NO. 2092. CATALOGUE OF THE WASHINGTON RELICS— BELOTE. 21 



APPENDIX 1. 



Extract from a letter from Ellis Spear, U. S. Commissioner of Patents, May 6, 

 1878, to the Honorable Carl Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, concerning the Lewis 

 collection of Washington relics: 



"In compliance with your order, I have carefully examined these relics and submit 

 the following report: 



"The relics consist of a large number of articles chiefly of personal and house- 

 hold use. 



"The following inventory was made by the family and has been carefully verified 

 by me. 



"One large mirror; two small mirrors. 



"One dozen handsome parlor chairs. 



"Two armchairs. 



"One large easy chair in which the general sat a few minutes before his death. 



"One double brass candlestick by which the farewell address was written. 



"Two silver-plated candlesticks. 



"One large and two small plated waiters. 



"One field glass used in the Revolution. 



"One spyglass also used in the war. 



" Knives and forks. 



"One plated cake basket. 



"One large mahogany box in which silver plate was kept. 



"Two mahogany footstools and three carpet-covered footstools. 



"The robe in which he was christened. 



" Three silver-plated lamps. 



"Half dozen silver-plated salt cellars. 



"Thirty-six pieces of chinaware. 



"One bedstead presented to Mr. Lawrence Washington by his friend, Admiral 

 Vernon, and by Lawrence left to his brother, the general. 



"One marble-top table 4 feet in length by 3 feet in breadth. 



" One guitar presented by General and Mrs. Washington to Miss Nellie Custis. 



" Miniatm-e portraits of General and Mrs. Washington on wood, painted by Trumbull. 



"One shaving glass in frame with drawer. 



"An engraving of the Countess of Huntingdon presented by her to General Wash- 

 ington. 



"Several souvenirs of Washington, consisting of ornamental works and household 

 articles. 



' 'AH of these relics have been continuously in the possession of the Lewis family 

 since the death of General Washington. They were received by Mrs. Lewis, who 

 was the adopted daughter of General Washington and the wife of Major Lawrence 

 Lewis, his nephew, and were in her possession until her death in 1852, when they 

 passed into the hands of the family now having them in charge. They are all in 

 an excellent state of preservation, and of the genuineness of every article there can 

 be no doubt whatever. 



"The miniature portraits were considered excellent likenesses and are now in good 

 condition. 



"The articles of household use are all in their original condition and illustrate the 

 style of living of the first President of the United States. The whole collection is 

 far superior to that now in the possession of the Government. 



"The total number of articles enumerated is more than ninety, and, added to those 

 now in the possession of the Government, they would form, I think, by far the largest 

 and best collection of relics of Washington that could now be made. 



"The family were reluctant to part with these relics, but were impelled by the 

 consideration that inevitably in a few years with the separation of the family the 



