In her soft minstrelsy around thy bed.
* Colonel Fielding Lewis married Elizabeth, the sister of Washington. He was proprietor of half the town of Fredericksburg, and of an extensive territory adjoining. During the war, in which his feelings were warmly enlisted, he superintended the great manufactory of arms in his neighborhood. He was a local magistrate for many years, and often represented his county in the Legislature. He died in December, 1781, at the age, of fifty-five years. His son George was at one time a captain in the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, and his other three sons were active public men. His daughter Elizabeth married Charles Carter Esq.
** While the boat was lying at the wharf at Alexandria on this occasion, Lieutenant Randolph, who had lately been dismissed from the navy, went on board, and proceeding into the cabin, where the venerable president sat at table reading and smoking, made a brutal and cowardly attack upon him. Randolph was instantly seized by the captain, when a number of his friends, who accompanied him, rescued him, and bore him to the wharf. A citizen of Alexandria hearing of the outrage, was so greatly incensed that he said to the president, "Sir, if you will pardon me in case I am tried and convicted, I will kill Randolph! for this insult to you, in fifteen minutes." "No, sir," responded the president, "I can not do that. I want no man to stand between me and my assailants, nor none to take revenge on my account. Had I been prepared for this cowardly villain's approach, I can assure you all that he never would have the temerity to undertake such a thing again."
The unfinished Obelisk for the Tomb of Washington's Mother.—Departure from Fredericksburg.—General Mercer's Son
Spreading her vernal tissue, violet-gemm'd,
And pearl'd with dews.
She bade bright Summer bring
Gifts of frankincense, with sweet song of birds,
And Autumn east his reaper's coronet