Middletown transcript., 1876-03-18
MOUNT VERNON.

The people of Delaware were full
informed in 1878 of the purpose AM
object in buying Mount Vernon. Wash
ington's home. from bis heirs, who wer
too poor to keep it longer from ute
decay. This work was undertaken b.
Ann Pamela Cunningham, lady o
South Carolina, who conceived the idea
and gave, Of her own means, literally, Il
accomplish it. An association was or.
ganized BY ber throughout the country
it was entitled the Ladies' Noun
Vernon Association of the Union;" wa.
chartered by Virginia, and the title
deeds for the property prepared by EN-.
inc Mt lawyers Of Charleston and Phila.
delphia
To secure this estate, ladies we're ap-
pointed in all the States to endeayor to
interest their respective people, and
raise money enough to buy 200 acres
Of Mount Vernon, including Washing
tons mansion and the grounds around
it. in which he is buried. For this,
two hundred thousand dollars were to
be paid.
In Delaware, three thousand dollars
were collected, in so short time, that
the National lntelligencer, of Wash
ington city, said, in an editorial COM
plimentary to them. that "Delapare
would give more, in proportion to popu-
lation. than any State in the Union"
(This is way Delaware has. In every
town and village in the State the people
contributed 1.-THE time honored Masous. J.
the Odd Fellows. officers and employees
of the railroad, and many of the schools
sent their money generously and
promptly. and the press throughout the
State gave the most generous and eff
cient aid.
All the States contributed to the pur-
chase, and Mount Vernon became, and
is now. the property and sacred trust
Of the people Of the United States who
contributed to its purchase. and not Of
the ladies. who, without compensation,
or idea Of reward, collected the money
to buy the place. and have faithfully
taken care of it for eighteen years.
There has been great deal of shame
ful Misrepresentation in regard to
Mount Vernon, but it has not been
considered worth contradiction. The
people Of Delaware. however, who
gave their money for it, and especially
those who saw it before it came into the
hands of the ladies', are invited to visit
The place. and judge for themselves
whether or not their money was worthily
given, and has been properly spent
When the association took possession,
Mount Vernon was in q state Of dilapi j
dation that would have appalled, less
courageous person than Miss Cunning
ham; there was not door orr window
belonging to Washington's home that
did not make us feel ashamed as Amer
leans; that euch neglect could be al
lowed TO exist in SO hallowed spot
The 5000, 900 were raised chiefly. in |
very small sums, and forwarded as soon
as collected to George W. Riggs.
banker of Washington city,, the treas
urer Of the association. and by him
paid to John A Washington. of whom
The. place was bought-in installments,
recording to arrangement-and the
ladies' set out hopefully to look after the
And what did they see }?
The large portico fronting on the Po-
omac. was down the extensive green
houses, built by General Washington
himself, bad been burned to the ground
years ago; the out-buildings, barns,
'tables, &C., we're all in ruins, and the |
gardens, grounds, and walks, obliter-
tied BY time and weeds; and there was
10 spot on the estate where steamer |
'r other vessel could land passengers
be wharf having been washed away
ong before. All these have been re-
'uilt and restored, as they were left by
Washington. The association allowed
10 departure from the original plans.
10 undermining or attempt at improve
nents.
A 6ne wharf was built Immediately
y the association, at a cost Of three
housand dollars; this enabled us to
mploy steamboat, which, by contract.
lad the exclusive right to land passep-
|ers at Mount Vernon it ran daily. in
pen weather, from Washington city.
topping at intermediate places. and the
ssociation was allowed so cents for
ach passenger With this. and the
ale Of canes. photographs, flowers, and