ribbon through two button-holes on the left side of their coats, and that the columns, orders, and deacon's staffs be shrouded with black j ******* and that the mem- bers of this lodge do assemble at our lodge-room precisely at ten o'clock on Saturday, the 22d instant, in order to evince the respect they owe to their late departed brother, General George Washixgtox."
Colonel DENEAiiE, the Master of Lodg.eJNo. 22, was selected bv the citizens as the officer of the day for the anniversary, and his lodge joined with Brooke Lodge, and united with the military and various other bodies of citizens, and walked through several ofttorprincipal streets of Alexandria to_ tlm JPresbyterian meeting- house, where Dr. Dick, late Master of Lodge ^N'o. 22, who had been appointed the orator for the occasion, delivered a feeling and eloquent address. TTe have already given his eulogium before his brethren in the lodge-room, at their first meeting after the funeral of Washington, and we here give an extract from his portraiture of him as a man on this pubKc occasion — a day set apart for a united homage of all American citizens to his memory.
" Four millions of the human race — free in their thoughts and affections, unrestrained in their actions, widely dis- persed over an extensive portion of the habitable globe — are seen devoted to a single purpose; — a people detached by local causes; actuated in common life by opposite views, or rivals in the pursuit of similar objects ; jealous in all other matters of general concern, are offering the tribute of affec- tion to the memory of their common friend. In vain shall we examine the records of antiquity for its parallel. Worth
WASHINGTON. 207
SO transcendent as to^meritjuniYersal homage, with a cor- respondent desire to bestow it, mark an event in the history of our country that may be considered as a phenomenon in the annals of man.
"Modest and unassuming, j^et dignified in his manners; accessible and communicative, yet superior to familiarity; he inspired and preserved the love and respect of all who knew him. For the promotion of all public and useful un- dertakings, he was singularly munificent. The indigent and distressed were at all times subjects of his sympathy and concern. His charity flowed in quiet, but constant streams from a fountain that was at no time suffered to sustain the smallest diminution. No pursuit or avocation, however momentous, was permitted to interrupt his syste- matic attention to the children of want. His anxious solici- tude on this score is pathetically exemplified in a letter, written in 1*1 75, at a time when the unorganized state of the army might have demanded his exclusive concern. Ad- dressing himself to the late Lund Washington, he writes : 'Let the hospitality of the house be kept with respect to the poor. Let no one go away hungry. If any of this kind of people should be in want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does not encourage^themln idleness". I have no objection to your giving my nioncy in charity-, when you think it will be well bestowed. I mean, that it is my desire that it should be done. You are to consider that neither myself nor my wife are now in the way to do these good offices.'
" Such, my fellow-citizens, was the man whose memory we have assembled to honor. It has been your peculiar felicity often to have seen him on the footing of social in- timacy. That the iiilial)itaiits of Alexandria held a distin- guished plac(! in his alfectioii, you have had repeated testi- mony. You have seen his sensibility awakened on occa-
208 WASHINGTON.
sions calculated to call forth a display of his partiality. The last time we met to offer our salutations and express our inviolable attachment to the venerable sage, on his retiring from the chief magistracy of the Union, you may remember that in telling you how peculiarly grateful were your expres- sions, the visible emotions of his great soul had almost de- prived him of the power of utterance.
"But Heaven has reclaimed its treasure, and America has lost its first of patriots and best of men, its shield in war, in peace its brightest ornament ; the avenger of its wrongs ; the oracle of its wisdom, and the mirror of its per- fection. His fair fame, secure in its immortality, shall shine through countless ages with undiminished lustre. It shall be the statesman's polar-star, the hero's destiny, the boast of age, the companion of maturity, and the goal of youth. It shall be the last national office of hoary dotage to teach the infant, that hangs on his trembling knee, to lisp the name of WASHINGTON I"
Masonic records state that prayers were also de- livered on this occasion by the Rev. Bros. Dr. Muie, Thomas Davis, and Wm. Matfit, after which the breth- ren returned to their rooms, and the lodge was closed in harmony at three o'clock.