"AN ADDRESS
OF THE
BOARD OF MANAGERS
OF THE
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT
SOCIETY,
WITH A STATEMENT OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES."
This address was sent to the Society's agents and friends of the
Monument in all parts of the country, which address they were
"requested," in an accompanying letter, "to diffuse as widely as may be
without incurring expense."
The measure of the result of the Society's efforts at this period, the
discouragement met with, and its faith in the work it had undertaken, is
evidenced by language in this address, which recited, in part:
"The annexed statement of the sums received and accounted for by
them (the agents) shows the measure of their success. This, though
various, has, in no instance, equalled the least sanguine
expectations. This may be ascribed in some degree to the fundamental
feature of the plan itself, which, in limiting the individual
subscriptions to one dollar, has been found, excepting in towns, to
have involved an expense to the agent nearly, if not quite, equal
to the amount collected; while in the larger towns the abortion
heretofore of schemes for a like purpose has produced a general
impression that this plan would share the same fate. Other causes,
some of a temporary, others of a permanent nature, co-operated in
leading to this result, of which, perhaps, the most powerful was the
general derangement of the currency, and the real or apprehended
evils that followed in its train, with the impression that it was
the duty of the General Government, out of the vast resources at its
command, to effect the object.
"In reviewing the course of measures pursued, the Board of Managers
have satisfaction in perceiving no neglect or omission on their part
in discharging the duties assigned them. If an assiduity
proportioned to the dignity of the object, a devotion seeking no
reward but in the gratification of honest feelings, and an economy
attested by the small expenditures for contingent expenses, are the
truest evidences of fidelity, they trust that they may, without
unworthy imputations, lay claim to this humble virtue. * * * Upon
the whole, however great the disappointment of the Board of
Managers, they have not abandoned the hope that a plan which, at its
inception, was hailed with universal approbation, may yet, with
proper modifications, be effected."
It is shown by this address that the amount collected and interest
accrued on stocks in this year was $30,779.84.
The restriction of a contribution to the sum of one dollar appears to
have been removed on one occasion in 1839. A committee of the Society,
having been appointed for the purpose on November 13, 1839, prepared and
issued a special circular letter, to be sent to the deputy marshals of
the United States, who shortly were to begin taking the census of the
country. This appeal recited in part:
"The measures incident to the approaching census present an
opportunity of overcoming this last difficulty (the former
limitation of subscriptions). It will be the duty of the deputies of
the marshals to see the head of every family; and as the greater
portion of their time will be consumed in traveling from one
dwelling to another, it is thought that but little additional time
will be occupied in submitting a subscription paper for this object
at each dwelling and receiving the sums that may be subscribed,
whereby an opportunity will be offered to every individual in the
United States to promote it by contributions corresponding to their
means. There being no limitation in the amount, every man, woman,
and child will be enabled to enroll their names by subscriptions
according to their ability. The rich will, it is hoped, be
munificent in their donations, while from those in inferior
circumstances any sum will be thankfully received."
It was proposed to allow these special collectors a commission of twenty
per cent. on "amounts that may be received and accounted for by a
deposit in some sound bank to the credit of Samuel H. Smith, Treasurer
of the Society, together with the transmission to him of the names of
the contributors, with the respective sums subscribed by them, and the
certificates of deposits."
The address concluded:
"The subscription papers may be headed as follows:
"We, the undersigned, for the purpose of contributing to the
erection of a great National Monument at the seat of the General
Government, do subscribe the sums placed opposite our names
respectively.
"The favor of an early answer is requested."
Beautiful lithographs, in two sizes, of the design selected for the
Monument were printed and placed in the hands of the agents of the
Society as certificates, and in the form of receipts, to be given
individuals or organizations contributing the sum of one dollar to the
funds of the Society.
These certificates bore the following words and autograph names on the
lower margin and beneath the picture of the proposed Monument:
"Earnestly recommended to the favor of our countrymen,
Z. TAYLOR, MILLARD FILLMORE,
JAMES K. POLK, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
G. M. DALLAS, DANIEL WEBSTER,
H. CLAY, ALBERT GALLATIN."
There was also prepared for distribution through the Society's agents
other lithographs, portraits of Washington, it being thought the
contributor might prefer such a portrait to the lithograph of the
Monument.
The results of this special appeal are to be found in the subsequently
stated accounts of the Treasurer, but the amounts returned did not meet
the expectations of the Society.
May 25, 1844, a joint resolution (No. 514) was introduced into the House
of Representatives, accompanied by a report submitted by Mr. Pratt from
the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, which provided "that the
Washington Monument Society, in the City of Washington, be, and they are
hereby, authorized to occupy that part of reservation _No._ 2, bounded
by the Canal, B, Seventh and Twelfth streets, south, for the purpose of
erecting thereon a monument to Washington, under the direction of the
President of the United States, according to the _design proposed by the
Committee on Public Buildings_, and to _aid_ the said Society in
_completing the same_, and for defraying the expense of enclosing the
grounds, laying out walks and planting trees, the Committee on Public
Buildings is hereby authorized and required to cause to be laid into
lots and to sell at auction or otherwise, on condition that three-story
brick, granite or marble buildings be erected thereon within five years
from the day of sale, the piece of vacant ground bounded by the circular
road, New Jersey avenue and B and First streets, north, and the piece of
ground bounded by the circular road, Delaware avenue, B and F streets,
south; also twenty-seven lots between the circular road and Third
street, on Pennsylvania avenue, and twenty-seven lots between the
circular road and Third street, on Maryland avenue, northwest, or so
much as shall be necessary to complete the same. The same to be
designated as 'Monument Square.'"
The report stated, the proposed park would contain about fifty-two
acres, which it was designed "to fence in and lay out in drives, walks,
and trees, and to erect thereon a _National Monument_ in the center
thereof." The position would command a view of all the public buildings,
particularly from the Monument, "which is to be one hundred and fifty
feet high," and "devoted to the public as a place of resort where busts,
statues, and paintings of all the great men connected with the history
of our country may be seen." The site is nearly opposite to the "Patent
and Post Office buildings, or center of the city, and but a square or
two south of the _great_ thoroughfare of the city, the Pennsylvania
avenue, which, in point of magnitude and of easy approach to our
citizens, there is no ground in the District, or in any other country,
which could vie with it as a public square of beauty and recreation."
Lots were to be sold at auction and proceeds used for creating the park,
as described in the resolution, and "so that preparations may be
immediately made" for a "site for a _National Monument_, which in the
course of a few years will become a beautiful resort for the citizens
and visitors of the District as well as for strangers from all parts of
the world." The park would have circles and every device of walk, all
the emblems of the Nation together with forest trees of every State,
plants, flowers, &c. The construction of a national monument the
committee regarded as of great interest to the American people. Half a
century had passed away, and no worthy memorial is found in the Capital.
The committee recommend the "temple form" as best for a monument, "built
to contain busts and statues of Presidents and other illustrious men of
the country, as well as 'paintings' of historical subjects." The
construction of the Monument "would carry out the views of this Society
to erect a monument to Washington," and which it is understood will
apply its funds toward this object "whenever Congress shall authorize
its erection on some portion of the public ground," the site to be due
west of the Capitol. The construction was to be under the direction of
the President of the United States and the Washington Monument Society.
A plan of the proposed temple form of monument accompanied the report, a
statue of Washington surmounting its dome.
While the Society at this time was willing to concede a change in the
form of the Monument, and apply funds collected to speedily realize such
change, no action by Congress resulted from the report quoted so far as
authorizing the building of the National Monument suggested by the
committee or lending aid to the Society, or granting a site for the
Monument it had projected.
In 1845 the Society removed generally the limitation of one dollar as
the amount of a subscription. This action seems to have been wise, as
the later annual gross receipts were for a time greatly increased.
In view of the previous recognition by the Society of this evil of
limitation of contributions, it is surprising that it was not generally
removed when it was specially removed for the occasion of the census in
1840.
In 1846 the Society issued a further address "to the American people,"
announcing that it had "appointed the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio,
the General Agent of the Society, whose office will be held in
Washington. To him has been delegated the power of appointing subagents,
who will receive a commission on the funds they may collect as a
compensation for their services. * * * It is scarcely necessary to
remark that the character of the General Agent appointed by the Board of
Managers to make additional collections for the Monument is such as to
insure success and produce entire confidence. It is known to the whole
country; and Mr. Whittlesey's efforts in this new and noble undertaking,
it is hoped, will be crowned with that success which cannot fail to
accompany so glorious an object."
It was further said by this address:
"It may be proper to state for the information of the public that
the delay in commencing the Monument has been occasioned by the want
of a proper site, which the Board had hoped would long since have
been granted by Congress. * * * The Board designed at as early
period to commence the Monument, but as no site could be obtained
sufficientlyy eligible on any other ground than the public mall,
near the Potomac, and as that could only be obtained by a grant from
Congress, which has not yet been made, that purpose has been
unavoidably postponed until the next session of the National
Legislature, when it is believed no objection will be made to allow
the Board the use of the ground it desires for so laudable and
patriotic an object."
This address, signed by the officers of the Society, James K. Polk, _ex
officio_ President; Wm. Brent, First Vice-President; Mayor of
Washington, Third Vice-President; J. B. H. Smith, Treasurer; George
Watterston, Secretary; and by the entire Board of Managers, including
among the number Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott, Thos. Carbery, Peter Force,
Philip R. Fendall, Gen. Nathan Townson, Gen. Walter Jones, Col. J.
Kearney, J. J. Abert, W. A. Bradley, and Thomas Munroe, contained the
following eloquent language:
"The pilgrim to Mount Vernon, the spot consecrated by Washington's
hallowed remains, is often shocked when he looks upon the humble
sepulchre which contains his dust, and laments that no monument has
yet reared its lofty head to mark a _Nation's_ gratitude.
"It is true that the 'storied urn, the animated bust,' or the
splendid mausoleum, cannot call back the departed spirit, or 'soothe
the dull, cold ear of death;' but it is equally true that it can and
does manifest the gratitude and veneration of the living for those
who have passed away forever from the stage of life and left behind
them the cherished memory of their virtues. The posthumous honors
bestowed by a grateful nation on its distinguished citizens serve
the further purpose of stimulating those who survive them to similar
acts of greatness and of virtue, while the respect and admiration of
the country which confers them upon its children are mere deeply and
ardently felt. The character of Washington is identified with the
glory and greatness of his country. It belongs to history, into
which it has infused a moral grandeur and beauty. It presents a
verdant oasis on the dreary waste of the world, on which the mind
loves to repose, and the patriot and philosopher delights to dwell.
Such a being but seldom appears to illustrate and give splendor to
the annals of mankind, and the country which gave him birth should
take a pride in bestowing posthumous honors on his name. It is not
to transmit the name or fame of the illustrious Washington to future
ages that a Monument should be erected to his memory; but to show
that the People of this Republic at least are not ungrateful, and
that they desire to manifest their love of eminent public and
private virtues by some enduring memorial which, like the pyramids
of Egypt, shall fatigue time by its duration."
The General Agent, Mr. Whittlesey, submitted a plan which was adopted by
the Society for a systematic collection of funds, which included
constituting Congressional districts as distinct collection districts,
and in 1847 a circular letter was addressed to Members of Congress
respecting the formation of such districts and the appointment of
collecting agents therein. As formerly, it was required that the
appointee should be well recommended and endorsed by Representatives,
Senators, and well-known citizens of the district or State.
It was also determined to specially appeal to the Masonic fraternity of
the country.
The agents appointed were supplied with properly prepared blank books
for the autograph enrollment of contributors, which books, when filled
with names, were to be returned to the office of the Society for deposit
and safe keeping.
On the request of the Society, Mrs. James Madison, Mrs. John Quincy
Adams, and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton effected an organization of ladies to
aid in collecting funds for the proposed Monument. Through appeals,
entertainments, fairs, and many social functions given for the purpose
by ladies in various parts of the country, there resulted but a very
moderate addition to the funds of the Society, but in no way
commensurate with its expectations in the premises.
On the 29th of February, 1847, the Society adopted the following
resolution offered by Mr. Brent:
"_Resolved_, That the several Consuls of the United States abroad,
and the Pursers of the Navy, be requested by the General Agent to
solicit subscriptions for the erection of a suitable National
Monument to the memory of Washington from American citizens, seamen,
and others of liberal patriotic feelings, and that the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of the Navy be respectfully requested, on
behalf of the National Washington Monument Society, to cause to be
forwarded the letters and papers necessary to accomplish the object
embraced in this resolution."
In accordance with this resolve (the consent of the Honorable Secretary
of State and the Honorable Secretary of the Navy having been given), a
circular letter was prepared and sent out to the persons named in the
resolution.
After setting forth the object of the Society, and earnestly appealing
for funds to accomplish that purpose, the circular stated a compensation
of 20 per cent. would be allowed on funds collected and faithfully
accounted for. This circular was accompanied by a supply of "prints," to
be distributed to subscribers, as follows:
"Copies of a large portrait of Washington, copied from Stuart's
painting in Fanueil Hall, Boston.
"Copies of the large print of the design of the Monument."
Smaller prints of the same subjects were also furnished.
The subscriber of $5.00 was to receive one of the large prints; of
$8.00, both the large prints; of $1.00, one of the small prints; and to
the subscriber of $1.50, both of the small prints.
It was also publicly announced that the corner stone of the Monument
would be laid "on the 4th of July next, and arrangements will be made to
give to the ceremony a national character corresponding with the
character and magnitude of the work."
The accounts of the Treasurer of the Society from time to time show, in
response to this _special_ appeal, a considerable collection of funds,
especially among the officers and seamen of the Navy.
In 1847, the aggregate of collections and accumulated interest was some
$87,000, which amount was deemed sufficient to justify the Society in
beginning the erection of the Monument.
A resolution was adopted that the corner-stone be laid on the 22d of
February next "provided that a suitable site can be obtained in time,"
and a committee was appointed to apply to Congress early in the session
for a "site on the public mall for the Monument." A committee was also
appointed to ascertain "the best terms on which a suitable site on
private grounds within the limits of the City of Washington can be
obtained."
Before the latter committee reported, in response to the memorial by the
Society to Congress, desiring action by that body to accord a site for
the Monument, on the 31st of January, 1848, Congress passed a resolution
authorizing the Washington National Monument Society to erect "a
Monument to the memory of George Washington upon such portion of the
public grounds or reservations within the City of Washington, not
otherwise occupied, as shall be selected by the President of the United
States and the Board of Managers of said Society as a suitable site on
which to erect the said Monument, and for the necessary protection
thereof."
January 23, 1848, General Archibald Henderson, Lieut. M. F. Maury, and
Mr. Walter Lenox were appointed a committee to make the necessary
arrangements to lay the corner-stone, but it being found impossible to
make arrangements for that ceremony on the 22d of February, on the 29th
of January it was postponed until July 4th following.