Laughton, Lily Macalester Berghmans, 1832-1891

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A.L.S. on letterhead. New York. Sorry MVLA cannot raise funds to buy Washington bible. If he can, he will also donate two Washington ledgers to the MVLA valued at $500.

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A.L.S. on letterhead. New York. Cannot seek out someone to buy the Washington bible from him to give to the MVLA. Better if the MVLA seeks out its own donor. Asking $325.

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A.L. Harrisburg. Agrees to work to get appropriation of $1000 House of Representatives. ER-5, p. 1

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A.L.S. Ridgeway. Accepts appointment as Lady Manager for "this county," but doesn't expect much success in raising funds. ER-5, p. 4

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Fragment of a letter.

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Worked hard to raise money for endowment fund but with little success. People want Mount Vernon to look good before they donate. Mr. Corcoran will pay to have the summerhouse rebuilt. The Association must accept the gift of “the painting.”

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(Partial letter) Col. Hollingsworth gets requests for payment from the Association, but there is little in the way of funds. Necessary to put new heating apparatus in the conservatory before winter. Mrs. Lee donated the sideboard that once belonged to Washington, and the large painting is attracting visitors. Hopes to meet with Mr. Corcoran about the plans for the colonnades. Also to discuss rebuilding of the summerhouse.

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Has been very busy writing letters for funds for the colonnades. Is amazed that tradesmen won’t bill the Association as they do not trust it. Wants a full account from Miss C. of finances since the beginning. Discusses Masons and their desire to meet yearly at Mount Vernon. Working to have an endowment fund for upkeep. Discusses the Council and proxy votes.

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Is a list of donors and amounts of gifts. Also discusses purchase of two flags: a storm one and a regular one. Could alternate them. Has a donor for both.

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Writing about Col. Hollingsworth and the need to keep him a friend of Mount Vernon. Writes out brief article from New York Observer about people only being admitted to Mount Vernon if they came on one steamboat with a very high fare.

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Incomplete letter, starts with page 5 – discusses some of the minutes and perceived difficulties with some northern Vice Regents and Miss C. who is “very violently against” them.

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A.L.S. Newark. Re Mansion repairs. Early repairs described. ER-1, p. 251

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Newark. Believes Mr. Riggs to be the better banker, if he will accept treasurer position. Mr. William Pine, Grand Master in New Jersey approves her plan to make appeal to Masons at this time. Plans also to appeal to New York Masons. Still has Mrs. Brooks' proxy for New York. Must know first in whose hands endowment fund will be placed. Possible appeal to Congress for appropriation. Will send list of goods she and Mrs. Eve bought after Council of 1868 to replace Mr. Herbert's goods....

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Copy. Robert Colgate & Co. gives 500 lbs of Atlantic White Lead in oil, value $55. John Fielder, Princeton, gives red lead for roof. Has received necessary tin for colonnade roofing, also $100 from James Lenox of New York. Barrel of oil for roof painting promised. ER-8, p. 236

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A.L.S. Newark. Superintendent has estimate for colonnades. Carpenter for pillars $8 each if we furnish cedar or locust posts. Others are North Carolina yellow pine. More durable than solid pillars, and they would save $52. Relates incident re Mrs. Ann S. Stephens' offer to write article on Mount Vernon. She will ask aid from Congress if necessary. ER-8, p. 243

Scope and Contents Two incomplete drafts of a letter. Asks Regent to send Hollingsworth information for his Report. Belligerents preparing petition to Virginia legislature to repeal MVLA charter. Council to consider wharf question. Opposes voting by proxy. Wishes glass shade for Bastille model. To be paid for by sale of books, also freight for cow, and printed Appeal to Masons. Expense taken from same fund. Wishes to get a good New York artist to copy portrait of Mary Ball in Metropolitan Art Gallery to be...

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Copy. Hillside. Opposes continuance of restoration until whole of it can be done. Calls reappointment of George W. Riggs a master stroke. Regrets strife at Mount Vernon. Plans to stimulate interest in estate for Centennial year. Seeks a "renovation" committee. Lady Washington tea parties for 22nd all over U.S. Gives up hope of gift from A.T. Stewart. ER-7, p. 59

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Newark. Article in "Harper's Weekly" not written by her. She wrote appeal for William Cullen Bryant's paper. Agrees this is not time to appeal to Congress. Must concentrate on Masons and wealthy individuals this year. No appeal to new York Masons this year. Success in New Jersey. Attributes to Regent's father the idea of necessity of endowment fund. His generous gift was the beginning of it. Hopes to have work on colonnades done soon. Mrs. Eve says south porch was built by Bushrod...

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Copy. Newark. Advocates YMCA selling Lossing's "Mount Vernon" for restoration fund. Publicity in New York Press. Mr. Corcoran told Miss Cunningham to have Summer House built at his expense, not carried out. Plans to restore both porch and Summer House, build new fences, planting Osage orange fence. Estimate for two porters' lodges is $480. Mr. Corcoran prefers Mr. Rossitor's drawing to Mr. Lossing's. ER-7, p. 43

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Incomplete. Sent $1000 to Mr. Riggs for fences, also $53 from Vice Regent of Indiana. Is holding surplus funds until certain all bills are paid.

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A.L.S. Pleased to get "beautiful commendations" from the Capital. Re adjustments of funds given, finds only two gifts, $10 and $5, received from Regent, though she reported more forthcoming. ER-7, p. 93

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A.L.S. Newark. Asks about decision to Appeal to Congress for endowment fund, mentions legislators who may be called on for support. Asks for receipt for $1000 sent for endowment fund. ER-7, p. 101

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Copy. Sympathizes with her afflictions. Executive committee believes Major Blake's proposal is best. Suggests ways of avoiding a summer meeting for purpose of drawing up contract. ER-6, p. 171

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A.L.S. Incomplete letter. Discusses when to call Council. Donation of iron settees to Mount Vernon, she hopes to have their delivery be complimentary as well. Furnishing for the Mansion. Suggests she leave Mount Vernon duties to the Vice Regents for a year or so and enjoy her life. ER-8, p. 211. Undated 076.

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A.L.S. Hillside, Newark. Matter of selling Confederate bonds held by MVLA. Glad MVLA out of Yorktown Festival. Felt it was not their business. Berry collecting for the chapel. ER-6, p. 237

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A.L.S. Newark. Re early history of the MVLA. ER-6, p. 251

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Thanks her for invitation to wedding which she will attend. However, Becky will be unable to be there.

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A.L.S. Harrisburg. Re E. Everett's lecture speaking again in Harrisburg, suggests giving his lecture on Charity. Regrets Harrisburg contributions have not been more. ER-13, p. 119

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A.L.S. Sturgis, Michigan. Has a bell-pull given to him by someone who took it from Mount Vernon. On a recent visit he saw similar one there and wishes to return it. W-1118

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Typescript, signed. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Dodge appeared before Committee On Rivers and Harbors re the improvement of the Potomac River channel to Mount Vernon which the Committee will give careful consideration. ER-14, p. 200