THE TOWN OF NEW ROCHELLE. 695 



table, upon which lies an ink-stand ; the hair is of a dark-brown color, 

 tied up with a queue ; in the back-ground is represented a river, bor- 

 dered by hills ; a figure on horse-back (supposed to be Washington) 

 riding among the tents. In the possession of Mr. Davis is a letter writ- 

 ten by General Washington, and his picture, together with a lock of his 

 hair. We give the letter entire. 



State of New York, August 10th, 1782. 

 Gentlemen: — 



The Masouick ornamts which accompanied your Brotherly address of the 

 23d of January last, though elegant in themselves, were rendered more valuable 

 by the nattering sentiments and affectionate manner in which they were pre- 

 sented. 



If my endeavors to avert the evil "with which this Country was threatened by a 

 deliberate plan of Tyrrany, should be crowned with the success that is wished, 

 the praise is due to the Grand Architect of the Universe ; who did not see fit to 

 suffer his superstructures and justice to be subjected to the Ambition of the 

 Princes of this World — or the rod of oppression, in the hands of any person upon 

 Earth. 



For your affectionate views, permit me to be grateful ; and offer mine for true 

 brothers in all parts of the world ; and to assure you of the sincerity with which 

 I am Y'rs, 



Messrs. Watson & Cosson, ' Go. WASHINGTON. 



East of Nantes. 



The picture has on the reverse the following lines : — 



The god-like 



WASHINGTON, 



Died 14th December, 1799. 



All America in tears. 



" The within is the best likeness I have seen. The hair is off his own head — 

 this will increase its value with time. It is my earnest request this may be pre- 

 served to succeeding generations. The hair was presented to me by Major Bil- 

 lings, Com. army. E. Watson." 



CERTIFICATE. 

 "This may certify that the within hair was enclosed by General Washington 

 in a letter to me, dated Newburgh, June 13, as his own hair. 



"Jan. 1, 1810. And'w Billings." 



From the commencement of the Revolutionary war, New Rochelle 

 appears to have suffered considerably from the incursions of the enemy 

 and their emissaries. On the i8th of October, 1776, Lord Howe, the 

 British commander, took post in the village ; General Washington occu- 

 pying the intermediate heights between the two rivers. Whilst in New 

 Rochelle, the enemy were joined by the second division of Germans, 

 under the command of General Knyphausen, and by an incomplete 



