The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-03-30
HISTORIC RELICS FOUND.
Letters of Martha Washington and
Mrs. Lincoln Come to Light.


Washington, March I'm an un-
lighted corner of the attic of the house
of representatives, the committee on
accounts has rescued large number
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
pension. Both are addressed to the
speaker of the house. The house to-
day voted an appropriation of $3.50
to have these historic papers cared for
and deposited in the library Of con-
gress as "the house of representatives
collection" The two letters are as
follows:
"To the Honorable Speaker of the
House, Sir: While feel the keenest
anguish over the late dispensation of
divine providence, l cannot be insensi-
BILE 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 need not-can 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. ]
, remain very respectfully sir, your most
; obedient servant,
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
J Mount Vernon, Va, 1779."
The letter from Mrs. Lincoln is al
J follows:
"To the Honorable Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Sir: here.
{ with most respectfully present to the
+ honorable house of representative al
application for pension. am wild
, ow of president of the United States
: whose life was sacrificed in his coun
a try's service. That sad calamity hal
: very greatly impaired my health and
by the advice of my physician, hav'
\ come over to Germany to try the min
( eral waters and during the winter t
t go to Italy.
s But my financial means do not per
f nit me to take advantage of the urgen
{ advice given me, nor can live in
v style becoming widow of the chic
; magistrate of nation, although liv
as economically as possibly can.
e In consideration of the great service
my dearly beloved husband has ren
dered to the United States, and of tn
IearIui loss nave suSIaiheu ny MS uil
v timely death, his martyrdom, ma
t say, respectfully submit to your hor
n orable body this petition, hoping that
4 yearly pension may be granted me 8
o that may have less pecuniary care.
r / remain very respectfully,
n MRS. A. LINCOLN.
k Frankfort, Germany"
y Mrs. Lincolon was granted pensio
J. of SIS, 900 year.