Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-09-11

chiefly from this steamer and from the sales
Of strawberries, milk, cream, photographs,
ETC., to the visitors which il brings down.
The Council was 10 session about six and a
half hours each day from Wednesday TO Fri
day evening. The business matters brought
up before it we're Of great Importance to the
interests Of Mt. Vernon, and required close
attention aud judicious action which, to-
gether with the intense heat, rendered their
duties wearisome and arduous. Mrs. Brooks,
Madam Berghmans, Mrs. Farnsworth and Mrs.
Sweat, left for Washington on Friday after
noon; Mrs. Mason also returned TO Alexan-
dria Mrs. Barry, Mrs Hudson and Mrs.
Cults, left on Saturday afternoon. Mrs.
Comegys, a superior lady, V. II. from Della.
ware, was prevented from coming, by illness,
until Friday; and she and Mrs Walker re.
mained with the Regent until Monday
II may not be remembered by all that Miss
Cunningham's enthusiastic patriotism first
originated the idea Of purchasing Mt. Vernon,
TO preserve it from desecration and decay !;
and by her spirited letters and untiring energy
and perseverance, aroused responsive en-
thusiasm among the ladies Of the United
States, from East to West, from North TO
South In 1859, with statesmanlikc ability,
she originated a system to carry out her pur-
pose, by appointing Vice Regents in every
State who. 10 their turn. were TO appoint sew
eral ofthe first meu In their respective States
as " Counselors," and Lady Managers 10
every county, who appointed Assistants IN
every town. These ladies', cooperating
warmly in the work, by articles in the papers
aud personal efforts, drew the attention Of the
people TO the subject, who subscribed literally.
Each person, who contributed dollar, be-
came member Of the Ladies' Mt Vernon
Association" Edward Everett with noble
magnanimity, by his admirable address, raised
$4,000 for this object. Signal success
crowned the enterprise. The Home Of
Washington " was purchased and 200 acres
of estate, for 100000; and there was a
surplus Of few thousand for repairs. The
Regent employed two lawyers to draw up the
Constitution and Bylaws, by which the AS
sociation was to be governed. A Council
was TO be called by the Regent whenever the
affairs of Mt. Vernon demanded It, The
Regent aud three Vice Regents formed D
quorum. The place, when purchased, was ID
most dilapidated condition. Mrs. Comegys,
of Delaware, lady Of high character and
standing, says that when she first visited it
afterwards, the wharf was in such decayed
state that it was at the risk of ones life to
land there the roads and gravel walks were
overgrown with grass and weeds; the glass
broken, and blinds hanging loose; the plaster
broken; the piazza propped up with timbers,
unsafe to walk in, and outbuildings with
leaky roofs. The first work was to rebuild
the wharf and piazza, and then TO put the
mansion aud grounds in decent order, and re-
pair the tomb 1t has been the object Of the
Council to continue the repairs and improve
ments, as far as their funds would permit,
ever since.
At the meeting Of the last Council, in 1870,
handsome allowance was made for the Re-
gents private expenses; but by the report of
this year, it appears that she had used but
half Of it. Some surprise being expressed at
this, she replied, If choose to economic
my own expenses, and lay out the money for
Mt Vernon, who can complaint" She says
Mt. Vernon is to her Parents, brother, SIS
ter and husband Her health is failing
she has been very sick the last six months,
aud was dangerously i'll in March. She has
ever been great invalid and sufferer. AT
this Council a committee was appointed to
obtain Secretary, who was to reside at Mt.
Vernon, keep the accounts, and have gen.
eral care Of the place and supervision OF the
operatives, which was much needed, as the
gardener was not wholly reliable, and itwould
relieve the Regent OF much clre. A gentle
man has been found willing to assume these
dntiee