Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-22

We alluded briefly yesterday to the refusal of Mr.
John d. Washington the proprietor of Mount YER
noh' 10 entertain the overtures for purchase made
by the ladies of the Mount Vernon Association oil
this city. The following extract from Mr. Washing.
tons letter will exhibit at large the reasons
which have induced him 10 come to his decision
With every disposition to yield my views with re.
gard to the practcabty of the plan the ladies have
IN view, for accomplishing the purchase of Mount
Vernon and admitting there is scarcely any obstacle
which their untring energy and devotion when once
enlisted, cannot overcome, there still nsuperable
objections in my mind to the qualification of heit
wishes.
| am entirely unwilling that Mount Vernon should
pass from my possession unless to the Stale of Viz
GINA or 10 The United States The only reason that
have for desiring this disposition of the property is
that it may be perpetualy preserved from the lot
which must eventually befall it, as private posses
sion in the dispersion of families and changes of for
tune almost necessarily attendant upon form oil
government. 1t would cause me the greatest regret
It amid such changes, from any act of mine my
descendants, Mount Vernon should be perverted 10
uses Inconsistent with The veneration due to the
DRY and character of him with whose life is so init
maely connected.
Yet cannot help foreseeing that as the property
of any private person or association, this amentable
result must or later occur 1t s true, that il
the plan devised by the ladies practicable and it is
consigned to the custody of Virginia. this resu would
probably be obvated.
But, sir beautiful is the tribute of gratitude these
excellent and devoted ladies would pay to the mem.
DRY of our Father, would net the world Cry
shame on the governments and the who
would stand by and permit them to make such sac.
rahce, even on such an altar
For my own part, had rather present it free
gift to the State nation, (ittle either would de-
serve it, than be bject to the modification Of
cevng these offerings of patriotism from the mothers
wives and daughters of Virginia. No sir much rs
admire and reverence the many graces and virtues
| hot fba adj &c SEoto
consent 10 be instrumental in the erection of the
graceful monument designed by their patriotism and
Illustrative of it, but which, at the time, would
commemorate the degeneracy OF myself and the men
of our land.
We believe that 5000 600 is The amount which MIR
Washington asks for Mount Vernon. From what
have heard of the present condition OF the estate
we incline TO the opinion that it would take about
500, 900 more 10 put ii in order. Possibly, after il
obtained and put in order, tor this very moder-
ate amount, ii mig ht be kept in order at The trng
expenditure of $25 900 per annum In view OF these
probabilities, we quite agree with Mr. Washington
in the doubt which he seems 10 entertain whether
( 9 the plan devised by the ladies is practicable"
AS the last resting place Of the mortal remains oil
George Washington, the home which was hallow-
ed by his presence during life it ls impossible to
place too high a value upon Mount Vernon. 1t can
no more be estimated in dollars and cents than the
sunlight, the free air. All the gold of California
could pay for it, Apart, however, from its hal
lowed associations it is not at all valuable,
are informed than the other poor farms of tina; region
and, as an estate, has gone down, learn, till il
presents few signs Of its former condition. If this be
true, apart from its associations with the memory OF
Washington, the place would scarcely be worth the
acceptance of the United States of Virginia even
if Mr.. Washington should present it free gift &c
the State or nation.H
What does he mean by saying, little as either
would deserve it" Che gift.) We are at loss tc
imagine what crime or msdemeanor has been com.
mted by The United States or by Virginia, to elicit
such rebuke. What has Virginia done or left un-
done, that she should be tainted in this wise by the
present proprietor of Mount Vernon! Certainly, in
no land is the memory of the father of his country
held more sacred Why does not Virginia deserve
to have the custody of the tomb of Washington 3
Give US The reason. 1t is grave charge, and cal
for the facts which support it.
We honor the motives of the ladies' concerned in
the effort purchase Mount Vernon estate, but,
could Mr. Washington's consent be obtained, we
doubt the practicabilty of their plan. 1t would in
volve expenditure far beyond anything they con
template. Virginia ought to buy Mount Vernon, and
if the proprietor will accept the reasonable O.
100000, we think it probable the State might con
sent to purchase it.-Richmond Dispatch.