The Mount Vernon Papers

Reason for assuming the name of "Mount Vernon Papers"-Intended character of the subjects treated-Objects of the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association-Present state of Mount Vernon described in the introduction to Mr. Everett's address as delivered at New York--This description not made by way of reproach to the present proprietor-Necessity created by the crowd of visitors and the vandalism of some of them of selling the property-The purchase could only be made by private speculators-By Congress or the Legislature of Virginia-Or a patriotic association duly authorized to hold and manage the property, and the last mode in some respects the best-A feat of Ledgerdemain proposed in aid of the purchase.

I HAVE already stated in my letter of the 6th of November to the Editor and Proprietor of the "LEDGER," that I have ventured to call these articles the "Mount Vernon Papers," as a name appropriately indicating the object for which they are prepared, and in that way suggesting an excuse for their imperfections. As they will generally be written under the pressure of other engagements and duties, the considerate reader will not expect to find in them that elaboration and finish, which he has a right to demand in compositions prepared at the leisure of their authors. I can only endeavor to do the best in my power, under the well known circumstances of the case, and candid persons will judge them accordingly.

But though called the "Mount Vernon Papers," it is not

intended that these articles should be exclusively or even chiefly taken up in discussing the subject of the purchase of Mount Vernon, or the topics connected or associated with it. They will indeed furnish an appropriate channel, for whatever information of an interesting character I may be able to offer the public on that subject. It was one of the chief inducements for undertaking their preparation, that they would afford me an opportunity for the attempt to interest a very large circle of readers, in an enterprise which I have so much at heart. I shall accordingly submit to them, from time to time, an account of the progress and prospects of the work, as far as they fall under my observation. Besides this, the country abounds with recollections and traditions of Washington connected with his civil and military career; with localities rendered interesting by his battles, his visits, or his sojourn; and with individuals still living who saw him, and of whom a few were personally known to him. There are many original portraits of him in existence, of which a few remain to be described; numerous autographic letters as yet unpublished; and personal relics of every description. Many of these traditions and objects of interest are constantly brought to my notice, in visiting different parts of the country, for the purpose of repeating my address on the character of Washington, and, if I do not mistake, will furnish interesting materials for a few of these papers. It is intended, however, that they shall, upon the whole, be of a miscellaneous character, and exhibit as much variety in the subjects treated, as can be expected from the productions of one pen.

A general statement of the object, in aid of which they are to be prepared, would seem to be a proper commencement of the series, and this I shall venture to give in a few paragraphs, which formed the introduction to my address as delivered (for the one hundred and first time) on the 12th of November, 1858, in New York, at the request of the managers of the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association.

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