Comments on: Mount Vernon

By: H Stewart

H Stewart — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:09:10 +0000

James A Mitchener address’s the issue of not taking salary in his “novel” Chesapeake, as a General in the war he had an expence account but as President he was payed a salary on the grounds that “No new nation could survive another of his damned expence accounts.” Mitchener was known for the quality of his research and Chesapeake is a great read. Thanks for the photos David

By: OTGO

OTGO — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:45:42 +0000

DPF, try taking the battery cover off your BB and cleaning the camera lenses with a soft cloth. I noticed on mine that the lens gathered lint from being in my pocket.

By: ephemera

ephemera — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:42:01 +0000

I believe that competative capitalism can -and should- be a vehicle for the greater good. It makes me feel uneasy when compeitition is used as a rationale for pretty, well, stupid things.

If Washington thought slavery should end whilst owning slaves, he was definately in the wrong business (farming, not statebuilding). Different times, different morals, I suppose.

By: ephemera

ephemera — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:07:23 +0000

@DPF

“One can buy wine from the supermarket but also have opposed supermarkets being able to sell wine”

But wouldn’t it look strange if one were opposed to supermarkets selling wine, whilst owning a chain of them that did?

[DPF: As far as I can tell back then, every farmer had slaves. One could not survive without them. This is in no way justifying slavery - just suggesting that Washington was not unusual in owning slaves but believing slavery should end]

By: ephemera

ephemera — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:02:26 +0000

@adamsmith

“if I recall correctly…”

Just how old are you, Adam?

By: Deep

Deep — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:54:51 +0000

There’s less haze when the subject is lit from behind the camera. Sort of like the effect you get when you have a removable plastic screen protector over the lens.

I wish I got to Mt Vernon when I was there. Mine was sort of a rushed trip really. I ended up on the steps of the capitol building at midnight. My guide was rather anxious.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:54:03 +0000

All of the shots you’ve posted from your trip have a nasty heat-haze (almost ‘sweaty’) look about them. Perhaps there’s a function for reducing the exposure or white balance that can be adjusted?

Alternatively, I think you need a new camera…

[DPF: Read the other threads. For the third or fourth time my camera's battery went flat and despite eight attempts to buy a charger or spare battery in NY and DC no store had any, so the photos are taken on a Blackberry instead of a proper camera]

By: kiwi in america

kiwi in america — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:37:44 +0000

Indeed David – Mt Vernon is a must-see for anyone in the DC area. I remember standing in his office and looking at his desk and his uniform and books and thinking that from this room (on rare occasions as he was away so much during the Revolutionary War) he must’ve conceived (or at least mulled over) the strategies that eventually won the War of Indepenedence against all odds and against a numerically and militarily superior foe. The sense of reverent awe from the group of people on the tour was palpable.

By: Crusader

Crusader — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:03:10 +0000

How can someone have 300 slaves working for them, yet “not take a position” on slavery? Isn’t that a position in itself?

[DPF: Not really. One can buy wine from the supermarket but also have opposed supermarkets being able to sell wine]

By: Gosman

Gosman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:31:33 +0000

I don’t know if you have read Bill Bryson’s book about the development of the US and American English (Made in America) but he has some interesting tidbits about Washington. While as you point out he was an amazingly reluctant President and gave up his power and authority easily he was quite authoritarian in his viewpoints. His views on the role of the Presidenct in the US were almost on par with how some of the Royal heads of state of Europe viewed themselves.

By: adamsmith1922

adamsmith1922 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:27:01 +0000

It is true that as the Commander of the Army he did not take pay, but it is also true if I recall correctly that Congress had agreed to reimburse his expenses and that there were many arguments over these.

By: Minnie

Minnie — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:24:37 +0000

I watched a 2 part series on Adams on the way to Sydney last month – and would recommend it as a great starter for this fascinating period. Perfect length for the journey too. Washington was portrayed as literally the only man in the Congress room capable of leading the Continental army, which until then existed only in Adams’ mind. It really was hand to mouth stuff, the Brits were reinforced by Hessian mercenaries and on paper should have cleaned up.

By: backster

backster — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:21:31 +0000

His great virtue was that he never told a lie…Didn’t spot the stump of the old cherry tree did you.?