Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
MR.. JOHN A. WASHINGTON AND MOUNT

Some few of our contemporaries, under q misappre-
hensioa Of the facts of the case, are throwing cold
water OF. taa great and patriotic enterprise OF the
Mount Vernon purchase, by charging Mr.. John A.
Washington, the present proprietor Of Mount Vernon
with mercenary motives and avarice. 1t Is there
fora proper the: this gentleman should be put rectus
~ curta. .
Gsn Washington bequesthed Mount Vernon to his
nephew, Judge Bushrod Washington, who, IN his
turn, bequeathed it to his nephew, John Augustine
Washington, from whom 1t was Inherited by, or be
oueuthed to, bis son, the present John A. washing.
ton.
Mr. John Augustine Washington, the present own
er of the haowed spot, unwilling to make msrchan-
dzs of it, ,rd desrous of dying its proprietor, has
persisted for years, refusing to sell it to any one,
at any price, although tempted by the most advan-
tageous and inviting offers. As we are informed an
American company offered him $3.50 QUO, and an
English, European company, $5oO,OoO Tor II, but
he declined to part with it to individuals, and until
lately to part with il ALL He has never placed Mount
Vernon in the MARKET deemipg 1t dshonoring to the
fame of his great collateral ancestor, and desecra-
ton Of the place to do. Nor can he be properly
said to have ever offered it for SALE Ii was only af
tar long continued importantly of the Southern ma
tron patriotic daughter of the Palmetto State, who
would take no denial-an Importantly, equal to that
of him. in the Bible, who prevailed with his friend,
only because OF his importunty-or of the widow,
in the same blessed book, who prevailed with the
unjust Judge, to avenge her of her adversary, lest,
said he, "by her continual coming she weary me-
that he reluctantly yielded up settled and cherish
ed purpose and then named price, far below actual
oilers and consented to sell the home and the grave
of Washington only to the nation of which Washington
was the father and founder to Virginia. his mother
State When the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association
became organized and obtained charter in order to
make the purchase at this stipulated price, in the
mans Of Virginia he originally objected even to that
mode Of proceeding and insisted as SINE qua noa
on direct purchase, by the State or tue nation, as
aiou. meeting his view OF the homage due to the
iustr,ous dead and 1T was only after renewed and
earnest entreaties Of the nvincible mpOrtuner
that no has f0regone hs scruples and consented to
se Mount Vernon TO the State of Virginia as trustee
for the people Of the United States, irrespective Of
tie mode IN which she may acquire the purchase
money. In thus yielding to their wishes the ladies of
the Mount Vernon Association, and 1.-THE Southern
Matron." their patriotic PRECEDENT whose name will
live linked forever with those OF Washington and
Mount Vernon, regard Mr.. Washington, as having
made sacrifice Of feeling and interest to galantry
and PATRIOTISM and they not only profess, but teei 10
their heart ofhearts, that they owe ham debt OF gra
tude. Let us hear no more then OF earnings aud
cavlnes at Mr.. Washingtons course. On being
reluctantly consented 10 part with cherished heri
tage for sum far below two actual Offers only as
favor to the women OF America, and on condition
that Virginia, shall become n perpetuity the custo
diary Of the hallowed shrine for the fal homage of
America and the pilgrimage of the world. In 80 do
ing, no has had bat prudent care of his own inte
rests and yet flial care Of the aud the memo
post.nortuary homage, without parallel, as its OBJ
ject is without compeer In the history of our race
Let, them noble aud universal enthusiasm swell
the American heart aud bring man, woman aud
child Ia ley the votve Offering the grave Of Wash.
ingson and register their the Mount Vernon
SCROLL registry, which will 20 down to future times
a. roll of imuortality.-l Charleston Courier.