Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-20
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n present plans are carried out an ef-
B fort will be made In the near future to
. Aaye the United States Congress appro-
pirate funds for the purchase Of one OF
the most interesting and most valuable
collections of Washington relics extant.
These ready invaluable mementoes of the
Father Of His Country are now in the
custody of Miss Mary Lee, daughter Of
the late Gen. Robert E. Lee, of the Con
federacy and who is, on her mothers
side, a great-granddaughter Of Martha
Washington. The project for the purchase
Of these articles so closely associated with
tie life OF the hero Of the Revolution
VIII, IL carried out, bring into the pos
session OF our national government all the
most significant possessions Of the first
president Of the republic,
Quite naturally, no doubt. the personal
possessions of the savior OF his country are
regarded as all but sacred by a large pro
portion OF the American public. Certainly
the care Iavished upon them and the ef-
forts for their preservation have not been
equaled In the case of the reminders of
any other public man who has had place
In the history of the New World. The
fact that this reyerentia regard was mani
Tested from the very date Of Washington's
death is presumably responsible for the
fact that the Washington relics were
never scattered as were the belongings Of
many a hero whose worth was fully APP
preciated only by posterity.
Almost all Of the really important rel
les Of the military career and private life
Of Gen George Washington are now in
eauded in one or another Of three general
selections. One of these is, Of course, the
cherished accumulation now In the pos
session of Miss Mary Lee by right Of de
scent. The second collection Of rare Wash
kngtonia Is that owned by the national
government and which occupies the place
Of honor In the National Museum In Wash
ington. The third Is to be found at Mount
Vernon, the home Of Washington on the
Potomac, and is to a considerable extent
made up of relics donated or loaned By
persons residing In various part Of the
country.
1t is matter OF generalization that
the objects that once belonged to Wash
ington which are of the greatest popular
interest are already in the possession of
Uncle Sam, and, as has been explained,
are on exhibition at the United States Ma
tional Museum, where they may be seen
by all visitors to the national capital
This collection includes that most Inter
esting Of all Washington trophies - the
famous camp chest which was used by
Washington all through the Revolution
his headquarters tent, used continuously
during the war, from Lexington to York
town; his baptismal robe and the last
chair In which he sat prior to his deash,
and. finally, the Continental uniform worn
by General Washington during the War
for independence.
All these literally invaluable souvenirs
came trio the possession Of the govern
ment through the purchase by act OF
Congress 10 1873 of what was known
as the Lewis Collection" Persons who
are at all familiar with Washington's
family history will surmise that these
relies represent the inheritance OF the
other branch OF the family from that
whose kcePsakes have come down to
Miss Mary Lee. Tive two children OF
Martha Washington adopted children Of
General Washington and their heirs
aujte rightsully came into possession OF
most OF the personal belongings OF the
distinguished family at Mount Vernon,
bat all who knew Of washlngton's fond
ness for the pretty Nelly Gusts can
readily surmise that she was presented
with ali tie best Of the mcmeBtoes, and
n was this collection that Uncle Sam
purchased from the Nellie Gusts heirs
Cor the sum Of Sl2, 900 in the year 1878
when tine government arst &eEakrea
gheae WaahiRgtoa reR1es they were De
psstsed Mt the UKits& States rateat
oGee, bat In the year 1883 they were
txanaferred t. the National Museum, ard
EAere they hzs reposed ever STAGE. Evszy
sszue an international expositioa b lxsaa
a any Americas city It Is s@s ~ o.
asnkss:-S= Of Ire wa@agemezt ~ nse~ss
- Soan Of these trophies . q @psz29a
aan3nra, but the relics which nee @aws
a gaam emmw sn6 closely xwagasA asn