The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-05-01
From the Pennsylvania Inqursr.l
Mount Vernon Association of the Union

,
paper, to endeavor to remove what we can
but regard as mistaken impressions arising
from the publication Of letter addressed
by the proprietor of Mount Vernon TO n
lady in South Carolina, stating that AMOUNT
Vernon was not for SALE" Mr.. Washing
ton might have reason 10 be gratifed by
an 'incident" which so plainly envinces
how deeply tho public heart is now throb.
bing at the bare mention of Washington,
and the SACRED spot" where he reposcs,
but for the very personal nature Of many
editorial structures upon himself.
You are aware, Mr.. Editor, that in COM
mon parlance, the announcement that any
thing is for sale, conveys the idea at once
that it is offered for sale; j. e., placed in the
market by its possessor. 1t is well known
that Mr.. Washington has never done this.
Yet he is flooded with letters Of every
description, from the personally insulting
to the idly curious, who make the inquiry
in reference to Mount Vernon; and it does
not seem to us, therefore, SO very surpri.
sing that he should have adopted the form
Of replying by curt statement of n fact,
which, if it does no more, will at least pre-.
vent n repetition Of the "favor" We say
a statement of fact, for Mount Vernon
has never been put up for sale. MIR. w. is
but the recipient of offers to purchase. 1t
was TO the conditional consideration of
one of these "offers" that the Mount Yer
non Association of the Union owes its ex.
istence. As we have been so intimately
connected with the origin of this enterprise,
we take this occasion to express our sincere
regret, if any action of ours-emana.
ting from deep appreciation OF, and rever
ence for, the character and memory of his
illustrious ancestor-should have led to any
public defamation or private annoyance TO
Mr.. Washington himself
AS the Ladies Mount Vernon Associa-
tion of the Union" is now exciting so much
interest, from the fact of having recently
been granted an act Of ofincurporation By the
General Assembly Of Virginia and recoiv-
ing the warm and generous advocacy of an
Everett-the great and good patriot, who
is emphatically the Washington of our
day-we feel it due TO the public, rs well as
the Association, to correct any misappre-
tensions in reference TO its past and pres
ent position, to Mr.. Washington aud to the
country.
AS Mr.. W., when he declined-because
not willing 10 accept the sacrifices Of his
patriotic countrywomcn, to accele to a
proposition made by the Association, in
September, 1854, to purchase Mount Yer
non-yet expressed a willingness to dispose
of 1t TO Congress or Virginia, in order TO
secure it in future from the contingencies
inciden, to a private possession-aud we
were confident that individual generosity
could procure for it a future more CRAFTY.
ing to patriotic pride and affection
than any which could result from the use
public funds in our Republican Govern
ment.
We appealed to Virginia TO purchase
from Mr.. W., and by accepting herself the
SACRIFICES s'-no, the "heart offerings" which
the Daughters of Washington would feel
it privilege to be allowed 10 bestow-ena-
blc them yet to accomplish all that love
for his memory had suggested.
This appeal has been responded to no
bly-with a promp,ness and patriotism
which should enshrine the Virginia Gener.
al Assembly of SO in tie heart OF womanl
while there is no departure from Mr.. Wash
Ington's expressed condition, viz, convey
ing the property in "trust" deed 10 the
State, yet gives the Association all State
Constitution permits, with this restriction!
Our appeal spoke only OF II trust deed ar
rangcment for the property. Mr.. w. re-
qulred it, and therefore Gov. Johnston in
presenting the subject for the considera-
lion of the Assembly, confined himself 10
this proposal; but TO the honor of the Old
Dominion be it recorded, that when he af.
terwards made an application to Mr. Lang
fitt the chairman OF the Mount Vernon
Committee, appointed TO report on this por-
ton of the Governors message, to include
an "act of incorporation" for the Associa.
tlon, with ALI enlarged patriotism which
should endear his name TO his countrymen,
1t was at once acccded TO, and on the l7,h
Of March the Mount Vernon bill" passed
both Houses in less than an hour, and al
most by acclamalon, BY this act the As.
sembly authorized the Governor to contract
with Mr.. Washington for Mount Vernon.
in the manner in which Mr.. W. had con
sented to dispose of it, i. e. trust deed to
the State. The additional act of charter
ing the Mount Vernon Association does net
make ihe latter party TO any transaction
in which Mr.. w. is to be concerned it is
purely one between the State of Virginia
and the Association. We place before you
Mr.. Washington's reply to Coy j., when
addressed on the subject:
"MouN NT VERNON, June Is, 1855.
"SiT: Your letter of June 10Th has been
received, in which you mention your dc.
sign of again recommending to the Lcgisla.
turc of Virginia the piopriely Of acquiring
for the State that portion of Mount Yer
non where Gen. Washington formerly re,
sided and OH which his remains are now
inferred; and you request to know from me
on what terms the State can obtain the
property.
SHOULD the State Of Virginia desire to
purchase Mount Vernon, she can obtain
200 acres of it, embracing the tomb Of