The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-17
REPORT or TIE SECRETARY or THE MOUNT
VERNON ASSOCIATION
[Trom tho Mount vernon Record, sOp.ombor !


OF the Union" respectfully submits the following!
In the report issued the 25th of June the public
appzed not only of the purchase of Mount Vernon by
tue association OF the terms Of the purchase OF the OBJ
legations assumed in reliance upon the generosity and
patriotism of the country to enable it to redeem its liza
bilities and TO Mount Vernon The properly Of tie
hon, but also that by the payment OF dollar, any
citizen OF the United States can become member OF tho
association that its organization admits OF indefinite
tension throughout the Union that the government of
the association earnestly desires such extension shall take
place aswidey possible, and with the least practicable
delay that It's constitution provides for representation
OF each State IN the central administration OF its affairs
through vice regent and that the regent under this
provision, had already appointed representatives for
eleven States
The regent is deeply sensible of the responsibilities In
yoIyed IN making appointments to this office OF high
trust to be held for life and earnestly desires to discharge
duty attended with many difficulties and unavoidable
delays in such manner will best promote the interests
Of the association and the future sacedness of Mount
Vernon.
We enabled to report that the regent Is making
the most diligent and strenuous efforts comply with
the provision of the Sd article of tho constitution viz
THAT vice regent, if praecaJe shall be appointed
carried ON by which it is expected TO be able to appoint
nine more vice regents
Since the previous report Madame Muat has been ap-
pointed for Florida.
AT present therefore, the grand council Is composed OF
the following officers
Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham, South Carolina
REGENTS
Mrs. Anna Cora Ritchie Richmond Virginia.
'' Alice III. Dickinson, Wilmington, North Carolina.
g Philoclea Eigeworth Eve, Augusta, Georgia
g 0ctavia Walton lie Vert, Mobile, Alabama.
:" Catharno A McWillie jackson, Mississippi.
g Margaretta S Morse, New Orleans, Louisiana.
I" Mary Hutedge Fogg Nashville. Tennessee
I" Elizabeth NJ, Walton, St Louis, Missouri.
Miss Mary Morris Hamilton, New York city, New York
Mrs Louisa Ingersol Greenough Cambridge, Mass.
I" Abba Isabella Little, Portland Maine.
g Catherine Willis Murat, Tallahassee, Florida.
Tho anniversary OF our national Independence
deemed an appropriate occasion to call upon the citizens
of this great republic to redeem the home and grave of
him who achieved it. Appeals to this effect made
in many of the States by their respective vice regents,
and by the regent to the municipal officers and council OF
every city and town in twenty States and Territories
The association records with the highest commendaon
the generous and patriotic spirit in which Alabama cee-
brated the memorable Fourth of July and will not doubt
that the of returning prosperity will yet the
seed sown in other States to yield golden harvest to
ward its labors.
Notwithstanding tho partial of these efforts II
is gratifying to be able to that such
aging evidence is given OF increasing interest in the pur
chase of Mount Vernon that there needs but continued
zeal and perseverance on the part of the association -
procure speedy and successful accomplishment OF IT.
sacred purposes.
The public is already that In January last the
Grand Lodge of the Maoac Order In Virginia passed
resolution to invite the brotherhood throughout the
Union to unite body with the association in the puH-
chase of Mount Vernon The unity Of sentiment and
ton which characterizes she Order we'll the deep
felt for their ilustrou BROTHER George Wash
ington leave doubt to the final result of this
movement. .... ..
From South Carolina was the first response The
Grand Lodge met in March, passed resolutions of jealous
cooperation appointed committee to appeal for imme
date action the part of the subordinate lodges and
directed that copy of their proceedings be forwarded to
the regent of the association. Between twenty and
already n To
the association.
The regent has also received an official communication
from the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia which
met in July, announcing the unanimous resolve to
operate in the District. ......
Several lodges in Alabama and Tennessee have con-
tributcd in spirit of patriotism worthy of emulation.
Through the patriotism Of ronds Of the in Phil
adepha paper has been issued for the sole purpose Of
advancing the interests of the association The Mount
Vernon Record, which has received the official sanction
of the regent is designed to place before its readers the
operations and progress of the Association in every local
ty and to contain registry of the Names sum, and
dence of all subscribers to the Mount Vernon Fund
well historical matter connected with Washington and
his coemporaries 1t is to be published monthly and
through its columns clear and interesting history can
be obtained of the method and means by which Mount
Vernon is converted into a national shrine
The monthly reports Of the association hereafter will
place before the public the exact state of its fund.- and
the additions made to it from time to time
The association cannot give better evidence of its
claim to future confidence than by exposition Of past
athfuness to the wishes, interest and honor of the
country The two points of general and vital interest TO
the association and TO the public 'he title to tho
property and the disposition of the of Washington
The great object of the association being perpetually
to preserve Mount Vernon consccrated ground, tho
act of incorporation provides that the said property
herein authorized to be purchased by the said Mount
Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union shall be
ever held by it, sacred to the Father of his Country
But the possession of charter alone not being guarn
tee that the association would forever continue to exist it
devoved upon the parties arranging for the purchase Of
Mount Vernon to anticipate and provide for every poss
bic contingency which could effect its future safety Aud
as should the association to exist the title
could not be held in allegiance faithful discharge of
duty to the remains of Washington compelled the ap
pontment of resluary legateefor the property could
not be divided among the descendants of individual sub
scbers Mr. Washington refused to have the title revert
his heirs it could not be held by Congress- by the
constitution of the United States Congress cannot hold
property in sovereign State without the consent Of that
State and this Virginia would grant. 1t has,
therefore, from necessity well prudence further pro-
vded that, 'if from any the said association shall
exist the property owned by the said association
shall revert to tho Commonwealth of Virginia sacred to
the purpose for which it originally purchased Thus
If others forgot and neglected Mount Vernon it ap
propriae that it's guardianship should be imposed upon
the mother State.
In his ,o Gen, Washington directed that his remains,
with those of his kindred should be placed in vault to
be erected the present locality which selected by
himself.
The regent having reason to believe that Congress
would be willing to redeem its long neglected pledge to
erect monument he bodY title to the
estate secured after review of the locality and
grounds where the remains rest felt assured that neither
were adapted to the erection of monument worthy OF
Washington and of the nation and earnestly endeavored