Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-16
MOUNT VERNON

called upon HIM TO open negotiations with Mr.. John
A. Washington, in conformity with the provisions
of the late act Of Assembly. At the proper time
Gov. Wise will be prepared to execute his duties mn
der the act. In the mean time the letter below dc
monstraes that the act ,uy conforms to the terms set
forth in Mr.. Wash;n:tons letter 10 Gov. johnson
and furnishes the surs-t Of perpeua,ng Mount
Vernon and It's hal!owed chi"c;r, rs pabic groorty
The suggestion of Gov. Wise, that Mr.. Everrt:
should be enlisted by the ladies 10 appeal with his
magic eloluence, to Congress and the Legislatures OF
the various S.ates, for a small appropriation from
each in behalf o. the noble work, which would prov,
a bond Of ttnon among the sovereign States Of the
rnntederary, will strike the public mind as highly iu.
dicious We doubt not rhat the patriotic and enlight
ened orator, who has already labored with whole
souled energy in the cause will cordially accept "the
blessed mission and thereby secure, in a short time
and beyond all contingency the home and grave oi
Washington as public property. The letter OF Gov
WISE and its sound suggestions, cannot but cheer up
the friends of the enterprise and its eloquent cham.
pious every where and stimulate them to new erer.
ons in the
RICHaoSp, Va, May Is, 1885,
My Dear Madam Il have read your commands
with great pleasure, and disposition cheer!ul!y IL
obey them; but you must allow me to OconSe you f.9
Oh the tar of the ease.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association 0f the
| Union" is not yet corporation in whose behalf
| Gun act. BY the 9Th section Of the statUte they
.shaii not he entitled 10 the benefit of the foregoing
| provisions in this section until they shall haze pgS
D9y.d a ConStiiniioa and By -L1rs for said rOypar0
i;0a, and hlre ite sam" apDrorci By tie GOrTaor 0J
! ii,s State and shM niSo Pie Il c2P1 M'rsoi. 50 dp
prorcd,m ~ tie otfse or the Secrstqry ot Tie Commoa
! tceaNh."
This must first be done, before nm authorized II
| act at all. When this is done, the moro important
matter is 20 enable me to assure the vendor of ihs
payment "f the purchase money. That raised ant
| rendered to M-. Washington, under the act which
provides the conveya ance 10 NJ" STATE Of Virginia, o
Mount Vernon 'to BE- concerted j1i5 pubhr property
aud torever held by the State of Virginia" -Hc-er
10 the memory Of ''the Father ol his Country" ih'
fund to he kept by Ne Sids Treasurer, 10 be pnir
out only upon orders from RI" G"vcrnoc; 'h'
amour; 10 be funded ~ other public tnnda
reports to ba made half yearly Of tho coni
ton Of the fund to the Governor, and 10 he
General Assembly, AZ every session: treasury accounts
10 be kept of tho same in proper office books, n
State archives the Governor authorized and required
Ia make the contract lr the conveyance, by proper
~ deed. Ia Me S:nI and tn pay the amount OF rht
consideration in money thus placed IN the State lrea
surv and kept and accounted for there: the derd TO en-
N Irsf NOT under General law repeniabc the will o
a ubsequent legislature and F''r7e'"dting me f"t
absolutely, upon contingency: the property TO be su
periniended by State official board 10 be appointed
by the Governor the csstn's que Hst corrorator Gn
| der publ,c lar MIR. Washington will find tha
his intentions ara more fully met by this form q" stu
tute than they cou!l possibly he by general law
which would appropriate monies out ut the rea-url
of IN. State collected from taxation "t the peopr II
their political capacity. The latter law could be re
peacd; the former could not he as TO destroy Tn
vested rights Of the trust TO perpetnse the keepln.
of the sacred remains and their hAOwe1 burial place
The former act is pcrp~ip0Hy P"bi'c: the latter would
not be- The fprmrr ia the only WAY in which thc
STATE limit her power of repeal aud can make III"
tomb Of Washington forever and unchangcabiy cr
own State property The objections. then, wh.cr
some imag inc 10 exist in the mind oi Mr. Washing
| ton, ea-ily met. He wants the purchase I" be
made by the Sials 81 this act most emphacaliy pro.
yides. lie wants the money How siial! II ~ r"Sed'
There is :hs question. and | venture sudden sug-
ge.,ion which sezcs me orclbly must express ii:
lst. Hold meeting of your Association; prepar"
your Constitution and bylaws.
end Resolve that the Hon. Edward Everett be
appointed your agent and advocate 10 appear before
Cnngress and demand S2U 900. Ii viii hc granted
That will leave 81 $50 10 be raised Orrw lse.--
Send him TO each State in the UnIUn and deniaud q!
each through its Legislature, its proportion ot that
sum according Ia its federal numbers IL yon wall
do this and Mr. Everett will undertake the blessed
mission, you will have the whole amount, and your
private subscriptions over and above, III less Than
Two wears You are allowed fv under The law.
Now, madam, you have my best Thoughts, Al you
ami your cause have always my best wishes.
Very warmly, yours.
HENRY 4. WISE.
To MKs. WM. F. RITcHIE, lst Vice President Ol
.I No,,,, I,r,on r.ntraI ('ommittpa Of the L MON