The Portland daily press., 1871-12-09
The Mount Vernon Association.

PORTLAND, Dec. 1th, 1871.
Mr.. Editor-Dear Sir: Having had frequent
occasion to present the claims of the Mount
Vernon Association to the public through yonr
columns, and with uniform want of success.
it is with the more satisfaction that ask of you
the insertion of the following letter. hope
that in making known this instance of gener-
Gus remembrance of an Association, which in
spite of its struggles against the adverse cir
cumstances alluded to in the Regents letter,
has always preserved its integrity and its digni-
ty, there may be other hearts touched, and
other purses opened to its needs, at this season
when generosity and charity so naturally cul
inmate in outward expression.
take pleasure in stating to those friends in
this city who responded to my personal appeal
in the summer of 1870, that the sum of $4,000
contributed by them for protecting Mount Yer
non from fire, has been successfully expended
for that purpose; their iberality has been the
only exception to the want of interest in this
State, until the liberal donation recorded below.
am the more DESTROYS that my own State
should furnish her proportion towards an en-
lowment fund because she made creditable eff
fort in the purchase of Mount Vernon, and this
AASSOoSetiJ
own investment
M. J. NJ. SWEAT,
Vice Regent Mt. " Association for Maine.
MOUNT VERNON, Dec. 5, 1871.
Mrs Dr. j. H. S,o2at, Vice Regent Of Mt y
association Madam: 1t is with feelings of
intense qualification, that l acknowledge the
generous and patriotic donation of five hundred
dollars made as Christmas gift to the Endow-
ment Fund Of the Mt. Vernon Association, by
your father, (Mr. John Mussey)
Words are inadequate to express the surprise
as well as qualification, caused by this unSolic-
ted gift; for, lavish as are the American peo-
pie in bestowal of large sums for almost every
object OF charity, learning, religion, or amuse
nent, there have been none for the memory of
Washington, which seems almost to have
passed away, so unavailing have been all the
Efforts of the Association in latter years to
touch their hearts or open their purses in be-
nalf OF what all should yet proudly claim as
their countrys Mecca.
The rich, as q class, have never manifested
any practical interest in it. When its purchase,
20 save it from the contingencies incident to a
private posseSsiOn-waS the object of assiduous
labor by thousands of our patriotic ladies over
our extensive country, the sums bestowed were
all small, save in few rare instances, and the
amount gained by years of devotion, was only
adequate to its purchase and the repairing of a
portion of the decay which was making inroads
upon 1t. When the late war was over and the
association was left almost powerless to meet
the heavy responsibilities assumed in the fervor
of patriotism, it was decided to appeal to our
rich men for aid; and circulars were sent to
thousands of them, telling them of fallen colon
nades and porticoes, of leaking roof and all the
runous injuries which were rapidly destroying
the mansion and grounds; and earnestly APP
pealing for the means to put Mt. Vernon in a
condition worthy of our country and country
men. The only response was the paltry sum of
seventy-five dollars!
To Mr. Mussey, we trust, will belong the en-
viable distinction of interesting them in Mount
Vernon-of touching their pride to emulate his
patriotic. example. May his heart, which age
be spared to rejoice in the good effect of his
generous deed, to rejoice over the erection of
such an Endowment Fund as shall place the
Home of Washington beyond all future contin-
gencies, through his example and munifcence.
Please convey to him the thanks of the entire
Mount Vernon Association through its Regent,
ANN PAMELA CUNNINGHAM.