Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26
THE TEMPLE FARM.
Where Lord CORVALLIS Surrendered the
British Army and Navy to Washington.
A PROPOSITION By CONGRESS TO PURCHASE THE
TRACT AND PRESERVE IT AS PLACE NOTABLE
IN THE HISTORY OF THE couyTRy-yEcEssIrY
OF PRESENT ACTION.


The other day a bill was introduced in the
Senate authorizing the purchase by the govern
ment OF Temple farm at Yorktown, Va. This
place was the scene Of the most important event.
to use the language Of the bill in our national
history. as it was there ''the rights asserted in
the Declaration of Independence were secured
by the surrender of Lord CORVALLIS and the
British army and navy to Gen. Washington"
There is still standing. in about the center Of
this farm, which contains some 500 acres, the
old Moore house, in which the terms of sur
render were arranged for the proud army and
navy. with its naughty commander, CORVALLIS.
1t was also the headquarters of Gen. Washing
ton, Gen. Lafayette and Count de Rochambeau
Immediately before and during the time of
CORVALLIS surrender.
TO PRESERVE THIS FARM.
The house is still in a good state Of preserve
ton, and during the centennial celebration of
1881, which was held on this farm, the Moore
house was elegantly furnished and turned over
to the French guests, descendants of Lafayette
and Rochambeau. The proposition now brought
to the attention of Congress for the purchase of
this farm is with the view of its preservation as
a place notable in the history of the country
and worthy TO be kept as "a memorial. Many
years ago suggestions came from every quarter
that such places should be secured and beauti-
fed by the government of the United States.
1t was argued that 1t would have a most excel
lept effect on the rising generations well as
preserve the interesting memorials for future
generations. The three pieces of ground men,
toned most particularly were that of Washing
tons home, Mount Vernon; next that of Valley
Forge, where Washington wintered his ragged
but brave little army, and last, but not least,
Temple farm, at Yorktown. Va.
THE WORK OF PATRIOTIC WOMEN.
But the women fearing that, through the
hardness of Congress, the home of Washington
might become dilapidated and go to ruin,
moved in the matter of securing Mount Vernon,
together with all articles OF furniture that could
be had belonging to II, and. placing il in order
made arrangements that the American people
could visit it and it in nearly the same con-
dition that it was when the father of his country
lived there.
After Mount Vernon was secured in this way
there was q movement to influence Congress to
buy Valley Forge in Pennsylvania and Temple
farm in Virginia, and also to erect monuments
on the most important battle-felds, especially
those where victories had been gained, but
Congress did not act. Women Of the country,
becoming tired Of delay, have set out to buy
Valley Forge under the auspices Of the Dsugh-
tiers Of &c.
The movement has had the hearty indorse-
ment OF Mrs. Harrison, the patriotic lady OF the
White House. 49,.
URGENT REQUESTS TO CONGRESS. --s
In 1880 the Patriotic Sons Of America in their
national convention held in Washington, where
most Of the states were represented, begged
Congress to secure as public grounds and ma
tionat relic Temple farm at Yorktown. Va
The legislatures OF New Jersey, Virginia, Mary
land, Ohio and south Carolina have passed
resolutions instructing their Senators and re-
questing their Representatives in Congress to
urge legislation to provide for the purchase
and preservation of this historic ground, and
similar action has been taken by various vet
eran organizations, and by the time honored
Carpenters Association Of Philadelphia, in
whose hall the First Congress was held.
NECESSITY OF PROMPT ACTION.
The necessity Of action at this time il urged
from the fact that it is proposed to syndicate
the property, with the view of cutting it up
into small parcels and placing il on the mar
ket A proposition has also been made to pur-
chase the house and remove it to Chicago us
ono OF the attractions Of the worlds fair.
Temple farm is situated most beautifully on
the high banks Of the York river on the east
side Of Yorktown, from which the scenery
across the river and Chesapeake bay Il
grand.
The government has erected o fine monu-
ment at Yorktown to commemorate the victory
here gained over the British. A national GEM
etery 10 in this vicinity. II il provided in this
bill that an appropriation Of eli, 600 be author
lied TO defray the expenses OF making good
and substantial roadway from Yorktown wharf
to the national cemetery, yorktown monument
and Temple farm Asum not TO exceed flOO 600
Is named in the bill for the purchase Of the
farm.