The Raymer enterprise., 1915-02-18

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.
Washingtons third OF the Custis property equaled
fifteen thousand acres OF land, good part OF ii
adjoining the city of Williamsburg, several lots
in the said city between 1000 and 5000 negroes,
and about $4,000 or 10000 upon bond" esti-
mated al the time as about 100000 in all Be
sides, this was increased by the death OF the
daughter, Patsy Custis in 1878, BY half her
fortune a sum Of fl0000 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
about $500 600, 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 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 It is" There
fore he contended that It cannot be resisted"
Though lover himself, Washington was not
Matchmaker, In letter to the widow OF
Jack Gusts t"Jack" his wifes son, who had been
his wardl he writes: Il never did, nor DO be-
lieye ever shall give advice to a woman who is
setting out on a matrimonial voyage" And
again, 1T has ever been maxim with me through
life, neither to promote nor to prevent matri
monal connection | have always con.
sidered marriage as the most interesting event
Of ones life, the foundation of happiness or
misery"
Yet in letter to Eliza Custis Bates (the eldest
Of Iacky's four children. dated January 6, 1896
Washington gives some interesting advice
Neither shun by too much coyness the addresses
Of suitable character whom you may esteem;
nor encourage them by advances on your part
however predisposed toward them your nclina.
ton may be.
In choosing partner for life prefer one OF
your countrymen tby this mean an American)
OF visible property and whose family is known and
whose circumstances mot depending on fortu.
itous matters) may not. like a foreigners reduce
you to the heartrendlng 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 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 a while. then
fade and die. leaving nothing but thorns behind
It, There are other considerations, though sec.
ondary. nevertheless important. Among these
congeniaty OF temper is essential. without which
discord will ensue and that walk must be un-
pleasant and toilsome when two persons linked
together cannot move in 1t without jostling each
other"
Alas, Eliza Ann t'Betsy') didn't take Wash.
ington's advice. She married Thomas Law, an
Englishman, the nephew of Lord Ellensborough,
yet II 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 on every
bush" from the yne-clad hills of old Virginia to
Boston Commons But the truth is Washington
was not an indiscrimnate lover nor did he triie
with the affections OF women. Despite the ef.
forts of forgery and caumny no deed OF shame in
regard to the sex ever could be laid at his door.
During the time he was president Mrs. Hart.
ley Is mentioned to whom some say he was very
devoted. Yeates says: "Mr Washington once
told me on charge which | once made against
the president at his own table, that the sdmira.
tion he warmly professed for Mrs. Hartley was
proof Of his homage to the worthy part OF the
sex, and highly respectful to his Wife"