PREFACE. THIS work is no continuous narrative-no work of fiction or imagination—but a compilation of well-founded tradition, interwoven with extracts from the accredited history of our country. The reader is first made acquainted with life and character at Mount Vernon in the last few years of Washington's life; when the great Chief is seen among his domestics, living in all his greatness as a farmer, without the least obscuration of his glory. The negro is noticed because he necessarily crosses our path, not as a slave nor as a freeman, but simply as an historical character and informant; playing his part in the life, the song, the literature, and the history of the Mount. In the work, the ridiculous and the sublime are freely mingled, because they do actually exist together everywhere; and a separation is impossible without violence to probability and truth. No unchaste expression or obscene word is found in the book. It can be freely read in all companies, and will amuse and instruct both old and young. Its history is good, its tradition well authenticated and the imagination has but a very limited play-ground. It contains also a truthful history of our national songs, gathered from living eye-witnesses, and cotemporaneous writers. CONTENTS. PAGE Mount Vernon in '98-Miss Nelly Custis-Venerable Africans-Plan- tation Melody-Father Jack, the Old Fisherman-Billy Lee—Kos- ciuszko's Lamentation-Old Tige, the Watch Hound—“Stealin' Cherries, is ye?"—"Hawk Kotch a Chicken"-Mose, the Cow- boy-Aunt Dolly-Old Vulcan, the Historic Hound-"The Old "Battle of the Kegs" in "78-Hopkinson's Poem-Sung at Mount Vernon-Origin of Yankee Doodle -Nancy Dawson-Lydia Lock- et-Original Yankee Doodle Song-Surrender of Burgoyne— Yankee Doodle of '98-C. C. Pinckney in France-His short Speech-"Hail Columbia" obscured-Saul of Tarsus-Wagon- vi CONTENTS. PAGE "Sumpin' gwine to happen"-Phillis and Dolly in Trouble- CHAPTER IV. Mount Vernon in '98-Scomberry in Costume-"Green Willow Hollow"-Collector of the Port-Corn-cob Pipes-Turkey Driver Metamorphosed-French War Cloud-Paine's Crisis-New York sings a Song "President's March"-The Theatre-"Hail Columbia"-Mr. Hopkinson and Mr. Fox-Temple of Minerva”— Presiding Genii-High Priest-Song of the Genii—History and Immortality of Hail Columbia..... CHAPTER V. "I hates The Peach Party-“Fairfax Pompey”—“Mefodis Meetin’ ..32 .48 ...61 CHAPTER VI. Mount Vernon in '99—Miss Nelly's Wedding "Dat Greasy Meal”— Uncle Hark-The Congress Dinner—The Wedding Ring and Magic Cake "Down de Vale o' Life”—The Wren Song—“Chit- ter Litter Lee"-—The Flag: Its History-Life-Guards—“Ana- creon of '98"-July 4, '99-Scomberry's Great Speech on the Flag-Old Gobblers in Boston--The King's Huntsmen-Tarkeys Bacchus, the god of wine-Anacreon, the Poet-Anacreontic Verse- English Bacchanalian Lyrics-American Drinking Songs-Afri- can Bacchanalians-"To Anacreon in Heaven”—Ralph Tom- linson-"Star-Spangled Banner"— Invasion and Capture of Washington in 1814-Destruction of Public Buildings—Battle of Bladensburg-Invasion of Baltimore-Fort McHenry—“Rocket's Gloom at Mount Vernon-Death of Washington-His last words— Mrs. Washington-The Funeral-Washington's Will-His Ne- groes all free-Death of Mrs. Washington-Her Will-Her Slaves not free-The old Vault-Robbery of the Dead-The new Vault— Washington and Lady's remains re-entombed in 1837-Death of Father Jack-His Grave-Servants scattered-Scomberry a Her- |