East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-16
EAST SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, FEBRUARY 16, 1860
The Protection Of Mount Vernon.

A somewhat exaggerated statement,
calculated to do injury, appeared in the
Washington correspondence of a morning
contemporary, few days since, relative
to some recent visitors to Mount Vernon,
who, it is alleged, were closely watched
and scrutinized by the present occupant,
Mr.. WASHINGTON, during their visit; and
the circumstance is seized upon for sec
tional reflections with reference to Mount
Vernon, and most unjust Disagreement
Of Mr.. WASHINGTON. No one who may
be willing to take common sense and
unpreiudiced view of the matter, or who
will consider for how many years past 1T
has become necessary for Mr.. WASHING
TON to be on the constant watch, in order
to protect that hallowed shrine from in
suit and vandalism, will wonder that some
system Of espionage upon the crowds who
visit Mount Vernon is demanded, and
especially at this time when the Ameri
can public are so nearly ready to claim
the property as their own, and when the
proprietor, moreover, may be presumed
to be even more than ordinarily anxious
to maintain the estate in good con-
dition, in view &C its early relinquish-
ment by him. We could not begin to.
name the irreparable damage which has
continually been done 10y thoughtless
visitors td these hallowed premises in or
der to obtain relics-such as window
panes broken, ballusters taken down, vines
and rare plants sundcred and bodily Osr-
ried away; and-our blood tingles as we
write it--even some of the very bricks
which held up the Sarcophagus, contain
inc the ashes of the "Father of his Coun
try" have been drawn out from their sa-
cred office, by means of the hooked canes
of some sacreliegious Vandals and taken
off as curiosities. An irrepressible con-
hict between the laws of me,tm and tenn,
would not permit Mount Vernon to re-
main long where it is; and it need not be
wondered thatsome system of surveillance
is absolutely necessary to prevent its be-
ing scattered by piece meal all over the
Union by curiosity mongers, who possess
not the first feeling of reverence.
These depredations are not fanciful.-
They are apparent to every VISITOR
During pleasant visit to Mount Vernon
last spring, we found the grand "Ban-
quoting Hall" closed to visitors, and were
panied to learn that it had become neces-
sary to shut it up, that no further dam
age should be done to the beautiful bas
reiiecoS upon the mantel- -piece-and which
were presented to WAsHINGToY by SAMUEL
VAUGHN, Esq, of London-as some of
the exquisitely carved figures had been
broken entirely asunder and carried off.
Mr.. WASHINGTON is, doubtless, more
anxious than ever that nothing shall be-
fal or cause injury to the property he
may so soon have to vacate, and we are
not surprised-while he has permitted
the Association. under the supervision of
Mr.. UPToN II. HERBERT, to go on with
some urgent repairs-that a strict vigi-
lance is kept up until he gives to the
ladies of the Mount Vernon Association
full and final possession. All the pur-
chase has not yet been paid, nor
is it deemed advisable, although we be-
lieve the Association have surplus of
some $4,000 to pay the last balance of
some So, 900, until they feel warranted in
not being bcggared after they get there.
When the surety of the balance of $3.50,
900 needed for the restoration aud main
tenance of the estate is given, as it most
unquestionably will be soon, the balance
due will be paid to Mr.. WASHINGTON,
giving him at the same time the required
six months notice to quit.
We must confess to an abiding faith
in Miss ANN PAMELA CUNNINGHAM, and
her administrative talent already shown
in the successful issue other noble scheme,
and we feel confident that no sectional
spirit can ever grow out of elements so
pure and lofty. We have no fears for
the future of Mount Vernon-that it will
be preserved intact and complete, to all
coming time, as the once beloved homo
of lhe great WASHINGTON; and the coun-
trt at large cannot be too grateful to
Miss CUNNrNGHAM and the noble women
ofall the States, with hearts and hands so
firmly united ,yyhiclshe has drawhd ssbnnd
Ihet in the Association, forhaving rescue-
from utter desolation this sacred proper
ty. When the estate does pass into their
hands, we feel that it will be literally
natioaalized for the use (not abuse) of the
people of the whole Union.--Pen@ylra-
man.
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