The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-02-20

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.
Washingtons third of the Gusts property equaled
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 G8,00O 10000 upon bond est1-
mated at the tine as about 100000 in all Be
sides, this was increased by the death of the
daughter, Patsy Custs in 1773 by half her
fortune of G10,00o. But it must be re-
membered that Washingtons colonial military
fame had been entirely achieved before he had
met Mrs Custis. Washington worth
about $500 600 the richest man in his day
1t has been said that his penchant for lovely
acutey alive all through his active
Washington human, and there is
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 lover himself Washington not
Matchmaker In letter to the widow of
Jack Custs CJack" his wifes son, who had been
his ward) he writes: Il never did. nor do be-
leve-eve shall give advice to a woman who is
setting out matrimonial voyage" And
again. 1T has ever been maxim with me through
life neither to promote to prevent matri.
monial connection | have always
sidered marriage the most interesting event
of ones life, the foundation Of happiness
misery"
Yet in letter to Eliza Custis Bates the eldest
of Jackys four chldren), dated January 6, 1876,
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 inclina-
ION may be-
In choosing partner for life. prefer one Of
your cOuntrymen (by this mean an American)
of visible property and whose family is known and
whose circumstances mot depending fortu-
itous matters, may not, like foreigners, reduce
you to the heartrendng alternative of parting
with him bidding adieu to your country fam
lily and friends forever.
I'm forming 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 a while. then
fade and die, leaving nothing but thorns behind
it. There are other considerations, though sec
ondary, nevertheless important Among these
congeniality of temper Is essential without which
discorl will ensue and that walk must be un-
pleasant and toiisome when two persons linked
together cannot move in it without jostiing each
other
Alas Eliza Ann ("Betsy") didn't take Wash
ngton's advice She married Thomas Law an
Engishman, the nephew of Lord Ellensborough. |
yet it is said she 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 indiscriminate lover nor did he trife
with the affections of Despite the eft.
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 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 table that the admra
ton he warmly professed for Mrs Hartley was
proof of his homage to the worthy part of the
sex, and highly respectful to his wife"