•m 



Figure 83. — Telescope, 62 in. long, made of wood wrapped with twine. It was 

 made by Benjamin Cole of London and was owned and used by Gen. George 

 Washington at Mount Vernon. USNM 92423. 



by this maker are in the National Maritime Museum and the 

 Whipple Museum, Cambridge. 



This telescope, used by General Washington at Mount Vernon, 

 "was kept behind the hall door and his favorite amusement was to 

 look out over the river with it." According to Mrs. Lewis, the 

 General used it to observe life on the river and especially to discover 

 guests approaching Mount Vernon, as many of their visitors 

 arrived by boat. Benjamin Latrobe, the architect, on a visit to 

 Mount Vernon made an amusing sketch of his host looking 

 anxiously up the stream for some belated dinner guests. 



Part of the collection purchased from the Lewis heirs in 1878 by 

 the U.S. Government and transferred to the U.S. National Museum 

 in 1883. USNM 92423. Figure 83. 



Survey of Land^ drawn and documented by George Washington 

 on April 2, 1751 for Thomas Loftan of Frederick County, Va. 

 Paper, 12 in. wide by 7^ in. high. 



This survey was made by Washington when he was 19 years of 

 age, and it is believed to be the only such document relating to 

 his earliest period as a surveyor. Washington was licensed as a 

 surveyor by the President and Masters of William and Mary 

 College in 1749. On July 20th of the same year he was appointed 

 surveyor in Culpepper County, Va., by Governor Dinwiddie. 



Acquired in 1961. USNM 238367. Figure 84. 



White, Peregrine (1747-1834), Woodstock, Conn. 

 Surveying Compass^ about 1790, made of brass, complete with 

 original case, tripod, and gunter's chain. The instrument measures 

 12}^ in. overall. The dial, with a diameter of 5% in. and a pewter 

 vernier ring, is inscribed "peregrine WHiTE/Woodstock." Tripod 

 is 57)^ in. long and has walnut legs and a brass universal socket 

 joint. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Greenwood. 



USNM 388993. Figure 23. 



150 



