The Arvada enterprise., 1915-02-18

HI denied the great man children that he
~ ~ III might be the father of the whole
@ country"
~ Washington fortunate in his
marriage. John Adams, in one of his
jealous outbursts, exclaimed: would Washington
have been commander of the Revolutionary army
president of the United States If he had not
married the rich widow of Mr.. Custis?" Mrs.
Washington's third of the Custis property equaled
fifteen thousand acres OF land, good part of 1t
adjoining the city OF Williamsburg. several lots
in the said city. between 1000 and 5000 negroes,
and about $4,000 G1O.OOO upon bond" esti-
mated at the time about 100000 in all Be-
sides, this increased by the death of the
daughter, Patsy" Custis. in 1918. by half her
fortune. a sum of Gl0,000. But it must be re-
membered that Washington's colonial military
fame had been entirely achieved before he had
met Mrs. Custs. Washington worth
about 100000, the richest man in his day.
1t has been said that his penchant for lovely
women 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-sixth year he wrote Love is said
to be an involuntary passion. and 1t is" There
fore he contended that 1t cannot be resisted"
Though lover himself, Washington was not
a matchmaker In a letter to the widow Of
Jack Custis (''Jack" his wife's son. who had been
his ward) he writes: Il never did. nor do be-
lieve ever shall give advice to woman who Is
setting out on matrimonial voyage. And
again. 1T has ever been a maxim with me through
life neither to promote nor to prevent a matri
monial connection. . ! have always
sidered marriage the most interesting event
Of ones life. the foundation Of happiness or
misery.
Yet In q letter to Eliza Custis Bates (the eldest
Of Jacky's four children) dated January G. 1896.
Washington gives some interesting advice
Neither shun by too much coyness the addresses
nS ltcklc c,b,nr ,eAr
nor encourage them by advances on your part.
however predisposed toward them your inclina.
ton may be.
IN choosing a partner for life prefer one OF
your countrymen tby this mean American)
OF visible property and whose family is known and
whose circumstances mot depending on fortu.
itous matters) may not like n foreigners reduce
you to the heartrending alternative OF parting
with him or bidding adeu to your country fam.
lily and friends forever
I'm forming a connection OF this durability let
the understanding as 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
II. There are other considerations. though sec.
ondary. nevertheless important. Among these
congeniality OF temper Is essential. without which
discord will ensue and that walk must be un.
pleasant and toilsomc when two persons linked
other"
Alas Eliza Ann CBctsy'D didn't take Wash.
ington's advice. She married Thomas Law. an
Engshman. the nephew OF Lord Ellens borough
yet It is said she was comparatively happy in her
choice
Though Washington loved and loved often
there is no 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 vinc.clad hills OF old Virginia to
Boston Commons. But the truth is Washington
was not an indiscrminatc lover nor did he triae
with the affections OF women. Despite the CT
forts OF forgery and calumny deed OF shame In
regard to the sex ever could be laid at his door
During the time he was president n Mrs Hart
ley IN mentioned TO whom some say he was very
devoted. featcs says: "Mr. Washington once
told me charge which I once made against
the president at his own table. that the admira.
tion he warmly professed for Mrs. Hartley WAS Q
proof Of his homage TO the worthy part OF the
sex. and highly respectful to his WIFE"