Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-12-22
Pnrthasr of Mnnnt Arrlnn.

The resolution before the House of Representatives
for the purchase OF Mount Vernon brings mind the past
seton OF Government in reference the remains
Gen. Washington and the tenor OF the debate of Thurs
day render the following "reminiscences acceptable
In December 1893, Congress. passed resolutions auhc
rizing President Adams correspond with Mrs Washing
ton, and ask her TO the incnnent Of the
her ilusTous husband ader a Monument TO be erected
10y the United States in the Capitol the city OF Wash.
ngton Mrs. Washington in delicate and touching 7,
Spouse gave her the request But the Mon
ment not erected, and the remains therefore were
removed from Mount Vernon.
In February, ISIS" the Legislature of Virginia auiho-
r;zed Gov Nichols to apply judge Rushrod Washing.
ton then proprietor Mount Vernon for leave 10 remove
the remains OF General and Mr.. Washington, from
Mount Vernon Richmond be placed under the Mon.
umen proposed Co be- erected TO the honor at Washing
the Capitol of the State. Judge Washington declined
aud, among other reasons, stated the following
"But oJigatous sacred than thius which con
Germs mys,lf-ohy cations with which cannot dispense
command retain the mortal remains Of my venera
ted uncle in the family vault where they are deposited
dispts. He has himself directed his body should b.
placed there and cannot separate it from those his
near relatives by which it is surrounded
On the Sth OF February, 1882, the Houses of Con
CTess appointed Joint committee make arrangements
celebrating the centennial birthday Of GEORGE WASH
INGToN. The lion. IirNEY CLAY appointed char
rHoNAs the part OF the House. Chief Justice ions
MARSHALL vas requested to deliver Grafton On the oc
cAsion, hut declnei principally the ground that in
addition the pre- OF his official duties he was phvs
icIlly unable perform the tIsk his voice having be
come 20 weak as to be almost naudibe even in
unusually large.
\ resolution wa. recommended by tho committee pro-
posing that application bc made prUpristoIs OF
Mount Vernon for the body Of George Wa-iutO 20 De
removed aud deposited In the Capitol in conformity with
the resolution OF December, 1879. IL provided also
that the presiding officers OF the Houses should pre-
scribe the order of such ceremonies they might deem
itaoie TO the occasion Of the nterment OF the body
George Washington IN ihe Capitol the 22i Of Febi
~, aud that the two Houses should attend them.
Mr. Clay supported ;h' resolution in his usual eloquent
and impressive STYLE and referred the fact that those
entrusted with the execution Of the Capitol had already
provileda vsG Under c cunte Of the younls for the
express purpose; Tie thought 1t the proper time carry
out the unr,dremcd pledge OF Congress.
Nj Forsyth opposed Ihr resolution the ground of
the expressed wish Of General Washington who required
in his will that lis remains should in the family vault
Mr. TizeweI aud Mr. Tyler also opposed the resou-
ton, which s aa.gcr"i b. Mr. Webster, Nc. Sprague,
aud Mr. Bib
The resolution finally adopted by vote of 20 yeas
to > nays.
on the day the House Of Representatives adopted
joint resolution, in which tie Senate coucurred for
sociluS the remains Of the Of Washington nth
his own, IL their ji-inernent Mount Vernon and
ntcueut in their appropriate mtusoleum the Capitol Of
the Union
The Legislature Of ggini. forthwith toos action q. tie
suggestion OF Governor FoNd ana passed resolutions on
the 10Th Of February, 1882 demonstrating against the pro
posed removal
"H.'oiroL unanimously, That the proprietor be earn.
esty requested IN the Of the people OF this State
to the removal Of the remains OF General
Washington from Mount Vernon"
And so intent Governor FLOYD on this head that he
appointed Judges BrOOse and Marshall aud Major James
GibLOn To be the b, Of the communication Con.
gres. Tue proceedings Of Virginia the subject were
therefore entered upon the Journal.
Application having been made to the proprietor, Mr..
John. A IshngOn, he declined the ground that the
VIII Of Washington, in regard his remains, had been
receuty carried into effect and that they rcposc in
perfect tranquility surrounded b. those OF other eulrsred
members Of the family
Mr. Gusts, the grandson Of Mrs. Washington, gave
biz assent and congratulated the Government upon tn,
approaching cOnummatOu u great OF national gra
titule.
But no further steps taken ia regard to the
val, and the motion OF Mr. Thomas, the cOuc.pon
dcBce placed upon the Journal in order that nigh
be understood that Congress had gone the extent Of u
power in the
At a subsequent period proposition made 10 Con
20 carry out the object O the resolution Of Decen
Der 1893, in regard to the National Monument; but tn
reply that Washington had monument IN ever
American heart, and there vas no need OF 4 InOuumen
tai pile at the Capol.-Ndi. Int