New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-12
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
FIRST MARY WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
1T WAS ERECTED by sIIAs f. BURROWS AN
OIp-TIMr MERCHANT OF NEW-YORK.

FIRST MARY WASHINGTON MONUMENT
| IT WAS ERECTED BY srr.As E. BURROWS AN
oLD-TIME MERCHANT or NEwYoRK.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: a great deal Of interest IS taken this week
In the dedication OF the monument TO Mary
the mother Of Washington. 1t will add to that IN
terest tell little Of the history OF the one
that preceded It, as nearly all those present at that
time dead In 1880 great efforts had been made
in Fredericksburg to bald something over the
grave of celebrated a woman. After many anu
repeated failures 1t brought 70 the attehtiO"
OF Silas e. Burrows. young ana prosperous "ei
chant OF New York He volunteered to buiid II III
his expense. Andrew Jackson the PRESIDENT
and his Cabine. present as his guests at the
laying OF the cornerstone 1t was during the trip
the steamer stopped on her way from Washing
ton at a small place that Randolph. who had pefn
anGered at being dismissed from the Navy sprung
on board. and pulled Jacksons nose. drawing Dood
Nothing could exceed the confusion That ioio"eu'
Mr.. Burrows caught Randolph as he reached the
wharf. but his friends rescued him ana carried iii"
OF.
The design Of the monument then thought
to he very beautiful and appropriate. 1t was oil
statuary marble and after much delay the con-
tractors brought everything necessary ior us co-
pleton-but important business called Mr.. Bur
rows 10 South America and the shaft was never
placed Upon the pedestal. lie had spent SlooN
for t. II Is hard 10 imagine why the mothers OF
Virginia did not then see that this work was done
al the outlay OF small sum. y short time arter
this Swartwout's dcfslcaton ~ Collector OF the
Port OF New-York startled the city. Mr.. Burrows
OF the bondsrnen for s2Jc.U0 lie then went
to South America and China where he continued
his shipping business. No at that time could
have been more philanthropc. Letters in the
family show that he relieved President Monroe
during his last days when he became financially
embarrassed one Of his whaleships, fitted out
/.
frgatc The captain offered $1,000 If the captain OF
the whale-shlp would turn around and bring them
In safety to New-YorlS. He dl so-but MI Bur-
rows refused TO accept any reward. ana then pro-
ceeded To raise the funds TO fit out the Russian
ship At another tinc there was coal combine
10 raise the price during severe winter lie sent
two Of hts ships. had them loaded with coal and
the entire car-ocs were sold 10 the poor at cost.
It is well. AZ this new monument Is Dedicated ana
the old one brok TO pieces to recall the memory
Of n man who spent FOR the purpose OF honoring
Mary the mother Of Washington. and for many
another noble effort. thousands that would now,
after tho lapse 81 over half n century. have been
millions had II been carefully invested. At the
time Sir, Burrows VAS building the moHurent ne
dOrej. 81 81 cay. H. lighter his whale-sh!ps on
their arrival fiom the South.
William Ii. Harrison aftcrward President. was
Consul at Carthag.na Hearing thar he was DIS
B Burrows omercd him I'm one Of his Vessels free Of
United States The offer was gratefully accept ).
Years afi"rwarI. when elected 10 the Presidency.
Mr. Harrison offered Mr. Burrows the place OK
Minister % Russia any office he would accept
a month lstcr Mr. Harrison died.
The following letter was written by NHam II.
Seward Governor OF the State OF Newly ork;
Albany. May p. i'n.
To His Exccencv. tho President ~ the United
States.
From my earliest recollection she name OF Silas
T. burrows hfs been associated In my mind with
generous and patriotic actions. His muniicenc" IN
erecting q monument 10 Mary. the mother or Wash
lngton in contributing g. tho comfort ~ III" d"'n-
Ing Years Prcsll.ut Monroe" his generous con-
duct tovarl The i.'D President Harrison In South
America ana e. Baron Krudcu"r. the RUSSIAN
Minister with ~cv'rel officers ~ The Russian NAFl.
are part % this hi~forv - our country dear I" all
our rccollerilonr honorable o. himself and merit
for him hRh personal respect and esteem. ! have
tho honor - be. very respectfully. Norr oh-d."l'
servant WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
on May o. SO. Mrs. Jane Washington. proprietor
~ Mount Vernon. presented 70 Mr.. liurroWf a
medal u General Washington ~ ~ eNpro set 20
~ g.aiItntc from h.rg'f AMI children.
on NAV ~ l.Ii Mr. Roger \ fri"T called
uron Mr. ! H. Greene. prrst ntlnE her win l'al-
tlftil flowers and q gold medal Of the Mary wash
ingfon Monument Society. at the hDuf or IN"
uuveulng Of o.. monument md cerenonie@ being
rer-iei on hv fr.ri9c~I 'lcv Land ~ Freierlck7-
iu-r Va r'ror tho medal Is inscTlb"d. To Mrs
= y Greene cruehf.r ~ Silas l.. burrows. ~ ~"
name OF tho National BOARD ~ Directors. making
nor r. No member - M society o.
New York May "A. 49,