The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-03-22
HISTORIC PAPERS
FOUND IN ATTIC
Letters From Martha Washing
ton and Lincoln's Widow Are
Among Records.

WASHINGTON, March Sin an un.
lighted corner of the attic of the house
of representatives the house committee
on accounts has rescued a large mum.
Der of letters and documents of the
early days of the republic. Among them
are letters from Washington, Jefferson,
Lafayette, Jay and Monroe.
To two of them peculiar sentimental
interest attaches. These are letters
written by Martha Washington and
Mary Todd Lincoln, the former concern
ing the proposed removal OF the body
OF her husband from Mount Vernon to
crypt in the Capitol, and the other
applying to the government for a PEN
sion. Both are addressed to the Speaker
of the house.
The house today voted an appropri-
alton of $500 to have these historic
papers cared for and deposited in the
library of congress as the "house of
representatives collection" The two
letters follow:
''To the Hon. Speaker of the House
of Representatives:
''Sir: While ! feel the keenest an
guish over the late dispensation of
Divine Providence, ! cannot be in
sensible of the mournful tributes, re-
spect 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 country,
to know that they were truly appre.
ciated and gratefully remembered af
fords me no inconsiderable consolation.
Sacrifices Personal Desire.
"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 request made
by congress which you have transmitted
to me, and in doing this | need not--I
cannot-say what a sacrifice of indi-
vidual feeling l make to sense OF
public duty.
"With grateful acknowledgment and
unfegned thanks for the personal re-
spect and evidences Of condolences ex-
pressed by congress and yourself, / re
main very respectfully, sir, your most
obedient servant,
"MARTHA WASHINGTON.
"Mount Vernon, Va, 1884,
mis. liHCOln h AtVIcT.
The letter from Mrs. Lincoln fol-
lows
''To the Hon. Speaker of the House
of Representatives.
"Sir:-I herewith most respectfully
present to the honorable house of rep.
resentatiyes an application for pen
sion. ! am widow of president of
the United States, whose life was sac
rificed in his country's service. That
sid calamity has very greatly impaired
my health, and by the advice Of my
physician, ! have come over 10 Ger
many to try the mineral waters aud
during the winter 10 go to Italy, But
my financial means do not permit me
10 take advantage Of the urgent advice
given me, nor can | live In style be-,
coming a widow Of the chief magistrate
0f natiOD, although live as feonom
ieaily ~ | possibly can, la consider
aiigu at the great services my dearly
beloved husband has rendered TO the
United STATES, aud Of the fearful loss
l have husiaInHd by Aas unllmrly death,
bis mafiyrdOin, ! may say, ! respect
fnlly submit W your honorable body
THIS petition hoping Thai q yearly pen
aiOn mas he gfaaind M 80 that ! may
hafe lafr peepniafY ears.
~ Temalus mpsi respectfully
nhhh A. LlANOLk,
HfHnhfpn, nfTmenyH
Me Llnepia aRH greeted peaslou
II sann1 . teaf.