Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-12-22
Tbe purobase of MT. vernon.

The Purchase OF mt vernon.
The introduction of bill for the purchase OF
Mount Vernon by the United States has drawn
from the NatlonalI Intelligence Sorne "reminiscences
of the past action of our Goyenmentin reference
to the remains OF Gen. Washington. 1t appears
that the first action taken was in December, 1893,
when Congress passed resolutions authorizing
President Adams to correspond with Mrs. Wash
ineou, and ask her assent to the interment of the
remains of her illustricus husband under Monu-
mellt TO be erected by the United States in the
CapitolJ at the City Of Washington. Mrs. Wash
ington, in delicate and touching response, gave
her assent 10 the request. But the Monument was
not erected, and the remains, therefore, were not
removed from Mount Vernon. In 1916 the Legis.
latur. Of Virginia authorized GOV. Nicholas to APP
ply TO Judge Bushrod Washington, then proprietor
of Mount Vernon, for leave to remove the remains
of General and Mrs. " qshington from Mount Yer
non to Richmond, to be placed under the Mopu-
mert proposed to be erected to the honor Of WASH
ington at the Capitol Of the State. Judge Wash
ington declined, his principal reason being that
Washington,s remains were placed in the tomb at
Mount vernoniR accordance with "his ot9n aOiu,
and that ,oas to him lato dare not disO6ty'
The last action taken by Congress on the subject
thus detailed by the Intelligencer:
On the 18th OF February, 1882, the two Houses
Of Congress appointed joint committee 70 make
arrangements for celebrating the centennial birth
day of George Washington. The Hon. Henry
Clay was appointed Chairman on the part Of the
Senate, and the Hon. Philemon Thomas on the
part of the House. Chief Justice John MnrShall
YVES requested to deliver oTaon on the occasion,
but declined principally on the ground that, in
addition to the pressure of his official duties, he
nh X.
voice having become so weak asito be almost in
audible even in room not unusually large.
A resolution was recommended by the commit
tee proposing that application be made TO the pro-
plietors Of Mount Vernon for the body of George
Washington, to be removed anu deposited in the
CapitnI in conformity with the resolution of De-
cembeT, l799. 1t was provided also that the pre-
siding officers of the two Houses should prescribe
the order Of such ceremonies as they might deem
suitable to the occasion OF the interment OF the
body of George Washington in the Capitol, on
the 22d of February aud that the two Houses
should attend them. g-.It sIl s
Mr.. Clay supported the resolution in his usual
eloquent and impressive style, and-feierred to the
fact that those entrusted with the execution of the
Capitol had already provided vault Under the
centre of the rotundo for the express purpose. He
thought it the proper time to carry out the unre-
deemed pledge of Congress. "
MI. Forsyth opposed the resolution on the
ground oil the expressed wish of Gen. Washington,
who required in his will that his remains should
rest in the family vault. .
MIR. Tazeweil and Mr.. Tyler alsoopposed the re-
solution, which was supported by Mr.. Webster
Mr. Sprague and Mr.. Bib. ca fasra. Is NHf s'.i-
The resolution was finally adopted by a vote of
% yeas TO 10 nays. a1-a .as ,..:eH ...-, is4 r.
On the next day the House of Representatives
adopted a joint resolution, in which the Senate
concutred for associating the remain of the con-
sort of Washington with his own, in their ds,uter
ment at Mount Vernon and re interment in their
appropriate mnusoIem, the Capitol Of the Union.
The Legislature Of Virginia forthwith took &C.
ton, at the suggestion of Governor Floyd, md
passed resolutions, on the 50th of February, 1882,
demonstrating against the proposed remoyal: l+:
"ResolUed. UnGniHtously, That the proprietor be
earnestly requested, in The name Of the people Of
this State, not to consent TO the removal of the
remains of General Washington from Mount Yer
men,"
And so intent was Governor Floyd ON this head /,
TINT he appointed Judges Brooke and Marshall and
NJ Nor James Gibbon be beaterS of the communica-
ton 10 Congress. The proceedings Of Virginia on
the subject were therefore entered upon the jour
mails.
Application having heen made TO the proprietor,
Mr.. John a. Washington, he declined. on the
ground that the Will Of Washington, in regard to
his remains, had been recently carried into effect,
and that they now repose in perfect tranquility,
surrounded by those Of other endeared members Of
the family. t
Mr. Gusts, the grandson of Mrs. Washington,
give his assent, and congratulated the government
upon the approaching contamination OF 1 reat act
national gratitude.
Butno further steps were taken in regard TO the
removal, and on motion of Mr.. Thomas, the cor
respondence was placed upon the journal, in or
der that it might be understood that Congress had
gone to the extent OF its power in the case. .s,5
At a subsequent period proposition was made
in Congress to carry out the object othe resolution
of December, 1893, in regard TO lie National Mon
ument; but the reply was that Washington had q
monument in every American heat, and there was
no need Of monumental at the Capitol.
or late years the purchase of Mount Vernon by
the Nation has been agitated. Ii will be seen that
Virginia has an eye to the snme object. In the
late message OF Governor johnson to the Legisla-
ture of that State, after referring to the Monument
now in process Of direction in The Capitol Squire
a: Richmond, he makes the following recommen-
dation: ~" . m
''In connection with this subject, cannot re-
fraiu from respectfully but earnestly recommend.
ri oSe nf M0nnt Vernon v fhr State of ViFpinia.