meet, in your native Country, as Freemen; otherwise, that we

never see each other more, is the Prayer of

Your affectionate Father,

(Signed)

TO GEORGE MASON, JUN'R, Esq.

G. MASON.

THE SURRENDER OF YORK.

The following is a copy of the original letter "written at the time by an eye-witness of the Surrender" of York, (Col. Wm. Fontaine, of Hanover,) and "containing a very graphic and detailed account" of that memorable event; referred to by the Hon. Wm. C. Rives, the President of the Virginia Historical Society, in his Address at the late Annual Meeting, and since lodged by him in the archives of the Society. It will be read with lively interest.

RICHMOND, OCTOBER 26, 1781.

Dear Sir,-Major Penn gives me an opportunity, the first I have met with since the glorious event, of congratulating you on the surrender of York, which I do with all imaginable cordiality. I had the happiness to see that British army which so lately spread dismay and desolation through all our Country, march forth on the 20th instant at 3 o'clock through our whole army, drawn up in two lines at about twenty yards distance, and return disrobed of all their terrors, so humbled and so struck at the appearance of our troops, that their knees seemed to tremble, and you could not see a platoon that marched in any order. Such a noble figure did our army make, that I scarce know which drew my attention most. You could not have heard a whisper or seen the least motion throughout our whole line, but every countenance was erect and expressed a serene cheerfulness. Cornwallis pretended to be ill, and imposed the mortifying duty of leading forth the captives on General O'Hara. Their own of

ficers acknowledge them to be the flower of the British troops, yet I do not think they at all exceeded in appearance our own or the French. The latter, you may be assured are very different from the ideas formerly inculcated in us of a people living. on frogs and coarse vegetables. Finer troops I never saw.

Of

His Lordship's defence, I think, was rather feeble. His surrender was eight or ten days sooner than the most sanguine expected, though his force and resources were much greater than we conceived. He had at least a fortnight's provisions, and 1000 barrels of powder left, beside a magazine, that 'tis supposed was blown up with design, during the negotiation for the surrender. The whole of the prisoners of war amount to 6,800, exclusive of sailors and marines, which with the shipping belong to the French, and the refugees, merchants and followers of their army. The shipping of every sort is about seventy sail, though a great many are sunk. Of brass ordnance we have taken eighty odd,-of iron 120. Muskets, 7,313 fit for service, beside a great number in unopened boxes, and of old arms. horse about 300 accoutred; there must be more horse accoutrements, but I have not seen a particular return from Gloncester where the horse lay. The military chest amounts to only 800 guineas. Merchants' stores are subject to the preemption of our army at a reasonable price for such articles as suit them, the remainder they are allowed three months to effect the sale of, then are to give their parole and clear out. Tories are subject to be tried by our laws. The 20th of next month has been appointed for that purpose. A small proportion of officers are to remain with the prisoners, the rest are to be paroled to New York. A flag ship is allowed Cornwallis to carry him to New York, thence, I believe, he goes home. His flag ship is not to be searched. The officers retain their side arms and baggage, and the soldiers their knapsacks. They marched out with drums muffled and colours furled and crossed. All property taken from inhabitants by the British is liable to be claimed by them. In consequence Master Tarleton met with a most severe mortification the day before yesterday. The Hero was prancing through the streets of

York on a very fine, elegant horse, and was met by a spirited young fellow of the country, who stopped him, challenged the horse, and ordered him instantly to dismount. Tarleton halted and paused awhile through confusion, then told the lad if it was his horse, he supposed he must be given up, but insisted to ride him some distance out of town to dine with a French officer. This was more, however, than Mr. Giles was disposed to indulge him in, having been forced when he and his horse were taken, to travel good part of a night on foot at the point of a bayonet, he therefore refused to trust him out of sight, and made him dismount in the midst of the street crowded with spectators. Many such instances have since happened on the road. The people who have been insulted, abused, nay-ruined by them, give them no quarter. I have not seen the articles of capitulation, but have given you the substance, as well as I can recollect from such as have read them.

We are surely to have a garrison at York,-whether French or American was not known when I left York the day before yesterday. Some troops are to go to the southward. Tis supposed the French fleet and most of their troops will go to the West Indies, though all is conjecture and will probably remain so to all but the Count de Grasse and Gen. Washington. The General had been aboard the Admiral for some days past as I came away, something of consequence, I suspect, was projecting between them. The troops at Portsmouth are levelling to prevent the British taking post there. Nothing certain of a British fleet. They have lost, 'tis said, Bengall, and Madras in the East Indies by the powerful exertions of Hyder Ali in favour of the French.

Cornwallis, I am well assured, previous to his surrender acknowledged to the Secretary, that the capture of his army would put an end to the war. The same sentiment was expressed to me by two of his officers, and, I learn from an intelligent inhabitant of York, generally prevailed among them.

That General Lesly with all the crew perished on the passage from Wilmington to Charles Town in the Blonde Frigate, in ore est omnium.

I certainly embark for Europe the soonest a passage can be had, perhaps three or four weeks hence, though I believe I shall be forced to take the West Indies in the way, and probably may winter there.

My love to my good sisters and families. My best respects to Mr. Armistead and all my relations and friends in your country. Farewell! farewell! The good Doctor, Parson Cole and all. I have commissioned a gentleman to get Mr. Holmes a hat from York. Mrs. Walker has recovered her two negroes, and my mother her one. The French fleet and all our troops are under sailing and marching orders. If Major Hulston is with you, let him know Mr. Burrows from his State has his servant that he wrote about.

I enclose two yards of ribbon for my sister Sarah, and two for sister Mary, or in her absence little Bess,-trophies from York. Had the stores been opened I would have dealt more largely, though they are strictly guarded and general orders against any thing being sold till the army is supplied. All health and happiness to you and yours and all with you.

Your affectionate friend and servant,

W. FONTAINE.

MRS. MARY WASHINGTON.

We have extracted the following notices of this eminent lady, the mother of Washington, from a sketch of her by Mrs. Ellet in her recent and interesting work, entitled "The Women of the American Revolution."

"The only memoir of the mother of Washington extant, is the one written by Geo. W. P. Custis, the grandson of Martha Washington, and published more than 20 years ago in his "Recollections" in the National Gazette. These reminiscences were collected by him in the course of many years; and to them we are indebted for all that is known of the life and actions of this matron. According to these, she was descended from the re

spectable family of Ball, who came to this country and settled on the banks of the Potomac. In the old days of Virginia, women were taught habits of industry and self reliance, and in these Mrs. Washington was nurtured. The early death of her husband involved her in the cares of a young family with limited resources, which rendered prudence and economy necessary to provide for and educate her children. Thus circumstanced, it was left to her unassisted efforts to form in her son's mind, those essential qualities which gave tone and character to his subsequent life. George was only twelve years old at his father's death, and retained merely the remembrance of his person, and his parental fondness. Two years after this event, he obtained a midshipman's warrant, but his mother opposed the plan, and the idea of entering the naval service was relinquished.

The home in which Mrs. Washington presided, was a sanctuary of the domestic virtues. The levity of youth was there tempered by a well-regulated restraint, and the enjoyments rational and proper for that age were indulged in with moderation. The future chief was taught the duty of obedience, and was thus prepared to command. The mother's authority never departed from her, even when her son had attained the height of his renown; for she still ruled by the affection which controlled his spirit when he needed a guardian; and she claimed a reverence next to that due to his Creator. This claim he admitted, mingling the deepest respect with enthusiastic attachment, and yielding to her will the most implicit obedience, even to the latest hours of her life. One of the associates of his juvenile years, Lawrence Washington, of Chotank, thus speaks of his home:

"I was often there with George, his playmate, schoolmate, and young man's companion. Of the mother I was ten times more afraid than I ever was of my own parents: she awed me in the midst of her kindness, for she was truly kind. And even now, when time has whitened my locks, and I am the grand parent of a second generation; I could not behold the majestic woman without feelings it is impossible to describe. Whoever has seen that awe-inspiring air and manner so characteristic of the Father of his Country, will remember the matron as she appeared, the presiding genius of her well-ordered household, commanding and being obeyed." Educated under such influences, it is not to be wondered at, that Washington's deportment towards his mother at all times, testified his appreciation of her elevated character, and the excellence of her lessons.

"On his appointment to the command-in-chief of the Amer ican armies," says Mr. Custis, "previously to his joining the forces at Cambridge, he removed his mother from her residence, to