The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-12

NEw York. July Especial Mrs Davis,
the widow of the late President jefferson
Davis. who has been soiourning at New Y ork
Hotel in this city for some time past, in a let
ter forwarded to the citizens of Richmond to-
day states that after much deliberation. she has
decided to give Virginia the care Of her hus-
bans body. The letter is as follows
TO the Veteransand People Of the Southern
States
After much anxious thought I have finally
decided 10 give 10 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 ol tne "boie
country.
Immediately after the death Of ex-president
jefferson Davis Louisiana expressed her de-
sire 10 keep his hallowed remains for al time.
but she claims only the right to guard him IN
Oil some permanent place could be selected
for his rest.
GUARDED THE SACRED CLAY
The military organizations Of New Orleans
bore him with hhal eT'et TO the tonp Oh 'Ne
Army of Northern Virginia. where they have
guarded him 10y night and day for eighteen
months, and the gratitude of my children
and myself is too great for words.
asked year for consideration and consul
tation with my family. Eighteen month
ter should be decided and set at rest now.
Mississippi claimed preference. because Mr..
Davis BELONGED to her by right Of the seventy
nine years residence within her iorcers ana
the sixty years IF service 10 the stat. curing
which She conferred upon him unsChciie ed
every Office i'm her gift. save one As her
citizen. cOmrade in arms, C1ngres rep
resentatiye. Senator. general I'D "hlei aud
President she felt hers 10 be the first claim.
TENNESSEE, ALABAMA AND ofofGlh
Tennessee urged that in her State after the
war he had found occupation home and
troops of friends and there his deal had been
buried
Alabama rememl erel that within her bord-
ers he was elected President of the Conied-
crate States there he was inaugurated that
Montgomery had been the first capital;
and that from her lips had issued
the first great invitation 10 ofeaS
the silence which he Lad observed
since our defeat; that she received hun with
such enthusiasm rs has been manifested to
cOnQuerors, but WAS never before accorded %
p disfranch sed citizen. p5Werless 20 give ad
" confer favors.
Georgia claimed him and has constantly re-
newed the repuest because hls father had
been long a citizen of the State. There the
ex-President had received the same royal
courtesy which Ala anna had extended, and
lastly she pleaded her great love tor hm as "a
reason for granting the request
Kentucky EXPRESSED her pride in being the
State Of his birth, and urged her claims.
vRGNIAs CLAIM.
Virginia asked for his honored remains be
cause the most strenuous efforts OF hls he had
been made upon her soil and IN defense
of Richmond as the capital OF the Con
federate States. AT short intervals
throughout the last eighteen months she has
renewed her tender insistance that be should
rest among the dead of all the States WHO fell
in defense Of the Confederacy. She urged the
fact that he did not IN the fullness of lls fame
belong exclusively 10 any part of the country.
Every hillside about Richmond would tel OF
the vali6ns resistance which he initiated and
directed with tireless vigilance as chief nagls-
trate that there he received generous anu
unwavering support in the darkest hour OK
our unfortunate defeat
MRS. DAVIS SACRIFICE.
All these claims have touched my heart,
and contended together for the mastery. It
has been hard to give up the hope OF dwell
ing near my husband resting place
in Mississippi where my home and IN
terests are, but unfortunately Beauvor
is on the coast of the Mexican gulf, and
on a peninsula not over a mile wide. and halt
a mile of shallow water, with submerged
stumps of large trees show that the sea mas
been steadily encroachlng on the shore Tor
many years.
feel therefore that as the monument is for
all time it would not be wise 10 place II there
and submit TO the personal sacr'nce with the
hope that the States Of the Confederacy will
also relnquish cher shed plans for the sake
of gratifying the majority of the veterans who
have written countless letters TO me from each
of the aforementioned States to urge Rich
mond as the proper place for the
grave of him who loved them all
and labored for their glory with all ms might
during the heat and burden Of the days
granted to bim here.
Your countrywOman.
NARINA JEFFERsON DAVIS.
Navv York Hotel Juiv II 1891