Evening star., 1932-05-15

Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham, pioneer
member Mount Vernon Ladies' AssOcia.
tion.
privation and blood to the combats of liberty
as those that were far larger than she. Prom
Long Island to Eutaw. from the first to the
last Of the War of Independence, her banner
was ever in the field, and ever hoated mid the
'bravest of the brave"
1T was Mr.. Custis' idea that the Government
! should purchase Mount Vernon and that the
ashes of the general should find their last rest
ing place there. not in the present tomb, but
in a sepulcher erected on the site of the ancient
family vault, having as 1t does. such a mag
nificent view Of the Potomac River and the
surrounding country. He even went so far as
to suggest that the massive structure-for it was
to be pretentious- be formed Of white
American marble, In blocks, each of q ton
weight, q dome Of copper. surmounted by an
eagle in bronze, . bronze door. and for inscrip-
ton two words only, that will speak volumes to
all time-Pater Patriae-the key OF the recep-
tacle to be always in custody Of the President
Of the United States for the time being This
done. and If done, It's well it were done quickly
the tomb Of Washington would cease to be q
reproach among nations.
The pilgrim from distant lands as he
journeys through q mighty empire with his
heart filled with veneration of the fame and
memory Of Americas illustrious son. when he
arrives at the National Sepulcher, that casts
its broad shadow DER the Potomac's wave, will
become awed by the solemn grandeur of the
spot. The American of generations yet to
come will behold. with fiial reverence, the
time honored receptacle that contains the
ashes OF the Father Of his Country the endur-
ing marble mellowed by age, the inscription
freshly preserved In never-dying bronze; when,
proud OF such . monument erected by the
piety Of his ancestors. the future American
may exclaim, in the words Of the immortal
bard
Such honors Iion to her hero paid
And peaceful sleeps the mighty Hector's shade"
or course. these expressions made by
Washingtons adopted son before the
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association had pur-
chased the home Of Washington, and Mr.
Gusts could but see the estate in its present
well kept condition. perhaps he might. for
sentiments sake. II for no other reason. change
his mind and be satisfied to have the ashes
Of his foster parent remain where they are
with their modest simple surroundings. and
next to the one who loved him most in life,
and his companion, inseparable in death.
The first removal Of the bodies from the old
to the new tomb took place on April 10. 1891.
and the transfer Of the bodies of Gen. and
Mrs. Washington from the rear of the latter
to the frcnt OF the tomb. We them today,
took place seven years later.
Regarding this last removal several ac-
counts have been written Benson j. Lassing
yuy1o viSi faH Arssv,f i~S koA
to say:
"On entering the vault they found every
thing in confusion The cofins of
Washington and his lady were in the deepest
recess of the vault. They were of lead, in
closed in wooden cases. When the sarcophagus
arrived the coffin of the chief was brought
forth. The vault was first entered by Mr..
Strickland, accompanied by Maj. Lewis (the
last survivor Of the first executors of the will
OF Washington) and his son. When the wood
en- case was removed the leaden lid was per-
ceived to be sunken and fractured. In the
bottom Of the wooden case was found the silver
cofdn plate. in the form of a shield which
was placed upon the leaden coffin when WASH
ington was first entombed. The
leaden lid was restored to its place. the body,
raised by six men, was carried and laid in the
marble coffn and the ponderous cover put on
and set in cement, it was sealed from sight
ON Saturday, the 7th day of October, 1887.
The relatives who were present, con-
sisting Of Maj. Lewis, Lorenzo Lewis, John Au-
gustine washington, George Washington. the
Rev. Mr.. johnson and lady, and Mrs Jane
washington, then retired to the mansion"
sz&s,,
JUST IL years ago, the late DR.. Tfndan. on
~ behalf Of the Columbia Historical Society,
wrote to Harrison H. Dodge, superintendent OF
the Mount Vernon estate, IN an effort to OBJ
tain the facts regarding the removal Of the
dicfiv Shod daaA ~