The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-11
Will Purchase Stratford
and Preserve 1t as Pro-
perty of Public.
ENTIRE COUNTRY
INVITED TO AID
Is Birthplace Of General Robert
!. Lee, Light Horse Harry
and Many Otliers-Movc-
ment Has Approval
OF the National
Camp.

Definite steps looking to the pur-
chase and preservation of stratford thu,
famous old home of the Lees. in west
moreland county, were taken by the
Virginia Camp, Of the Patriotic Order,
Sons of America, in session here yes
terday.
Recalling the history of the home
stead noted aa the birthplace of Cen /
eral Robert II. Lee and a long line
OF other famous Lees, the Patriotic /
, Sons in n lengthy resolution invite l
the people OF the entire country to I
contribute to the purchase fund, which I
viii be started at once. 1t is the pur- /
pose of the organization to preserve
Stratford forever as "the property of +
the people" to refurnish 1t In the style !
of the period when its owners werc
born: 10 build wharf and to make 1T (
place where patriotic citizens may
gather and refresh their memory with
the great deeds performed by these !
heroes of the past"
The proposition at once aroused in
terest in Richmond and doubtless will
attract attention throughout the coun- |
try The Sons will set to work in
earnest and hope TO see the movement
crowned with success.
Detailed Proceedings.
The camp was called to order at 10
o'clock by the State President George
II. Wagner, OF Danyille. 1t is secret
organization and the meeting was. of
course. held. behind closed doors. AZ
ter the opening ceremonies the presi5
dent introduced Mayor Carlton McCar-
thy. who delivered stirring address Of
welcome. The Mayor spoke of the
aims and objects of the order and de-
olared that no order which had held a
-. tI,t.
many conventions held warmer place
In the hearts OF the people of Rich
mcnd- He assured the delegates that
they were .'in the house OF their
friends
A hitting response TO the address OF
!, welcome was made by Rev. r w. Felt
ner one of the leading members of the
State Camp.
The remainder OF the morning ses-
sion was taken up with the reading and
discussion of the reports of the presi-
dent, the secretary and the treasurer.
These reports were encouraging In
nyery sense, and show that the order
SIS growing along ali lines; that ten
new camps have been instituted during
the past year; that the membership
has Increased . per cent, and the
finances about 200 per cent.
Auditing, credential and resolutions
romtnittees We're appointed. and at !
o'clock the convention adjourned to
10 consider the business referred to
them.
AT the close of the morning session
the members of the convention assem-
bled around the Washington Monument
in the Capitol Square. and Times
Dispatch photographer made picture
of the group. which, under the circum-
stances. was particularly appropriate
and fitting. for every camp of the Sons
in the country bears the name of
George Washington.
Afternoon Session.
Promptly at 3 o'clock in the after
noon, the camp resumed work, and
credentials and auditing committees.
took up the interesting. report of
the committee on resolutions. The
committee which consists of Mr.. Thos.
err of Roanoke, and Mr.. r. J. Carter, of
Richmond reported favorably on the
= preamble and resolutions of Mr.. f. w.
Z Alexander. of Oak Grove, looking to
the Immediate purchase and improve
ment of the home of the Lees. in West
moreland county, known as strat-
We're unanimously adopted, as follows:
Recognizing the i'm portance of preserv-
ing for the benefit of posterity those his
,oric and patriotic landmarks which are
bound to leave wholesome and ever
lasting Influence future genera
tlons, and there is situated in the
county of Westmoreiand. State of Vir-
d,
ford the ancestral home of the Lees
the birthplace of at least five by that
name, whose fame, became great in our
countrys history, viz. I:
Thomas Lee the grandson of the
founder of the family In this country
lived here and died in this house in 1859,
lust after being comm isioned as Colonial
Governor of Virginia by the English
Crown. His body now lies inferred on
the premises.
Richard Henry Lee was born here jan
rVa 4
Declaration of Independence and menr
ber of the House of Burgess; was In
Congress from l7T4-'79, l7S4-S5, and
1857. He was the author of the famous
motion, June Z. l7T6 that these United
Colonies are, and of right ought to be.
free and independent States" In 1850
he was in tho field at the head of the
westmoreland county militia. Senator
from Virginia in 17So-92.
Other Famous Names.
Francis Lghtfoot Lee was born here
October a. 1884. Was in the House of
Burgess. 1855 to 177a, and delegate to
the Continental Congress from l775 to
1873, was sgner of the Declaration of
Independence, and helped frame the ar
ticles of Confederation, Insisting as con
dltions of peace with England our right
to the navigation of the mississippi and
the Newfoundland fisheries; and later
served brief term in the Virginia Sen
(. ate. ~. ,&55}&& 3ass 5sl ss&3}} i5+,
2O.4l74O; praeticed medicine In Will
M lamsburg, studied law In England, and
was admitted 70 the, bar In 1870; did
much for the Colonies by his writing and
MS a member Of a society called Sup
porters Of the Bill az Rights; was ap-
pointed by the Assembly of Massachu-
setts as agent for that Colony (in assr- d
f Station with Benjamin Frankllnl In 1T74;
oresented the address of Congress to the (
la King and the people of England. In 1875
he was agent in London for tho Con-
sressonal Committee OF Secret Corre-
spondence In l776 he went TO Paris
where ltogether with Franklin and Silas
a, Dean) he secured. a treaty Of alliance
with France In 1777 he visited Madrid
~ M and Berlin as a commissioner from the
United States, and in 1889 was sole I.
commissioner to Spain and acting corn-
& missioned to Prussia, In sl7Sl he was
N elected to the State ,Assembydof Vir-