Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-20
W ashington' Wishes
Are Being Executed
His Explicit Directions for Care
Of Mount Vernon Conscicnt-
iousiy Carried Out
BY MRS. CHARLES %. BALL.

Nice-peEcnt for Virginia, Mount YER
non Ladies' Association OF tho Union.
Could Washington visit Mount Yer
non upon his birthday lie would nnd
That his own directions are being con-
Scientiously carried out upon his es-
tate. His letters and diaries contain
explicit directions that are most care
fully complied with.
His personal letters TO his family re-
veal side Of Washingtons character
but little known. In them we come in
touch with the great man in his home
life.
He had a rare appreciation of the
beauties Of nature. lie opened vistas
to delightful river views, and to his
lodge gate he found little wild thing S
from the woods that deserved "a place
III his strawberries"
lie ''sowcd tho scmicrcle north OF
the front gate with holly berries sent
me by my brother John" lie planted
eight nuts from the tree called the
Kentucky coffee tree, from which
grew the trees now standing upon the
lawn. At this same time he planted "a
shrub brought win me from the west =
waters II recollect IL
grows on a vine"
Professor Charles Sprague Sargent.
Of tho Arnold Arboreticum, Harvard
University, Is in charge OF the trees.
shrubs and grounds at Mount Vernon
to direct the proper treatment Tor
wounded trees and TO see that the orig
inal character OF the grounds as IN
tended by Washington, shall be main
taincd as Indicated in his letters. This
distinguished arborculturist has en-
tered upon his important duty with pa
triotic enthusiasm. only tho flowers
and shrubs that Washington knew and
loved will hcnccfOrth grow in the gar
den and upon the Mount Vernon lawn.
y long letter. recently purchased,
bears date 1877, Philadelphia. It is
addressed to his nephew, George Au-
gustine Washington. who was the son
Of his brother, Charles, the founder 81
: Charles Town, w. Va, and in whose
honor it WAS named. nlis wife MAS
Frances Thornton.)
George Augustine in declining health
managed his unClc's estate while
/ Washington presided over tho Cousti-
'utional Convention that framed the
T Constitution of tho United States.
This letter opens with caution
against his ovcrtaxinE his strength
there are many directions about plant
ing corn and selecting seed. etc
Send me my blue coat with Grim
the cloth scnt by the Spanish minis
ter with lapcls and lined with white
satin, as | see no end of my staying
here. etc. AS the convention does no,
/ publish their proceedings have moth
ing more to communicate than VIVA,
I YOU will read In tho papers. which
have ordered forwarded to Mount Yer.
non. Love to Fannie"
/ George Augustine had married Fan,
mic Eassct, = ncicc of Mrs. WASHINGTON
ana their marriage had taken place
quietly at Mount Vernon.
Washington. coming on his birthda.
into tho mansion, would sec in the
music room the well remembered un
usually handsome secretary and writ
ing desk that once belonged to hi:
mother. 1t was procured with pcrfcc
credentials and affidavits from JOIN
Lewis. Of Louisville. Ky. a direct de
Sc2ndant of Hctty Washington Lewis
tho daughter OF Mary Iall Washington
/ In tho same room hanging opposite Il
the door to the banquet room Wash
! inSton would sec tho original portrait
! Of his only sister Betty.
/ Lady Betty" rs sno was called
married Colonel Fielding Lewis, an.
! this portrait hung many Years at Ken,
. moro. their residence at Frcacrcks
/ burg. Later il was taken 10 Marmion
. and recently il WAS purchased by tn.
/ Mount Vernon Ladies' Association from
4, the heirs of the Lewis family. II is al
| great historic interest.
! Sparks History tells that this par.
! trait was painted by Wollaston, who