New-York tribune., 1908-02-10

Governor Of the Colony of Virginia, issued a land
warrant to John Rootes which was subsequently
bought from him by General Washington. IN Iiso
the Legislature OF Virginia passed a Joint resoiu-
ton which provided that all persons who had
served IN the army and had land warrants in their
own right before 1T7S might exchange them for
warrants which would permit them to locate on
vacant land reserved the western side OF the
Ohio River for officers and soldiers or the Con-l
mental army.
''In pursuance OF this resolution General Wash
ington secured a warrant, and directed that MS
land be chosen from the Virginia military district
northwest Of the Ohio River. He obtained S5s acres
in what is now Franklin Township. Clerinont
County. LBS acres in Miami Township. and the
rest in Union Township. Later grants were made
by Beverly Randolph. Governor Of Virginia 10
General Washington for each Of these three sur
veys and they were mentioned by General WASH
ington in the inventory TO his WILL and am con
vinced that he died under the impression that ne
had a. clear title these lands
These surveys confirmed by Congress IN
1870 and the sites chosen by General washington
were also confirmed later. notwithstanding TINS
clear record, Joseph Kerr. deputy surveyor Of
the Virginia military district. knowing that the
washington entries had not been fled with the
Secretary Of War. made three entries. completely
covering the Washington locations In 1906 judge
Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis. execu-
tors OF General Washington's estate, fled 4 pe1-
ton in Congress praying that an act might be
passed confirming the title of the washington es-
tate This petition referred 10 the Committee
on Public Lands. favora bly, considered and resulted
n the passage Of act which was intended 10
liable the executors OF the Washington will 10
nerfect their title by patent But Joseph Kerr had
secured g patent and the present holders OF the
property secure their rights from him. As the
personal representative of the estate Of General
Washington I cannot these lands from
the present n9r would it be right to do SO,
hut as the estate Of General Washington the
only one TO lose its lands by reason of the United
States officers permitting other parties to secure
titles believe that adequate remuneration should
be made.
General Washington was so engaged with pub
lie business from the close of the for inde
pendence until his death that he was compelled
to neglect his private business or intrust ii 20
agents, and both he and they were Of the BELIEF
that the State of Virginia would have to complete
the titles For this his surveys were not
returned to the Secretary of War prior TO March
s. 1901. These omissions, however, were ali cured
by that act. but at the same time it was impos-
sibe for his executors to have perfected their
title, because ot the issuance of patents to other
parties To my mind. patriotism need not enter
into the matter but from the standpoint of equity
some adequate return should be made to the heirs
of General Washington"
The bill introduced in Congress provides that
there is hereby appropriated and shall be paid by
the proper accounting officer of the United States
TO Colonel Robert Z. Lee. jr. the sum of s3o5,t4e
as full compensation TO the estate OF General
Washington for the loss Of mis- 5.10o acres of land
and for all claims against the United States. That
the act Of March 5. 1899. entitled An making
appropriations for sundry civil expenses OF the
government for the fiscal year ended June 80 1900,
and for other purposes in so far as it required
virginia military land warrants 10 be presented
and surrendered 10 the Secretary OF the Interior
within twelve months OF the passage of the act, /.
hereby repealed
When the bill first drawn il thought
that the living heirs OF General Washington would
not number more than twenty most OF whom are
living in Virginia. but since some publicity has
been given the matter Colonel Lee has been del
uged with letters from persons purporting to be
relatives of General Washington The adTninis-
traitor looks with trepidation the after
rlath of the passage of the BILL for he foresees in
Vulnerable cIaimagts and months of litigation and
inquiry TO determine who are The rightful heirs
and who the imaginary ones.
The bill is in the hands of the Committee
on Claims where IL will remain until the whole
matter be thoroughly investigated. In the
mean time, Senator Martin and Mr.. Flood do
ing their utmost 10 secure favorable reports.