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Lofty Patriotism..Polish to-day, in another place, the circular of the 11 Southern Matron” over her own proper signature, announcing the terms of the agreement by which that very patriotic, magnanimous.and immaculate gentleman now in possession of the tomb of Washington, binds himself to permit Mount Vernon to become the property of the Nation, and a sort ol Mecca for pilgrims from all parts of the world, who cherish a profound veneration and a lively gratitude for the virtues and the services of him, who, in life, was '‘first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”We are pleased that this honored spot has been secured upon any terms, and well appreciate the energy and devotion with which *he “ Southern Matron ” and her coadjutors have pursued this patriotic object; but we cannot permit the, occasion to pass without putting upon record our detestation of the conduct of the owner ofthe property, in thus extorting usurious gain, and making merchandize of the bones of his illustrious ancestor. The terms he exacted at the final agreement, for the sale were such as even Shylock,the usurer of Venice, would have deemed unworthy ofhis profession.For two hundred acres of land, which, disassociated from the name and without the ashes of Washington, might possibly be worth fitty dollars per acre, he asked the moderate sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars— thus making a profit of about $190,000 on the tomb 01 the mighty dead. But this was not all. He even haggled about the interest on deferred payments, and this question, it appears, sometime delayed the consummation of the arrangement.The terms of the purchase, as will be seen by reference to Miss Cunningham’s statement, were as follows: Eighteen thousand dollars of the purchase money was to be paid down, and the remainder in four equal annual installments with interest ndded, for which, bonds are to be given, the vendor to remain in possession and make title to the property only, when the last botid is paid. This is really a “drive” of exceeding sharpness; a little cuter than we ever before heard of being attempted even in Yankeedom. To demand more than a hundred times the actual value of property, and then exact interest on the deferred payments while retaining title and possession, is certainly a most extraordinary procedure —an exaction to which, with all deferrence, we think the managers of the Mount Vernon Association ought not to have submitted. What think our readers of such a man—we regret that he bears the name of Washington-after driving such a bargain, actually prating about accommodations, magnanimity and patriotism ! That we may do no injustice, we permit him to speak for himself. Here is his letter to the agents of Miss Cunningham, which we transfer from its place in her ad-dress to grace our editorial column, and parts of which we have placed in italics. We hope our readers will be edified in its perusal:Richmond, April 7, 1858.Gentlemen: In the negotiations you have recently concluded with me, in behalf of the Ladies’ Association, for the purchase of Mount Vernon, the payment of interest on the deferred installments from the date of the contracts, while I retained possession of the property, was the only serious difficulty between us.Having satisfied you that I could not yield this point, you finally conceded it.As the contract is now closed, and I believe in a satisfactory way to both parties, it affords me pleasure to say to you, that if the Association meets its engagements with me on the 1st of January, 1859, and tninks proper to pay, and does pay, the other deferred installments on or before the 22d day of February, 1859, as you inform me they will probably be both willing and able to do, it is my intention, in that case, to remit to the Association all the interest on all the. deferred payments.This 1 shall be willing to do, partly as an inducement to the Association to obtain possession of Mount Vernon at an early day, but more particularly as anevidence of my appreciation of the motives that have actuated the Ladies Association in the cause it has undertaken.I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with the highestrespect, your obedient servant,JOHN A. WASHINGTON. To William H. McFarland, Esq., and Gen. A. A. Chapman.That is to say, Mr. John A. Washington, in the exuberance ofhis patriotism and generosity, and as an evidence of his appreciation of the efforts ofthe ladies, will, if the whole $200.000—with the interest up to that time— shall be paid down by the 22d of February, 1859, graciously remit the interest which would have accrued had not payment ofthe bonds, not yet due, been anticipated. In other words, Mr. Washington thinks—mind, he does not positively promise that he will not charge the ladies interest on the money they may pay into his hands, and of which he will have the use, provided it all comes at once; and that he will—within a reasonable time thereafter—give up the property which they have purchased at so exorbitant a rate.Really, this exhibition of magnanimity is quite too much for us—our pen cannot do justice to the subject. John A. Washington has doubtless immortalized himself in this transaction, but whether his fame will be such as just men might envy, is a question for posterity to determine.—Mobile Advertiser.
Newspaper Details
Atlanta Georgia Temperance Crusader
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Thu, May 13, 1858
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
IN, USA 07 Feb 2024
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