HENRY ADDISON, THOMAS D. SANDY,
CHARLES R. BELT, JOSEPH H. BRADLEY,
FRENCH S. EVANS, SAMUEL C. BUSEY,
CHARLES W. DAVIS, JAMES GORDON,
JOHN N. CRAIG, ROBERT T. KNIGHT,
SAMUEL E. DOUGLAS, JOSEPH LIBBY, SR.,
THOMAS A. BROOKE.
The address was printed in certain of the daily papers, and transmitted
to the "Councils" of the party by the following letter:
"OFFICE OF THE
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT SOCIETY,
WASHINGTON, D. C., _May, 1855_.
"DEAR SIR AND BROTHER:
"Enclosed I send you an address from the Board of Managers of the
Washington National Monument Society to members of our Order, asking
their contributions in aid of the Washington National Monument, and
request that you will place it before your Council and lend your
influence towards the accomplishment of the object in view.
"By the action of your brethren in the District of Columbia our
Order stands pledged to the country and the world to complete the
Monument, and the glory of success or the disgrace of failure will
be ours alone. The pledge was freely given; for we were confident
that our brethren in the States would rejoice at the opportunity
thus presented of testifying their gratitude and veneration for him
whose "memory, maxims, and deathless example" we endeavor to keep
alive in the hearts of the American people.
"I would suggest that your Council appoint a Washington Monument
Committee to receive subscriptions and forward the sums collected to
the Treasurer of the Society. The committee should procure a book in
which to insert the name and address of each contributor and the
amount contributed. This book should be forwarded to me, to be
placed in the archives of the Monument, and to each contributor of
one dollar or upwards will be forwarded a certificate of membership
and a print of the Monument or a portrait of Washington.
"The plan laid down by the Board of Managers is to forward to each
contributor of one dollar or upwards and less than five dollars a
small print of the Monument, and to each contributor of five dollars
a print of the Monument, 22 by 30 inches in size, or a large
portrait of Washington, and both the large print and portrait to
each contributor of eight dollars or upwards. To each Council will
be sent a copy of the large print or portrait or both, depending
upon the amount contributed in such Council.
"It is not expected, nor is it necessary, that the subscriptions be
paid at once; but they may be paid in weekly, semi-monthly or
monthly payments, as the Council or committee may determine. One
dime per week from each member of our Order for three months will be
more than sufficient to erect the Monument to its destined height,
thus bringing it within the means of all to assist us in our noble
work.
"If the Council deems it advisable to collect subscriptions outside
of the Council, but within its jurisdiction, let it recommend a
suitable person to act as agent, who will receive a compensation for
his services by a commission upon the amount collected. Upon such
recommendations being received, there will be forwarded to the agent
named a certificate authorizing him to receive contributions. The
Council will determine whether the proceeds of such collections be
received and transmitted by the committee having charge of the
collections within the Council or be remitted by the agent direct to
the Treasurer. It is intended that the amount of such collection be
placed to the credit of the Council in the reports from the Board of
Managers to the State Councils and National Council.
"May we not rely upon your best exertion to aid us in the work in
which we are engaged? We know that our brethren will cheerfully
contribute their mites if the subject is properly placed before
them. We wish to dispense, as far as possible, with the services of
special agents; that all contributions may be applied directly to
the purpose for which they are intended, and we must rely mainly
upon those whose abilities or position enable them to render us the
aid required; and who, like the officers of the Society, will desire
no compensation for their services other than the pleasure of
engaging in this patriotic undertaking.
"Fraternally yours,
"CHAS. C. TUCKER,
"_Secretary W. N. M. S._"
The following "Notice to the Public" was issued by the "Know-Nothing"
Board:
"OFFICE OF
"WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT SOCIETY,
"WASHINGTON, _July 1, 1856_.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ORDER OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS, the public
are requested to pay no more contributions for the Washington
National Monument to agents heretofore commissioned by the Board.
"This notice is not to be construed as a censure on the agents, but
it is designed to effectuate a general settlement of the affairs of
the Society. The Board is well assured of eventual success in the
patriotic enterprise in which it is engaged, but it has resolved to
suspend further proceedings by agency until a plan, now under
consideration, for combining efficiency, promptitude, and safety, is
matured.
"Balances due from agents, or offerings from independent
contributors, are to be sent by draft, _payable to the order of the
Treasurer of Washington National Monument Society_, enclosed in a
letter to the undersigned.
"By order: SAMUEL YORKE ATLEE,
"_Secretary W. N. M. S._
"N. B.--Editors throughout the United States will confer a favor on
the Society and benefit the public by publishing this notice and
sending to the Secretary a copy of the paper containing the same."
Manifestly, the rival claims of the two Boards of Managers, and the
office, books, papers, and property of the Society and the Monument
itself, being in the possession and control of a narrow political
faction, practically arrested the work of the Society's agents in the
collection of funds and further building operations.
The "Know-Nothing" Board, as apparent evidence of its earnestness in the
premises, and presumably to support its appeal for funds (several later
ones being issued) and to establish public confidence, proceeded to add
two courses of stone to the height of the shaft by the use of marble on
the ground when it took possession. But this marble, in the main, were
blocks which had been theretofore rejected and condemned as unfit for
use. In later years, on the final resumption of work on the Monument,
these courses were removed by the engineer in charge of its
construction.
The receipts of the Society for the year 1855, from January 3d to
February 20th, amounted to $695; for the remainder of that year, to
$51.66--evidence of the result of the dispossession of the Society and
the disinclination of the public to contribute funds under the existing
conditions.
The "Know-Nothing" Board continued in possession of the Monument until
October 25, 1858.
The political party which it represented disintegrating, and not being
able to secure contributions toward building the Monument, or to awaken
any interest in the enterprise, it concluded to surrender possession of
the Monument.
On the date named the surrender was made, and the Society was reinstated
in the possession of its office, books and papers, and the Monument. A
number of collectors' filled subscription books, however, were missing.
The Treasurer of the out-going Board passed to the Treasurer of the
Society, through the Bank of Washington, December 14, 1858, the sum of
$285.09. The full amount collected by the "Know-Nothing" Board during
over three years of its control does not appear.
At a meeting, December 28, 1858, the Society reappointed the Hon. Elisha
Whittlesey its General Agent. A committee previously appointed reported
on the present condition of the Monument and other property of the
Society, by which it appeared that the engine house and some other
buildings on "Monument place" were in a dilapidated condition, though
the engine and boiler were in good order; that of two large cranes for
hoisting stone at the wharves, one had fallen down, the other had
disappeared; that marble valued at $300 had been taken away; that the
rope wove through a block at the top of the Monument to enable persons
to ascend had been pulled down, and no means remained for ascent of the
shaft save by scaffolding on the inside. "It will require an expenditure
of at least $2,000 to place the fixtures and machinery in a condition to
enable your Board to resume the progress of the work."
The enterprise having now passed into the hands of the Society again,
they proceeded at once to make suitable arrangements for the
conservation of the Monument and protection of the grounds and other
property connected with it. Admonished by the transaction of February
22, 1856, and its results, of the legal difficulties in the way of
voluntary association, consisting of members residing in all parts of
the Union, they applied to Congress for a charter.
This was at length granted. On the 22d of February, 1859, an act passed
Congress, and was approved by the President on the 26th of the same
month, incorporating "The Washington National Monument Society * * *
for the purpose of completing the erection now in progress of a great
National Monument to the memory of Washington at the seat of the Federal
Government." The incorporators named were Winfield Scott, Walter Jones,
John J. Abert, James Kearney, Thomas Carberry, Peter Force, William A.
Bradley, Philip R. Fendall, Walter Lennox, Matthew F. Maury (as
survivors of the grantees of the site under the grant made by President
Polk), and Jonathan B. H. Smith, William W. Seaton, Elisha Whittlesey,
Benj. Ogte Tayloe, Thomas H. Crawford, William W. Corcoran, and John
Carroll Brent.
The charter vested in and confirmed to the Society all the easements,
rights, privileges theretofore held by the Society under the name of
incorporation, and all thereafter to be acquired, for the purpose of
erecting the Monument; provided for the election of officers and for
exercising the right of amotion; that the President of the United States
should be _ex officio_ President of the Society, and the Governors of
the several States should be respectively _ex officio_ Vice-Presidents;
gave the right to sue and be sued, and rendered the members of the
Society liable in their individual capacities for any indebtedness
contracted in the name of the Society.
ORGANIZATION OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL
MONUMENT SOCIETY UNDER THE CHARTER.
The meeting for the organization of the Society under the charter
granted by Congress took place on Tuesday evening, March 22, 1859, in
the aldermen's chamber, in the City Hall, Washington, D. C.
President James Buchanan, as _ex officio_ President of the Society,
presided.
Mr. Fendall very briefly reviewed some of the circumstances out of which
the original Society had sprung, stating that but four of its members
now survived, and the object and aim of the Society were remarked.
Eloquently referring to Washington, he concluded:
"The completion of the Monument now in progress is far more
important to the fame of the American people than to the fame of
Washington."
The President, rising, referred to his efforts to awaken the interest of
Congress in the erection of a monument to Washington while he was a
member of the House in 1824.
"It was considered at that time (1824), and so remarked in Congress,
that it was rather an indignity that any effort should be made to
raise a monument to the honor and memory of Washington besides that
which existed in the hearts of his countrymen."
Mr. Buchanan concluded:
"Not only in this country is his name loved and revered beyond that
of all other men, but abroad, in foreign lands, our country is
illustrated by him, and his name is never mentioned but as that of
the purest, most unselfish patriot that ever lived; not only the
most unselfish, but the most self-sacrificing of whom history has
kept record."
Resolutions were then offered, accepting the act of incorporation by
Congress, and making the charter the Constitution of the Society,
providing for an annual election on the 22d of February of each year,
and such other meetings as might be duly called; the officers of the
Society to be a First Vice-President, (to be the Mayor of Washington;)
Second and Third Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer and Secretary, committees
to draft and report by-laws and to define and prescribe the duties of
officers and agents, and to prepare "An Address to the People of the
United States."
Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott was chosen Second Vice-President, Thomas
Carberry, Third Vice-President; J. B. H. Smith, Treasurer; and John
Carroll Brent, Secretary.
Every effort was now put forth to revive public interest in the
Monument, and to obtain substantial aid for its completion, the Society
exercising great patience, forbearance, and industry to restore matters
to their former condition.
The plan now proposed and to be carried into execution was the securing
of contributions from voters at all municipal and general elections, and
appropriations by State Legislatures and the invoking by circular letter
of aid from all political, corporate, or voluntary bodies, the Army and
Navy, _all_ associations, societies, churches, and individuals.
June 6, 1859, at a general election in the City of Washington,
contributions were received at the polls towards the funds of the
Society amounting to $150.76.
In the result of this first renewed attempt to raise money to complete
the Monument the Society, however, was not discouraged.
The matter was noticed in a daily paper in an article which, after
referring to the former dispossession of the Society and the long
"silence" at the base of the Monument, said:
"It was not till this state of things unhappily took place that the
popular enthusiasm drooped and cooled, and it is hardly fair to
expect a resuscitation in an hour or a day. We trust, however, that
the night is far spent; that the day is at hand, and even the
tribute of the voters of Washington on Monday last, small as it was,
is an evidence of new life and returning vigor.
"It will require on the part of the Monument Board the exercise of
patience and forbearance as well as industry to restore matters to
the condition they once were in."
In April, 1859, the Society applied to the Honorable the Secretary of
War for the detail of an officer of the Corps of Topographical Engineers
to assume the duty of Engineer of the Monument and to superintend its
construction.
June 7, 1859, a letter was received from the Hon. John B. Floyd,
Secretary of War, stating that in compliance with the Society's request
he had detailed Lieut. J. C. Ives, of the Corps of Topographical
Engineers, to act under the direction of the Society as Engineer and
Architect of the Monument. Subsequently, Lieutenant Ives reported for
duty to the officers of the Society. In his letter advising of the
detail of Lieutenant Ives, Secretary Floyd stated:
"The favorable auspices under which the enterprise has been resumed
encourage the hope that this reproach will be removed. Composed of
gentlemen of well-known standing, * * * the Society has a claim upon
the confidence of the public that is the surest guarantee of the
success of its labors."
Doubts having been raised as to the stability of the material which had
been employed in building the Monument and as to the sufficiency of its
foundations to support the shaft at its proposed height of 600 feet,
Lieutenant Ives, on the 10th of August, 1859, made a report upon the
subject after a careful examination of all the conditions, which
recited, in part:
"To those who are aware of the care which was taken in laying the
foundation of the Monument, both in the selection and preparation of
the bed and in the execution of masonry work, it will be scarcely
necessary to enter into any statement in regard to its present
condition. * * * For five years during which the work has been
suspended, the foundation has been bearing about four-sevenths of
the pressure that it will ultimately be required to sustain, and, in
a recent examination, I was unable to detect any appearance of
settling or indication of insecurity. * * * Whether the height of
600 feet can be attained without endangering the stability of the
obelisk, a computation is herewith subjoined, from which it would
appear that, without taking into consideration the adhesion of the
mortar, the weight alone of the structure would offer a resistance
nearly eight times greater than the overturning effort of the
heaviest tempest to which it would probably ever be exposed."
The conclusions of this report set at rest at that time all doubts that
had existed as to the stability of the Monument completed and of its
foundation.
A proposition, submitted by Lieutenant Ives, to raise funds by erecting
contribution boxes in the post-offices throughout the country,
constituting postmasters agents of the Society for their care and
supervision and the transmission of money thus collected to the
Treasurer of the Society, was adopted, and Lieutenant Ives was charged
with the execution of the plan. Amounts collected from the boxes were
sent directly to the Treasurer, and memoranda of the same to Lieutenant
Ives, a record being also kept at the Washington City post-office of all
letters addressed to that officer as Engineer of the Monument.
May 17, 1859, the Society published and circulated a general appeal to
the public. Collateral to the raising of funds by the "post-office
plan," agents were appointed, under bond (allowed the usual 15 per cent.
on the amount of collections to defray their expenses), in defined
districts to solicit contributions, and a circular appeal was
_specially_ addressed to corporations, literary and benevolent
institutions, to schools, organizations, the Masonic fraternity, and to
officers of the Navy in command, asking their aid to bring the subject
before the officers and men under them.
At the end of the first _four_ months under Lieutenant Ives' plan
returns were had from 841 post-offices, the sums aggregating $2,240.31
(some 28,000 offices making no response at all), an amount far short of
hope. It had been estimated that $45,000 a year would be required to
keep the work on the Monument in fair progress when again resumed.
Aside from the post-office receipts, the most considerable items
collected in this year were: Contribution box at the Monument, $822.40;
box at the Patent Office, $396.26; California, $1,000; from collections
in the City of Washington, $49.73. The entire receipts for the year were
$3,074.96, while the expenditures made in preparation to resume work,
printing, &c., amounted to $1,429.39.
On the 15th of March, 1859, at the Masonic National Convention held in
the City of Chicago, a number of the wives, daughters, and sisters of
Masons in attendance upon the Convention, assembled in the "Richmond
House" and formed a "Ladies' National Washington Monument Association to
aid in the completion of the Washington Monument now being erected in
Washington, D. C." Mrs. Finley M. King, Port Byron, N. Y., was elected
President, and Mrs. John L. Lewis, Penn Yan, N. Y., Secretary and
Treasurer, and Vice-Presidents were appointed, residents of different
States, among the number Mrs. Reuben Hyde Walworth, N. Y.; Mrs. Robert
M. Henderson, Mo.; Mrs. Floride C. Cunningham, S. C.; Mrs. William
Sheets, Ind.; Mrs. Margaret C. Brown, Fla.; Mrs. Elbert H. English,
Ark.; Mrs. Giles M. Hillyer, Miss.; Mrs. Jane Van Wagoner, N. J.; Mrs.
Martha E. Holbrook, Or.; Mrs. Gilbert C. Morell, Neb.; Mrs. William S.
Long, Cal.; Mrs. John G. Saxe, Vt.; Miss Sallie Bell, Tenn.; Mrs.
Richard Vaux, Pa.
The Ladies' Association proceeded actively to work to raise funds by
various plans, but with small result. In the year 1860 there was issued
an "Appeal of The Ladies' Washington National Monument Society to the
judges and inspectors of elections of the various towns, wards,
precincts, and election districts in the United States, to every paper
and periodical published, and to the whole people." After reference to
the unfinished Monument and a glowing tribute to the memory of
Washington, the address requested "judges and inspectors of election" in
every place in the ensuing Presidential election (or _any person_, if
they fail to do so) to provide boxes in which to receive contributions,
and appoint suitable persons to take charge of them, and "every voter"
was earnestly entreated to deposit in the boxes any sum, "however
small," and the press were asked to give the appeal notice.
Money collected was to be transmitted by draft or "in postage stamps" to
the Secretary or to any one of the lady Vice-Presidents in the several
States, the amounts collected to be finally published in the daily
papers.
The success achieved by the association of ladies was but indifferent
compared with the expectations in its formation, and it collapsed in
about two years. In 1860 it paid to the Treasurer of the Society, as
shown by his account, $458.50.
The prosecution of the "post-office plan" of collection was continued,
and by September, 1860, response had been had from 1,118 postmasters,
contributions received aggregating $4,179.56. Of this amount, through
the post-offices of California was received $1,120.63, of which $755.49
was from the City of San Francisco.
Having been ordered by the War Department to other duty, September 22,
1860, Lieutenant Ives resigned as Architect and Engineer of the
Monument, submitting with his resignation a report of the operations he
had conducted, together with an account of his receipts and
expenditures. He was thanked in a resolution "for the faithful,
efficient, and patriotic manner in which he has discharged the duties as
Engineer of the Monument and originator and superintendent of
post-office contributions."
In his report Lieutenant Ives stated:
"I am still of opinion that if the plan could have had, as I at
first supposed it would, the direct aid of the Postmaster-General, a
great majority, if not all, of the postmasters would have united in
it, and that it would have insured in a few years a sufficient sum
to complete the work. Without that aid I have been unable to secure
the co-operation of a sufficient number to accomplish the work."
A general appeal was now issued, requesting contributions at the polls
at the Presidential election to occur November 6th, following. The
success of this effort was marked and peculiar. From the State of
California was realized $10,962.01; Prince George County, Md., $3.63;
St. Louis, Mo., $54.20. No other receipts are reported. Other
contributions during this year were $290 from employees of the Panama
Railroad; $25.80 from the Post-Office Department; $807.45 from the box
at the Monument, and $413.55 from one maintained at the Patent Office.
The total of all collections reported being for the year $6,026.22;
expenditures, $3,514.32. The California collections were paid over in
the following year.
The expenditures were charged to the erection of new buildings on the
Monument grounds and the necessary repair of others, reorganizing the
plant, and the costs of collections, no salary being paid except to a
watchman.
Improvements made were thus noticed in a daily paper:
"The place has been placed in such a condition that all the Board
wants now in order to resume the work of erection is funds."
To an appeal issued asking contributions to be made on February 23,
1861, but one response was reported.
March 26, 1861, an appeal was addressed "To the people and postmasters,"
reciting:
"In consequence of the great falling off in post-office
contributions, ascribable chiefly to the troubles of the times and
the usual change on the advent of a new administration, the
undersigned deem it proper to again appeal to the patriotism of the
people and postmasters. They therefore respectfully request
out-going postmasters to commend the system to their successors and
the incoming to imitate the laudable example of their predecessors,
and in cases where the latter have not responded and put up boxes to
have them erected and forward contributions, however small."
In response to this appeal the amount reported through the post-office
for the entire year amounted to only $88.52, of which Rhode Island sent
75 cents, Virginia 48 cents, and Mississippi 15 cents.
A memorial by the Society addressed to Congress, briefly reviewing the
history of the Monument, giving an account of the Society's
transactions, and asking the aid of Congress in the premises, was
adversely reported upon by the Committee on the District of Columbia. A
minority report by Mr. Hughes, from the same committee, to accompany a
bill H. R. 769, among other statements, after referring to the report of
the Select Committee of the House made in 1855, recited:
"Your committee find no reason for dissenting from the views
unanimously taken by the select committee in the report already
cited. We cannot but regard the proceedings adopted by Congress
shortly after the death of Washington as pledging the public faith
to the erection of a suitable monument to his memory. It cannot be
doubted that the pledge was given in full consonance with the
feelings and wishes of the whole country. Whatever may be said to
excuse or explain the delay which has been suffered in redeeming the
pledge, the contributions of nearly a quarter of a million of
dollars which individual citizens have already made towards erecting
a monument to the father of his country, abundantly shows that its
completion is an object dear to the hearts of the people. They
cannot understand why the universal custom of free States in all
ages of the world, to commemorate by monumental representations
deeds of patriotism and glory, has so long been disregarded in the
instance of the noblest of all national benefactors.
"Your committee recommend that the sum of $200,000 be appropriated
by Congress, on behalf of the people of the United States, to aid
the memorialists in completing the Monument to Washington now in the
process of erection at the seat of the Federal Government. But they
are of opinion that this amount ought to be disbursed in annual sums
of $20,000 for each fiscal year; that each annual installment be
paid to the Treasurer of the Society, on a joint warrant, to be
signed by the chairmen of the committees of the two Houses of
Congress for the District of Columbia; and that the accounts of
disbursements be settled at the Treasury in the usual mode of
auditing the accounts of disbursing agents. We report herewith a
bill accordingly."
The recommendations of this report, however, were not adopted.
The reported collections for the year 1861 were $9,917.64, of which
amount $9,000 was the contributions collected in California in
November, 1860; the balance, $424.08, was collected at the Monument,
$70.02 in the box at the Patent Office, and $298.33 paid by the Ladies'
Washington Monument Society.
The funds the Society had now secured--about $12,000 net over necessary
expense incurred--was invested in good interest-bearing stocks. The
change in the national administration and changes in the reorganization
of the Post-Office Department demoralized the plan to secure collections
through the medium of local post-offices, and it was shortly
discontinued.
The funds of the Society were now but little augmented for a number of
years, the only moneys received being deposits of small amounts in boxes
placed for the purpose at the Monument grounds, in the United States
Patent Office, and in the Smithsonian Institute. At no time did the sums
thus received aggregate more than $700 per annum (1867), the average
being far less.
The paralyzing influences of the Civil War put a blight upon any further
labors of the Society to accomplish the long-cherished object of
erecting, on behalf of the people, a national monument to Washington,
and public interest and attention being absorbed in more momentous
questions, the erection of the Monument was all but forgotten. To the
pen and to the patriotic devotion of the learned and scholarly
Secretary, Mr. John Carroll Brent, is due what little public notice the
Monument obtained during the years of strife.
At the meeting on the 22d of February, 1866, for election of officers,
there was a large attendance. The President of the United States, Mr.
Andrew Johnson, presided. Replying to some remarks of welcome, he said:
"GENTLEMEN OF THE ASSOCIATION: It is no ordinary pleasure to me to
have it in my power to meet you here on this occasion and
participate in your proceedings, intended to resume and progress in
the completion of a monument, if I may speak the language of his
eulogist, to him who was 'the first in war, the first in peace, and
the first in the hearts of his countrymen.'
"I repeat, it is no ordinary pleasure to me to meet you here on this
occasion, on the birthday of the Father of his Country, and
participate with you in your efforts to complete the Monument
intended to commemorate his name. * * * I hope and trust the work
will soon be completed. I hope and trust if there are any States
which have not yet contributed and placed their pledges in that
Monument of the Union bearing their inscription, it will go on until
all the States have done so. I will here remark, it will continue to
go on notwithstanding we have disturbed relations of some of the
States to the Federal Government; that it will continue to go on
until those relations are harmonized and our Union again be
complete. Let us _restore the Union_, and let us proceed with the
Monument as _its_ symbol until it shall contain the pledge of _all_
the States of the Union. Let us go on with this great work; let us
complete it at the earliest moment practicable; let your Monument
rise--if I may speak in the language of that celebrated and
distinguished statesman who made the greatest effort of his life in
vindication of the Union of these States--'let this Monument to
Washington rise higher and higher until it shall meet the sun in his
coming, and his last parting ray shall linger and play on its
summit.'
"I thank you, gentlemen, for the compliment you have conferred upon
me in inviting me to attend on this, the birthday of the Father of
his Country, to participate in your proceedings, and I hope and
trust your efforts will be crowned with success."
Little progress, however, was made toward resuming work on the Monument
in this year. The receipts from all sources, chiefly at the Monument and
Patent Office, and accrued interest, amounted to only $1,281.06. Early
in 1867 the Society again memorialized Congress, as on former occasions.
July 17th, Mr. Driggs, in the House, offered a preamble and resolution,
which was adopted, reciting that the Society "had been in existence
twenty years without having accomplished anything beyond the partial
erection of a square column on the public grounds; that large sums of
money had been collected, and that collections are still continued in
the _Patent Office_ and other buildings, and directing the Secretary of
the Interior to inform the House what became of the money collected _in
the Patent Office_ and as to the present condition of the Association."
The memorial was referred to a committee of the House, and there filed.
On the following day the Secretary replied to the House with the
information requested, showing present resources of the Society,
disposition of its funds, current expenses, present condition and
purposes.