19 



with the recollections of the past, and the antici- 

 pations of the future ; and strip the idea of death 

 of a part of the horrors, with which superstition 

 and the weakness of our nature, have unnecessarily 

 invested it. 



In connexion with this branch of the subject, I 

 would venture to remark, that it has often occurred 

 to me as a desirable thing, that some public funeral 

 ground of this description should be consecrated to 

 the memory of the patriots and heroes of the Revolu- 

 tion. The spot most suitable for this purpose would 

 be Mount Vernon, a territory Avell adapted to it 

 by its central situation in the Union, its vicinity to 

 the Seat of Government, its natural picturesque 

 beauties, and its noble position upon the banks of 

 one of the finest rivers in the world ; but especially 

 fitted for the object, above all other grounds, from 

 having been the residence of Washington. It seems 

 to be a sort of profanation, that the dwelling, which 

 was rendered sacred to the view of the American 

 people by having been the scene of his earthly pil- 

 grimage, should be afterwards devoted to the ordi- 

 nary purposes of life ; and without intending any 

 reflection upon the conduct of the present occupant, 

 whose leisure and privacy are as sacred as those of 

 any other individual, it is certainly a painful thing, 

 that the people should not be permitted, at all times 

 and seasons, to pay iheir vows in perfect freedom at 

 the tomb of their political father. It is evident that 

 they can never enjoy this advantage in its full extent, 

 while the place is held as individual property. Some 

 restrictions must be imposed upon the freedom of 



