Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-03-17
HISTORIC RELICS FOUND.
Letters of Martha Washington and
Mrs. Lincoln Come to Light.

MRS. Lincoln Come 10 Light.
I Washington, March TN an un-
I lighted corner Of the attic Of the house
Of representatives, the committee or
accounts has rescued a large number
I Of letters and documents OF the early
days of the republic. Among them
are letters from Washington, Jeffer-
son, Lafayette, Jay and Monroe.
To two OF them a peculiar sentimen-
tai interest attaches. These are let
ters written by Martha Washington
and Mary Todd Lincoln. the former
concerning the proposed removal of the
body OF her husband from Mount Yer
non to crypt in the capitol. and the
other applying to the government for
q pension. Both are addressed to the
I speaker of the house. The house to
day voted an appropriation of 50, 500
TO have these historic papers cared for
and deposited in the library Of CON
gress as 1.-THE house of representatives
collection. The two letters are as
follows:
ITO the Honorable Speaker of the
House, Sir: While / feel the keenest
anguish over the late dispensation of
divine providence, cannot be insensi-
ble OF the mournful tributes, respect
and veneration which are paid the
memory of my dear deceased husband.
And as his best services and most anx-
iOus wishes were always devoted to
the welfare and happiness of the coun-
Try, TO know that they were truly ap-
preciated and gratefully remembered
affords ME no inconsiderable consola-
tion.
Taught by the greatest example,
which had so long before me. never
to oppose my private wishes to the
public will. / must consent to the re
quest made by congress which you have
the good wishes to transmit to me, and
in doing this l need not-ean not-say
what sacrifice OF Individual feeling
make to sense OF public duty.
With grateful acknowledgment and
unfeigned thanks for the personal re-
spect and evidences of coincidence ex-
pressed by congress and yourself l
remain very respectfully sir, your most
obeiient servant,
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
Mount Vernon, Va, l779."
The letter from Mrs. Lincoln is as
follows:
'To the Honorable Speaker Of the
House OF Representatives Sir: here
with most respectfully present to the
bor-p-abla b,,tSa - rar-,z,,-,@,,-- -
application for pension. am wild
ow OF q president of the United States,
whose life was sacrihceed in his coun-
try's service. That sad calamity has
very greatly impaired my health and.
by the advice Of my physician, ! have
come over to Germany to try the min
eral waters and during the winter to
go to Italy.
But my financial means do not per
NIT me to take advantage OF the urgent
advice given me, nor can live in a
style becoming a widow Of the chief
magistrate OF a nation, although live
as economically as possibly can.
In consideration Of the great services
my dearly beloved husband has rem
dered To the United States, and of the
fearful loss l have sustained by his un-
timely death, his martyrdom, may
say, respectfully submit to your hon
orable body this petition. hoping that a
yearly pension may be granted me so
that l may have less pecuniary care.
remain very respectfully,
MRS. A. LINCOLN.
Frankfort, Germany"
Mrs Lincolon was granted q pension
of SIS, 600 year.