Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-12-13
Mr. VERNON, July goth, 1854.

. hr VERNON, July 26th 1854.
To j. III. GILNER, Esq,-Dear Sir
regret that absence from home has prevented me
from giving the prompt attention desired your letter
OF the 18th ulIimo, enclosing Report OF the proceedings
OF meeting OF the ladies' OF Richmond aud Manchester
and copy OF your letter the Richmond Wing You
my rest assured Sir that appreciates highly
tlan do the patriotic motives which induce the ladies'
Virginia and other Southern States to take action on the
subject which has, in this instance engaged their attention
iudeed TO those who know them do evidences
necessary TO prove that they ac,uated undertake
ing by the pure and dntercs ed feelings which character
iZs them in all the It Iiions OF life.
With every deposition to yield my views with gard to
the practicabiy oil the plan. the ladies have in view
for accomplishing the purchase Of Mt Vernon and nd
hitting that there is scarcely any obstacle which their
unrDg energy and devotion, when enlisted cannot
overcome, there still usupcrdbe objections In my
mind 10 the qualification OF their wishes
am entirely unwilling that NJ. Vernon should p,ss
rom my possessiOD unless the Safe of Virginia.
United States The only that have for desiring
this disposition OF the property s that il may be presery-
ed from the lot that must eventually bcfal it, private
possessionn the dispersion Of families aud changes of
tune almost necessarily attendant upon form Of go
Eernmcnt- IL would cause ME the greltest regret IL
amid such changes, from any Of mine my descend
at NJ Vernon should be perverted to uses
win the Venerion due to the memory and character of
b m with whole life il ia Intimately connected. Yet
cannot help freeing shat, the property OF any pt-
v'ie person or association, ths amenable result
sooner or a'er IL is that the pau devised BY
The ladies' s practicable aud /; s consigned the
dy OF Vrgibi, this result would probably be obvsted
But sir beautifully Ia the tribute Of gratitude these
excellent and devoted ladies' would pay the memory OF
our common Father, would the world cry shame on
the government aud on the men who would stand by aud
permit such sacrifice such m altar. For my
own part had rather present it, free gift the State
or Nitop lc a. either would deserve than be subject
TO the NOR OF geceviUg these offerings OF patriot
sm from the mothers wives aud daughters OF Virginia
No, cir, much admire aud reverence the many graces
aud virtues that adorn the ladies' Of my native State
cannot consent 10 be instrumental ia the ere con Of the
graceful monument designed by their patriotism and Illus
traiiVe OF H. but which at the time, would commen.
crate the d;scneracy Of myself aud the OF land
| hope the views which have had tho honor to pre-.
son with the most profound respect the ladies' Of
rnond and Manchester, will meet their approval and they
see that in eyctan declining to yield to these wish,
ain at the same time filed with admiration for the
tons aud principles which have moved them the cause
they have undertaken.
should do Injustice to my own feelings were to close
t1is letter, without returning htk4 To you SIR indivdu
ally, Tor the lair, nany and views you have
pressed in your letter TO tho cbmond Whg respecting
the couse have heretofore taken in relation the sale
OF thS place. can assure you sir had been my sole
cei motive in wishif 10 dispose Of property here,
cOul long since have done much greater sdva-
agc than arise 10 by waiting for the advise
~ the Stat the United States in the prcmie In
pccuhiry point Of view the Of either IL
0 the most perfect Indifference to much so-thit
never have aud think never shall approach any person
connected with either government upon the subject.
am sir, most respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
JOHN A. WASHINGTON.