"DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 16th inst. has been received informing me of the death of my brother (Charles). "The death of near relations always produces awful and affecting emotions under whatsoever circumstances it may happen. That of my brother has been long expected: and his latter days so uncomfortable to himself must have prepared all around him for the stroke though (_sic_) painful in the effect. "I was the first, and am, now, the last of my father's children, by the second marriage, who remain. "When I shall be called upon to follow them is known only to the Giver of Life. When the summons comes I shall endeavor to obey it with a good grace. "With great esteem and regard I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate serv't, "GO. WASHINGTON." Less than three months afterwards the summons came. Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it. The generation had passed away! The stars of the western firmament had set. In the same year died Patrick Henry and George Washington! Mary Washington left a noble band of grandsons who worthily served their country. Bushrod Washington (son of John Augustine Washington), was soon to become justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. When President Washington went to Fort Pitt to visit the troops sent to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection, it is related that as he passed, uncovered, down the line, every man poured forth the homage of his heart in words of devotion and loyalty, and that an escort of cavalry was detailed to conduct him on his homeward way. Dismissing this, after travelling a short distance, he thus addressed the officer in charge, the eldest son of his only sister, Betty Lewis: "George, you are the eldest of five nephews that I have in this army! Let your conduct be an example to them, and do not turn your back until you are ordered." The five nephews were Major George Lewis, commandant of the cavalry; Major Lawrence Lewis, aide-de-camp to Major General Morgan; Howell Lewis, in Captain Mercer's troop; Samuel Washington, son of Colonel Charles Washington, and Lawrence Washington, son of Colonel Samuel Washington--the two latter light-horsemen in the troop commanded by Captain Lewis, the _first_ troop of cavalry to cross the mountains on this expedition. Standing in the field under the new banner of their new government, were six of Mary Washington's descendants. The spirit of the stout-hearted grandmother lived in these men, and inspired them in their prompt response to the call of their country for support of law and order. CHAPTER XIV TRIBUTES OF HER COUNTRYMEN Mary Washington was laid by reverent hands in the spot chosen by herself near "Kenmore." Tradition declares that General Washington proposed erecting a monument over her ashes, but was restrained by the assurance that the country claimed that privilege.