Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-19
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1926.

Messrs. Sno,vden & THarnton-l should not
notice statement made in thef National Jour-
nap of the 10th inst. (said to be rumor) re-
spectine the steamboat party which iahnea d.
Mount Vernon on Sunday last, it 1t were not
On correct two misrepresentation contained Id
II. which, am persuaded, could not have re-
ceived the countenance of either OF the respect
able and honorable gentlemen who composer
what is STYLED, "the committee" he hrst Is
tina, "the committee was not treated win COM
mon politeness"
should feel much mortified If could sup
nose that my conduct was so understood Oy
the members Of that body; but il 1t was, Deg
them to believe, that as had no cause, so, I'M
doubtedly, l had no intention, to treat them O.
therwise than with respect, alter being assur-
ed BY them that they were ignorant OF the pro-
bibition TO visit Mount Vernon on that day,
and in that mode; and this declaration, trust,
they will accept, not as an apology, but as an
avowal of the feelings which Influenced my con-
duct towards them during our short interview,
That felt some irritation against the Captain
of the boat, who, with the subjoined letter, per-
haps. in his pocket at the time ,.coulf, from sor
did motives, expose his passengers TO disappont-
ment, and me to the unpleasant dilemma Of
either refusing them permission 10 visit the
place, or BY making an exception in the parti-
eular case, to rescind, in effect, the prohibit
ton altogether, l acknowledge. That my de-
pertinent may have indicated this feeling, is
highly probable. Towards those who had been
desi nedly kept in ignorance of a material fact
known to the Captain, it was impossible to en-
terrain other than the most respectful feelings,
with which had hoped my behavior entirely
correspondent.
The other misrepresentation to be corrected
is. that "the refusal was accompanied by threats
Of instiluting suits, Sc"
What threats are To be understood as COM
prised under the &c. know not Ate, stating
to the gentlemen, that The commanders Of ali
the steamboats, on the river bad been long since
warned not TO bring parties TO Mount Vernon,
stated that should certainly sue the Captain
OF this boat Tor his present conduct. express
ed no other threat-' intended nothing beyond
IT. When those gentlemen expressed their re-
Sret that the Captain should be in this predi-
cament, and, after giving their names, -;
ed that would consider 'hen'= the RESPONSE,
bic persons, repudiated The proposition; and
this was confirmed by my friend, Mr.. Herbert,
70 the person. who afterwards assembled at the
tomb. and who insisted upon sending me their
names.
The threat against the Captain Of the Sur
prise, am determined TO execute, whenever
NAV have the opportunity; although, can
scarcely hope, that resort to legal proceedings
against the commanders Of these boats, will
contribute to protect my rights, if their passen-
gers should think proper TO indemnify them "a
gainst the consequences Of their violating
them.
If the best efforts can make to protect this
spot from those intrusions which many painful
and Notifying circumstances have constrained
me publicly to forbid, nothing will remain for
me but to abandon it altogether. claim no
particular privilege as attached to the place, or
to the name Of him from whose bounty | re-
ceived it. asked to be protected in those pri
viieges only, which are the birth right Of the
humblest citizen of Virginia.
BUSH. WASHINGTON.
Mount Vsrnon, 18Th May, 1926.