Alexandria Gazette

Washington's Maternal Ancestors

We received, on yesterday, the following communication from our correspondent "D."
-It will afford us great pleasure to become the medium of presenting to the American public documents of so much interest as those which he proposes to send us. It is well known that Washington was destined, in early youth, for the British Navy, but we have never known the particular reasons which suggested themselves to his friends for objecting to his engaging in that service. The imagination is excited to follow him in the course which he might have pursued, had he been gratified in his early wishes. He never could have been an ordinary man, in any situation; and the fancy is strained to follow him through a brilliant naval career--carrying into that service the same indomitable energy of character-the same love of order--the same perseverance in the most trying situations- the same disposition to hope against hope--which enabled him to weather the storm of the Revolution, and to inscribe his name on the tablets of history. as "the foremost man of all the world." We see him rising from one grade to another--in all of them the first of his class-until finally his broad pendant flies at the masthead of a noble line of battle ship, as Admiral of a magnificent English squadron. We figure him grappling on the deep with the enemies of that country, whose flag he afterwards lowered, anticipating the fame of Nelson, and standing forth to the world, the Hero of the British Navy.
But fate [Providence] destined him for other and greater things. Instead of a great Naval Commander, he was reserved for a greater part on another element. Instead of becoming the terror of Britain's enemies, he became the most illustrious among them. Instead of writing his name in letters of blood upon the roll of the British Navy. he impressed it in indelible characters upon the hearts of his countrymen. Instead of the first of British Admirals, he became the first of the human race. Fortunate was it. not only for his country, but for all mankind, that his friends stood between him and his wishes at this early period of his life; and the circumstance of his having so nearly succeeded in them. furnishes another proof that the destinies of men-of nations-nay. of the world. often hang by a thread. which the slightest misadventure may snap. Had he become a British midshipman. the fate of the world might have been changed.
Washington, we believe, had a brother who was a midshipman in the British Navy, and served with Admiral Vernon in the disastrous expedition against the town of Porto Bello, on the Spanish Main. It was he, as well as we recollect. who gave the name to the country seat, rendered afterwards so illustrious by its association with the name of his younger brother. In gratitude to this old commander, he called it Mount Vernon.
FAUQUIER COUNTY, VA., NOV. 22d, 1849,
To the Editors of the Richmond Whig :
While on a recent visit to Lancaster county. I found an old letter-book of Joseph Ball, the uncle of Washington. Two or three of these letters are very interesting. One to Mrs. Washington, remonstrating strongly against sending her son George to Sea. Another, written to Washington himself. I propose sending copies to the Richmond Whig for publication. "Joseph Ball, for private and innocent reasons, left Virginia, and lived in London. This will account for the date of the letters, which were written between 1713 and 1757. He had many correspondents in Virginia. Below is an extract of a letter written to Benj. Waller, of Williamsburg, Virginia, and dated Stratford, Aug. 31st. 1754.
D.
.Good Sir. I received your favour of the 25th of June last, giving an account of the engagement with the French. &c. for which I thank you Pray continue your goodness in writing about all occurrences, especially the war with the French. I am much pleased with our getting the first victory. and more especially as Col. Washington is my nephew, (my sister's son."