Laughton, Lily Macalester Berghmans, 1832-1891

Complains of Regent’s behavior in and around the mansion when visitors are present. Wants her removed. Discusses appeal to Masonic Lodges. Says Regent can never return to reside at Mount Vernon.

Is unable to supply a report at this time. Concerned about Regent’s report. Wishes she lived closer to Laughton.

Expresses condolences on death of her daughter. More complaints about the Regent. Discusses approach to Masons. Regent must sign Col. Hollingsworth’s commission. Regent has been abusing Vice Regents.

Note of sympathy and wanting to hear from her.

Offers her assistance if needed as Laughton functions as regent pro tem.

Writing to her as Regent. Knows she’s working hard to clean up the mess left over the past few years. More complaints about Miss C. Need to fill vacancies. Discusses attempts to balance the books.

Encloses a letter from Judge Thomas. Wonders about Virginia funding the furnishing of a room in the Mansion, possibly the library. Also suggests a Vice Regent for Virginia.

So glad Laughton will be Regent. She voted to give Miss Cunningham $1,000, even though there still are questions about what happened to $5,000 of Association money. Are a few outstanding bills. Other Vice Regents are willing to pay.

Wants to pay a bill for personal expenses to avoid “any more words with Miss C.” There is a general opinion that Miss C. is dishonest. She should have no say in filling vacancies. Worried about Miss C. trying to influence Laughton.

Looks forward to seeing her report. Should charge ex-Regent’s hotel bill against her next year’s payment from the Association? Suggests a possible Vice Regent for Ohio.

Comments positively on budget. Mrs. Halsted should not be undermining her efforts. Col. H. must understand he has to refer every question to Laughton. Handled Miss C. very well in her report. Much discussion of paying bills.

Didn’t reply for so long due to father’s illness. After her first year as Regent, Hudson is sure all the Vice Regents will line up behind her. Need to fix Col. H’s house before cold weather. Hudson needs to carpet two upper rooms.

Letter concerning difficulties with Miss Cunningham.

A.L.S. Stratford. Receives check as secretary for $116.80 for printer and postage. Mary Leiter has sent her "Biographical Sketches of the Generals" (1889). ER-18, p. 104

A.L.S. New York. Regrets not having been to last Council. Matters of railroad coming to Mount Vernon again discussed. ER-18, p. 106

A.L.S. Stratford. Re Dodge's dismissal of Mr. Nicholls who claims Dodge wishes to employ a nephew, Chester, in his place. Mr. Nicholls thinks he is employed by Council not Dodge. ER-18, p. 103

A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Attorney at law. Requests information about the disposition of the portrait of an ancestor, Dr. Rittenhouse. When last at the Tomb of Washington, the portrait was "ignominously relegated to an obscure attic room." Has corresponded with Mr. Dodge. W-125

A.L.S. Offers Joseph Ball's (father of Mary Ball Washington) liquor case with one of the decanters and the horn tumbler to the Association for $150. Gives dimensions of case. Holds 9 decanters. Rose wood. Knows the location of Washington's card table. Mahogony lined with sun base. Small cups to the right of each player.

A.L.S. Charlottesville, Virginia. Wishes to sell Washington's violin to Mount Vernon. Valued at $1500 but will sell to MVLA for $800. Also includes violin case.

Fragment of a letter from an unknown Vice Regent. Discusses Miss Cunningham's illness and resignation.

Author is at Healing Springs Bath for her health. Talks about purchase of a carriage to carry goods from Alexandria to Mount Vernon. After selling old one, Mr. H. will pay the rest. Discusses bill presented by lawyer to Association. Said he charged half price for all.

(Partial letter.) Thanks her for sending the memorial of Laughton’s father. Glad she is in her new home. Recommends Miss Mary Dougherty, niece of Col. Hollingsworth, to be her secretary. Hopes Miss C. will not come to Council as does not want another fight. She has proxies for a few other Vice Regents for next meeting.

A.L.S. New York. Has searched through papers of Washington's executors. Prepared to sell lot of several thousand items for $5000. Will give MVLA first choice if they desire the items. W-13

A.L.S. New York. Thinks Mr. Havemeyer would allow her to copy the papers he bought which he intends to give to Mount Vernon. Had the deed to Dogue Run Farm. Quotes price on the Martha Washington bible. Sale of books and 50 Washington letters to be held in Philadelphia in January. AA-12

A.L.S. New York. No success in Philadelphia sale. Prices high, but sorry he did not bid more. Hearst's man was bidding, so he "gave up in despair." Itemizes his bids. Will turn over his Washington deeds at $100 each. AA-12

A.L.S. New York. Sent "Washington book" to Mount Vernon. To be a larger sale of Washingtoniana at Philadelphia in April. Thinks "these crazy prices" will not last. AA-12

A.L.S. New York. Re Jackson item bought by Hearst. Last sale of Washington books was in 1876, sold at $3.50 to $6.50 as your catalogue shows. Itemizes some prices. Has sold deeds to Mount Vernon. AA-12

A.L.S. Senate, Harrisburg. Congratulations on appointment as VR--intends to support measure for state appropriation of money to Mt. Vernon, but desires information on aims and condition of Association. ER-5, p. 1-L

A.L.S. New York. Cannot advise MVLA on what to do as far as Washington bust is concerned. Has weighed legal aspects of case. H-709

A.L.S. New York. Feels MVLA might not to bring up subject of bust at meeting. At the time, the MVLA's attempts to take over possession seemed weak. Feels legal position of MVLA not strong. H-709