ted these lands for the use of the poor. On behalf of the
Alexandria church, now called Christ Church, Edmund I. Lee took this
case to the United States Courts in 1814, protesting the
unconstitutionality of the act. His eloquence, legal knowledge and
labors resulted in the return of the Glebe lands to Christ Church. The
case was won on a technicality, _i.e._, the Virginia Assembly had no
jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, and Alexandria lay in the
District.

In 1810 Lee was president of the common council of the city, a thankless
task which he performed faithfully and cheerfully. The year 1832 saw
"his house and half an acre lot at Washington and Oronoco Streets in
which he now resides for sale or rent." It was not sold, for in his
will, Lee left this dwelling and lot to his two daughters, Sally Lee and
Hannah Stewart, jointly. To his son he left the family Bible and a
cane-bottom settee, formerly owned by William Lee of Green Spring, and a
house and lot at the "bottom of his garden" on Washington Street, and
the "arm-chair" from his drawing room. His son, Cassius Lee, fell heir
to his father's home and there brought up a large family of handsome
children.

Family tradition names Edmund I. Lee as the builder of his home, which
would fix the date of the house at 1801 or later. Everything about the
house is typical of a late eighteenth century federal building. It is
certain that Charles Lee built the mansion around 1796 and that Edmund
I. Lee lived there from the time of his marriage. The price of five
thousand dollars at the time of purchase is also indicative of a
substantial and elegant residence.

This house is a fine federal example and is handsomely fitted out. The
Lee family seems to have had a leaning toward brass hardware, and like
the hinges in the great hall at Stratford, unusual brass latches and
locks are here plentiful. Unquestionably the handsomest brass locks in
Alexandria are in this house. A rare latch in addition to the great
locks is attached to the Washington Street door. This double doorway,
deeply recessed, in a hand-carved Georgian frame, arched and paneled,
challenges the attention of every passer-by. The colonnaded rear gallery
is hung with festoons of wisteria and is the most picturesque and lovely
spot when the great lavender bunches of bloom are scattered and draped
around the vine and against the white columns and railings. The woodwork
throughout the house is in keeping with the