Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-05
THE PURCHASE OF MOUNT VERNON.

ladies of the Mount Vernon Association:
MOUNT VERNON, THE PROPERTY OF TIE NATION.
1t is with feelings of the highest qualification
We announce to the public that the pegsevering
efforts of the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association
of the Union, have been crowned with success
commensurate with their sacred aims and lofty
patriotism, and that they have at last secured to
the American PEOPLE the privilege Of making
the Home and Grave Of Washington The proper
y Of the Natiom' ,,.
On the failure OF the Mount Vernon bill in
the General Assembly Of Virginia, We renewed
our orertures to Mr.. Washington to sell the
property to the Association. These o7ertureS
met with favorable response, and on the 9th
Of April, contract was signed by Mr.. Wash
ington, which obligated him to transfer Mount
Vernon to the Association, on its compliance
with the following terms, viz:
The payment OF two hundred thousand dol
lars, for two hundred acres of land including
the mansion, gardens, landing place, and, above
all, the tomb.
Eighteen thousand dollars to be paid on
closing of contract, and the remainder Of the
sum, in four bonds payable in yearly install
nients, with the permission, utter ne payment "
the first boad, to pay Mr.. Washington any
amount of the balance due, in sums of not less
than five thousand dollars, which sums will be
credited to the Association in this manner
lessening the interest.
The title to the estate and possession to be
given on payment Of the principle and interest;
and theprivilege also granted Of obtaining pos Us
sisn, on thirty days notice, al any time hss As
ISOLATION may be rerdy TO furnish the entire pnr-
chase money.
The price asked for Mount Vernon by its
proprietor, and which has never varied, has long
been known to the public, and the Ladies ot the
Mount Vernon Association, in offering to become
its purchasers, could mt erpectO acquire 1t upon
otter terms than those given as the ultmatum,
to Congress and Virginia.
Yet there is a concession made to the Asso-
citation by Mr.. Washington, as to the extension
of time; and very important proriso, to save
interest which can best be explained by the fol-
lowing letter addressed to the legal gentlemen
who negotiated the purchase on behalf Of the
Association:
RICHMOND, April /, 1853.
To Wm. H. AIacfarland, Esp, and Gen. #. d.
Chapman:
GENTLEMEN-ln the negotiations you have
recently concluded with me, Oh behalf OF the
Ladies' Association for the purchase OF Mount
Vernon, the payment Of interest on the deferred
instalments from the date Of the contract, while
I retained possession Of the property, was the
only serious difficulty between us.
Having satisfied you that | could not yield
this point you finally conceded it.
AS the contract is now closed, and I believe
in sat sfactory way to both parties, it affords
me pleasure to say to you, that II the AsSoc'a'
ton meets its engagements with me OIL the flrSt
Of January, 1859, and thinks proper TO pay, and
du:s pay the other deferred instalments on or
before the 22d day OF February, 1859, as you
inform me they will probably be both willing
and able to tlo it is my intention in that case to
remit to the Association all the interests OH all
the deferred payments.
This shall be willing to do, partly az all i'll
ducenent to the Association to obtain posscs-
sion Of Mnnnt Vernon at an early day, but
more particularly, as an evidence of the motives
that have actuated the Ladies' Association in the
cause it has undertaken.
have the honor to be, with the highest res
pcct, your obedient servant,
JonN A. WASHINGTON.
More than half century has now elapsed
since Washington walked among us-a half cen
tury of neglect and ngratitude to his memory.
Between the broken pledges of Congress, and
the apathy Of his mother State, the remains OF
tile father Of his country have lain unhonnred
by the malsoleum voted i'll the hour Ut Ma
toms grief, and his Home and Grave, left to the
fate of private property, and accessible to the
public. only through the forbearance OF courtesy
Of its private owners!
Ever and anon, voice was heard to protest
against republican nsratitude, for, ever and
anon the heart Of this great nation seemed to
throb with remembrance Of his virtues and ol
his services, and the priceless legacy lie he
nueathcd. But, during the stern struggles OF
Young Republic, this voice was unheedcd, and
Since America became power on earth, it was
either Scnced by the din of party and.section-
tional strife, or stiilcd by the murhurs Of Nam
mon. until the generations which knew him not,
were in danger of forgetting and wholly depart
ing from those principles, which are the bulwark
of our greatness, and those warming co"nSetS
which can alone maintain our Union in safety.
But that Providence which has so often inter-
posed for o,lr rescue in the darkest days OF the
Republic, when the ship of State, with no mas
ter hand at the helm, rocked 10 and fro on the
angry waves of sectional strife AMI bitterness,
which threatened to cnguf it.; has stirred the
heart of woman to revive, through the rescue
of the sacrei ashes of the Father OF his Country,
that love for his memory, slumberins, but not
dead, which could be made al po@e.3a, in re-
generating and healing influences!
A call was made to the women Of the South,
to gather around his grave and become the Yes
tails to keep alive the fires of patriotism, The
motives were purc-thc intentions generous
but they failed le. who watch the signs Of
the times, know ye not wherefore :? Washing
,on hslonsel not alone 10 the South
Again the call was made and this time to The
aromsn of the Nation. Again it failed and
wherefore?
The tile, and all The po'csr nre~ to be- giren TO
a State, and Washington, belonged not to one
State alone!
Devoted woman would be neither bathed nor
conquered but she only triumphs when the
common homestead can be procured as COM
mon heritage, for the cstranged children OF
common father, the spell ofwhose memory will
yet have the power to re-Nnite them around his
hallowed sepulehHe>
UpeSpectsd success has crowned her efforts.
Our country can be saved one and indissoluble
for aroman has become her guardian spirit. In
the sacred groves Of Mount Vernon, she will
learn those lessons which will never leave US
without Mary, to train Washington for her
country's hour Of need,
Orators-Statesmen-th noble brotherhood
Of Masons-Odd Fellows-patriots, one and all,
have come promptly to the aid Of womans And
ye women Of the North and of the South, Of
the last and Of the West, will ye not rally to
the work? Will ye not vie, one with another,