The state herald., 1915-02-19


Jealous outbursts exclaimed Would Washington
have been commander of the Revolutionary army
or president OF the United States II he had not
married the rich widow of Mr.. Custis?" Mrs.
Washington's third of the Custis property oqualed
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 or e10,000 upon bond" esti.
mated at the time as about 100000 in all. Be
sides this was Increased by the death OF the
daughter, Patsy Custs in 1773. by half her
fortune, a sum Of el0000. But II must be re-
membered that Washington's colonial military
fame had been entirely achieved before he had
even met Mrs Custis. Washington was worth
abou, sS00.000 the richest in his day.
It has been said that his penchant for lovely
women was acutey alive all through his active
career. Washington human. and there is
no question that fair women always bad attract
ed him.
In his sixty-slxth year he wrote Love Is said
TO be an involuntary passion, and II Is There
fore he contended that II cannot be resisted"
Though a lover himself. Washington not
n Matchmaker In letter to the widow OF
Jack Gusts ("Jack' his wife's son. who had been
his ward) he writes: Il never did, nor do be-
iieye ever shall give advice TO woman who is
setting out on a matrimonial voyage" Aud
again. II has ever been maxim with me through
life, neither to promote nor to prevent mntri
monia connection. ! have always con
sidered marriage the most interesting event
OF ones life. the foundation OF happiness or
misery"
Yet In n letter TO Eliza Gusts Bates the eldest
of Jackys four children. dated January g. 1896
Washington gives some interesting advice
Neither shun by too much coyness the addresses
OF u suitable character whom you may esteem:
encourage them by advances on your part.
however prcdisposed toward them your inena'
ION may be.
In choosing n partner for life prefer one OF
your countrymen Thy this I mean nn Amcrcan)
OF visible property and whose family Is known and
whose circumstances tnot depending fortu.
itous mattersl may not like foreigners. reduce
you to the heartronding alternative Of parting
with him or bidding adicu TO your country. fam.
lily and friends forever.
I'm forming connection OF this durability. let
the understanding aa well ms the passion be con
suited without the appreciation OF the irst tho
indulgence OF the latter may be compared TO the
rose. which viii bloom glow for while, then
fade and die. leaving nothing hut thornH behind
H. There are other considerations. though sec
ondnry. nevertheless important Among these
congcnlnllty Of temper is essential without which
diReord will cnSue and that walk must be un.
pleasant and toiirome when two persons linked
together cannot move In II without iontiing each
other"
Alas. Eliza Ann t"BetHy'D didn't take wash
inFtonh advice. She married Thomas Law mn
EnFliahmAn. the nephew Of Lord EllentborouFh.
yet II IL said she was comparatively happy In her
choice
Though Washington loved. and loved often.
there ID no doub, that n good deal Of romance
has been woven around his early career Accord.
Ing 20 some. Washington had n rag on every
bush" from tho vineciad hills Of old Virginia TO
Boston Commons. But the truth II Washington
was not AN ndiscriminnte lover. nor did he tribe
al al a. a.
forts Of forRcry and calumny no deed of shame In
regard 10 the sex ever could be- laid at his door
During the time he was president Mira Hart
10y Ia mentioned to whom some hay ho was very
devoted ieateA says "Mr Washington once
told me on a charge which ! once made asains,
the president at bis own table that the admra
ton h. warmly proiossnd for MrH Hartley WAS
proof Of his homage 10 the worthy part Of tho
sex and highly respectful TO his wife"