The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-02
MouNT VERNON.
Council OF the Ladies' Association
Plans for the Improvement Of the
Place.

The meeting Of the lady regents ofthe Mount
Vernon. Association, at Mount Vernon last
week, for the purpose Of considering plans for
the Improvement and preservation of the
place, has been briefly mentioned. A CORES
pondent of the New York Post, who was pres
ent at the reception given by the ladies on the
occasion, on Wednesday last, says:
The RECEPTION.
From the broad high porch of the house,
which runs across its front, we were ushered
into the grand banqueting hall, into the pres
Vernon Association. doubt II more go0dly
array of matrons ever graced that hall In the
palmiest days Of Mount Vernon; II the Lees, or
the Custises. or the FairfaXes, could show more
beauty, elegance or intellect. There was the
regent, Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham; of
South Carolina, o graceful little woman, with
face full of decision and energy, surrounded
by her vice-regents, Mrs. Halsted, Of New Jer..
Rhode Island; Mrs. walker, OF North Carolina;
Mrs. Barry. Of Illinois; Mrs. Brooks, OF New
York; Mrs. Lewis Washington, Of West Vir-
glnia, (whose husband belongs to the family,
and who is herself relative Of Mrs. Washing
ing on;) Mrs. ComegYs, of Delaware; Mrs.
Bingham, Of. .Penhsy ylvania; Mrs. Mitchell, Of
Wisconsin, and Mrs. Emory, Of Washington,
who has RECENTLY been appojn jnted lady manager
for the Diststct OF Columbia, no provision hay
ing been made In the constitution Of the asso-
citation for Qvice-regent except In the States.
The Marquis and Marchioness de Chambrun
were expected by the boat, and the lady, who
Is q lineal descendant of the Marquis de Lafay-
cite, was to be presented formally to the asso-
ciation; but, to the regret of every one, they
failed to meet their engagement.
oBJRoTs OF THE COUNCIL
This present council is convened for more
than ordinary business. During the war,
MoNnt Vernon was always neutral ground, al
though frequently surrounded, first by one
party, then by the other. The regent, whose
duty it Is to call together the council, was at
her home in South Carolina; many Of the vice,
be or was done, further than to-keep the place
from actual desolatlon. Miss Cunningham
who was the original protector Of the idea TO
purchase the estate, and who probably has
done more toward the payment for 1t than any
other woman-has come to. live there, and has
already done much towards repairing and
renovating II; but the income is small and un-
certain, coming principally from the receipts
of the boat, and from selling fruit, vegetables
and milk. But this is too untrustworthy q
manner Of supporting the establishment and.
estate, and the regent has called the council to
meet at the place, that they may see, by per-
sonal inspection, the necessity of some great
effort. The Vice-regents have taken hold OF
the matter in most energetic manner, and
are determined to mature some plan whereby
they can realize on endowment fund and be In
a greater measure independent.
They hope also to be able to rebuild the
colonnades between the house and the offices,
kitchen, &C., in the original manner, to pro-
vide in some degree against fire, and to drain
the cellar, which is always partly full Of water
After attending to these necessary repairs,
they hope to be able to restore some Of the
original furniture and ornaments, or to replace
greatly improved by little paint and thorough
cleansing. Huge tenders have been placed
over the hearths and mantel pieces to prevent
their further mutilation by relic hunters. Gan
old lady visitor was greatly struck by these,
and wondered 'sWhy they used such big fen
ders In old times.") One of the chambers, the
blue room, where 1t Is said General Lafayette
slept, has been furnished by the efforts OF Mrs.
Halsted, of New Jersey, who has been un-
ceaslng in her labors, and by her unremitting
energy has succeeded In begging sufficient OIL
cloth to cover the floor Of the large room.
Her example has inspired other vice-regents,
who have pledged themselves to furnish each
room, and In this way the eighteen bedrooms
will soon have an Inhabited aspect.
PORTRAITS CONDITION OF THE GROUNDS, &c.
They intend to make great effort to pur-
chase the equestrian portrait Of washington
before Yorktown" which hangs in the capitol.
This seems suitable picture tor the Mount
Vernon mansion, as it is not only an excellent
likeness of General Washington, but also OF his
military family, five officers, who accompanied
him on the memorable occasion when he or
dered the entertainments dug before York
town, and reprimanded Colonel Tiernan, his
chief engineer, for not having more promptly
obeyed his order. The picture was painted py
Rembrandt Peale, and now hangs In the capt.
tol, although it still belongs to the Peale fami-
ly, who are anxious to sell it.
There are besides some family portraits Of
great interest scattered throughout the coun-
try, which should be collected and hung in
their old places, and some very interesting
relics which would add much to the charm oil
the place. The vertable basket in which Mrs.
Washington carried her keys In those good
old days, when every lady, no matter what her
position, was her own housekeeper, and the
medicine chest from which she dispensed
health to her family and retainers, are in the
sent to part with them for consideration
After examining the house and listening to
the different plans suggested for Its restoration
and adornment, we were invited into the old
library, now used as dining-ro0m, where we
found liberal and elegant lunch, to which
we did ample justice before visiting the garden
and grounds. These proved what industry
and good management can accomplish; from
the oVergrown shrubs and trees all surplus
growth has been carefully trimmed, the lawns
are mown closely, and che greenhouse has
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