The site selected under the authority of the resolution of Congress was
the public reservation, numbered 3, on the plan of the City of
Washington, containing upwards of thirty acres, where the Monument now
stands, near the Potomac river, west of the Capitol and south of the
President's House. The deed was executed on the 12th day of April, 1849,
and was duly recorded among the land records of the District of Columbia
on the 22d day of February, 1849.
This deed was executed by James K. Polk, President of the United States,
"and in testimony of the selection as aforesaid of the said reservation,
numbered three (3), for the purpose aforesaid," was also signed by
William Brent, First Vice-President; W. W. Seaton, Second
Vice-President; Archibald Henderson, Third Vice-President; J. B. H.
Smith, Treasurer; George Watterston, Secretary; and Peter Force; the
signing being "in the presence of Winfield Scott, Nathan Towson, John.
J. Abert, Walter Jones, Thomas Carbery, W. A. Bradley, P. R. Fendall,
Thomas Munroe, Walter Lenox, M. F. Maury, Thomas Blagden."
As to the reasons for the selection of this particular site, we find
them stated by the Society in an address to the country, in later years,
as follows:
"The site selected presents a beautiful view of the Potomac; is so
elevated that the Monument will be seen from all parts of the city
and the surrounding country, and, being a public reservation, it is
safe from any future obstruction of the view. It is so near the
river that materials for constructing the Monument can be conveyed
to it from the river at but little expense; stone, sand, and lime,
all of the best kind, can be brought to it by water from convenient
distances; and marble of the most beautiful quality, obtained at a
distance of only eleven miles from Baltimore, on the Susquehanna
railroad, can be brought either on the railroad or in vessels. In
addition to these and kindred reasons, the adoption of the site was
further and impressively recommended by the consideration that the
Monument to be erected on it would be in full view of Mount Vernon,
where rest the ashes of the Chief; and by evidence that Washington
himself, whose unerring judgment had selected this city to be the
Capital of the Nation, had also selected this particular spot for a
Monument to the American Revolution, which in the year 1795 it was
proposed should be erected or placed at the 'permanent seat of
Government of the United States.' This Monument was to have been
executed by Ceracchi, a Roman sculptor, and paid for by
contributions of individuals. The same site is marked on Major
L'Enfant's map of Washington City for the equestrian statue of
General Washington, ordered by Congress in 1783, which map was
examined, approved, and transmitted to Congress by him when
President of the United States."
It may be here remarked, with reference to the site selected for the
Monument, that the foundations were laid but a short distance to the
east of the meridian line, run, at the instance of President Jefferson,
by Nicholas King, surveyor, October 15, 1804. The report of Mr. King, as
found in the Department of State, bears the endorsement, "to be filed in
the office of State as a record of demarcation of the first meridian of
the United States." This line, by the President's instructions, passed
through the center of the White House, and where it intersected a line
due east and west through the center of the Capitol a small monument or
pyramid of stones was placed--an object which disappeared about the year
1874, in the process of improving the Monument grounds. It would also
appear that the center of the District of Columbia, within its original
lines, was not far removed northwestward from the Monument as it stands,
being near the corner of Seventeenth and C streets, N.W., 1,305 feet
north and 1,579 feet west of the Monument. (National Geographic
Magazine, vol. 6, p. 149.)
It does not appear, however, that these latter existing facts were in
any manner considered by the Board of Managers in the selection of the
site for the Monument.
The corner-stone for the Monument, a block of marble weighing
"twenty-four thousand five hundred pounds," was quarried and presented
to the Society by Mr. Thomas Symington, of Baltimore, Md. On its arrival
in the city, the stone was enthusiastically drawn to the site of the
Monument by many workmen from the navy yard, and other persons.
In planning the ceremonies to occur on the laying of the corner-stone of
the Monument, the Society invited ex-President John Quincy Adams to
deliver the oration, but the invitation, however, was regretfully
declined by Mr. Adams on account of the state of his health.
Hon. Daniel Webster being requested to deliver the oration declined
because of pressure of business and the shortness of the time allowed in
which to prepare one.
Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, being then requested consented to deliver the oration.
Invitations were sent by the committee of arrangements to Mrs. Alexander
Hamilton, Mrs. Dolly P. Madison, Mrs. John Quincy Adams, Martin Van
Buren, Millard Fillmore, Lewis Cass, General Sam Houston, Chief Justice
Taney, George Washington Parke Custis, and other distinguished persons
to attend the ceremonies of the laying of the corner-stone. The replies
received indicate the interest of those invited in the erection of the
Monument to Washington.
For the occasion transportation lines entering the District of Columbia
reduced their usual rates of travel.
On the 4th of July, 1848, under a bright sky, in the presence of the
President and Vice-President of the United States, Senators and
Representatives in Congress, Heads of Executive Departments, and other
officers of the Government, the Judiciary, Representatives of Foreign
Governments, the corporate authorities of Washington, Georgetown, and
Alexandria, military commands, associations of many descriptions,
delegations from States and Territories and from several Indian tribes,
and a great multitude of citizens, the corner-stone was laid.
The Rev. Mr. McJilton offered the consecration prayer, and the oration,
lofty and eloquent, was delivered by the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop.
Mr. Benj. B. French, Grand Master of the Masonic Fraternity of the
United States, then delivered a beautiful and appropriate address, after
which he descended to the corner-stone and performed the Masonic
ceremonies of laying it.
The gavel used was that employed by George Washington, as Master Mason,
in the Masonic ceremonies in the laying of the corner-stone of the
National Capitol. A patriotic song, written by Robert Treat Paine, was
sung, after which the benediction was pronounced.
The corner-stone was laid at the northeast angle of the foundation.
Among the distinguished guests on the stand at the laying of the
corner-stone were Mrs. Alexander Hamilton (then ninety-one years old),
Mrs. Dolly Paine Madison, George Washington Parke Custis, and others of
eminence.
The proceedings are thus discussed in the papers of the times:
* * * * *
"The day was fine. The rain had laid the dust and infused a
delicious freshness in the air. The procession was extensive and
beautiful. It embraced many military companies of our own and our
sister cities--various associations, with their characteristic
emblems; the President and Cabinet and various officers of the
Executive Departments; many of the Members of Congress; citizens and
strangers who had poured into the city. When the lengthened
procession had reached the site of the Monument they were joined by
a whole cortege of ladies and gentlemen; and we are free to say we
never beheld so magnificent a spectacle. From 15,000 to 20,000
persons are estimated to have been present, stretched over a large
area of ground from the southern hill, gradually sloping down to the
plain below."
"In a hollow spread with boards and surrounded with seats the
crowd gathered. Around two sides of this space were high and
solidly-constructed seats, hired out to spectators, covered with
awnings, and affording a favorable position for seeing and hearing.
A temporary arch was erected, covered with colored cotton and
suitably embellished. But its most attractive ornament was a living
American eagle, with its dark plumage, piercing eye, and snowy head
and tail, who seemed to look with anxious gaze on the unwonted
spectacle below. This is the same eagle which in Alexandria
surmounted the arch of welcome there erected to Lafayette; and to
complete its honors and its public character, it has since been
entrusted to M. Vattemare, to be presented to the National Museum in
Paris. He is now forty years old."
"The fireworks (at night) exhibited on the same theatre, and
prepared by the pyrotechnists of the navy yard, were admirable
beyond description. They were witnessed by an immense multitude.
The President's reception at night in the East Room was very
numerously attended. Thus passed one of the most splendid and
agreeable days Washington has ever witnessed."
Objections having been from time to time urged against the plan of the
Monument, the Society, early in 1848, appointed a committee to consider
them. In April of that year, pursuant to a report of a committee of its
members, the Society fixed upon a height of 500 feet for the shaft,
leaving in abeyance the surrounding pantheon and base. And this
modification continued to be the plan of the Monument until it was again
altered at a later period.
The corner-stone laid, the Society began active operations to raise the
shaft, which were most vigorously prosecuted. The purchase of materials
and the general construction of the Monument, embracing the employment
of labor, skilled and common, were committed by the Society to three of
their number, denominated a Building Committee.
The members of this committee devoted much of their time patriotically
to the duties assigned them, held weekly meetings during several years,
and served without any sort of compensation whatever.
With a view of having the States of the Union properly represented in
the Monument, the Society extended an invitation for each State to
furnish for insertion in the interior walls a block of marble or other
durable stone, a production of its soil, of the following dimensions:
Four feet long, two feet high, and with a bed of from twelve to eighteen
inches, the name of the State to be cut thereon in large letters, and,
if desirable to the donor, the State's coat of arms also. Later, this
invitation to contribute memorial blocks of stone was extended to
embrace such a gift from a foreign government.
In response to these invitations were received from time to time the
many rich and durable blocks which now adorn the interior walls of the
shaft, in themselves smaller but not less impressive monuments to the
memory of Washington.
In about six years from the laying of the corner-stone the Monument had
reached the height of 156 feet, not quite one-third of its ultimate
modified elevation. During this period the Society continued most
actively at work in the raising of funds to carry the Monument forward.
An appeal to the people was adopted and issued by the Society in 1848,
immediately after the laying of the corner-stone, in which the past
history of the work was given, what was desired and in contemplation to
do, and an urgent request for contributions was made, and an eloquent
reference to Washington was embodied.
In June, 1849, a special appeal for contributions, to be made in all
parts of the country on the ensuing 4th of July, was issued, and
everywhere distributed.
Another special appeal was made in this year, which recited, among other
things--
"The scholars and pupils, male and female, of all the institutions
of learning, and the public and private schools in this country, are
requested to make such _monthly_ contributions as may be convenient
towards the erection of the Monument till it shall be completed. It
is estimated that there are about 3,000,000 of pupils of all ages in
the United States, and the monthly contribution of even _one cent_
by each would alone, in a few years, complete the structure now in
progress. The assistance of the principals and teachers in these
schools, however, will be essential, and the Board would be thankful
if they would lend their aid to carry out this plan by making such
collections monthly, and transmitting the amount collected to the
Treasurer or to the General Agent of the Society here," &c.
February 5, 1850, the Society adopted the following resolution:
"_Resolved_, That in view of the liberal contributions made by two
of the banks of the City of Washington, the General Agent be
requested to address a circular letter to the several banking
institutions of the United States, bearing the signatures of the
Board of Managers, soliciting from them contributions to the
erection of the Monument."
In accordance with this resolve a circular letter was issued March 1,
1850, appealing to all banks for contributions.
In May, 1850, circular letters were sent to all deputy marshals of the
United States who were to be employed in taking the census then at hand,
soliciting their aid in the collection of funds while engaged in the
enumeration of the people, and offering a commission of 15 per cent. on
the amount collected to each collector, following in this plan the one
pursued in 1840. A further general appeal was also printed and
distributed everywhere.
Early in 1851 the following resolution was adopted by the Society:
"_Resolved_, That a circular be addressed in the name of this Board
to the respective Grand Lodges of the Masonic and Odd Fellows'
fraternities and Grand Divisions of the Sons of Temperance in the
United States, requesting that arrangements be made to obtain such
periodical contributions as they may deem proper, to be applied to
the erection of the Washington National Monument, until the same
shall be completed."
Accordingly, an appeal was issued to the bodies mentioned in the
resolution.
In January, 1852, pursuant to a resolution of the Society, the military
organizations of the country were specially called upon for
contributions.
In 1853, another urgent and general appeal was put forth for funds, to
be given by the Masonic bodies of the country.
In 1854, there was another general address to the country, similar in
character to former appeals, and a special appeal was sent to the
officers of the Navy of the United States, invoking their co-operation
and aid in raising money to carry on the work of building the Monument.
The tangible result of these general and special appeals for funds was
far short of hope. The funds collected went into the treasury of the
Society, and were at once expended to meet the current and contract
obligations of the work of building the Monument.