The resolutions and proceedings of Congress which have been referred to
having remained unexecuted as late as 1833, certain citizens of the City
of Washington, whose names were a passport to public confidence, took
steps in that year to form a voluntary association for erecting "a great
National Monument to the memory of Washington at the seat of the Federal
Government."
In September, 1833, a paragraph appeared in the "National
Intelligencer," leading paper of the City of Washington, calling for a
public meeting of the citizens of Washington to take up the matter and
redeem the pledges of Congress. In response to this call a meeting of
citizens was held in the aldermen's chamber, in the City Hall, on the
26th of September, 1833. There was great interest and earnestness
manifested on the part of those present in the object of the meeting.
The oft-repeated failure of Congress to finally act in the matter of
erecting a monument to Washington was reviewed, and it was deemed almost
hopeless to expect that body to provide for such a monument in the near
future.
The meeting resulted in the organization of the Washington National
Monument Society. Committees were appointed to draft a constitution and
by-laws, and to report at a future meeting of the citizens and to devise
a practical plan for the collection of funds and to prepare an address
to the country.
On October 31 following the second meeting was had, Constitution and
By-Laws were adopted, and officers were chosen, being nominated by a
committee and elected by ballot:
John Marshall, the great Chief Justice, then seventy-eight years of age,
was chosen the first President of the Society, and Judge William Cranch,
eminent as a learned jurist, as a just and impartial magistrate and for
the uprightness of his life, was selected as the first Vice-President.
In accepting the office of President of the Society, Mr. Marshall
replied as follows to the letter of notification addressed to him by
Judge Cranch:
"RICHMOND, _November 25, 1833_.
"DEAR SIR: I received yesterday your letter of the 22d, informing me
that the 'Washington Monument Society' has done me the honor to
choose me as its President.
"You are right in supposing that the most ardent wish of my heart is
to see some lasting testimonial of the grateful affection of his
country erected to the memory of her first citizen. I have always
wished it, and have always thought that the Metropolis of the Union
was the fit place for this National Monument. I cannot, therefore,
refuse to take any place which the Society may assign me; and though
my advanced age forbids the hope of being useful, I am encouraged by
the name of the First Vice-President to believe that in him ample
compensation will be found for any defects in the President.
"With great respect and esteem, I am, dear sir,
"Your obd't,
"J. MARSHALL."
Other officers then chosen were the Mayor of Washington, Second
Vice-President (at that time John P. Van Ness, formerly a Representative
in Congress); W. W. Seaton, Third Vice-President; Samuel H. Smith,
Treasurer; and George Watterston, Secretary. A board of thirteen
managers was also appointed to correspond in number with the original
States. This board consisted of Gen. Thomas S. Jessup, Col. Jas.
Kearney, Col. Nathan Towson, Col. Archibald Henderson, Matthew St.
Claire Clark, John McClelland, Thomas Munroe, Col. Geo. Bomford, Robert
C. Weightman, Peter Force, Wm. Brent, Esq., Wm. A. Bradley, and Thomas
Carbery. Aside from other stated meetings to be provided for, an
election for officers and managers was to be held every third year on
the 22d of February.
Of the founders of the Society, the name of George Watterston calls for
especial mention. With him originated the conception of the enterprise.
He remained as Secretary of the Society from its beginning to his death,
in February, 1854, conducting its extensive correspondence, preparing
its numerous addresses and publications, and it appears, in every branch
of the Society's business, he devoted his whole time and energies to its
object with constant, ardent, and effective zeal. To no one name does
the country owe more in the labor and effort to rear a monument to the
memory of Washington than to that of the Society's first Secretary. On
the death of Mr. Watterston he was succeeded in his office by Mr. John
Carroll Brent, of distinguished family, a gentleman of culture and fine
scholarship, and who continued actively and patriotically to discharge
the duties of Secretary until his death, February 11, 1876. It is as
well here to mention the other and succeeding secretaries of the
Society, who in turn ardently and effectively aided the work of the
Society through years. Dr. John B. Blake, a prominent, highly-respected
resident of the District of Columbia, who served from the year 1876 to
his death, in October, 1881, and to whose labors before Congress in
connection with the Society's special committees, the certainty of an
appropriation by that body to aid in the completion of the monument was
assured. He was succeeded by Mr. Horatio King, formerly
Postmaster-General of the United States, who in turn, on his death, was
succeeded by Dr. Francis M. Gunnell of the United States Navy, and the
latter by Frederick L. Harvey.
The Society, upon organization, established its headquarters and offices
in rooms in the basement of the City Hall, and where its office
remained until the year 1878.
An address was issued to the people of the country invoking them to
redeem the promise of the Congress. In order that all might have an
opportunity to contribute the amount to be received from any one person
was limited to a dollar a year. Agents were everywhere appointed in 1835
and the ensuing years to collect funds, and care is shown to have been
taken in their selection by requiring the highest and strongest
endorsement of their fitness for the work, and as to private character
and being men of respectability. The archives of the Society show that
in nearly every instance collectors for a State or Territory were
nominated to the Society for appointment by the Senators,
Representatives, or leading men of the State or community. To obtain
security in the returns front collections, it was required in every case
that bond should be given by the agent for the faithful performance of
his duty in accounting to the Treasurer of the Society. This method of
collecting funds was adhered to until as late as 1855.
The following is the form of a commission that was given to the agents
of the Society:
"To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:
"Know ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the
integrity, diligence, and discretion of ---- ----, the Board of
Managers of the Washington National Monument Society do authorize
and empower him to receive from the White Inhabitants of the
District for which he has been appointed Collector, embracing ----
such donations money, not exceeding one dollar each, as they may be
disposed to contribute to the erection of a National Monument to
the memory of Washington at the seat of the General Government.
"Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, this -- day of
----, 183 .
"WM. CRANCH,
"_First Vice-President_.
"Test.
"GEO. WATTERSTON,
"_Secretary_."
Simultaneous with this commission instructions were given requiring the
regular rendition of accounts at short intervals, and the deposit of the
money collected by them in safe banks to the credit of the Treasurer.
For these services a commission, in most cases of ten per centum (later
increased to fifteen per centum), was allowed.
In 1835, the President of the Society, John Marshall, died, and he was
succeeded in the office by ex-President of the United States James
Madison, who, on accepting the position, addressed the Society as
follows:
"I am very sensible of the distinction conferred by the relations in
which the Society has placed me; and feeling like my illustrious
predecessor, a deep interest in the object of the association, I
cannot withhold, as an evidence of it, the acceptance of the
appointment, though aware that, in my actual condition, it cannot be
more than honorary, and that under no circumstances could it supply
the loss which the Society has sustained. A monument worthy the name
of Washington, reared by the means proposed, will commemorate at the
same time a virtue, a patriotism, and a gratitude truly national,
with which the friends of liberty everywhere will sympathize and of
which our country may always be proud."
It may be here remarked that upon the death of Mr. Madison the Society
amended its Constitution so that thereafter the President of the United
States should be _ex officio_ its President. The first to so occupy the
office was Andrew Jackson.
The progress of the Society was at first slow, and in 1836 only about
$28,000 had been collected. This fund was placed in the hands of Gen.
Nathan Towson, Samuel H. Smith, and Thomas Munroe, gentlemen of the
highest respectability, members of the Society. Under their faithful and
judicious management this fund was invested, as also the interest
accruing on it, in good stocks or securities. This fund was from time to
time augmented by small amounts raised on special occasions by churches,
organizations, and meetings of the citizens and collections by agents.
The financial difficulties of the Union arising in 1837 operated largely
to suspend collections for the monument for several years despite
frequent addresses to the people and urgent appeals for funds by the
Society and activity by its agents.
In this year, 1836, advertisements were published by order of the
Society inviting designs from American artists, but no limitation was
placed upon the form of the design. It was determined by the Society,
and so recommended, that any plans submitted should "harmoniously blend
durability, simplicity, and grandeur." The estimated cost for the
proposed monument was not less than one million dollars.
A great many designs were submitted, but the one selected among the
number was that of Mr. Robert Mills, a well known and eminent architect
of the times.
This plan, as published to the country, was described in the following
language:
_Description of the Design of the Washington National Monument, to
be erected at the seat of the General Government of the United
States of America, in honor of "the Father of his Country," and the
worthy compatriots of the Revolution._
This design embraces the idea of a grand circular colonnaded
building, 250 feet in diameter and 100 feet high, from which springs
a obelisk shaft 70 feet at the base and 500 feet high, making a
total elevation of 600 feet.
This vast rotunda, forming the grand base of the Monument, is
surrounded by 30 columns of massive proportions, being 12 feet in
diameter and 45 feet high, elevated upon a lofty base or stylobate
of 20 feet elevation and 300 feet square, surmounted by an
entablature 20 feet high, and crowned by a massive balustrade 15
feet in height.
The terrace outside of the colonnade is 25 feet wide, and the
pronaos or walk within the colonnade, including the column space, 25
feet. The walks enclosing the cella, or gallery within, are fretted
with 30 massive antae (pilasters) 10 feet wide, 45 feet high, and
71/2 feet projection, answering to the columns in front, surmounted
by their appropriate architrave. The deep recesses formed by the
projection of the antae provide suitable niches for the reception of
statues.
A tetrastyle portico (4 columns in front) in triple rows of the same
proportions and order with the columns of the colonnade,
distinguishes the entrance to the Monument, and serves as a pedestal
for the triumphal car and statue of the illustrious Chief; the steps
of this portico are flanked by massive blockings, surmounted by
appropriate figures and trophies.
Over each column, in the great frieze of the entablatures around the
entire building, are sculptured escutcheons (coats of arms of each
State in the Union), surrounded by bronze civic wreaths, banded
together by festoons of oak leaves, &c., all of which spring (each
way) from the centre of the portico, where the coat of arms of the
United States are emblazoned.
The statues surrounding the rotunda outside, under the colonnade,
are all elevated upon pedestals, and will be those of the glorious
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Ascending the portico outside to the terrace level a lofty vomitoria
(door way) 30 feet high leads into the cella (rotundo gallery) 50
feet wide, 500 feet in circumference and 60 feet high, with a
colossal pillar in the centre 70 feet in diameter, around which the
gallery sweeps. This pillar forms the foundation of the obelisk
column above.
Both sides of the gallery are divided into spaces by pilasters,
elevated on a continued zocle or base 5 feet high, forming an order
with its entablature 40 feet high, crowned by a vaulted ceiling 20
feet high, divided by radiating archevaults, corresponding with the
relative positions of the opposing pilasters, and enclosing deep
sunken coffers enriched with paintings.
The spaces between the pilasters are sunk into niches for the
reception of the statues of the fathers of the Revolution,
contemporary with the immortal WASHINGTON; over which are large
tablets to receive the National Paintings commemorative of the
battle and other scenes of that memorable period. Opposite to the
entrance of this gallery, at the extremity of the great circular
wall, is the grand niche for the reception of the statue of the
"Father of his Country"--elevated on its appropriate pedestal, and
designated as _principal_ in the group by its colossal proportions.
This spacious Gallery and Rotunda, which properly may be denominated
the "National Pantheon," is lighted in four grand divisions from
above, and by its circular form presents each subject decorating it
walls in an interesting point of view and with proper effect, as the
curiosity is kept up every moment, from the whole room not being
presented to the eye at one glance, as in the case of a straight
gallery.
Entering the centre pier through an arched way, you pass into a
spacious circular area, and ascend with an easy grade, by a railway,
to the grand terrace, 75 feet above the base of the Monument. This
terrace is 700 feet in circumference, 180 feet wide, enclosed by a
colonnaded balustrade, 15 feet high with its base and capping. The
circuit of this grand terrace is studded with small temple-formed
structures, constituting the cupolas of the lanterns, lighting the
Pantheon gallery below; by means of these little temples, from a
gallery within, a bird's eye view is had of the statues, &c., below.
Through the base of the great circle of the balustrade are four
apertures at the four cardinal points, leading _outside_ of the
balustrade, upon the top of the main cornice, where a gallery 6 feet
wide and 750 feet in circumference encircles the whole, enclosed by
an ornamental guard, forming the crowning member on the top of the
tholus of the main cornice of the grand colonnade. Within the
thickness of this wall, staircases descend to a lower gallery over
the plafond of the proanos of the colonnade lighted from above. This
gallery, which extends all round the colonnade, is 20 feet
wide--divided into rooms for the records of the monument, works of
art, or studios for artists engaged in the service of the Monument.
Two other ways communicate with this gallery from below.
In the centre of the grand terrace above described, rises the lofty
obelisk shaft of the Monument, 50 feet square at the base, and 500
feet high, diminishing as it rises to its apex, where it is 40 feet
square; at the foot of this shaft and on each face project four
massive zocles 25 feet high, supporting so many colossal symbolic
tripods of victory 20 feet high, surmounted by fascial columns with
their symbols of authority. These zocle faces are embellished with
inscriptions, which are continued around the entire base of the
shaft, and occupy the surface of that part of the shaft between the
tripods. On each face of the shaft above this is sculptured the four
leading events in General Washington's eventful career, _in basso
relievo_, and above this the shaft is perfectly plain to within 50
feet of its summit, where a simple star is placed, emblematic of the
glory which the name of WASHINGTON has attained.
To ascend to the summit of the column, the same facilities as below
are provided within the shaft, by an easy graded gallery, which may
be traversed by a railway, terminating in a circular observatory 20
feet in diameter, around which at the top is a look-out gallery,
which opens a prospect all around the horizon.
With reference to the area embraced by the foundations and basement
of the Monument and the uses to which they may be applied, the
underspace outwards, occupied by the lower terrace and colonnade,
may be appropriated to the accommodation of the keepers of the
Monument, or those having charge of it and attending on visitors.
These apartments, which are arched, are well lighted and aired, as
they are all above ground, the light being disposed in the sunk
panels of the stylobate (base). The principal entrance to all these
apartments will be from the rear, or opposite side of the portico
entrance. The _inner_ space, or that under the grand gallery or
Rotundo, may be appropriated to catacombs for the reception of the
remains of such distinguished men as the Nation may honor with
interment here. This subterranean gallery is so large and lofty that
it would accommodate many catacombs.
In the centre of the Monument is placed the tomb of WASHINGTON, to
receive his remains, should they be removed thither, the descent to
which is by a broad flight of steps lighted by the same light which
illuminates his statue.
The feature of the pantheon surrounding the shaft was never formally and
finally adopted by the Society as a part of the Monument. The first
purpose was to erect the shaft and to secure funds to that end.
In this year (1838) the Society addressed a memorial to Congress praying
that a site be accorded the Monument on the public mall. For this
purpose a bill was reported in the Senate, which, being under
consideration in that body, June 15th, caused much debate and adverse
criticism of the Society and its work.
Mr. Roane, replying to an inquiry of Mr. Allen (Ohio), stated that the
sum collected by the Society was about $30,000 which was put out at
interest.
To this Mr. Allen answered that he believed they had collected more than
that sum in his own State.
Mr. Bayard thought that to erect the Monument on the place proposed
would be to destroy the whole plan of the mall, and that as far as the
prospect was concerned, nothing could be more unfortunate. Besides the
means of the Society were very insignificant compared with the object in
view, for as they had agents all over the United States collecting
simultaneously it was to be presumed they had collected all they were to
get.
Mr. Norvell was satisfied that they (the Society) were incapable of
meriting the imputation impliedly, he hoped not intentionally, cast upon
them by the Senator from Ohio. He presumed extensive subscriptions had
been made to the work, but not yet collected, and that considerable
expense must have been incurred in the employment of agents. As to the
location of the site he could say nothing, but he was certain that such
a monument as proposed ought long since to have been erected to the
memory of the illustrious Chief under whose guidance this Nation had
been led to victory, liberty, and independence.
Mr. Hubbard thought the original plan of building the Monument by the
voluntary contributions of the people ought to be carried out, and that
the President and the Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds ought
to have nothing to do with it. As to the expense, he said, judging from
the cost of the Bunker Hill Monument, the $30,000 of the Society would
not be enough to lay the foundations.
Mr. Morris (Ohio) thought the public ought to be informed why so paltry
a sum had been contributed; his own county had contributed over $1,000.
There was a sort of enthusiasm on the subject in Ohio. The Governor had
issued his proclamation in favor of it, and the _sheriffs_ VOLUNTEERED
to act as collectors, and judging from _these tokens_ the sum collected
could not fall short of $30,000 (in Ohio). He also thought the work
should go on without aid by Congress, and hoped the bill would be laid
on the table. Mr. Allen, in further remarks said, in substance, he did
not believe the story that only $30,000 had been collected. He
considered it a reproach to the liberality of the country. He would vote
with the boldest to erect a suitable monument to the memory of the
Father of his country; he would vote a million of dollars, but he
considered it a reproach to the country to commence work with the paltry
sum the Society say they had in hand.
On motion of Mr. Morris, the bill was indefinitely postponed.
These proceedings appearing in the daily press, the Society adopted and
presented the following memorial:
"_To the Senate of the United States_:
"The Board of Managers of the Washington National Monument Society,
having seen in the public prints a statement that representations
have been made in your body derogatory to their character, consider
it their duty to lay before you an official account of their
receipts and expenditures. They hope that the alleged statement is
erroneous in ascribing to honorable members of your body imputations
on private character which would not, without proof of their
correctness, have been hazarded. The respect we entertain for the
Senate restrains the expression of feelings which are not, however,
the less indignant for this forbearance.
"We make this communication in the confidence that it will be the
means of correcting any honest misapprehensions that may have
existed; that it will be gratifying to a body distinguished for its
justice to shield honesty from wanton aspersion within its own
walls; that it will afford an opportunity to men of honorable
feelings, who may be conscious of having cast unmerited reproach on
characters, we flatter ourselves, unsullied, to retract them; that
more especially, in case the charges be not retracted, it may be
lodged among the public archives as evidence as well of their
unfounded nature as of the fidelity with which we have discharged
duties of a disinterested and elevated nature; and that, if it be
deemed expedient, it be printed by your order by such publicity
challenging any detection of the slightest departure from truth. We
indeed not only hold ourselves amenable to the public, but are ready
at any moment to submit our proceedings to the most rigid
examination which either House of Congress may see fit to institute.
"By order of the Board of Managers:
"PETER FORCE,
"_Second Vice-President_.
"GEORGE WATTERSTON,
"_Secretary_."
The statement of receipts and _expenditures_ exhibited showed the
following collections:
Maine, $1,600.00
Vermont, 31.95
Connecticut, 1,438.61
New York, 1,167.21
New Jersey, 1,491.61
Pennsylvania, 2,102.85
Delaware, 361.98
Maryland, 3,057.99
Virginia, 1,500.00
South Carolina, 570.00
Kentucky, 1,610.00
Ohio, 6,391.19
Louisiana, 701.26
Indiana, 340.00
Illinois, 700.00
Mississippi, 2,120.00
District of Columbia, 836.36
Florida, 227.00
Army, 565.89
Navy, 228.25
Interest on stocks, in which net collections were invested, $1,608.73,
all of which sums, except $476.67, cash in hand, and the _necessary_
expenses of the Society, amounting to _only_ $465.56, had been invested
in productive stocks.
June 19, 1838, Mr. Morris (Ohio) arose in the Senate to a question of
privilege. He found in a morning paper of the city an editorial
censuring the course which his colleague and himself had deemed it their
duty to take with regard to the bill to grant leave to a Society or
company of gentlemen who have united together to erect a monument to the
memory of Washington upon a portion of the public grounds in this city.
* * * The object of his colleague and himself had been to obtain
information on the subject, and he stated expressly, if in error, he
wished the error to be corrected by authentic documents, and on that
account he objected to the bill until it was clearly shown what money
had been taken up and to what use it had been applied. * * * He was not
willing to attach the honor of his country to a scheme which, for aught
he knew, might have been carried on by means of fraud and deception. Yet
this reasonable _request_ had been trumped up by the morning papers as
making a grave charge, or at least casting imputations. * * * He said it
was evident to his mind that the object and design of this publication
was to produce political effect. It was well known that a majority of
the Senate were the friends of the administration, and if this article
could impress the public mind with the belief that those who sustained
the administration had no regard for the memory of Washington, he had no
doubt it was expected it would tend to promote individual and _party_
views. It was a kind of left-handed blow to injure the administration
and its friends in the Senate by charging them with meanness in refusing
to accede to the wishes of the Society. But he feared there was another
motive beside veneration for the name of Washington that prompted the
agents and managers of this project to be so ardent in their endeavor to
link themselves and scheme to the public concerns of the country. They
were reported as having about $30,000. This sum they could easily expend
on the foundation, or even the first corner-stone of the Monument. They
could devise a plan for the superstructure that would cost millions of
dollars, and if they could make this affair a government concern, they
would insist, no doubt, that the country would be disgraced if the
building was not completed, and Congress would be solicited and urged to
appropriate for the purpose with all the force of speech and the
_blandishments of parties_. Millions would be thus called for, and, in
his opinion, appropriated if the scheme now in operation can succeed, to
be expended by a private corporation, whose dependent friends and
followers would grow rich in the progress of the work. He was totally
averse to the Government having anything to do in this matter or any
other in which individuals were also to be concerned. It was this that
induced him to move postponement of the bill.
Mr. Allen concurred with his colleague. He objected to the bill because
it placed the construction under the Commissioner of Public Buildings
and Grounds, and being upon public ground, Congress must appropriate any
deficiency or the people must be again visited by hosts of traveling
agents. * * * These he thought sufficient reasons for rejecting the bill
without division.
Mr. Clay deprecated the irregular discussion, and said that no newspaper
in the country was conducted with more regard to propriety, decorum,
truth, and _faithfulness_ of report than the "National Intelligencer,"
and he could wish that the other journals of this city, and particularly
the one connected with the Government, would look more to this point for
example.
Notwithstanding the Society by its memorial had furnished the
information _requested_ by Mr. Morris, and stood ready for investigation
of its affairs, the memorial was ultimately laid on the table and the
matter was dropped.
This debate was noticed in the public press, local and elsewhere. It
cannot be known what, if any, influence it had throughout the country to
impair the efforts of the Society in the collection of funds or to
weaken confidence in the enterprise. Such a result was not improbable.