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White House following
the fire.
Click to see full image and attribution. |
My husband left me yesterday morning to join
General Winder. He inquired anxiously whether I had courage or
firmness to remain in the President's house until his return on
the morrow, or succeeding day, and on my assurance that I had
no fear but for him, and the success of our army, he left, beseeching
me to take care of myself, and of the Cabinet papers, public and
private. I have since received two dispatches from him, written
with a pencil. The last is alarming, because he desires I should
be ready at a moment's warning to enter my carriage, and leave
the city; that the enemy seemed stronger than had at first been
reported, and it might happen that they would reach the city with
the intention of destroying it. I am accordingly ready; I have
pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage;
our private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to
procure wagons for its transportation. I am determined not to
go myself until I see Mr. Madison safe, so that he can accompany
me, as I hear of much hostility towards him. Disaffection stalks
around us. My friends and acquaintances are all gone, even Colonel
C. with his hundred, who were stationed as a guard in this inclosure.
French John (a faithful servant), with his usual activity and
resolution, offers to spike the cannon at the gate, and lay a
train of powder, which would blow up the British, should they
enter the house. To the last proposition I positively object,
without being able to make him understand why all advantages in
war may not be taken.
Wednesday Morning, twelve o'clock. — Since
sunrise I have been turning my spy-glass in every direction, and
watching with unwearied anxiety, hoping to discover the approach
of my dear husband and his friends; but, alas! I can descry only
groups of military, wandering in all directions, as if there was
a lack of arms, or of spirit to fight for their own fireside.
Three o'clock. — Will you believe it, my
sister? we have had a battle, or skirmish, near Bladensburg, and
here I am still, within sound of the cannon! Mr. Madison comes
not. May God protect us! Two messengers, covered with dust, come
to bid me fly; but here I mean to wait for him…At this late
hour a wagon has been procured, and I have had it filled with
plate and the most valuable portable articles, belonging to the
house. Whether it will reach its destination, the "Bank of
Maryland," or fall into the hands of British soldiery, events
must determine. Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll, has come to hasten
my departure, and in a very bad humor with me, because I insist
on waiting until the large picture of General Washington is secured,
and it requires to be unscrewed from the wall. This process was
found too tedious for these perilous moments; I have ordered the
frame to be broken, and the canvas taken out. It is done! and
the precious portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of
New York, for safe keeping. And now, dear sister, I must leave
this house, or the retreating army will make me a prisoner in
it by filling up the road I am directed to take. When I shall
again write to you, or where I shall be to-morrow, I cannot tell!
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