Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-05-10
Prom tho n. York Comincrcial Advertiser, of May g.
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.

three months since daring tho most Indictment part OF
Ww season when the suffcrngs OF thu ndigent in the
city appealed immediately. and. happy TO
say, intellectually, 20 tho sympathics of tho humane,
We did NJ that time deem cxpcdicnt TO urge sub
ecrPtion Tor tho purpose which, however laudabe and
honorable, might have interfered materially with tho
whoncc the poor derived their Necessary aid.
Tho prosont season being moro proptous ono, VIC
havo concluded to bring the subject of these letters
bcforo the Now York public; and know Of mode
better calculated to produce tho object desired than TO
accompany tho statement and memorial Of the Frcdc
ricksbuug Committee with few letters which have
urlcctod from several in possession.
Tire famo of Washington the common property OF
his whole country and the memory Of his parent who
trained him up for his unequal rcuown, is less
Il would be superfuous enlarge upon the proprioty
Of tho design of tho citizens of fredericksburg and
though their appeal if made for assistance in the
ton OF their church. ther asylum, would have
special force that tho distinct purpose of erecting
tho proposed monument COMES with as much proprcty
to tho cirsns Of this state if made to those of Viz
giuia.
Without mcaning To dictate OF the subject, VIC take
the liberty of suggesting mode of accomplishing the
object which strikes perfectly feasible and very
appropriate. In conversations have hoard stated,
and believe, that for 1900 20SO dollars Wy suit
able monument to correspond with the architecture OF
tho church, might DO executed in this CITY, If the ladies'
choose take the business into their hands, this
would be very readily contributed in few days. and the
fia would be perpetual tribute Of rcverosatiul
respect from the matrons Of New York, 70 the momory
Of Ito mother of Washington. IF contemporaries
in the city approve of the object and of the plan, wo
trust they will lend their aid i'll promoting it. by publish
ing much of the correspondence they think need
full and urging the their readers.
subscription paper will be opened this Office and
such may be paid will be immediately deposited,
subject to tho order of the committee, the project
of executing the monument here be Preferred to that
OF any other committee authorized to take charge of IT.
FREpEnIcKsuuRo, Va. February 81. 1881.
10 the EdilorS Of the Commercial Adrertiscr
Gcntlcmcn:-Thc subject of this commune alton will,
trust, be Il sufficient apology for addressing you,
wi,hou; the honor OF personal acquaintance or the
forma'y of introduction, it has appealed warmly
90 feelings that persuaded II must enlist
those Of every American. Should VIC have deceived
ourselves hope that you will pardon the liberty; and
at least conccdc your appreciation of the motive
II isa fact - which perhaps you not ignorant,
tia, the remains of the Mother of George Washington
s in field, in immediate vicinity, without even n
stone TO designate the spot. Tradition is already our
only guide to her grave aud the field used for agri
cultural purposes the period cannot be far distant when
that will become too vague to be entitled to confidence
Such already is the fate of the ashes of his father His
contemporaries have passed away, and remain who
point out his burial place. But the mother of Con.
Washington his "guidc, philosopher, and friend;
and if the present opportunity be lost succeeding
must forever deplore the ngrattudc which consigned TO
oblivion without redecming effort the remain offs
her who gave to her country an hero without ambition
patriot without eproach" who the architect of
character which not only sheds unfadng usre on his
country, but elcvatcs conceptions of the
dignity of man.
The undersigned at present acting the
agents of subscribers for the erection of house
of worship in this place. 1t has been suggested that
place of deposit for the remains u this venerable
Inatron could be selected, once so appropriate and
permanent, within 3 walls. Our funds arc barely
adequate for the purpose Of trust, but canuo,
permit ourselves to believe that the public will refse
their aid to so holy work as the addition of monu
pcct of success and have therefore presumed 20 ash
your counsel and aid, in bringing this matter forward
u manner acceptable TO those within the sphere OF
yonr influence. We shall be satisfied 20 obtain n sum
sufficient to erect monument in architectural unity
with our building, which will be neat aud Substantial
Should we be successful than we at present an,c
O he mo
her whom 1t rs intended to commemorate the buildnp
worthy OF tho monument But should the contributions
90 more than sufficient for this purpose, they will be
appropriated to an object which would honoraby
yerpctuatc her memory than .sored urn or aninnatc
bnst,' VIZ the endowment of ''Washington Female
Orphan Asyum:" institution which would c,usc
many yet unborn to bless the memory of a matron
whose to confer benefits her fellow creaturrs
did not cease even with her life. We mention this
merely as contingency, but which may posi-
Oily occur and as we have venturod to offer tho above
statement, we wished frankly put you in possession
OF all our views, that you might be advised how the
funds would be disposed of if they exceeded the sum
requisite for the object Immediately in view.
May we presume respectfully TO so!ic. yonr aid
IN that nattcr If should be Fortunate as 20 OBJ
tam for your countcnancc and influence, VIC will %
soon as your reply IS received forward copy of OH,
application TO the people of the United States with tho
correspondence between Mr. Cus,is of Arlington who
IL associated with ns, and Mr. Gordon, the proprietor OF
the farm on which the relics rcst and rely ON Won
70 ADOPT such measures IN your vicinity, you may
deem most likely to be successful We do not howe
vcr wish to impose upon the libcraly of any ndividu
ri. \ small sum, say or $40, should esteem al
ample subscription. Either moro or less would DO 70.
crived with gratitude Nyo have the honor 60 be- very
respectfully, your obedient servants
JOHN WELLFORD,
WILLIAM ROBERTS,
CHARLES &. WEXFORD, g
BEVERLEY r. WEXFORD ! q
THOMAS seldom, z
JAMES VASS, =
ALLBN w. NORTON, 3
BENJAMIN N BARNETT,
MEMORIAL.
fh" und ri gnrd. inbnhi ants o: the town of Fred
'rcS'O"rg aud Stntn CT Virginio, being committee
appointed f. that purpo.c. 10 thi. fellow citizens
Throughout the Ufitsd Stnes, reape c.frly repro
SENT
That Mrs. Mary Washington. the mother Of the Illus
trlons George Washington, was for many years al
inhnbtant of this town, that so died here and was in
TERED in our immediate vicinity where her remains now
lie that the fold which contains her humble rrave is
USED Tor agricultural purposes; and that the grave tsef
II unonorcd and almost unknown: that the present lib.
nd biNh ntuIg