Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-07-13
MIR. Davis's Remains

Mrs. Davis, the widow OF the lsts Presi-
dent Jefferson Davis, who has been sojourn-
ing at the New York Aotel in New York
for some time past, In letter forwarded to
the citizens of Richmond on Saturday even
ing states that after much elaboration. she
has decided to give Virginia the care of her
husbands body. The letter is ss follows
10 the Teterans and People of the Southern
States:
After much anxious thought have finally
decided to give to Virginia the care Of my
husbands mortal BODY, and feel that my
reasons should be made public as he was In
many senses the property of the whole coun-
try.
Immediately after the death of ey-Presi.
dent Jefferson Davis Louisiana expressed
her desire to keep bis hallowed remains for
all time, but she claims only the right to
guard him until come permanent place
could be selected for bis rest
TIC military organizations OF New Orleans
bore him with fiial grief to the tomb OF the
Army OF Northern Virginia. where they
heve guarded him By night and day for Is
months, and the gratitude of my children
and myself ia too great for words.
asked year for consideration and con-
sultstion with my fsmiy. Eighteen months
have nearly expired, end feel that the mat
Ter should be decided and set at rest now.
Mississippi claimed preference. because
Mr.. Davis belonged TO her by right OF the
! 10 years residence within her borders and
the 60 years of service to the State, during
ghich she conferred upon hm unsolicited
every Office in her gift, save enc. As her
citizen, comrade In arms, Congressional rep
resentalive Senator, general in chief and
President she felt hers to be the fret claim
Tennessee urged that In her State after the
war he had found occupation, home ano
troops Of friends, and there his dead had
been buried.
Alabama remembered that within hel
borders he was elected President OF the
Confederate States there be was insugu'
rated; tba. Montgomery had been the trst
capital, and that from her lipe had Issued
the first great INVITATION to break the silence
1 which be ha6 observed since our defeat ;
that che received him with such enthusiasm
az has been msoiieslsd to oonqueror7, bul
WA never before accorded to disfrsnchised
citizen, powsT!ess 10 give aid or confer
fsvorT.
Il Georgia claimed him and has constantly
renewed the reGreat because his father had
been long cit yea OF the State. There the
ex President bsd received the came royal
courtssy which Alabama had extended, end
lately she pleaded her great love for him as
reason for granting the request.
Kentucky expressed ber pride In being
the State of bis birth, and urged her olaimr.
Virginia asked for his honored ,emaiDs
5eCsuse the most strenuous effJrts Of hia life
hs,i bssn made ugo1 her coil and In defense
OF Richmond ne the capital of thu Con-
iederae S'atos. At short intoVe's through
out the Last eighteen months she hss renew
ed mar tender INSTANCE that he should rest
among the dead OF eli thu States who fell 10
defense OF tia Confedersoy. She urged Lh5
fact that he did not in the iuiness OF mis-
fame belong exclusively 10 sny part OF the
country. Every hillside about Richmond
would tell Of tho various resistance which
he initiated erd directed with iireess v'gi
lance as chief magistrate that there be rs
ceiyed generous and unwsverDg support 10
the darkest hours of our unfortunate de
fea..
All these claims have touched my heart,
aid ccnteaGed together for Ihe mastery. L
has been hard to give 10 the hope Of dwell
ing nea. my husbands resting place in Mis-
sis,ippi, where my home Rnd interests are
hut unfortunately Beauvor Ia On the COAST
OF the Mexican g1lf, and on peninsula no!
eve. mile vide sDa half 6 mile of Shallow
water, With submere'd stnmns of large
trees, show that The sea has been steadily
encroachiny ca the shore fer many years.
l feel therefore tb5t "a the monument lie
for ali .lme it would not be wise TO place ii
there, and submit to the personal sacrifice
with The hope that the States OF the Confsd-
srscy will siso rellnqnish cbe7shed plans
for the sake of gratifying the mejority OF lbs
veterans who have written countless Letters
to me FROM each of he aforementioned
States to urge Richmond as the proper place
for tie grave OF him who loved them all and
labored for their glory with sil bic might
during the heat ard burden of the days
granted 20 him here.
Your cOuntryWonaD,
YAKIMA JEFFERSON DAVIS.
New York Hotel, jay II, 1891.