Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-06
HISTORIC LETTERS
FOUND n AN
ATTIC
Congressman Unearth Letters
from Martha Washington a0c
from Wife of President Lin
coin, Latter Asking for a Pen
sion.

IBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire
Washington. March Sin an un
lighted corner Of The attic Of tn
house Of representatives. the hous
committee on accounts has %recovere,
"A large number of letters and docu
mcnts of the early days of the repub
lie. Among them are letters from
Washington, Jefferson, La Fayette
Jay and Monroe.
To two of them Il peculiar senti
mental interest attaches. These ar
letters written by Martha Washing
ton and Mary Todd Lincoln; the for
mer concerning the proposed remova
of the body of her husband from Mt
Vernon 10 . crypt in the capital, and
the other applying to the government
for a pension. Both are addressed Il
the sneaker Of the house.
The house today voted an appro-
rriation Of S2,5GD to have these his
toric papers cared for and deposited in
the library Of congress as the house
% representatives collection
The two letters follow;
Martha Wasbington's Letter
ITO the Honorable Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives.
Sir: While | feel the keenest an
guish Owe the late dispensation OF
Diginc Providence, ] cannot be in
sensible OF the m%ournful tributes, re-
spect and veneratiOn which are paid
to the memory OF my dear deceased
husband. And, as his best services
and most anxious wishes We're always
devoted t. the welfare and helpful
ness of the country. to know that they
were truly appreciated and gratefully
remembered, affords me no inoonsid-
cradle consolation.
Taught by THE greatest example
which I had so long before me. never
10 oppose my private wishes to the
public will, ! must consent to the re-
quest made by n which you
have the good wishes to transmit TO
and in doing this, ] need not, I
cannot, sa.F what a sacrifice Of iudi-
yiaual feeling / make to a sense Of
public duty.
witt grateful acknowledgment
and unfeigned thanks for the personal
respect and evidence Of condolences
expressed by congress and yourself,
/ remain respectfully, sir,
your most obedient servant,
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
mt. Vernon, Va, 1893.
Mrs. Lincoln's Letter.
The letter from Mrs. Lincoln fol-
lows:
TO the Hon. Speaker Of the House of
Representatives.
Sir: 1 herewith must respectfully
present TO the honorable house of rep
resentatiyes ar application for q pen
sion. | am a widow OF a president Of
the United States, whose life was sac
rificed in his country's service. That
sad calamity has very greatly i'm
paired my health and by the advice
of my physician / have come over TO
Germany to try the mineral waters
and during the winter to &c to italy.
But my financial q do not permit
to take advantage of the urgent
advice given me nor "a live in a
becoming Il widow Of the chief
magistrate Of a nation, although live
as economically MS | possibly can. In
consideration Of the great services
my dearly beloved husband has rem
to the United States and of the
fearful loss ] have sustained by his
untimely death. his m~artyrdom | may
! respectfully submit to your hon
body this petition. hoping that
a yearly pension may be granted me
SO / may have less p%ecuniary care.
II remain, most respectfully,
MRS. A. LINCOLN.
Frankfort, Germany
Mrs. Lincoln was granted a pension
Of $4,000 a year.