Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-19
MISCELLANEOUS.

As another evidence CT the sentiment entertained
at The North concerning the Mount Vernon bill now
before the Legislature, we insert the following from
tbs New York Commercial Advertiser:
THE MANSION AND TOMB OF WASHING
TON.
We perceive by the Virginia papers that g vigor-
ors effort is 10 be- made In the Legislature at Rich
.ond on the l1th instant 20 eecure 70 the nation the
Isst earthly resting place Of Washington. We cay
the natien-for such will BE- the practical result il the
bill thsnto be put ts final passage for the purchase
Of Mount Vernon becomes law.
To q stranger il would seem incredible that for
yearly sixty years, the mortal remains Of the founder
cfcur republic have lain neglected and al but unbu
risd. And yet this may have been wisely ordered
Eur who shall say, that the tarseeing Providence
which hitherto has shaped our course, has not pur
poseiy reserved for season OF discord like the pre-
ssn., the salutsry aud pacfyag Office of ro-unitrg,
in this solemn act Of national devotion, the scattered
fragments Of fraternal love7
The proper disposition of Noun. Vernon ls sub
jec, by no means free from difficulty. The halowed
remains Of the Father Of his Country-in every just
senss the common property OF the Union-are never.
rheiess subject politically and legally, TO the exclusive
authority Of Vrgna-a State proverbslly careful Of
lis separate political power. snd particularly tenacious
Of it's constitutional right TO retain the custody Of this
sacred deposit. The legal ownership not only Of the
mansion and grounds, but Of the tomb and It's con.
tents technically belongs 10 the heHt Of kn, and ls
how exclusively vested in Mr.. john A. w ashipRton
gentleman OF Virgins, participating largely In its
peculiar political opinions which lead him to refuse
10 transfer this ownership except TO the State Itself.
Under thsss circumstances the somewhat difficult
problem 10 presented Of combining the exclusive au.
thority of Virginia with 30 much of nationality in the
actual custody Of the tomb and tho grounts aoJacea,
"a ehsil render them practically the common properly
OF the country. fortunately, the tack he's been I'M
dertaken not BY lRwyere, politicians, but by few
devoted, loyal, cear.headed, warm hearted women.
band Of patrotic ladies, having their central office
a, Richmond, with branches in the several Stotes-
end resolving to know neither North nor South. ex.
cept 10 love them both-hsVe obtained fiom Virgins
an act of Incorporation under the national and sgnh.
can't title of 1.-THE Ladies' Mount Vernon Association
of the Union" To them s committed the actual cus.
,ody o! Mount Vernon, when it shall be legally &C.
quired by the State, embracing not only the tomb but
tas mansion and adjacent grounds. with the power TO
preservation including the collection of rifng Fri.
butte from visitors for deraying the current expense
An amendment of this charter is now rendered Ne.
cesssry by the peculiar scrupes OF MIR. Washington,
Individual or association but even to receive pay.
ment for il, unless made TO him directly by the State
In his behalf is stated that be- has rejected an offer
of S3O0.G0U made by company, but that he viii
accept 20U,GGU for the mansion and tomb With 2oO
acres of the land If paid directly by Virginia.
1t is the objec. OF the pending bin TO meet these
:erms, by issuing to Mr.. Washington S2OO,0O0 10 the
bonds OF the Stale and then providing for committing
the management Of the property to the Association IA
custodians, their raisng the purchase money and
depositing it in the treasury Of Virginia.
Notwithstanding the embarrassments which have
hitherto INSTRUCTED their progress. the Association
have already secured upwards vi $50 0OU, including
tbs contributions OF Mr.. Everett aud others. May
We Tot venture to predict the passage OF the pre-.
cent bill clearing The way Of all legal doubt or diff
entity, q simultaneous movement of The women If
America from the Atlantic TO the Pacifcf May VIZ
moi confidently bope, that every city. town and ham
le-every hill eide, plain and valley in that broad
e1panse-will come eagerly forward to share the
honor Of securing this hsiowed spot. and of pre-.
serving it through coming ages, the very heart Of
our s,ill more hallowed Uhionl