Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-02-25
Ellsworth, Feb. 18th, 1859.
Miss A. P. CUNNINGHAM,
Regent Of the VT. Venom Ladies'


association Of The Ei,ion.
MAn.x:-as Agent for others, I had the honor
to sand you on the 10th, draft on Boston for
So 20 ca ;frcount Of tue Mt Vernon fund, the
receipt Of which, you requested to aeknowl-
cdge to Mrs. \. J. Litt,e,of Portland, Maine
In my own behalf a citizen Of Maine and OF
the Emitted States, my thanks rendered to
the originator Of the noble project for the rescue
of the Homestead Of WashiT gton from dissertation
for its preservation and TRANSMISSION, unler the
maternal care Of the women Of the Union as con-
secratod ground; whore their children may resort
TO Yenerate him, in whose life may be found an
antidote to every vice, and an incentive 70 every
virtue.
The moral influence Of your enterprise is beyond
all estimate. 1t viii! reaurnate national feelings
it will allay sectional prejudice. by uniting the
women in every State of the Union rs one in a
labor of generation and love; tau. practically
carrying out tle sentiment iuculcated in the Fare
well Address of him. who ever true and devoted
to country, considered his duty performed
while au ght remained to be dine.
The object in view and the mode adopted for
the raising the adequate fund, alike commend
themselves to the heart and udsement; under tn e
direction and influence of woman the success is
unquesti6ned; and it is confidently hoped that
the amount authorized by the Act of Incurpora-
ttion will be far realized, that the work of re.
pair and restoration Of the estate of Nit. Vernon,
will be in full progress the coming season.
The sum required having been raised by women,
it is hoped that they will retain the management
in their own hands; the public then may have
confidence that the means viii not be squandered
or the object perverted.
mound fashioned by the hand Of God, the
base Of that mound washed by Of the finest
river. on the Atlantic Sea board, affords a fitting
monument for him whose fame will endure forever.
The natural advantages of the loca.io may be
improved by the hand of man, but let them not
be profaned by meretrcious ornament no Stat
ues, Columns, no 0belisks, no. Pagodas, Tor
foreign domestic fools and trifers to admire OF
, criticize, diveIting the mind from the one and
sole thought o. him, the great TENANT of the
ground.
Permit me to suggest that the two hundred
oScs III tiie POiN.iase DC euC4OstA
with plain, high, massive wall Of granite; The
entrance through an highly ornameated Gateway
but that passed and the ga closed, let the world
its crimes, its folies, its chickering's be all e1cu
ded.
The hou7e, the buildings, the tomb and tht
grounds adjacent should be restored 70 the state
they were in when last occupied by him; the re
naming surface of the land should be made per
fectly smooth so that carriages mi ght pass in any
direction; set out with such forest trees of oul
| country as are congenal to the soil and climate
| the Evergreens of Maine, the Oak, Elm and Ma
pie of the North and South, the gigantic Cedar
of California intcrmingled then sown with grass
which forms the thickest sward and best endure
the shade. There should be nothing admitted
subject to rust, mildew or decay ;-trecs the sole
ornament renewing their foliage every returning
spring increasing in size, improving from year t.
| year emblematicel of the fame of him whose NOR
tai remains will have consecrated the ground
If to these natural ornaments superior to an,
decora'i ion of art, any addition may be permitted
| a Cleopatras Needle of pure white marble, point
ing heaveuward, typical OF his character, nigh
| be erected on the summit of the mound, withou
sculpture, engraving or inscription, save only OIL
| the base the name of WASHINGTON.
| But will no longer trespass on your time with
my crude ill-disested ideas, for have never Wis
tied the grounds. You will, l know Madam, ex
cuse the unasked opinion, of a man now in hi
seventy second year, whose bloou, though soma
what called by age, has been warmed and revivi
| hed by the admiration he has felt and feels, il
behalf of an enterprise purely and emphatica'
| y within the appropriate sphere OF your sex
which oarried into execution, outrvahng tb'
Matrons of Rome, will confer immortal hopor OF
the women of America.
With the highest sentiments Of Respect.
am Madam, Your Oh servant,
CHARLES JARVIS.