Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-07-18
Communications.
WRITTEN ron The VERMONT PHDNIx.
MOUNT VBR.vO.v L.rDEBS 1850
CF.fTfO.v.
LETTER FROM MRS. CUTS.

1t was with great pain that | noticed
paragraph, early in June, In The PHOENIX,
stating that Miss Ann Pamela Cunning
ham had been removed from her office as
regent of the Mt Vernon Ladies' Associa-
ton. The cause assigned for her removal
was especially shocking to me and I was
confident it was a SANDER got up by her
enemies. am happy to say that have
recently been officially informed that this
report originated with DR.. Rowland
whose land adjoins Mt. Vernon, and who
has been for year or two endeavorng to
obtain the privilege of running boat to
Washington in opposition TO the Mt. YER
non boat, which would deprive the Asso-
citation of their chief source of income.
Failing in this, he claimed that the Mt. YER
non wharf, which Miss Cunningham had
built since its purchase by the Association,
on the site of Gen. Washingtons wharf,
was on his land. He failed 10 prove this,
aud then appealed to the Legislature of
Virginia to examine into the state of af-
fairs at Mt. Vernon, preferring charges
against the Association. The chairman of
the committee appointed went 10 the old
mansion, and finding no foundation in facts
for these charges, teleg raphed TO the other
members of The committee not to come on.
But Miss c. has been 50 much hatrassed,
that she resigned at the late meeting of the
grand council at Washington.
Indeed, two or three OF the newly APP
pointed vice regents have been more zeal
Gus than judicious, and have caused the re-
| gent much annoyance. Forgetting that
Miss Cunningham was the original found
| er of the Association-the moving spirit,
| whose patriotism inspired her with de-
| termination to purchase and preserve from
| dissertation and decay the revered mansion
of the father of his country, and 200 acres
of the estate. By her spirited articles for
| the press, signed Southern Matron," she
awakened the sympathies and interest of
the ladies of the United States, from north
TO south, from east to west. She displayed
much statesman-like ability in the organi-
| cation of the INT. Vernon Ladies' Asscia-
tion," in 1858, appointing vice regents TO
act in every STATE, and they were to APP
| point lady managers in every county, and
| also a gentleman of worth aud talent in
each county, TO aid the LADY managers" in
any emergency. Each town was 10 have
an assistant "lady manager" All these la
dy officers were to labor to collect funds
for the purchase of the "IIome of Wash
ington." Thus the ramificatious of the AS
ISOLATION extended through the length and
breadth Of the Union.
By Miss Cunnin2ham's indomitabe en-
ergy and enthusiasm in this cause, and The
zeal with which her writings inspired the
ladies and people, the $500, 900 purchase
money was at last raised aided indeed, by
the noble, self-denying labors OF Edward
Everett, who by his celebrated addresses
which he delivered throughout the nation,
raised 100000 of this sum.
Her next effort was to repair the old
place, then fast going 10 decay and ruin {;
and her energies have been devoted TO this
object ever since, putting the place in the
best condition that her means permitted.
The old decayed wharf has been rebuilt !;
the windows, blinds, and buildings gener-
ally, extensively repaired, and the grounds
put in order.
An invalid, with spinal complaint from
her youth upward, during all this labor
| Miss c. has had To contend with pain and
suffering, complicated nervous complaints,
want Of sleep, and the necessity of resort
ing to opiates to obtain it. But with this
amount Of physical infrmity, which would
have paralyzed most persons. she has per-
severed in this one great work. For, as
she said to me last summer, mt. Vernon
has been to me father, mother, brother and
sister the one labor of my life; and all
my aims are TO complete its repairs before
l die" or the sum appropriated by the
vice regents in 1870 for her maintenance,
she devoted more than half to the improve
ment of the place, only using, herself,
what was absolutely necessary for her sup
port, and living in the strictest economy.
Shame to those who cannot appreciate her
disntereste ed labors.
| NJ. p. s. Curtis,
Y. r. Of The NJ J.. Il. Il. for Vermont, ap-
| pointed in 1859.