Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-08-23

the house from fire, supply the green
house, and conduct the water TO the old
servants hail." the kitchen, stables and
vegetable garden. The imperfect drainage
of the place added much to its natural un-
healthiness; this has been improved and
extended. The water tanks and ram cost
over $1,000. The list of contributors for
these different objects were given in the
financial statements Of the Regent. A road
from the wharf TO the tomb has been fin
ished, aud put in excellent order. The
grounds ground the tomb have been cleared
of underground, and prepared for setting
out about 800 rare foreign evergreens, i'm
ported and presented by Mr.. Corcoran of
Washington. over 900 fruit trees purchas-
cd by the Association have also been set
out. The green house has been kept in or
der, and made profitable by the sales of
bouquets aud plants. The grapery has
been stocked, md will he in bearing con-
dition next year. Over 20 acres of land are
devoted to cultivating crops of corn, oats,
grass aud potatoes. There are 10 acres de-
voted TO corn. Three able bodied colored
men are employed on the farm, and an
aged man brought here by Judge Wasli-
ington. The gardener has one special as
sistant, and has the general supervision Of
the garden, greenhouse, grounds and
farm. In the house there is one coored
man, who receives visitors, sells photo
graphs, &c, &C., and keeps the house clean
and in order. His wife, Sarah, is cook,
and also attends upon visitors, sells
milk, cream, dc. Occasionally an extra
house servant is required. These employ
ees receive wages agreed upon by the
Council, and support themselves and fami-
lies. Four cows are kept on the place.
Mr.. Sykes, the owner of the steamer Ar
row, came down from Washington on
Wednesday morning, and stated TO the
Council that he had recently had the steam
boat put in thorough repair at cost of
over $1,000. In consideration of his valua-
BILE aid to the Association, his lease was re-
newed, and extended to five years, by a
unanimous vote of the Council, on the
same terms as heretofore. The income of
the place is derived chiefly from this steam
er; and from The sales of strawberries,
milk, cream, photographs, etc., to the visi-
tors which it brings down.
The Council was in session about six aud
a half hours each day from Wednesday TO
Friday evening. The business matters
brought up before il were of great import
ance TO the interests of Mt. Vernon, and re-
quired close attention and judicious action /;
wh'c h together with the intense heat, rem
dered their duties wearisome and arduous.
NJ
Farnsworth and Mrs. Sweat, left for WASH
ington on Friday p. M, Mrs. Mason also
returned TO Alexandria; Mrs. Barry, Mrs.
Hudson, and Mrs. Cults left on Saturday
p. m. Mrs. Comegys, a superior lady, v.
II. from Delaware, was prevented from
coming by Illness until Friday and she
and Mrs. Walker remained with ,he Re
gent until Monday.
1t may not be remembered by all that
Miss Cunningham's enthusiastic patriotism
hrst originated the idea of purchasing Mt.
Vernon, to preserve it from dissertation
and decay and by her spirited letters and
untiring energy and perseverance, aroused
a responsive enthusiasm among the ladies
Of the United States, from east TO west,
from north to south. In 1851, with states
maulikc ability, she organized system to
carry out her purpose, by appointing vice
regents in every State, who in their turn,
were TO appoint several of the first men in
their respective states as " ,ounsellors,
and Lady Managers in every county
who appointed "Assistants' in every town.
These ladies' cooperating warmly in the
work, by articles in the papers and person
al efforts, drew the attention of the people
to the subject, who subscribed literally
| Each person, who contributed a dollar
| became member of the Ladies Mt. Yer
non Association" Edward Everett with
noble magnanimity, by his admirable ad
dress, raised 500, 600 for this object. Sigma
success crowned the enterprise. The
"Home of Washington was purchased
and 200 acres of the estate for 5000, 900 ant
| there was n surplus of a few thousand fol
repairs. The Regent employed two law
vers to draw up the Constitution and By
| Laws, by which the Association was to bC
| governed. A Council was to be called by thu
| Regent whenever the affairs of Mt. Vernon
demanded il. The Regent and three Vc
Regents formed a quorum. The place
when purchased, was in most dilapidate'
condition Mrs. Comegys of Delaware, ;
lady of high character and standing, say
that when she first visited l: afterwards
the wharf was in such a decayed state, tina
it was at the risk of ones life to land there
the roads and gravel walks were overgrowl
| with grass and weeds the glass broken
and blinds hanging loose; the plasterinl
| nd t,iu n Nyi
| timbers. unsafe to walk in, and outbu!ld
ings with leaking roofs. The first worl
was to rebuild the wharf and piazza, AM
then to put the mansion and grounds /
decent order, and repair the tomb. 1t ha
been the object of the Council to continu
tie repairs and Improvements, as far q
their funds would permit, ever since.
At the meeting of the last Council i
1870, u handsome allowance was made TO
the Regents private expenses; but by th
report this year II appears that she had use
but half of 1t. Some surprise being eS
pressed at this, she replied, "If / choose
economise my own expenses, and lay OF
the money for Mt Vernon, who can con
plain ?' She says Mt. Vernon is to h,
parents, brother, sister, and husband
Her health Is falling she has been yer
, | sick the last six months, and was DANCE
| ously i'll in March. She has ever been
, great invalid and sufferer. At this CouI
1 Gil Committee was appointed to obtain
: Secretary, who was to reside at Mt. We
a non, keep the accounts, and have gener
: care of the place and supervision of Il
$ operatives, which was much needed, rs Il
gardener was not wholly reliable, and
. would relieve the Regent of much care.
t gentleman has been found willing to a
!. sumo these duties.
RAILWAY STATIsTICs.-The United Stat
!, now contain 1859 miles of railway-near
u double as many as in 1860. The large
J. number of miles built in any one year W