NASHVILLE, Oct. 20. 1911.

FRANcIs P. BLAIR, EsQ.,
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FRANCIS I. BLAIR, ESQ,

 Dear Sir: have just returned from vs- ito the Hermitage, and must take the lber- ty Of describing to you an interesting scene which l witnessed there to-day Gen. Arm strong and myself were the only persons present. We found the old General in very delicate health-mueh enleebled and emacia- ted, laboring under distressing cough, and dischalging matter freely from his lungs His face was pale, and his countenance indi- cated severe suffering. Still he was seated at his table, surrounded with books, letters, and papers, and ready to engage, with his usual emphatic eainestneSs, in conversation on all the agitating topics of the times. had visited him some four weeks ago, when his appearance indicated far more strength of body, and more freedom from pain, than on to-day. The impression made upon my mind on this visit was, that we cannot req sonably expect his life to be prolonged more than few months. He seems himself to be deeply impressed with the near approach of his final departure from this world, and refers to that event with all the calm compo- sure and submissive resignation of the true christian.

 Whilst we were seated in his room, en- gagged in conversation about the probable re- suit of the Presidential election, he look up his pen and was occupied for e few moments in writing at his table. He then requested me to draw out from under the sofa on which was sitting, small pine box, and to take off the top of il. On doing so, discovered that the box contained sword. The old General remarked 10 me that, as he saw that his remaining days must be few, he felt that 1t was time he was making disposition of that sword, which had been his companion during the greatest portion of inc Indian and British war Turning to Gen. Arm strong, he remarked, 'l desire, General, to make to you tender of that sword, which trust you will accept, and which know you will never dishonor'-at the same han- ding to Gen. Armstrong the paper drawn up on his table, Wl,ch contained most beauti- fil tribute to the bravery and patriotism of that gallant soldier. Gen. Armstrong acept- ed the sword, and with the deepest emotion, thanked him for the honor conferred on him in being selected as the depositary of so in- valuable a relic of bravery and patriotism. Gen. Jackson's sword, the trusty companion of his signal victories as a warrior, IS now held by his faithful friend and chiyalrous fellow-soldier, Gen. Robert Armstrong; Whilst Gen. Armstrong cherishes this faith ful companion of the old hero as the richest mcmento that he could give him, he still feels that he only holds it as trustee for his country, ready to use it in defence of her honor, or to surrender it up to be held bY the nation, as worthy 10 repose by the side of the sword of Gen. Washington. /

 l have thought that as everything connect ed with the old hero is interesting to his countrymcn, it might be of some eonse- quence that they might know how he has disposed of his sword.

 Very respectfully,

 A.OP. NICHOLSON.