New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-06
OLD LETTERS FOUND
Mmfho WASHINGTON and Mrs.
Lincoln 1mOng Writers.
GF-om The Tribune Bureau. !

iFsoT0 ne ITfOUDS BETeau
Washington. March 5.-Tn searching III.
attic Of the Cspito: for certain historical
records OF interest 70 his constituents Rep
resentative Joseph F. O'ConneII. Of Eos
ton. has discovered some old and valuabi.
letters. He found them above the stsirway
leading to the House gallery on iron
shelves which have not been disturbed for
years. Among them are letters from Wash
Ington. jefferson. Lafayette jay. Monroe
and many others
To two cf them a peculiar sentimental
interest attaches. These are letters writ
ten by Martha Washington md Mary Todd
Lincoln. she former concerning the pro-
posed removal Of the body of her husband
from Mount Vernon 10 a crypt in the
Capitol. and the other applying to the gov
eminent for pension. Both are addressed
to the Speaker OF tie House
The House to-day voted an appropriation
of $500 TO have these historic papers cared
for and deposited in the Library of Con-
gress as the House OF Representatives.
collection"
The Martha Washington letter reads a.
follows:
To the Honorable Speaker of the House or
Sir: While I feel the keenest anguish
over the late dispensatiOn OF Divine Proyl-
dence. cannot he insenSfble OF tne nou uI,-
ful tributes. respect ard veneration NnICI
paid the memory of my dear decsdse9
husband. And as his best services aho,
most anxious wishes were always deFOted
TO the welfare and happiness of the coun-
try. to know that they were truly appre-
ciated and gratefully remembered aHoros
( me unconsiderable consolation
Taught by the greatest example which. I
had so long before me, never to oppose my
private wishes TO the puoac W W. cona ares
which YOU have the good wishes 20 trans
init to me. and in doing this i need not
cannot-say what sacrifice of fndlVlduSi
feeling 7 make TO a sense of public duty
With grateful acknowledgements ana uh,
feigned thanks for the personal respect ana snd
evidences Of condolences expressed oy Coh7
gress and yourself,
T remain. very respectfully, sir. your moss
o'e''7"' MARTHA WASHINGTON y
Mount Vernon, Dec 81, lt''
/ The letter from Mrs Lincoln follows II,
To the Honorable Speaker Of the House Of
Representa- tives-
Sir: herewith most respectfuliy pr.sen.
TO the honora BILE House of Representatlv's
an applcat ion for a pension an
widow of President Of the United states.
whose life was sacrificed in his country
service. That sad calamity has very
greatly IMPAIRED my health and by tbs
advice of my physician ! have come over
TO Germany to try the mineral waters sna
during the winter to go 70 italy But my
financial means do not permit ne TO take
advantage of the urgent advice gwen ~
nor can live in a style becoming a Niuo'
of the chief magistrate of nation al
though 7 live as economically as I possibly
can In consideration Of the great services
nv dearly beloved husband has renoered 20
tbe United States and of the fearful ioSs
T hsv. sustained by his untimely death. his
r,srtyrdor1l 7 may say. 7 respectfully SUD
NIT TO YOUR honorable body this petftinn
bonfns that a yearly pension may b
granted me 40 that ! may have less Pc
Cuniary care I remain. most respectfuIJ,
MRS "A LINCOLN
Frankfort Germany, January. 1859
4 pension Of $1,000 year was granted
to Mrs. Lincoln.
Among the letters is one from General
LAFAYETTE 10 Washington regarding the
appointment of Colonel Robert Hanson Hsr-
rison as an associate justice Of the Supreme
Court Another is from Washington TO
LAFAYETTE. thanking him for services rerI-
de-ed 10 this country AZ the battle of York