The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-05-16
MIR. JOHN A. WASIIINGTON AND
MOUNT VERNON.


apprehension Of the facts of the case are throw
ing cold water on the great and patriotic en-.
terprlsc Of the Mount Vernon purchase by
charging Mr.. John a. Washington, the pres
eut proprietor Of Mount Vernon, with mercc-
nary motives and avarice 1t is therefore
proper that this gentleman should be put rtctas
IN cHrit
Gen. Washington bcqucathcd Mount Yer.
non, to his nephew Judge .Brshrod Washing
ton, who, in his turn beqlcathcd it TO his
nephew John Augustine Washington, from
whom it was Inherited by, or bcqncathcd to
his son. the present John a. Washington
Mr.. John Augustine Washington. the pres.
cnt owner Of the haowcd spot unwilling to
make merchandise of it, and DESTROYS Of dying
its proprietor, has persisted for years in refusing
to sell il to any one, at any price, although
tempted by the most advantageous aud inyi-
ting offers As we are informed, an American
company offered him $4,000, and an Eng
lish, or European company, 100000 for it,
but he declined to part with it to indi vidnals,
and, until lately, to part with it ALL lie has
never placed Mount Vernon in the market,
dccming it dshonoring 10 the fame Of his great
collateral ancestor, and u dissertation OF the
place 50 to do. Nor can he be properly said
to have ever offered ii for sale. II was only
after long continued importantly of thcsSouth.
crn matron u patriotic daughter Of the Pal
Imcto STATE, who would take no denial m
importantly, .cqual to that Of him, in the Bible,
who prevailed with his friend, only because Of
his importantly or Of the widow, in the bless
al book, who prevailed with the unjust Judge,
to avcnge her Of her adversary, lest, said he,
"by her continual coming she weary me-
that he Reluctantly yielded up a settled and
cherished purpose, and then named IL price, far
below actual offers, and consented to sell The
home and the grave Of Washington only TO
the people Of which was the father and founder
or TO Virginia, his mother State.
When the Ladies Mount Vernon Associa-
tion became organized and obtained charter
in order to make the purchase at this stpnat.
ed price, in the name Of Virginia, he original
y objected even TO that mode Of proceeding,
and insisted, us II sine qHa non, on a direct
purchase, by the State or the nation, as alone
meeting his views Of the homage due TO the
illustrons dead and it was only after renew
ed and earnest cntrcatcs Of Tie same inyinGi-
bic importuuer that he has forcgonc his Scru-
pies, and consented 10 sell Mount Vernon 10
the state Of Virginia, as trustee for the people
OF the United States, irrespective Of the mode
IN which she may acquire the purchase money.
III thus yielding to their wishes tic ladies of
tho Mount Vernon Association, and "Tho
Southern Mutroa' thcir patriotic President,
whose nano viii live linked forever with those
Of Washington and Mount Vernon, regard
Mr. Washington, as having made sacrifice
Of feeling and interest to gallantry and patgi
otism, and thcy not ouiy profess but Jeei, in
tlteir heart Of hearts, that they owe him II debt
Of gratitude Let Us hear 40 more then Of
carpings and cuyilIiays at Mr. Washington,
course. On being importuued, as never man
was importmed he has reluctantly consented
to part with cherished heritage, for II sun
far below two actual offers only rs u favor to
the women Of America, and on condition that
Virginia, shall become, in pcrpeuiy, the Gus
todiary Of The hallowcd shrine for the fila
homage Of America aud the pilgrimage Of the
world. In so doing, he has had but prudent
care Of his own interests and yet a liIial care
Of the name and the memory Of his illnstrious
ancestor, in providing for him a post-mortuary
homage, without parallel, rs its object j,
without q conpocr, in the history Of our race
Let, then, noble and universal enthusiasm
swell the American heart, and bring man, wo
man aid child 10 lay the yotiye Offering on the
grave of Washington and register thcirna
on the Mount Vernon scroll, Il registry, which
will 20 down to future times as roll Of i'm
mortality. - (Halhsioa Coprier