Evening star., 1935-02-03
Three Women Help in Raising Funds
For Building of Washington Monument

Permit, me, dear general. to assure
you and your committee of the high
sense of esteem and consideration
which I have of your kind Offices.
"Your obedient servant,
LOUISE KATHARINE ADAMS"
Equally characteristic is the reply
at 81 of Mrs. Alexander Hamilton,
who had once been the fair Betsy"
Schuyler, daughter of Gen. Philip
Schuyler of the Empire State. The
founder of the first orphan asylum
in New York, Mrs. Hamilton lived to
be 81, always proudly referring to her
beloved husband as MY Hamilton.
until the day of her death, she was
ready to purchase at whatever price
demanded, any stray copies of the
celebrated pamphlet in which he
avowed his infidelity to her rather
than expose himself to the charge Of
official misconduct. The "applca-
ton" to Congress to which she refers
subsequently resulted in the passage
of an appropriation by Congress for
the purchase and publication of her
illuStrious husbands papers which she
had carefully preserved in 81 folio
volumes.
II cannot deny myself the great
qualification of witnessing the inter
esting ceremony which you are so gra-
cious as to ask me to attend. although
I was about to leave this city. where
I have been a long time engaged in
application to Congress which, in the
probable course of human events, will
be the last, as 1t Is the most inter-
esting business of my protracted life,
This occasion will call back recollec-
tions deeply interesting to me from
my early and intimate associations
with the illustriouS man to whom this
tribute of the Nations gratitude is so
Justly due.
Have the goodness to make my
respects to the committee and to re-
ceive my thanks for the flattering
terms in which you have communi-
Gated their invitation to me.
With great respect, yours.
ELIZABETH HAMILTON"
The ever-glamorous Dolly's hus-
band, as President of the United
States, had served as the second pres
ident of the National Monument So
ciety. To his expression of opinion
regarding the Monument she refers
in her letter.
In accepting with great sensibility
I feel the highest qualification and,
believing that can in no manner so
well express my heartfelt concurrence
in my husbands opinion, will repeat,
as you have done, his venerated words.
"A monument worthy the memory of
Washington, reared by the means
proposed, will commemorate at the
same time q virtue, patriotism and
q gratitude truly national with which
the friends Of liberty everywhere will
sympathize, and of which our country
may always be proud
"Be pleased to accept, gentlemen,
the assurance of my great respect.
ID. P. MADISON"
A note to Mrs. Madison's adopted
daughter, Anna Payne, says, with ref
erence to the corner stone laying and
Mrs. Madison: Every possible atten-
ton will be paid to her comfort, but
it will no doubt be very dusty, hot
and disagreeable occasion, and fear
she might be injured"
Mistress Dolly's spirit, however. was
not one to be held in allegiance by
probable weather conditions. Not only
did she come under the escort of
Gen. Walter JONES'" but in letter
afterwards she declared "the day was
fine, for a rain had laid the dust and
infused q delicious freshness in the
air."
We know, too, that Mrs. Hamilton
sat in the seats of the mighty that
July day when the corner stone Of the
Monument was laid, for chronicler
tells us that both her bonnet and
attire were very plain" II
And thus, from the dusty records Of
the past, three ladies who achieved
fame rise up to chaileuae us modeyps,