The True George Washington [10th Ed.]Ford, Paul Leicester
History
The True George Washington [10th Ed.]
Ford, Paul Leicester
Generals -- United States -- Biography; Presidents -- United States -- Biography; Washington, George, 1732-1799
Of Washington’s relations with his youngest brother, Charles, little
can be learned. He was the last of his brothers to die, and Washington
outlived him so short a time that he was named in his will, though only
for a mere token of remembrance. “I add nothing to it because of the
ample provision I have made for his issue.” Of the children so
mentioned, Washington was particularly fond of George Augustine
Washington. As a mere lad he used his influence to procure for him an
ensigncy in a Virginia regiment, and an appointment on Lafayette’s
staff. When in 1784 the young fellow was threatened with consumption,
his uncle’s purse supplied him with the funds by which he was enabled
to travel, even while Washington wrote, “Poor fellow! his pursuit after
health is, I fear, altogether fruitless.” When better health came, and
with it a renewal of a troth with a niece of Mrs. Washington’s, the
marriage was made possible by Washington appointing the young fellow
his manager, and not merely did it take place at Mount Vernon, but the
young couple took up their home there. More than this, that their
outlook might be “more stable and pleasing,” Washington promised them
that on his death they should not be forgotten. When the disease again
developed, Washington wrote his nephew in genuine anxiety, and ended
his letter, “At all times and under all circumstances you and yours
will possess my affectionate regards.” Only a few days later the news
of his nephew’s death reached him, and he wrote his widow, “To you who
so well know the affectionate regard I had for our departed friend, it
is unnecessary to describe the sorrow with which I was afflicted at the
news of his death.” He asked her and her children “to return to your
old habitation at Mount Vernon. You can go to no place where you can be
more welcome, nor to any where you can live at less expence and
trouble,” an offer, he adds, “made to you with my whole heart.”
Furthermore, Washington served as executor, assumed the expense of
educating one of the sons, and in his will left the two children part
of the Mount Vernon estate, as well as other bequests, “on account of
the affection I had for, and the obligation I was under to their father
when living, who from his youth attached himself to my person, and
followed my fortunes through the vicissitudes of the late Revolution,
afterwards devoting his time for many years whilst my public
employments rendered it impracticable for me to do it myself, thereby
affording me essential services and always performing them in a manner
the most filial and respectful.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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