Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-29
Tho Remain. OF Wa.h,us,e,,


Editor Stdr:-In your issue OF May 18TH.
teritas' says: Neither Congress nor any
oIner legislative body ever had or now has, any
Juiisoicuon over the remains OF Washington.
pa M Ill HISTORICAL "reminiscences relating 10 the
dS 1et VI us country carry with them an IN
osiisI nIerest 10 Americans, the following from
or nt. records, which cannot be doubted nor
s"inmna' ma may merit a place in your valuable
knowledge straight u
on Monday, December %, 17ss. the following
itsoiuuon passed In Senate: .Thaf a mar
BILE monument be erected nv the rn11at
states, IN the Capitol, al the city OF Wase'
G lns.on; w ana that the family Of General
his body TO be deposited under IL; and Ina
the monument be so designed as 10 corn.
M morate the great events OF his military ana
United States be requested TO direct a cony of
these resolutions 10 be transmitted 60 Mrs.
Washington, assuring her OF the profound re-
spect Congress will ever bear TO her person ana
Character OF their coincidence on thelate ailiict-
ing dispensation OF Providence and entreating
her assent TO the interment OF the remains OF
General General George org Washington In the manner ex-
pressed la the 1rst resolution"
on Tuesday, December "a, 1929. these resoll-
tons were concurred In by the House.
The following Is the reply OF MIS- Washington
"MoUSr VERNON, December 81. 1929
m:-While l feel. with keenest anguish the
late dspensation OF Divine Providence can
not DE inSensible 10 the mournful tributes OF re-
spect and Neneratlon which are paid 10 the
iheinory or my dear deceased husband; and. as
us btSt services and most anxious wishes waIe
always devoted 20 the welfare and happiness Of
MS country. 10 know that they were truly an
pIeolated and gratefully remembered afrorl,
no lnconsiderabie consolation. Taught hy that
great example which have So long mad hefore
me never la oppose my private wishes to the
pubic viii. must consent 10 the request ma Q
oy Congress, which you have had the goodness
10 transmit 10 me; ard in doing this need not
cannot. say what sacrifice OF individual ~ =,
Ing make 10 sense OF public duty. With Crata-
ful acknowledgements and unfeigned thanks Tor
the personal respect and evidences OF con 10.
lence expressed by Congress and yourself 10
main, very respectfully, sir, your most OBJ, H.
ent humble servant,
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
Inc error alluded 10 by Neritas1-" that the
remains OF the illuStrious dead were removed
from Ihe Oh TO the new tomb in ISL, by an act
OF Congress'"-may probably be explained by
Ihe following communications In The senate
Thursday, February ID 1882 the Vice president
laid before that body the following correspond
ence:
ARLINGTON IIoUsE, Tuesday night, Feb. "A. 1889.
Ge"tt7i"h: The letter you have done mc the
nonor 10 write TO me, requesting my consent 10
the removal OF the remains OF my venerable
grand parents from their present ressting-pIace
10 the Capitol, / have this moment received.
give my most hearty consent TO the removal
OF tne remains, after the manner requested aud
congratulate the government upon the ap-
preaching consummation OF great act OF
national gratitude.
1 have the honor TO be, with perfect resne,t
gentlemen, your most obedient servant.
GEORGE WASHINGTON r. CUsTIs
To the Honorable j. c Calhoun. Vice Pres,-
dent, &C: and
Andrew Stevenson. Speaker OF the house OF
Representatives.
mount VERNON, February Is. 1892
no me honorable The Pres s,9f az he Ss3,atp
ana SPEAK az the House or Representatives.
Gentlemen: L have TO acknowledge the re-
ceipt or your letter and the resolutions OF Con-
giess, TO carry into complete effect that which
was adopted In December 1893 for the removal
OF the remains OF Gen. Washington to the SAT
OF Government have received with profound
StDSlolllty, the expression OF the desire OF Con-
gTeSS. representing the whole nation, TO have
The CUSTODY and care OF the remains OF nv re-
Nered relatives; and the struggle which II has
produced In my mind. between a sense or duty
othe highest authorities OF my country and
private feelings, has been greatly embarras-
sing. But when recollect that his will In re-
Spect TO the disposition OF his remains has been
rscently carried into full effect, and that they
low repoSe Ia perfect tranquility surrounded
by those or other endeared members OF the
family, hope Congress VIII do justice 10 the
motives which seem TO me 10 require that
should not consent 10 their separation. I pray
you, gentlemen, TO communicate these Senti-
lnentS and feelings 10 Congress, with the CRATE
Jul acknow Judgments OF the whole OF the rela-
ives OF my grand-uncle for the distinguished
honor which was Intended 10 his memory, and
TO accept for yourselves assurances OF my gratI-
tude and esteem.
(Signed) JOHN A. WASHINGTON
As the unSfghtly pile in South Washington
as at the present late day, all the appearance
OF monument raised to congressional parsi-
n.ony, one cannot help thinking that the la &
writer had an uncommon gift OF seeing far
INTO The future. and desired TO shield his lila :
trious dead relative from so huge a pile OF dis
ieSg ect. w : A.
Washir gton, May 20. 1851.