The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-12


grading the literary reputation Of the nation, by
issuing work upon prostitution, which is al
most as prurient in its details as the CARLOAD Of
obscene books which were seized in this city
some months ago; and while journals like the
Times and the Tribune help the publishers in their
work by elaborate reviews of the disgusting
work, we find, while all this is going on in the
upper circles of literature, movement in another
quarter to present to the public gems of English
undefiled, with a view to the promotion of one Of
the noblest national works This new literary
and patriotic movement, which presents so marked
contrast to the tendency Of the recent pub
locations Of the Harpers, and the reviews thereon
in the Times and Tribune, has been inaugurated by
the immortal Bonner, and is fully explained in
the following correspondence
THE IMMORTAL BONNER TO Mr.. EVERETT.
LErcrR OfTIcE Nxw YORK. Sept. 2, 1853.
DEAR SRI have proposition of somewhat peculiar
nature to make TO you. For the purchase Of the Mount
Vernon property you have done more than any other man.
or might than all other men, To your eloquent ap
peal in lis behalf is prominently due the credit the
progress already made in that noble work, and the
favor with which the subject is universally received by
our people from one extremity Of the land to the other
The heart of the public has naturally warmed towards you
on account OF your well timed and well directed efforts to
the tomb OF the Father OF Country from neglect
and dilapdaton.
Knowing that you have been no less distinguished in
literature than in official life it has occurred that
might be as agreeable to you to aid the patriotic and bene
yo mt enterprise which you have undertaken by contri
buttons to the columns Of weekly OF unprecedented
circulation as by public address. have, accordingly,
to propose that you will furnish TO the New York Ledger
one original article week for one year, will immedi-
atcy receiving your assent 10 this proposition place at
your disposal for the benefit Of the Mount Vernon Assoca
ton, my check for the sum Of ten thousand dollars
am aware, sir that you not in the habit Of
fortunately situated financially that pecunary
reward offered to YOU for your personal benefit would
induce TO deyiae from your usual COURSE but
daHterested devotion to- and the deep interest have
taken iu the noble work TO which have referred leads
hope that for the sake OF aiding il you may accept
ROBERT BONNER,
Proprietor OF the New York Ledger
Hon. EDWARD EVERETT.
Mr. EyERErr's Reilly.
BosToS, Nov. 6, 1853
Saviour letter of the Cd of September was placed
IN hands the 14;h Of that month. In consideration
your check for ten thousand dollars to be placed my
disposal for the benefit OF the Mount Vernon Association
on the receipt Of my letter accepting the Offer pro-
pose to TO furnish original article weekly for the
New York Ledger for one year.
This liberal ocr has received my thoughtful consdera
ton have been and am strongly tempted, on the
hand, to make this noble addition to the Mount Vernon
Fund On the other hand among other grounds OF hesi
ton have afraid that could do justice to your
beraty, without giving time to the preparation
of the articles than consistent with other engagements
and duties.
cruing 10 myself would induce undertake the
although the financial situation to which you allude far
less brilliant than you may have been led 10 think by
gcraicd newspaper reports feel however, that II is my
duty not 10 orego this opportunity OF adding large
once to the Mount Vernon Fund and accept the offer
will begin 10 furnish the articles the immedi-
ate demands upon my time 10 fufl previous engage
mens shall ccasen the Of this month atfurthcs
and Will continue them far as possible weekly, max
W at the end Of the for any omission in the regu
They viii, hope, he received by you and the public
vii indu 10
III mel itorous cause.
shall venture to cali the articles thus furnished by me
The Mount Vernon Papers, scarcely daring to assume
that honored name which, however may perhaps be per-
mtcd, as appropriately indicating the object for which
EDWARD EVERETT.
Ros1 BONNER, Esq
cory OF RECEIPT FROM TIKI TREASURER AUXILIARY
kotsT VERNON
$4,000 Bcsros, Nov 10, 1853
Received of Hon Edward Everett r. Bonner check for
ten thousand dollars for the trustees OF the Mount Vernon
Fund. r. H. PEABODY, Treasurer.
Thus it will be seen that Mr.. Everett accepts
the offer of the immortal Bonner. and for the
sum named, which has already been paid, has
given his receipt. The elegant scholar and
graceful orator win commence his 4" Mount Yer
non Papers" In the next number of the Ledger.
The Gum seems very large one, but it is really
sign that We are progressing in literary as well
az other matters, and ii Is one Of the immortal
Bonner's greatest coups The accession to the
ranks Of journalism Of such q recruit rs Mr..
Everett will be received with enthusiasm
throughout the country. AT the same period
that Mr.. Everett accepts the offer Of the immortal
Bonner, he is preparing for renewal of his
labors commenced last year, and he will pro-
nounce this morning at Niblo's Garden his ora
ton upon the life and character of Washington
the proceeds to be devoted towards the purchase
Of Mount Vernon.
While, however we applaud the patriotism of
Mr.. Everett and the liberalty of Mr.. Bonner
contrasting them with the low spirit displayed
by the leaders Of the trade and the journalists Of
the Times and Tribune, we must express our utter
disgust at the present aspect Of the Mount ver-
non matter. What are the facts? The tomb of
the founder Of a great people-rich, prosperous
and powerful beyond all precedent the time
and circumstances considercd-is going to wreck
and ruin; and its total decay, II seems, cannot
be prevented without the use Of the most
extraordinary exertions. Here we have all sorts
Of people going about the country begging in
every possible way for dollar for washington's
grave. Women are running about. holding up
their aprons to catch pennies for Washington,
and great orator, like Mr.. Everett, Is obliged
to consecrate his whole time to going about the
country and writing for the immortal Bonner to
raise few dollars for Washington. The fact Is,
that such a state of things is an eternal shame
and disgrace to all Of us. Washington, his name
and fame, his abiding place in life and death, be-
long to the nation. The soil wherein his body
rests should be purchased by the Congress Of
the United States, and preserved forever as
part Of the national domain as much as the
Capitol or the White House. An appropriation
of at least FIVE hundred thousand dollars should
be reported early during the coming session, and
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