Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-18
THE ASHES OF WASHINGTON.

1--WE have yet had room for having before onr
ers .e Denates In the two Houses on removing the
mains OF the ilusous Washington. The proposition
has excited great feeling aud called forth much fine eo
quence Almost all the Representatives from Virginia
have opposed the removal OF his ashes from his native
State We received the two following articles Yesterday
and they will display of tho feelings which have
been inspired by the OCCASION:
Extract ofd letter from Washington, 18th Feb 1892
Allow me TO trespass for few moments ON YOUR
time My letter will be very short and upon subject
In which every citizen must feel deep interest You
sec, from the proceedings Of Congress- that il is conem
plated to remove and depose in the Capitol the remains
OF Washington. Against this, Sir, think every native
ezen oil me State which gave birth TO the ustrous
dead, should strongly protest. As native of Virginia
am decidedly opposed to it, Why, sir should his bones
be brought to this city and deposited in the Capitol. Why
should Virginia be robbed of the sacred deposited Shall
nus remains be separated from those of his conso
Mr. McDuie says and publicly exhibited here TO the
gaze oil the dler Even than tat-to be tramped
on by drunkards towards, and heartless de,nagoees
Tor one am opposed TO it, and hope the state will never
yield her assent If the United States are entitled TO his
bones, ana desire to have charge OF them be so but
condition that they shall never-no, neUerbe removed
from Mount Vernon. Let them repose where by his
own VIII, they have been deposited That is consecraed
ground and should never be proaned by sacyiLeei0s
Tedd Congress might purchase part of the esatenot
less than 100, more than 500 acres-and improve H.
Let handsome but plain monument be erected let tho
house in which he red and died be repaired without
alteration in its appearance and kept in that state TO the
end oil time Let the grounds be enclosed with strong
iron railing, and handsomely but appropriately ornament
ed let aborers DO employed the public expense TO
them in ordeporters attend the gates and person
WIN competent salary appointed 10 superntend and take
care OF the whole premises.
:, This is what think Congress ought to do if anu
g DC done In this way they might possess the bones
OF Washington, without doing Violence TO the FEELINGS of
Virginia The Impressions made upon the minds of those
who might desire, like pilgrims, visit and kneel at the
Tomb OF the Father OF their country would be very die
rent in that lonely and sequestered spot from what thew
would be in the Rotunda of the Capitol. If the grounds
be purchased and improved, propose could any Vir
gnian object the Federal Government having charge Of
the remains! Ii this be done, an attempt should
be made TO remove them, think your Legislature should
immediately enter into strong Resolutions and vest the
Governor with power TO have them executed if the at
tempt should be persisted in. These, it is true would
be strong measures but Sir never would surrender the
bones OF the Immortal Founder of the Empire TO anv
earthly Power-they should leave the shores Of
Virginia am, my dear Sir native of that great State
and unite andfeel as native born SON.
" Ii is possible that Mr. Washington may not consent tn
the removing of the bones OF his usrous ancestor He
has refused If not nothing will be done for the present.
but think Virginia should embrace this occasion TO make
known her unwillngness comply with the request Of
Congress at any future time.
Mrs. Washington. 's wv "'' VI