Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-24
Saturday Morning, .Lxay FL.
MOT HER OF WASHINGTON.

We published Early day, the correspondence
between several gentlemen in Fredericksburg and Mess
GUSTS Gordon and Others the subject of rcmoyinp
the remains of Mrs. Washington the town of Frede
ricksburg, and there erecting suitable monument 10
the of the ilustrious matron. We were
cd by those for whom entertain tho highest esteem
70 give views of the Propriety of the proceeding
frankly and state any objections which might occur to
No such objection occurred, nor did we believe
that any appeal necessary from US, stimulate
public feeling orto facilitate the accomplishment of the
design. Mr. Bassets letter has opened other views of
the subject of what merit leave it to the public to
decide. We preface it by letter from gentleman of
high standing, which take the liberty to publish in
order shew, that unavowed purpose concealed
behind the proposition
To the Editors Of the Wing.
Gentlenen-Iaving been a subscriber to the Whig
from it's first establishment to the day. and
ing thence learned the generous zeal with which pa
ronizes objects which like the above appeal directly
our feelings of national gratitude, and venture
hct with much confidence your Jealous cooperation
with us in promoting the views herein contained The
enemies of the plan for every plan however laudabe,
has its enemies, will doubtless representa- intended
to crafty the pride of particular religious denomna
ton but it so-the truth and the whole truth
fairly stated in the above circularThere but two
members of committee who connected with any
church whatever and verify believe that thoy nc
tnaed by spirit common to us al; to redeem the cha
racter of state and country from the humiating
imputaton of ing ratitude to the memory of her who
formed the character of tho First and only Washington
We are promised aid from New York. which with the
assistance of your press others which your influence
added exertions will enlist for will ensure
success Do the favor to give your views frank
ly and state any Objection to the plan winch may sug
To THE EDrrons OF THE WING.
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.
Messrs. Edors:-I observed an article in your paper
OF the 10th ult., touching the erection of monument
in this town, in honor of the late Mrs Washington.
Having examined the whole, and seeing many serious
grounds of objection the proceeding, Lnus beg leave
to present my views very briefly thesubjeet 1t is
proposed to remove the ashes of Mrs. Washington
a Presbyterian Church Edifce to be erected in this
town, and therein raise monument to her memory
The first question that arises, whether this thing is
fit and proper in itself. Mrs. W. the mother of
sthe Father of his country her fame such is thore
fore the property of the nation. There would then
be manifest propriety In the nation,
Integral constituent part thereof, state city,
rendering some united and harmonious tribute of res
peot the memory of this modern Cornelia, such
grateful nations and communities wont to do to-
wards their illustrous citizens.
A proposition to erect Monument the spot where
these venerated remains now rest-(closey adjoining
this town)-was, understand, entertained by respec
table portion of its inhabitants years SINCE and
liberal subscriptions offered, but it failed be carried
into effect from unknown to the writer of this
article who not then, (as now, resident of this
vicinage If there be however, obvious propriety
this of eectng the object proposed, is certain
LIVERY hard to discern the fitness of single religious
denomination, not constituting largo proportion
of this small community, taking the matter in
their own hands, something of particular advantage,
and making it the ground of appeal for funds &C. &C.
As the writer of this, however has disposition
interfere with any society of people, their endeavours
TO further their own audabe Objects he is willing to
waive entirely, the consideration of this point It in
another light that this business seems to him chiefly
objectionable. Mrs. Washington u member of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, almost without
ycaption) her surviving relations and connections In
the communion of that Church, she lived and died
Her Mortal remains were deposited by her particu-
lar reauest* in the family buryng ground of her
n-law, COL Fielding Lewis, where they now rest by
the side of descendants relatives, &c, Under these
circumstances it is respectfully asked t that her
nshes should now be disinterred, and forced into
alton, which it is known she would not have chosen
had she been consulted while living. But if this pro-
cnss of exhumation could be justified ought it to take
place without the consent of the surviving relatives of
the deceased2 Is respect due to their al feelings
and pious veneration for their ilustrious ancesor
Mrs. Washington has but one grandson living
Major Lawrence Lewis, of Alexandria. She has many
treat grand ctdren of them In this town and its
vicinity; one of them the wife of the writer and he
himself otherwise connected with the family Have
these been officially consulted the subject? No-not
one of them, Who then has been applied to2-Geo.
w p Gusts, Esq. of Arlington, gentleman not
rooted with the deceased by the ties of consanguny
His claim to due consideration in the business, is
denied as being by the intemarrage of his grandmoth
en- connected with Gen. Washington and member of
his fa,uily But is he the only person in the Wash
sngton family, who had claim to this respect Were
her immediate, her nea descendants to be regarded
having feelings this subject entitled to consider
ationI Then, to the manner in which this undera-
king has been conducted there to have been in
this respect, some Objectionable remssness. Was the
present liberal and ghminded proprietor of the bury
inr-oround duly consulted this subject? He
written TO- it seems by Mr. Gusts, the instance Gas
know of of the respectable signers of the
mortal; and this the first ntmation, that he
received of wish to the ashes of Mrs Wash
IugtOn.
tho fact that object to re-entomb the remains
in the town of fredericksburg. SO entirely lIr
Gordon in the dark, this subject that the inference
Inc drew from MIR. Cusis's letter. was that he DIR. c.
designed to the ashes of Mrs. Washington to
some egacred edice about to be erected in his own
neiphbourhood. That Mr. Gordon knew all about the
matter Mr. Gusts certainly thought as is evident from
his letter in which he does not mention the place.
where is proposed to erect the sacred edice spoken
Of by him, But it is not less certain that Mr. Gordon
had received no information the subject and gave
his consent to the removal of the ashes altogether
under the aforementioned impression; and it is also
certain, that the Fredericksburg public received their
first knowledge of this design through this memorial
published first in New York
The chief object of this communication is TO say,
rs due to the public under existing circumstances, that
the relatives of Mrs Washington will not consent to
the removal of her ashes for any such purpose the
one now proposed; and the writer has good to
boliovc and say, that the respectable proprietor Of the
lurying ground will not agree to such removal in viola
fion of their flial feelings They know that it
matter of particular request the part Of the deceas
cd that she should be buried where she now reposc
FOR no ordinary purpose, therefore, they consent
any measure which, in its execution, would violate her