Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-12-07

ceiving gifts frem his friends, General Lee
could surely have been. Leaving at mo-
ment's notice the splendid estate at Arlington
to become the prey of his enemies, aud nearly
all his property being within hostile lines and
beyond his reach his scsnt salary in Ccs-
federate scrip being utterly Inadequate to sup
port in proper style his invalid wife and ac-
mplished danghter-it was the universal
wish Of the people for whom he had sacrificed
30 much that some proper provision for his
family should be made.
Accordingly, in the winter Of 1864, the
City Council Of Richmond unanimously veted
ts present him with handsome house. and
appointed committee to make the purchase.
Sesing notice Of this in the papers, Gensral
Council expressing his grateful appreciation
of the kindness meant, but begging that ne
1 further steps sbsuld be taken in the matter,
as Ee should be compelled to decline tie offer.
:. | shall be but little in Richmond myself, )"
wrote the noble man, and my family are as
comfortable as they have right to be, these
war times If you have money to invest In
that way beg that you will give it to the
families Of our private soldiers, who are more
needy aud more deserving than myself"
Various other offers Of similar nature were
respectfully but firmly clned
At the close Of the war offers of assistance
poured in upon him from every quarter. An
English noblemau, supposing that he would
rejoice in quiet retreat from the scenes Of his
yrcat struggle aud the disasters that had
come upon bis native South, wrote him a
feeling letter in which he offered him country
seat aud an annuity Of four thousand pounds.
The General was deeply touched by this offer,
and wrote feeling reply, in which he made
his grateful Acknowledgements, but dsclined
the offer, saying cannot consent to desert
nv gative State in the hour Of her extremity.
must abide her fortunes and share her fate.
Soon after he became president Of Washing
ton College large insurance company tender
cd him its presidency at a salary OF $4,000
per annum. He told the agent who brought
the proposition that he could not discharge his
duties in the college aud accept these new ones
" But General" said the eager agent, " we
DO not wish you to have any duties in cennec-
tion with the place we offer you. The mere
use of your name is all We ask and that will
amply reimburse us for our outlay"
" Excuse me, sir, was the prompt aud EN-
phatic reply: " can't consent to receive pay
for services do not render, or to accept, un-
der any consideration, gratpity."
To a large number Of similar offers be alway:
gave the same reply.
Not long before his fatal illness he was offcr-
ed salary Of $4,000 per auuum to 60 tc
New York and be the head of u certain wealthy
corporation there; but he at once, and in the
most emphatic terms refused the offer, saying
that nothing could tempt him to leave hi:
post where he was training the young men OF
the South to do their duty in life" Not all
the gold in California could tempt him tc
swervc one inch from the path of duty.
The authorities of Washington College were
always anxious TO pay General Leo such sala-
ry as their appreciation Of his services and the
expectations of the public seemed to demand.
But when they saw the college expand un-
der his able management and wide influence
until its number Of students had increased
from 20 before The war; 10 4 and its utter
ly PROSTATE finances had so recuperated that
they had been enabled to Increase the corps vi
Instructors from 8 to %, they felt that every
principle of common justice demanded that the
presidents salary should bear ssme proportion
To the invaluable services rendered.
But they always met with an insuperabl'
obstacle in General Lees refusal to receive
more than $4,000 for his services. 1t was in
1 vain that they argued that they rendered him
no gratuity, that the prosperity of the college
was due to him, and that his services were
fully worth all they proposed to give him.
He said that the college was not able to pay all
of its professors what they proposed to give
him, and be was unwilling to receive more
than the other members of the faculty. See
ng that there was no hope Of inducing him to
iaccept direct increase of his salary they tried
to compass it by indirect means.
The Board Of Trustees made an apprepria'
ton without General Lees knowledge for a
very handsome house, which they Intended to
deed to him and his family When he found
out that the appropriation bad been made be
superintcnded the building (bein. always care
full to call it "the presidents hsuse y and
made it cost enly about half Of the amsunt ap-
proprated.
During his southern tour (which declining
health made necessary in 1859 the Board ei
Trustees donated this house to Mrs Lee and
veted her an annuity Of $4,000. 1t was deli
catsly and quietly done but when the great
chieftain returned aud learned what had beer
done be wrote, in behalf OF Mrs. Lee letter
in which he gratefully and courtsously but
firmly declined the proffered donation, saying
that if be should die before Mrs. Lee, and b.
unable to leave her comfortable, her son!
would most cheerfuliy provide for her; anc
that in any event they could not consent t