Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-04-07
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To the Ladies If North CuroEina:
1T may not be ina ppropriatedr. ing
the centennial Year to refresh ouI
memory with some facts cOnpec led
with this mecca of our couutiy; and
many Inquiries addressed to ne re
Gently on the present statu of Nj
Vernon, induce the hope that the III
terest III the place is reviving. Ii is
unnecessary here to review the history
OF the purchase OF the place by Miss
Canning nam of South Carolina, aid, q
by contributions from the women of
the land. The payment of 81 made
the donor d life member of the Mt.
Vernon Ladles' Association. This
association was organized with a
'ogent and treasurer, and a vice
r"geLt was appointed from each State
by the regent.
The charter granted by the Legisla-
ture of Virginia. was given with lin :
tied powers, aud Virginia holds a
teversionary right To Mt. Vernon,
should the assoc alton violate it's
pledge ''to keep aud preserve the
home sand grave of Washington. 1t
can, therefore, never become the
property of the general government.
1t CANE into our hands in dilapi-
dated condition; 1t is now an honor 10
the association.
In 1872 malicious persons made q
ser'"s OF misrepresentation 30 the Gov
ornor and Legislature Of Virginia as 10
the management, neglect, &c. &c., cf
Mt. Vernon. The regent urged the
appointment of a committee to Inspect
the books, the mansion and farm
on the 18th OF Nay this committee,
consisting of Judge Thomas. Gen
Meem, Gen. FItz Hugh LIE and
Senator Brigie, me-! the ladies OF the
Graud Council at Mt. Vernon, aud
this extract will at once rrfute tn4
charge. Judge Thomas said cit
gave him great pleasure to Inform
them that the committee OF which he
was the head bad examined carefully
INTO the workings of the association,
and the financial exhibits as shown
them, AMI were prepared to state that
they found everything entirely correct.
Tic pilmented them upon the suc-
cessfuI pursuit OF their labor of love,
anI warmly endorsed their action i'll
regard 10 the charges imposed as tolls
and wharfage as the only regular
source of revenue open 20 them. He
greeted the limited time at com
nund would not enable the committee
to rcpare AID seod to the council the
full report that would be sent to the
Governor al Virginia, but lie assn ed
them that the board had full confidence
III the association"
The Grand Council meets annually
in May at Mt. Vernon. to which are
tue reports of regent, vice
regents and resident superintendent.
The principal source of revenue is
from the steamer Arrow, which bri1gs |
visitors from Washington, and the sale |
10 them of lunches, fruits. flowers and |
IS considerable.
We greatly need AN endowment |
fund, the interest of which viii enable |
he association to meet the necessary
expenses of keeping Mt. Vernon III a
Of perfect repair, and also to
-eileve it from the duty of charging
we're appealed 10 by the vice regents
or aid and responded on the 22ud of
February. / have the honor to ac-
Ledge htndsome centennial! of
eriug to Mt Vernon from the l,adias of
Ashevi:le Oh that day. Will not the
aides III other parts Of the State select
he 20th of May to make a similar offer
ng to the treasury?
1T is a beautiful sentiment in the
Ieart of the merican people which
prompts them to make tAeir off,r
ngs to preserve the tomb of our
atriot on his rf1tal day. bat let rs ac-
rpt that hon"red day, the both OF
lay, wheE olu forefatners took theiui-
latOrY steps towards that freedom
Inch Washington ach, iyed for us
Contributions may S Mt to the
IationaI Bank OF Greensboro, or TO
Mrs. LETITIA H WALKER.
Vice regent for North Carolina,
Ieaksville, n. @.