Evening star., 1927-02-22


ravaging 1t by the most uninterrupted
career of conQuests."
He always had great affection for
Mount Vernon. He increa sed his land
holdings from. $500 to over 5000
acres, 1900 Of which he had under
cultivation at one time.
His estate was managed in a
thoroughly businesslike fashion. He
kept a very careful set OF account
books for il, as he did fof mis- other
enterprises. Overseers made weekly
statements showing just how each
laborer had been employed. what
crops had hcen planted or gathered.
While he was absent reports were sent
to hin. and he replied I'm long letters
of instruction. displaying wonderful
familiarity with details. He was one
of the first converts to the benefits Of
scientific fertilization and to the ro-
tation OF crops. for that purpose max
ing elaborate tables covering flve-year
periods. lie overlooked no detail in car.
rying on his farm according to the
practice Of those days, producing on
the premises most Of the things
needed there, even to shoes and tex.
tiles. He began the daily round of
his fields at sunrise, ard often re.
moved his coat and helped his men
In the work OF the day.
Skillful With Estates.
"iie also showed his business ability
by the skillful way IN which he man.
aged the considerable estates left to
his two stepchildren by their father.
So successfully was this done that
John Parke Custis became, at the age
OF q. the richest young man in the
Old Dominion. Prussing tells us that
Martha Custis was advised to get the
ablest man In the colony to manage
her estate and to pay him any salary
within reason. And he adds: That she
chose wisely In marrying the young
colonel and got the best Of good bar.
gain is the opinion Of many
He was engaged in many business
enterprises. That OF the Dismal
Swamp. comprising drainage and lum-
Der operations south of Norfolk, was
handled efficiently by Washington for
i've years subsequent to 1853. In ad-
dition to his land holdings, wisely
chosen, the rise in value which ac-
counted in no small degree for his
fortune, Washington participated in a
number OF real estate and transporta.
ton companies. AS private citizen
he was constantly on the outlook for
sound investments and for ways to in
crease his capital. In the purchase of
frontier lands and in the promotion of
plans for the building up and devel-
opment OF new parts of the country
he was performing important public
service.
"Dr. Albert Bushnell Hart, distin-
guished historian, and member of
our commission. says:
washington has been critized
for buying up land warrants and hold
ing on to his title in the face of
squatters. Actually no American has
ever done so much to open up vast
tracts OF land, first under the British
ana then under the American flag,
ntted to become the home of millions
of American farmers
Found Land Settlement.
After 13 years of effort Washing.
tom forced the British government to
give to the Virginia veterans of the
French and Indian Wars the 200 900
acres OF Western lands promised by
thes governor Of the colony. His man.
agement land distribution of these
bounties were carried out in an en-
inently enicient and satisfactory man.
ner. He acquired two large farms in
Maryland. During trip In New York
state In 1888 he saw the possibilities
Great Lakes by way OF the Hudson
River and the Mohawk Valley--tbe
present route OF a great barge canal.
Because Of his business vision he
Joined with Gen. Clinton in the pur-
chase of 5000 acres near Utica. Il
To Washington, the man of affairs.
We owe our national banks. for had
he followed the advice of other
leaders, great but less enlightened on
matters Of finance, the plans of Alex.
ander Hamilton would not have been
realized. As q result of the war the
country was deeply in debt, and had
no credit; but the solution of our
financial difficulties suggested by the
nrst Secretary of the Treasury was
opposed by those from rural commu.
mites. They argued that the large
commercial cities would dominate to
the detriment OF other parts of the
country. Both Jefferson. Secretary of
state, and Randolph, Attorney Gen.
eral, In writing opposed the incor-
poration by Congress Of O. national
bank. They were Joined by Madison
and Monroe. All argued against the
constitutionality of this proposition.
Hamilton answered their argument
fuily In his famous opinion. But. had
the President not been a man of
affairs, had he not been for many
years large holder of stock in the
BANK OF England, coming from the
estate OF Daniel Parke Curtis. he
might have yielded to the opposition.
Because he knew something about
bank accounts and bank credits the
Diii was signed and the foundation of
our financial system laid.
Washington was also a stockho)der
In the Bank Of Alexandria and tr the
Bank OF Columbia at Georgetown. Tn
his last will and testament he directed
that such moneys az should lie derived
from the sale OF his estate during the
lifetime OF Mrs. Washington should be
invested for her in good bank stocks.
Made Remarkable Will.
After his retirement from the pres.
idency In March, 1897, Washington
spent more thar two and a half hspnv
years at Mount Vernon In his iast
Summer he made q will, one of tle
most remarkable documents Of 1t kind
or which we have record. Again he
showed his versatility in disposing of
his many properties under a variety
or bequests and conditions without
legal advice. 1t has been called An
autobiography WILT showed In it's
manifold provisions his charitable
thoughtfulness for his dependents and
his solicftude for the future welfare
of his country.
AS President he was always an ex.
ponent of sound and honest nuhlic
finance. He advocated the payment of
our debts in full to holders of record
and the assumption by the Nation Of
the debts incurred by the various
states to carry on the Revolution
HIS support Of financial integrity. be.
cause it was morally right, strength
ened the Union.
'This practical business ability and