Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-27
MARTHA wAsHINGTON's WILL

Washington, April 27.-Correspond
ence between Governor Stuart of Vir.
ginia and ]. p. Morgan concerning the
will of Martha Washington which is in
Mr.. Morgan's possession, was read to
the Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton by Mrs. William Cummings Storey.
The letters show that the matter was
opened by Governor Stuart through
w. L. McCorkle, president of the New
York Southern society, in March last.
In reply, Mr.. Morgan said his only de-
sire was that the document should be
placed where il could be best pre-
served and of most use to the people
of the United States. Not considering
the court house building of Fairfax
county, Virginia, to which Governor
Stuart desired the document returned,
and where the will of George Washing
ton now is. as fireproof or accessible.
TO any large number of people, Mr..
Morgan made two propositions
One was that the state of Virginia
or Fairfax county should place the
original will of George Washington on
exhibition at Mount Vernon for an in
definite period, and that if this were
done he would present the will of Mar
tina Washington to the Mount Vernon
association for permanent exhibition
there. The other was that should the
Virginia authorities not be willing to
do this, the will of George Washington
should be presented to the library of
congress and that he would in turn
present the will of Martha Washing
ton to the nation for the same DISPOSE
ton.
Neither of these proposals met with
the approval of Governor Stuart, who /
stated the people of Virginia held that I
Martha Washington's will was a part 4
of the legitimate records of Fairfax (
county. Governor Stuart then renew /
ed his request that some agreement |
could be arrived at, and there apparent
ly the matter rests as far as disclosed
by correspondence given out by Mrs.
Storey, which follows:
Executive Chamber, Governors Of
ice, Richmond, March 16, 1914.-My
Dear Sir: Realizing that you are fully
Informed as to the recent agitation in
Virginia on the question of the Mar
ha Washington will. and the various
in relation thereto, / feel
hat IL Is unnecessary to present to you
my detailed statement on the subject.
Coming into the goveEnorship of
he state on Feb. 1 of this year, and
ooking carefully into the whole stu
ition or affairs as then presented, It
occurred to me that It would be proper
o take the matter up with you through
representative Virginian living I'm
Iew York.
Acting on this idea, I requested
Walter l. McCorkle, president of the
Sew York Southern society. to call on
'ou and state my desire that some line
4 action might be taken which would
'e deemed mutually agreeable. This
20 has done as my friend and repre-,
entatiVe.
I'm accordance with his suggestion.
now write to you personally On the
ubJect TO express the hope that some
Apply adjustment of the matter may
ave occurred to you. which will be
to all parties concerned.
Awaiting your suggestions. which I
rust Will be responsive at least in
pirft 10 the respectful and courteous
onsideration which controls my own
elton, am.
VERY truly yours.
Signed) III. C. STUART,
Governor.
y. j. Morgan. New York"
Zion. II. c. Stuart. Governor OF Vir-
MIA. Richmond. Va. March II. 1914.
My Dear Sir: am very pleased
deed TO receive your letter OF March
In regard to the will OF Martha
which Is now I'm my pos
ssion. ! may mention that the visit
Walter l.. McCorltle, 10 which you &C
fer. and your very agreeable letter. ga