Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-02-19

iealous outbursts exclaimed: Would Washington
have been commander of the Revolutionary army
or president of the United States If he had not
married the rich widow of Mr.. Custis? MIS-
Washington's third of the Custis property cquaed
fifteen thousand of land, good part of it
adjoining the city of Williamsburg. several lots
in the said city between 1000 and 5000 negroes.
and about eS.OOO 10000 upon bond" esti-
mated nt the time about 100000 in all Be-
sides, this was increased by the death OF the
daughter. Patsy" Custis, in 11I3 by half her
fortune. a sum OF G1O,000. But it must be re-
membered that Washington's colonial military
fame had been entirely achieved before he had
even met Mrs Custis Washington was worth
about sSOOOOO the richest man in his day.
1t has been said that his penchant for lovely
women was acutely alive all through his active
career. Washington was human and there Is
no question that fair women always had attract
ed him.
In his sixty-sxth year he wrote. Love is said
to be an Involuntary passion, and it is. There
fore he contended that it cannot be resisted"
Though a lover himself. Washington was not
a Matchmaker In letter to the widow OF
Jack Custs ("Jack" his wifes son. who had been
his ward) he writes: 81 never did. nor do be-
lieve ever shall give advice to a woman who is
setting out on a matrimonial voyage" And
again, ut has ever been a maxim with me through
life, neither to promote nor to prevent matrf
monial connection. have always con-
sidered marriage the most interesting event
of ones life, the foundation of happiness or
misery"
Yet in a letter to Eliza Custis Bates (the eldest
of Jackys four children). dated January G, 1876.
Washington gives some interesting advice
Neither shun by too much coyness the addresses
of a suitable character whom you may esteem;
nor encourage them by advances on your part,
however predisposed toward them your inclina-
''on may be.
IN choosing a partner for life. prefer one of
your countrymen tby this mean an American)
of visible property and whose family is known and
frNt inc fnrfn
itous matters) may not, like foreigners reduce
you to the heartrendng alternative of parting
with him or bidding adieu to your country. fam
lily and friends forever.
"In forming a connection of this durability. let
the understanding well as the passion be con-
suited; without the appreciation of the first the
indulgence OF the latter may be compared to the
rose which will bloom. glow for while. then
fade and die, leaving nothing but thorns behind
1t. There are other considerations. though Sec
ondary nevertheless important. Among these
congenialty of temper is essential without which
discord will ensue and that walk must be un-
pleasant and tosome when two persons linked
together cannot move in it without jostling each
other
Alas Eliza Ann ("Betsy') didn't take Wash
ingtons advice. She married Thomas Law, an
Englishman. the nephew ,of Lord Ellensborough.
yet it is said she was comparatively happy in her
choice.
Though Washington loved and loved often.
there is doubt that good deal of romance
has been woven around his early career. Accord
ing to some. Washington had "a rag every
bush" from the vine-clad hills of old Virginia to
Boston Commons. But the truth is Washington
was not an indiscrminate lover. nor did he triae
with the affections of women. Despite the ef-
forts of forgery and calumny deed of shame in
regard to the sex ever could be laid his door
During the time he president a Mrs Hart
ley is mentioned TO whom some say he was very
devoted Yeates says: Mr.. Washington once
told me on Il charge which ! once made against
the president at his table that the admra
tion he warmly professed for Mrs. Hartley was a
proof OF his homage TO the worthy part Of the
sex and highly respectful to his wife"