, the emigrants to America, and who was therefore the
last English ancestor of George Washington. A copy of the
inscription on the stone which covers the grave of Lawrence
Washington, and also of another inscription over the grave of his
brother Robert Washington, who was buried in the same church, are
given with exactness in Mr. Sumner's letter. As far as I am aware,
these inscriptions are now for the first time made known in this
country.

The Earl Spencer has sent to Mr. Sumner two stones, being from the
same quarry, and having the same form and dimensions as the
originals, and containing a _facsimile_ of the inscriptions. It
has been suggested that these stones ought to be placed in the
State House, where they may be accessible to the public, and my
opinion on the subject has been asked. As they are unquestionably
genuine memorials of the Washington family, and possess on this
account a singular historical interest, I cannot imagine that a
more appropriate disposition of them could be made. I understand
that Mr. Sumner would cheerfully assent to such an arrangement, and
I cannot doubt that your Excellency will be well inclined to take
such measures as may effectually aid in attaining so desirable an
object.

I am, Sir,
Very respectfully yours,

JARED SPARKS.
His Excellency John A. Andrew,
_Governor of Massachusetts._

* * * * *

MR. SUMNER TO MR. SPARKS.

BOSTON, November 22, 1860.

MY DEAR SIR: Since our last conversation, the Earl Spencer has
kindly sent to me precise copies of the two "Memorial Stones" of the
English family of George Washington, which I have already described
to you as harmonizing exactly with the pedigree which has the
sanction of your authority. These are of the same stone and of the
same size with the originals, and have the original
inscriptions--being in all respects _facsimiles_. They will,
therefore, give you an exact idea of these most interesting
memorials in the parish church of Brington, near Althorp, in
Northamptonshire.

The largest is of Lawrence Washington, the father of John
Washington, who emigrated to America. It is a slab of bluish-gray
sandstone, and measures five feet and nine inches long, and two feet
and seven inches broad. Here