The Portland daily press., 1875-04-30
Condition of Mount Vernon.

AS great publicity was given to certain mali
cious attacks upon the Mt. Vernon Association
two years ago, the Vice-regent for Maine begs
leave to call attention to the following report of
the committee appointed by the legislature of
Virginia to investigate the charges which were
made by few hostile individuals.
MARGARET j. NJ. SWEAT
Vice-regent Mt. V. Assoc. for Maine.
10 the Honorable James L. Kemper, Governor Of
The Board of Visitors to Mount Vernon, in
pursuance of the eighth section OF the act in
cooperating the Mt. Vernon Association of the
Union, beg leave to submit this their annual
report
On the End day of June, 1874, the board Wis
tied Mount Vernon, where the council of the
ladies' association was in session, and was most
cordially received by that honored body, their
presence being regarded as evidence of the
deep interest felt by Virginia in the noble mis-
sion of the association in preserving the home
and tomb of Washington, the Father of his
Country, "from all changes, whether by law or
Dissertation" The board take pleasure in tes-
tifying that the grand object OF this mission is
fast being accomplished, and that the pledge
given Col Washington, the last owner Of
Mount Vernon, before he consented to part
from it-and to Virginia. before she gave TO
the association its corporate rights-has been
sacredly and religiously kept.
When it is remembered that, by the efforts
of the ladies who compose this association, the
sum of 100000, the purchase price of Mount
Vernon, has been paid, the grounds enclosed
and beautted, new wharf built the mansion
house thoroughly repaired, and that they are
now engaged in replacing the old colonades
with new ones of the same antique style IN
which they were originally built bv Washing
ton himself, the board can but congratulate the
ladies of the Union in having sucn aDle, Zeai-
Gus and efficient workers at the head OF their
association.
The board in their last annual report men,
toned the fact of the association having con-
ceived the idea of each OF the original states
furnishing room in the mansion house with
antioue furniture, and as lar as possible to pro-
cnre articles once used by Washington him
self. The board is happy to announce that
this idea is being carried practically into effect
many articles of ancient style having already
been obtained. The worthy Vice-regent from
Virginia is most Jealous and indefatigabe IN
her efforts, and has made valuable collections
for her room, among them table once belong
ing to General Washington. AT the instance
of this same Vice-regent, tbs council at its last
session passed resolutions with view to col
lecting at Mount Vernon a library, consisting
exclusively of books to which the name, char
acter, principles and fame of Washington have
given rise, without regard to the nationality or
language of their authors.
During the year the endowment fund has
been augmented by generous contributions;
from which action it will be perceived that ey-
cry effort is being put forth by the noble ladies'
to make their grand mi sion success.
There is but one subject of complaint made
against the action of this association, and that
is in reference to the arrangement made with
the owners of the steamer Arrow, by which the
said steamer was alone allowed to land passen-
gers at the wharf of Mount Vernon, This ar
rangement was found to be absolutely necessa-
ry. When the ladies took possession there was
no regular communication with Mount Vernon;
persons desrous of visiting there were CONF
pelled to hire conveyances at great expense, or,
as occasion offered. to join excursion parties.
This was very unsatisfactory mode to the vlsl-
tors, often times prOductive:of much injury to