"Madam: You may be surprised at receiving a letter from one with whom you have had so little intercourse in the last few years. But your surprise will cease when you recollect that my father, once your friend, is now in exile, and that only the President can restore him to me and his country." ...
[40] George Steptoe Washington was the son of Washington's brother Samuel, after whose death he became the guardian of his two younger boys. His education was finished at the Philadelphia College. He was a member of Washington's staff, was one of the executors of Washington, and inherited one of his swords.
"To each of my nephews, William Augustine Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe Washington, Bushrod Washington and Samuel Washington, I give one of the swords or conteaux of which I may die possessed; and they are to choose in the order they are named. These swords are accompanied with an injunction not to unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood, except it be for self-defence or in defence of their country, and its rights; and in the latter case, to keep them unsheathed, and prefer falling with them in their hands to the relinquishment thereof."—From an old print of the Will of George Washington.
George Steptoe Washington chose the sword sent to Washington by Theophilus Alte, of Sollinger, near Düsseldorf. Its history is partly given in the following letter from Washington to John Quincy Adams, then United States Minister to The Hague:
"To John Quincy Adams.
"Phila, 12 September, 1796.
Dear Sir:
"To open a correspondence with you on so trifling a subject as that which gives birth to this letter would hardly be justifiable, were it not for the singularity of the case. This singularity will, I hope, apologize for the act.
Some time ago, perhaps two or three months, I read in some gazette, but was so little impressed with it at the time (conceiving it to be one of those things that get into newspapers, nobody knows how or why), that I cannot now recollect whether this gazette was of American or foreign production, announcing that a celebrated artist had presented, or was about to present to the President of the United States a sword of masterly workmanship, as an evidence of his veneration, etc.
I thought no more of the matter afterwards until a gentleman with whom I have no acquaintance, coming from and going to I know not where at a tavern I never could get information of, came across this sword (for it is presumed to be the same), pawned for $30, which he paid, left it in Alexandria, nine miles from my home in Virginia, with a person who refunded him the money and sent me the sword.
This is all I have been able to learn of this curious affair.
The blade is highly wrought and decorated with many military emblems. It has my name engraved thereon, and the following inscription, translated from the Dutch:
'Condemnor of despotism, Preserver of Liberty, glorious Man, take from my son's hand this Sword, I beg you. A Sollinger." The hilt is either gold or richly plated with that metal, and the whole carries with it the form of a horseman's sword or long sabre.
The matter, as far as it appears at present, is a perfect enigma. How it should have come into this country without a letter, or an accompanying message, how afterwards it should have got into such loose hands and whither the person having it in possession was steering his course remains as yet to be explained. Some of these points, probably, can only be explained by the maker, and the maker is no otherwise to be discovered than by the inscription and name 'A. Sollinger,' who from the impression that dwells in my mind, is of Amsterdam.
If, Sir, with this clew you can develope the history of this sword, the value of it, the character of the maker, & his probable object in sending it, you would oblige me, and by relating these facts to him might obviate doubts which otherwise might be entertained by him of its fate and reception.
"With great esteem and regard, I am, dear Sir, etc."—From Sparks' "History of Washington."
Alte had sent his son with the sword to America in [1795] to present to the President as "the only man whom he knew that had acted in a disinterested manner for the happiness of his country." The son knew little of the language, and from bashfulness or other cause failed to present the sword to Washington. More than a year later a letter came from the father making inquiry about his son.
The above sword was sold by the son of George Steptoe Washington to a Chicago collector for $1,600, and soon after changed hands again for a much higher sum.
The news of George Washington's death was taken to his nephew and executor, George Steptoe Washington, at Harewood by a special messenger, Charles, the servant of Tobias Lear (Washington's private secretary).
George Steptoe inherited Harewood from his older brother. He died in North Carolina, and was buried there. The following letter is from Washington:
"Philadelphia, 5, December, 1790
To George Steptoe Washington.
Dear George:
Agreeably to the promise, which I gave you in Virginia, I have made the necessary inquiries respecting the course of studies and expenses (?) which would enable you and your brother Lawrence to finish your education at the college in this place, provided you are master of those books and studies which you informed me you had passed through.
The enclosed account of studies and expenses, which I wish you to return to me, you will see is made under the hand of the Reverend Dr. Smith, provost of the college, and may therefore be relied on for accuracy. After you and Lawrence have carefully perused and well considered the enclosed statement, I wish you to determine whether you will come or not. If your determination should be in favor of coming on, I must impress this upon you in the strongest manner, namely, that you come with good dispositions and full resolution to pursue your studies closely, to conform to the established rules and customs of the college and to conduct yourselves on all occasions with decency and propriety.
To you, George, I more particularly address myself at this time, as from your advanced age it may be presumed that such advice, as I am about to give will make a deeper impression upon you, than upon your brother, and your conduct may very probably mark the line of his, but at the same time Lawrence must remember that this is equally applicable to him.
Should you enter upon the course of studies here marked out, you must consider it as the finishing of your education, and therefore as the time is limited, that every hour misspent is lost forever, and that future years cannot compensate for lost days at this period of your life. This reflection must show the necessity of an unremitting application to your studies. To point out the importance of circumspection in your conduct, it may be proper to observe, that a good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned, but virtuous. Much more might be said to show the necessity of application and regularity, but since you must know that without them you can never be qualified to render service to your country, assistance to your friends or enjoy consolation in your retired moments, nothing further need be said to prove their utility.
As to your clothes, it will, I presume, cost much the same here as in 'Alexandria.' I shall always wish to see you clothed decently and becoming your station; but I shall ever discountenance extravagance or foppishness in your dress. At all times and upon all occasions I shall be happy to give you both such marks of my approbation as your progress and good conduct merit.
If you determine to come on, you had better do it immediately, and Major Washington will furnish you with such money as may be necessary for the stage and expenses from Alexandria to this place. But I must repeat what I have before enjoined, that you come with good dispositions and determined resolution to conform to establishments and pursue your studies.
Your aunt joins me in love to your brother, and best wishes to Dr. Craik and family. I am, dear George, your sincere friend and affectionate uncle.
G Washington