16 BULLETIlSr 16 3, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



in the possession of the National Museum, is of this type. The blade 

 of this precious relic ^ is slightly curved and is shaped with a broad 

 shallow groove in the center and narrow deep groove near the back. 

 The grip is ivory-stained green, and increases gradually in diameter 

 from quillons to pommel; it is decorated with a number of spiral 

 grooves wound with silver strips and terminates in a flat silver 

 pommel with a seashell decoration. The quillons are silver mounted 

 and form an elongated S with the ends modeled to represent serpent 

 heads. The obverse and reverse of the quillons at their juncture 

 with the blade are decorated with crude designs representing, on 

 the former, a trophy of arms and, on the latter, a similar trophy 

 surmounted by a bear's head ; in both cases these designs are flanked 

 by oak leaves. The scabbard, which is made of russet leather, is 

 encircled with two broad silver bands. One of these is inscribed 

 "J. Bailey, Fishkill," indicating that this sword was procured from 

 this well-known New York maker. 



General Washington's last will and testament provided that each 

 of his nephews, William Augustine Washington, George Lewis, 

 George Steptoe Washington, Bushrod Washington, and Samuel 

 Washington, should receive one of the swords or couteaux of which 

 he should die possessed, the nephews to choose the weapon desired 

 in the above order, as named in the will. The will enjoined that 

 " these swords are accompanied with an injunction not to unsheathe 

 them for the purpose of shedding blood, except it be for self-defense 

 or in defense 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." The sword described above was 

 received by General Washington's nephew, Samuel Washington, and 

 on February 8, 1843, it was presented by his son, Samuel T. Wash- 

 ington, to the Congress of the United States, through Hon. George 

 W. Summers of Virginia.- 



It was accepted by a joint resolution of that body and in accord- 

 ance with a provision of that resolution deposited in the Department 

 of State. By a second joint resolution of Congress, approved 

 February 28, 1922, this sword was transferred to the United States 

 National Museum, where it is now exhibited with other priceless 

 relics relating to the career of General Washington. 



SWORD OWNED BY MAJ. GEN. RICHARD MONTGOMERY 



A second sword of the hanger type of great historical interest in 

 the National Museum collection is one that was carried during the 



^ Length, i)2 cm. Blade, 76 cm. long, 2.8 cm. wide. PI. 1, fig. 2. 



" The proceedings in Congress on this momorable occasion are given in full in volume 12, 

 pp. 254-256, of the Congressional Globe and in Appendix 1 of tliifs bulletin. At the 

 same time Mr. Washington presented to Congress a gold-headed cane that had been be- 

 queathed to General Washington by Benjamin Franklin. 



