The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-06-27
Mt. remembering Of the Vice. Rege nts
of the Association.
MOUNT VERNON, June %. 1870.

Mr.. EDITOR Perhaps it may not be alto
gether uninteresting to your readers to have
a briet report of some of the proceedings at
the Council of the Vice-Regents of the La
dies Association of Mount Vernon, now in
session at Washingtons old home. Our own
people have perhaps half forgotten that this
beautiful estate is the property of the women
of the Union, and even that our State of
Maine played no ignoble part in furnishing
the means by which its possession has been
secured. wish they could see as am see
ing now how well worth while it is to have
this one spot for national pilgrimage, and
know for themselves how judiciously their
money has been expended.
Every day the steamer comes down from
Washington with visitors from all countries.
to whom the name of Washington represents
historic idea, and who wish to see the home
in which he lived and died. Now that the
council is in session the rooms reassume
their hospitable aspect, and. the days are d-
vded into distinct portions; the morning
hours for business, the noon is appropriated
to the visitors brought by the boat and in the
evening another business meeting is held. To
those who know but little of Mount Vernon
except in general way few particulars
may serve to give better idea of its impcr-
lance and of the extent to which the Associa-
ton hopes in the future to develope its re-
sources and increase its attractlveness. The
estate contains 200 acres of land, of which 25
o,'o ~, dar lt ren,,iras g., Gle
men to keep it in order, and these are under
the charge of Scotch gardener who makes
of the garden and the greenhouse small but
steady source of income which will increase
as fast as the funds will allow. The repairs
which were necessary have absorbed good
deal of money but have been conducted with
great care, and the current expenses have
been managed with an economy rarely seen
in corporation. The grounds are exquisite
ly beautiful and considering the varieties of
employment required from each of the en-
ployes, the result is an encouraging success.
The Council is occupied with receiving the
report of the Regent for the period which has
elapsed since the meeting of the last council:
the estate itself; and of the resources for the
future. Also the very pleasant task is theirs
OF acknowledging with gratitude various do
nations which have been made from different
parts of the Union. A few of these NAV be
mentioned: The room where Lafayette slept
while visiting here has been edtirely re-
furnished by gifts from New Jersey; a very
handsome carpet on the hitherto uncovered
staircase is the gift of Mr.. VIM. B. Kendall
Of New York; chair brought over in the
Mayfower and once sat in by Washington,
was presented by Mr.. Ticknor of New Jer-
sey; suit of clothes worn by Washington.
presented by Mr.. McGregor of New Jersey
the plates for printing copies of Westinghouse
will by Mr.. Corcoran OF " ashngton, who
has stood the friend of the Association on
more than one occasion, and who has prom
ised further gift of hundred different
kinds of evergreens for the grounds. Also
several chairs of antique pattern and fac
smile of the chairs in Wash,ngton's paror.
From these things it will be seen that the
plan OF filling the house with contemporaries
GUS articles OF furniture, and of enrchipg if
with objects which may interest visitors. has
been well commenced. We hope that
wider knowledge of our wishes in this respect
may orlng to us many accesslons, since old
furniture, old pictures and old rifles Of all
sorts, become douby interesting and valua-
BILE when they are collected together and
placed where the largest number of people
can examine them
The following States are represented in the
present council: Maine, Rhode Island, New
York, New Jersey. Delaware, North Carolina,
Georgia, West Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin
The Regent presides in person, and the Dis
trict OF Columbia is represented by Lady
Manager. These ladies make the journey
from their distant homes at their own expense.
give their time and labor most heartily to the
cause, and ask OF the public only that it will
believe that they have no selfish objects in
view, aud that they manage affairs with their
best skill and judgment.
Believing that these matters have claim
to tie attention of the public, and that a
khowieage OF them will awaken a response
and rouse sympathy wnicu VIII mast the
work of the officers of the association more
easy and more profitable, hare endeavored
to make rough and hurried sketch OF those
things which occur to my mind in the short
interval between two business meetings. You
VIII md that our. proceedings have frequent
notices by the press of different parts OF the
country, and in the New York Erpress of
S 2lst long and interesting article NAV
that State. AZ Vi