The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1911-11-18
H11zy ar INSTRUCTOR

She wrote lettrs daily to women Il
| all parts Of the puntry, cheering then
on. exprAas belief that success
might COME. She went on completin,
the work OF organization and takin,
in neY lyice-regents She suffere,
greatly physically, with nervous at
tacks, convulsions and headaches tina
exhaUted her; but she worked un
ceasigly.
On March 9. 1856, she met Edward
Everett. and so great was her elo
quen:e that he promised to devote to
the ause the proceeds of his lectures
for q stated period. AS result Of this
he turned over to her $69,O64.
Although the association did not
have the full 100000 with which to
buy, they had more than half the
amount. But Mr.. Washingtons refu.
sal to sell the place, encouraged refu-
sails from outsiders to contribute
money for the purchase. There were
some who pretended to doubt the sim
certify Of the Southern Matron" and
the association. Despair conquered
nearly every woman in the cause ex-
cept Ann Cunningham.
She went to Mount Vernon, making
part of the journey by railroad, al
though the motion Of the train at that
time aggravated her suffering. She
went down the river in a boat, was
transferred to rowboat in front Of
the Mount Vernon house and was car
ried in chair into the house. There
she talked to Mr.. Washington and his
family, but they were obdurate in
their refusal.
Pleading With Mr.. Washington.
Mr.. Washington, it seemed. could
not take the project of the women Sc
riously. Miss Cunningham, weeping
and bitterly cast down, told the family
goodby and was carried to the wharf
and placed in q small boat to catch
q steamer on its way up the river to
But she was late and
had to be taken lack to Mount Yer
non to spend the night. Upon her ar
rival In the house once more she col
apsed utterly and had to be put to
oed.
Late In the evening, by the exercise
II her indomitable will, she recovered
ufficiently to have herself carried
lown to the parlor, where she re-
lewed her entreaties to Mr.. Washing
on that he sell Mount Vernon to the
dount Vernon Ladies' association. But
e still refused. The next morning
efore her departure, she pleaded with
i'm again. Her whole heart was in
er words. Here is her own descrip-
ion of that last interview with Mr..
The spirit moved me as never be-
IRE. never spoke to mortal as I
poke to him. I told him the isles Of
le sea would send their tributes to
lount Vernon; that he would live to
ee it, though would not. eve both
ID. for Havana and the Sandwich
lands both send contributions
When saw could not shake his
solution against allowing Virginia to
~ Mount Vernon, for he was very
dignant at that and considered It
ould be mean for Virginia to accept
e purchase money, went so far as
point to him the light in which COM
g generations would view his con-
let in preventing our tribute to
ashington. / told him his descend
It's would mourn having descended
ON him.
"Unawares, had at last touched
g sore spot'-the obstacle no money
uld have removed. now found
at he thought the whole thing had
en- arranged between the associa.
N and Virginia to put an indignity
him.
Il held out my hand, he put his In g
ne; then, with quivering lips. moist I
es and heart too full to speak. our
impact was closed In silence" y
ALI the purchase money was paid b
by February al 1859, and only two f
ars interviewed between that time y
q the outbreak d the Civil war. For e
j possession ofIthe home and it's s
grounds were taken by h
J association on February %. 1860 RI
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