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Washington MorniiiiiMil 
 
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 WASHIi&TON MOIUMEIT, 
 
 BALTIMOEE 
 
 ACCOUNT OF LAYING THE CORNER-STONE, 
 
 RAISING THE STATUE, 
 
 DESCRIPTION, 
 
 &c. &c. 
 
 1849. 
 
 COPT-BIGHT SBCUBS9. 
 

INTRODUCTORY 
 
 Events are the landmarks of history; a day, here and there, 
 oonspicuous for some great name, or stirrmg achievement, are 
 the telegraphic posts that sustain the continuity betw^een the 
 present, and the history and traditions of the past. There are 
 acts, which, at intervals, distinguish the Statesman, or the 
 State, a Commonwealth, or a City. 
 
 The 4th of .July, 1815, rendered the more brilliant from a 
 peace which had secured what our arms had vindicated, was a 
 memorable day to the City of Baltimore. It was upon this 
 day that her patriotic citizens decreed that a Monument, suited 
 to the dignity and exalted character of the Sage, the States- 
 man, and the Hero, whom the people delighted to honor, should 
 tower in the midst of their beautiful city. The conception and 
 the resolutions were promptly followed by the execution of the 
 work. A column, designed to perpetuate, in prominent relief, 
 the gratitude of a portion of a great people to " Fater PafricPf" 
 the Father of liis Country, whose name and character pecu- 
 liarly does belong, not to this nation, or this age, but to all na- 
 tions, to the world, and to Time. This honorable memento of 
 Baltimore, this becoming and appropriate tribute of her people, 
 has been followed up by other cities, or States, to the revered 
 leader through our Revolutionary ordeal, and to the brave spirits 
 who cheerfully sacrificed their fortunes and their lives upon the 
 sacred altar of our country's rights, and to the happiness of 
 their posterity. This is the true test. While a fi'ee people re- 
 member the price of tlieir liberties, their value will be held in- 
 estim iblc; and it is only when the sacrifices at which they were 
 purchased shall be forgotten, that those immunities will be lost. 
 
 Whatever abstract opinions may have been formed upon the 
 subject of monumental strucfures — of the boasted sufficiency 
 of hisfo-^1/, and the hearts of the people to honor. their public 
 benefactors — the practice of eveiy civilized people, and the nu- 
 merous evidences left us by great nations, whose glories have 
 long since passed away, prove the utility of those durable re- 
 
cords of departed greatness. But for these silent marbles, so \ 
 
 eloquent of the history of nations, many of their distinguished i 
 
 men would have been forgotten, or ai least only remembered by ! 
 the more striking incidents of their lives, which even the lapse 
 
 of ages and the destruction of history have failed to extinguish. ; 
 
 The opinion of the illustrious Washington himself, maybe i 
 
 appealed to on this subject, in favor of commemorating departed j 
 
 worth and patriotism, by the record of their names and deeds , 
 
 on sculptured marble or bronze. I 
 
 Giuseppe Ceracchi, an eminent sculptor, (the colleague of ■ 
 he celebrated Canova, ) an ardent lover of the rights of man, ! 
 conceived the design of erecting a monument to Liberty in the * 
 United States of America, and for this purpose crossed the At- 
 lantic, and arrived in Philadelphia 1791, where he prepared the ; 
 model of his great work, designed to be 100 feet in height, of ' 
 statuary marble. 1 he Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia, 
 not feeUng themselves authorized to expend the public money in 
 erecting such a monument, < eracchi, disappointed in this quar- 
 ter, applied to General Washington to aid him in carrying out I 
 his plan; the General, admiring the model, and wishing to 1 
 serve the man, advised him to try and obtain a subscription by ' 
 private individuals, the amount of which would cover the ex- ■ 
 pense. He accompanied this advice with a letter recommend- • 
 ing the artist and the intended monument, and placed his name 
 at the commencement of the subscription list. This letter and 
 description of the plan are here subjoined: 
 
 Sir — Herewith you will receive the description of a monu- ' 
 
 msnt proposed to be erected to the American revolution, and ' 
 
 the plan by wliich the means for the undertaking are to be pro- ^ 
 
 vidod. 'l 
 
 Those who truly admire the great event which established '' 
 
 the liberty of this country, and who wish to see the blessing j 
 
 cherished by all who may be heirs to it, will need no exhorta- * 
 
 tion to contriluite their reasonable aid lo a work which is so ' 
 
 well calculate i to blend with the glory of the present, a lesson .' 
 to future gene ations 
 
 Among th» 'leans employed by the wisest and most virtuous 
 
 people for npi rishing and perpetuating the spirit of freedom and ' 
 
 patriotism, nnniumental representations are known to be , 
 
 amongst the n '>t ancient, and perhaps, not the least influen- ] 
 
 tial. And as . is the happiness of this country to enjoy an ' 
 
occasion, more glorious and more auspicious to it, than has 
 been the lot of any other, there ought to be felt a pride, as well 
 as satisfaction, in commemorating it, by a spectacle as unrivall- 
 ed as the occasion itself Should the plan, now offered, be 
 successful, this object will be fully attained ; for it may, with- 
 out hazard, be aflirmed, that no similar work of equal magni- 
 tude and merit, can be boasted by the nations most distin- 
 guished for their munificent zeal in rendering the fine arts 
 auxiliaries to the cause of liberty. 
 
 Although it was deemed proper to provide for an eventual 
 assumption ef the monument and the expense by the Govern- 
 ment of the United States; yet it was necessary, both as an 
 immediate and a certain resource, to appeal to tbe patriotic 
 liberality of individuals. In one view it may be particularly 
 desirable that the monument should be founded on voluntary 
 and diffusive contributions. The event to which it is dedicated, 
 the emblems of which it is composed, and the effect which it is 
 meant to produce, have all an intimate relation to the rights and 
 happiness of the people. Let it be commenced then, cot 
 through the organ of the Government as a political act, but in 
 a mode which will best testify the sentiments wbiclj spontane- 
 ously glow in the breasts of republican citizens. 
 
 The artist contemplated for the work is Mr. Ceracchi, of 
 Rome; who, influenced by admiration for the revolution, and 
 by a desire of distinguishing himself as the instrument of erect- 
 ing a monument worthy of so great a subject, came to the city 
 of Philadelphia in 1701, with a design to prosecute the under- 
 taking, if sufficient means could be found. Since that period 
 he has prepared the model, of which the description is annexed. 
 The model of itself evinces the capacity, genius, and taste of 
 the author, and concurs with otiier proofs of his distinguished 
 qualifications, to inspire a wish that he could be enabled to 
 execute his plan. 'J'he material of the monument is to be 
 statuary marble; its height one hundred feet; its circumference 
 three hundred feet; the height of the principal figure fifteen 
 feet, and the others. of various proportional dimensions. It is 
 computed that ten years will be required to complete it. 
 
 A hope is enterlained that the public spirit of the citizens of 
 the Unite<l States, seconded by a taste for the fine arts, will in- 
 duce them not to suffer to escape so fair an opportunity of rais- 
 ing a lasting monument to the glory of their country; and that 
 
6 
 
 a sufficient number will be found ready to furnish, by subscrip- 
 tions, the necessary sums. The confidence which is placed in 
 your personal disposition to forward the commendable design, 
 has pointed you out, among a few others, for soliciting and re- 
 ceiving the subsoriptions, and is the apology for imposing the 
 task upon you. 
 
 A description of the monument consecrated to liberty : 
 The goddess of liberty is represented descending in a car 
 drawn by four horses, darting through a volume of clouds, 
 which conceals the summit of a rainbow. Her form is at once 
 expressive of dignity and grace. In her right hand she brand- 
 ishes a flaming dart, which, by dispelling the mists of Error, 
 illuminates the universe; her left is extended in the attitude of 
 calling upon the people of America to listen to her voice. A 
 simple pileus covers her head; her hair plays unconfined over 
 her shoulders; her bent brow expresses the energy of her cha- 
 racter; her lips appear partly open, whilst her awful voice 
 echoes through the vault of heaven, in favor of the rights of 
 man. Her drapery is simple ; she is attired in an ancient 
 ehlamys, one end of which is confined under her zone, the 
 rest floats carelessly in the wind; the corthurniis covers her feet. 
 Saturn is her charioteer, emblematical of the return of the 
 golden age; he has just checked the horses, upon her arrival on 
 the American shore. Immediately as the car lights upon the 
 summit of a lofty rock, various groups are seen issuing from 
 ompartments at its base, to hail ttie descent of the goddess, by 
 vhose benificent influence they are at once animated into ex- 
 rticm. • 
 
 The first compartment is consecrated to poetry and history. 
 vpoUo, attired in the characteristic dress of that deity, is seated 
 vith his lyre in his hand, and his countenance glowing with 
 :ie sublimity of his song. Clio is employed in recording the 
 ;ymn5 with which Apollo salutes the arrival of the goddess of 
 reedom: while the ixdepicxdio-t statks, which are blessed 
 ■V their influence, appear upon a globe which is placed beside 
 : ler. 
 
 In the second compartment, Philosophy, without whose as- 
 sistance liberty would soon he obscured by ignorance, is repre- 
 sented as presiding at this memorable epoch. He appears in 
 the character of a venerable sage, with a grave and majestic as- 
 
pect. On his head he wears the modius, an ornament given to 
 Jupiter by the Egyptians, as a symbol of perfect wisdom. The 
 fasces are in his hand. He is seated, dressed in the consular 
 habit, and leanmg upon the altar of Justice. As the inflexible 
 friend of Truth, he is seen tearing off from a female figure, 
 who stands near him in the character of Policy, the false veil 
 which has so long concealed the science of government. An- 
 xiety appears painted on the countenance of Policy; her head 
 is shaded by a small pair of wings; her right arm supports a 
 roll of geographical charts; and a robe of exquisite thinness, 
 gives an additional appearance of velocity to her motion. The 
 gigantic figure below (designed to represent National Valor) 
 rises at the voice of Liberty to combat the oppressors of his 
 country. He eagerly seizes on his arms, which lie near him, 
 and prepares to abandon the tranquil occupations of agriculture 
 for the hazards and tumults of war. His form is muscular and 
 robust; his mantle is thrown carelessly over him; the disorder 
 of his hair, and the fierceness of his countenance inspire Des- 
 potism with terror. 
 
 The adjoining group represents Neptune seated between two 
 rivers; he appears exhorting Mercury (who stands near him) 
 to take American commerce under his protection, and to in- 
 crease the glory of the American flag. 
 
 At the powerful voice of liberty, nature, whose simplicity 
 had been forced to give way to the introduction of the mere- 
 tricious refinements of art, appears starting to life, bursts from 
 the bosom of the earth, and seems about to resume her ancient 
 dignity. A dewy mantle, studded with stars, is supported by 
 her right hand ; with hei left she is employed in expressing 
 streams of water from her flowing ringlets, allegorically emble- 
 matic of the source of rivers 
 
 The last group represents Minerva, the patroness of the arts 
 and sciences. In order to designate the country to which they 
 owe their origin, she is seated on a fragment of an Egyptian 
 obelisk, and holds the papyrus in her left hand. Near her 
 stands Genius, with a flambeau in one hand, and a butterfly, 
 the emblem of immortality, in the other — expressive of the 
 grand principles of fir^e and animation. His countenance is 
 fixed in an altitude of silent attention, whilst the goddess com- 
 mands him to inspire, with his divine influence, the bosom of 
 the children of Freedom. Behind, is a figure designed to 
 
8 
 
 represent Fame, with her appropriate emblem. A pair of aiMr- 
 ple pinions shades her shoulders; she holds her trumpet in her 
 left hand; and, with her right, points to the Declaration of In- 
 dependence, which is inscribed upon a massy column." 
 
 The immortal author of the Declaration of American Inde- 
 pendence, Thomas Jefferson, the friend of man, thus expresses 
 himself on this subject, in a letter to Robert Mills, of South 
 Carolina, architect, dated March 3d, 1826; 
 
 " Your idea of the obelisk monument [referring to the Bun- 
 ker Hill Monument, the design for which was furnished by Mr. 
 Mills] is a very fine one. I think small temples would also 
 furnish good monumental designs, and would admit of great 
 variety. On a particular occasion, I recommended for General 
 Washington, that commonly called the liantern of Demosthe- 
 nes, of which you sent me a drawing handsomely done by 
 yourself " 
 
 The venerable and universally respected Archbishop Carroll, 
 in his letter to the Committee of the Monument, who had 
 invited him to preside on the occasion, observed, '*that 
 though this illustrious man needed not such mementos to his 
 fame, it is worthy of all praise to exhibit grand and solid testi- 
 monials of national gratitude to eminent benefactors." 
 
 " The utility of national monuments, (says Mr. Wheaton, 
 our late Minister to Prussia,) in stimulating patriotism, the 
 love of fume, and all other generous sentiments, cannot be 
 questioned. They speak to the hearts of a people, and elevate 
 their minds in the contemplation of something higher than 
 mere national events and interests. 'Man liveth not by bread 
 alone;' his soul longs for something more than the satisfaction 
 of mere animal desires. Wise ie that Government which min- 
 isters to his intellectual wants with liberal bounty, which re- 
 wards genius with the palm of glory, and makes the arts in- 
 strumental in peipetuating its fame." 
 
 The unanimous voice of the American people has already de- 
 cided upon this subject. In every part of our widely extended 
 free-born empire, we witness the manifestation of this feeling 
 to honor de{)arted excellence, nay, living worth, by recording 
 their names upon durable marble, granite, and bronze, for the 
 certain instruction and admiration of posterity. 
 
 The city of Baltimore, by this devoted act of patriotism, and 
 that which succeeded it, has won for herself, by common con- 
 
9 
 
 sent, the proud distinction of *'the Monumental Ciiyy'' for 
 her citizens have nobly sustained her honor by erecting another 
 Scll^'^5'?^^^ structure jv^^^_^r^^r^^^^ui &.^onou,s,,?r.^l?.|-rV- 
 
 We must not omit here the passing and well deserved tribute 
 of a stranger to *' the praiseworthy and untiring zeal of a few 
 public spirited individuals who have devoted themselves gratui- 
 tously to the patriotic task" of directing the work of this 
 monument. 
 
 *' During a walk to the heights of the Northern portion of 
 our city an evening or two since, we looked with honest pride 
 as natives of Maryland upon the noble tribute paid to the worth 
 of our country's greatest son, in the erection of the magnificent 
 column to the memory of Washington. After years of solici- 
 tude and toil, of conflict with difficulties and vexations, through 
 tlie praiseworthy and untiring zeal of a few public spirited in- 
 dividuals who have devoted themselves gratuitously to the patri- 
 otic task, Maryland can at length boast of a structure in some 
 degree worthy of the great man to commemorate whose worth 
 it is intended. ♦Simple and grand, the majestic column rears 
 itself aloft, bearing on hs summit the representation of one 
 whose noble elevation enabled him to look down as from an emi- 
 nence on the crowd of his fellow -men. Washington, wh en 
 living, attained a moral and intellectual exaltation that placed 
 him beyond the more ignoble influences by which human nature 
 is actuated, and aloof from motives that could sully the purity 
 of his spirit, or cast a shade upon the brightness of his fame. 
 Unambitious of controlling others, he achieved the more mighty 
 work of governing himself, and gave a practical illustration of 
 the passage in holy writ, which proclaims that he that hum- 
 bleth himself shall be exalted. To have been the first among 
 the sister States to erect a monument to the saviour of his coun- 
 try, is a proud distinction in behalf of Maryland. It should be 
 regarded by her sons as a source of patriotic self-gratulation, 
 and so long as the lofty pillar which adorns their metropohs shall 
 stand, so long will the names of their fellow-citizens who have 
 been instrumental in effecting the object be held in respectful 
 and affectionate remembrance. 
 
 *' It would be doing great injustice to our own feelings, and 
 the deserts of those gentlemen, if we did not offer thanks on 
 the psirt qI" liig Qorjimunity to the late Robert Gilmor, Esq., as 
 
10 
 
 President, to the late David Winchester, Esq., as Treasurer, 
 and to Fielding Lucas, Jr., Esq., with the other managers of 
 the monument, for the able and effieient manner in which they 
 
 ^ewar^ToH^fi^A^iFu^^'i8rncrf.?./^^P°."^^^Lli?l)f^u^^^^^ 
 trymen. Should the brief notice here taken of this ornament 
 to our country, serve to awaken in the minds of our young 
 readers a desire to imitate the virtues of him who was " first in 
 war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," 
 our object will be fully attained." 
 
THE 
 
 WASHII&TOI MOIUMEIT, 
 
 BALTIMORE. 
 
 CEREMONY OF LAYING THE CORNER-STONE. 
 
 The corner-stone of the monument to Washi>'gtok was laid 
 with public honors on the 4th day of July, 1815, and in the 
 thirty-ninth year of the Declaration of American Independencxj. 
 
 The ceremonies were of the most imposing character. The 
 entire civil and military population of Baltimore turned out on 
 this interesting occasion; the city was literally emptied of its 
 inhabitants to witness the joyous scene of laying the Jirst stone 
 of the Jirst monument dedicated to *'The Father of his 
 Country." 
 
 The patriotism and enthusiasm of its citizens were lauded 
 throughout the Union, animating every heart in the Republic 
 with zeal in the cause. What a glorious day was that for the 
 Monumental City ! It seemed to infuse new vigor into its 
 citizens, and to unite them as one man to establish for it a name 
 to live among the most distinguished of its ai^ter cities. The 
 morning of the day was ushered in by the roar of cannon; not 
 only the *' star spangled banner" waved from every peak, both 
 on land and water, but the flag of the stranger, from a foreign 
 clime, was seen floating in the breeze; the whole city and sur- 
 rounding country appeared in happy commotion. By 12 o'clock 
 the assembled multitude met in Howard's Park, the spot selected 
 for the erection of the Monument, where the managers of the 
 work, in the presence of more than thirty thousand of their 
 fellow-citizens, among whom were many of the fair daughters 
 of Columbia, the reverend clergy, the President and members of 
 the Cincinnati of Maryland, his Excellency the Governor of 
 the State, R. "W. G. M., and members of the Grand Lodge of 
 Maryland and the Subordinate Lodges of BaUimore, the Mayor 
 and City Council of Baltimore, the officers of the Army and 
 Navy, Major General R. G. Harper and aid, and the third brig- 
 
12 
 
 ade of Maryland Militia, under the command of Brigadier 
 General Sterrett proceeded to perform the pleasing duty assign- 
 ed them by the Legislature of Maryland, of laying the first 
 corner stone of a Monument dedicated to the memory of the iU 
 lustrious dead. 
 
 In making the preparatory arrangements for laying the comer- 
 stone of the monument to the memory of Washingtn, the 
 managers directed their committee to request, in the first in- 
 stance, the venerable and universally respected Archbishop Car- 
 roll, to commence the ceremony, by invoking a blessing on the 
 undertaking, not only on account of his high ecclesiastical rank, 
 but as having been the cotemporary and intimate friend of that 
 illustrious man ; but as he was at a distance from the city, the 
 wishes of the managers were conveyed to him in a letter from 
 the reverend Mr. Fenwick, who received in reply the following 
 answer, which we take pleasure in being permitted to commu- 
 nicate to the public: 
 
 '* You will not fail to present immediately my very respectful 
 and grateful acknowledgments to Mr. Gilmor, and through him 
 to the gentlemen of the committee, for the distinguished honor 
 done me by their choice of me, as the person designated to open 
 the august ceremony of the 4th of July, and remind our coun- 
 trymen of the only true sources of real honor and glory, the 
 moral, civil, and military virtues of that illustrious man, whose 
 monument will that day begin to be raised, which even without 
 the aid of marble, remains undefaced and imperishable in the 
 hearts of his fellow-citizens, though it is likewise worthy of all 
 praise to exhibit grand and solid testimonials of national grati- 
 tude to eminent benefactors. These are my sincere feelings on 
 the present occasion, and with pride would I obey a call 
 which honors me so much; though at all times it would exceed 
 my power to do it justice, but now more particularly, at my 
 advanced period of life, and with a half extinguished voice, I 
 must unavoidably fall so much below the solemnity of the oc- 
 casion and public expectation, that respect for the supereminent 
 Washington, and for my fellow- citizens, compels me to ofler 
 my excuse to the committee, which you will do in my behalf, 
 and in terms the most expressive of my respect, and my re- 
 gret, for my inability to answer their politeness with a ready 
 compliance." 
 
13 
 
 In an elevated position, near the spot prepared for the work, 
 Was exhibited a splendid painting of the departed hero and 
 sage, an original portrait, executed from life by that distinguish- 
 ed artist, Rembrandt Peale, Esq.* 
 
 Immediately under the picture was a correct and beautiful 
 representation of the facade of the monument to be erected, as 
 designed by Mr. Robert Mills, the architect, painted by Mr. 
 Henry VVarren. These were all richly decorated by Mr. Hugh 
 Finclly, forming together, with the elegant banners and flags, 
 guns, drums, &c., of the attending volunteer companies, an 
 appropriate trophy for the occasion. 
 
 The day was peculiarly auspicious. Providence seemed to 
 smile upon the people, and to propitiate the act about to be per- 
 formed, expressive of their gratitude to one who was the chosen 
 instrument in his hands of elevating this nation, whom he had 
 so signally preserved, to a standing with other nations, and o 
 the establishment of a Uberal Government, distinguishing them 
 as the most favored people under the canopy of Heaven. What 
 an occasion of deep interest was here. The silence and order 
 observed by the vast assembly present manifested the glad in- 
 fluence pervading every heart. 
 
 The last minute gun had scarcely reverberated its deep toned 
 voice among the circling hills and venerable oaks surround- 
 ing the spot, when the whole multitude rose simultaneously, 
 actuated, it would seem, by one spirit, t-> join in the ceremonie 
 about to be commenced. After a salute of thirty-nine guns, 
 commemorative of the number of years which was on that day 
 completed since this great nation resolved to be free, accompa- 
 nied by music from a volunteer band of amateurs, (led by Mr. 
 Bunyie,) which played some national airs, concluding with 
 Washington's Grand March, the President of the Board of 
 Managers, James A. Buchanan, Esq., rose and thus addressed 
 the audience: 
 
 " The distinguished honor, my fellow citizens, of presiding 
 on this interesting occasion, has devolved upon me, in conse- 
 
 *This portrait had been pronounced by many of the relatives 
 and personal friends of Washington, to be the most accurate 
 resemblance of the General extant ; (it now decorates the Sen- 
 ate Chamber of the United States at Washington, having been 
 purchased from the artist by the Government.) 
 
14 
 
 quence of the death of my predecessor, the founder and first 
 President of the Board of Managers, John Comegys, to whom, 
 more than to any member of the Board, more indeed, than to 
 all the other members of the Board, is to be ascribed whatever 
 there may be of merit in the procuring for our city the glory of 
 being the first to erect a monument of gratitude to the father 
 and benefactor of our country. 
 
 *' And, my fellow-citizens, is it not with peculiar propriety 
 that this first expression of national gratitude should be made 
 in the city of Baltimore? at all times the first to evince its at- 
 tachment to those republican institutions, to secure which was 
 the great object of Washington's labors. Baltimore has 
 at no time been backward with testimonials of her love and 
 gratitude towards him. When she saw him elevated to the 
 highest honors in the gift of his country, Baltimore was among 
 the first to approach him with her homage. *The tokens of 
 regard and affection,' said he, 'which I have often received 
 from the citizens of this town were always acceptable, because 
 I always believed them sincere.' 
 
 "When, descending from his exalted station, he relinquished 
 his power, and sought for happiness in the bosom of retirement, 
 the first to thank him for his services, and regret his departure, 
 was Baltimore. In reply to an address, presented to him on 
 that occasion, by the city, he observed — 'I pray you to accept 
 of my sincere thanks, for the evidence you have now given, of 
 approbation of my past services; for those regrets which you 
 have expressed, on the occasion of my retirement to private life, 
 and for the affectionate attachment which you have declared for 
 my person.'* If these be sufficient to establish, in Baltimore, 
 
 *Addnss of the Mayor and Corporation of the City of Balti- 
 more, to his excellency George Washington, late President 
 of the United States^ March 11, 1797. 
 feiR : To partake of the prosperity arising from your un- 
 wearied attentions to the welfare of our country; to admire that 
 firmness which has never been disconcerted in the greatest difli- 
 culties, and which has acquired vigor in proportion to the exi- 
 genc}'; to feel that honorable ascendency you have obtained in 
 the well founded opinion of your fellow-citizens, by a wise ad- 
 ministration, and the exercise of the virtues of a private life? 
 find to suppress our admiration and acknowledgment, would be 
 
 f 
 
15 
 
 a priority of claim to the hallowed services of this day, recent 
 interesting events, of which she was the theatre, lean power- 
 fully in support of them. During the war in which we have 
 been engaged, the city destined to bear the proud name of 
 Washixotox to future ages, fell an easy conquest to the ruth- 
 less invader. The shock produced by this stroke was felt from 
 the one end of these United States to the other. The minds of 
 our countrymen appeared to be transfixed with horror and dis- 
 may; a night of awful darkness seemed to overshadow our 
 land; the gloomiest apprehensions were entertained for the re- 
 public; the timid and the desponding, not recollecting that free- 
 dom rises with an elasticity proportionate to the pressure made 
 
 ■wanting to our own individual sensation, and the just expecta- 
 tion of those we represent. 
 
 Permit, therefore, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, 
 amongst the first exercises of their corporate capacity, to gratify 
 themselves, and their constituents, in the sincere expressions of 
 regret for your retirement; their lively gratitude for your public 
 services; their affectionate attachment to your private character; 
 their heartfelt farewell to your person and family; and their in- 
 creasing solicitude for your temporal and eternal happiness. 
 
 In behalf of the Corporation and City of Baltimore. 
 
 JAMES CALHOUN, Mayor. 
 
 His excellency returned the following answer to the Mayor 
 and City of Baltimore. 
 
 Geittlkxex: I receive, with grateful sensibility, the honor 
 of your address. 
 
 To meet the plaudits of my fellow-citizens, for the part I 
 have acted in public life, is the highest reward, next to the con- 
 sciousness of having done my duty to the utmost of my abili- 
 ties, of which my mind is susceptible; and I pray you to ac- 
 cept my sincere thanks for the evidences you have now given 
 me, of your approbation of my past services, for those regrets 
 which you have expressed on the occasion of my retirement to 
 private life, and for the .affectionate attachment you have de- 
 clared for my person. Let me reciprocate, most cordially, all 
 the good wishes you have been pleased to extend to me and my 
 family for our temporal and eternal happiness. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
16 
 
 upon it, were approaching a state of political despair. At this 
 most awful momen| for our country, lialtimore, the city of our 
 affection, in which was contained our altars, our families, our 
 all, became the next object of attack to a vindictive, and at that 
 time^ a vainglorious foe. The eyes of all America were fixed 
 upon us! On the destiny of Baltimore seemed to be suspended 
 the fate of the republic. She breasted the storm; and, thanks 
 to her gallant defenders, exists now, in prosperity and glor}^, to 
 perform her most grateful of duties. 
 
 *'The desire, my fellow-citizens, of perpetuatmg the memory 
 of illustrious men, has prevailed in every age of the world. 
 The ingenuity of men has been exercised, as well in his rudest, 
 as in his most polished condition, in devising methods by which 
 effectually to gratify this desire . 'J'he song of the poet, the pen 
 of the historian, the pencil of the painter, the chissel of the 
 iiculptor, all have, in every age, been employed to render their 
 fame imperishable. It has, indeed, been sometimes said, that 
 the only monument real excellence requires, is an existence in 
 the recollection of those who have been blessed by its operation: 
 and that in the gratitude of posterity, it has its best reward. It 
 would be superflous, under present circumstances, to inquire 
 into the correctness of this sentiment, ^^'e have taken the 
 apnse of mankind, as exhibited in immemorial usage for our 
 guide; and, I therefore proceed to state, that we are assembled 
 here, my fellow- citizens, to lay the cornei.stone of a monument, 
 intended to commemorate the virtues of our great Washikg- 
 Tox ; of the hero and the sage who was ' first in war, first in 
 peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen' On an occa- 
 sion so grand, so interesting, it might perhaps be expected, that 
 some notice should be taken of *the services of the mighty 
 dead;' but when we recollect that the world is filled with his 
 glory, and that its radiance shim s with a lustre which requires 
 no aid from eulogy, I feel relieved from a task which it would 
 have been the height of presumption for me to have undertaken. 
 
 *' With these few observations, my fellow citizens, more than 
 which I have not believed to be necessary, and less than which 
 would not have satisfied my own impressions of duty, allow me 
 to solicit your devout attention to the next fetture of our ar- 
 rangement, which is to invoke the blessings of Almighty God 
 on the purpose for which we are now e^ssemhled," 
 
17 
 
 Invocation^ bt the Eight Reyerekd Bishop Kemp: 
 
 "0 God! in whom we live, and move, and have our being. 
 Every good thing that we enjoy here, we derive from thee, and 
 every good thing that we hope for hereafter, thovi alone canst 
 bestow. 
 
 ** We acknowledge, with deep humility, that we have fol- 
 lowed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts; that 
 we have done those things which we ought not to have done; 
 and that we have left undone those things we ought to have 
 done; and that there is no spiritual health in us. Fardon, O 
 merciful father, our manifold transgressions; purify our hearts 
 from every defilement, and grant us grace, to enable us to de- 
 vote our hearts and our lives more particularly to thy service. 
 
 " We magnify and adore thee, the Supreme Ruler of nations, 
 for the many and distinguis^hed blessings which we enjoy, as a 
 people, for the liberty, prosperity, and haj)piness, which we 
 have derived from that memorable act, whose anniversary has 
 again rolled round! On this day let every heart expand with 
 gratitude and joy — let it be distinguished by our citizens as the 
 commencement of a new era in the history of nations, when a 
 great and extensive empire rose into existence; when the Supreme 
 Being opened a way for the rapid dissemination of liberty, 
 learning, and religion, over an uncultivated wilderness, amelio- 
 rating the condition of man, and spreading light and salvation 
 through a wide extended land. O God ! for these blessings 
 give us grace to be duly thankful. 
 
 ** In particular we come before thee, at this time, to implore 
 a blessing on our present undertaking; and that in all our works 
 begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may gloriiy thy holy 
 name; may perpetuate and extend those principles, upon which 
 depend our happiness here and hereafter. 
 
 " May this Monument, whose corner stone we are now 
 about to deposit, stan.) as a memorial of the blessings and ad- 
 vantages tliat our country derived from the character and con- 
 duct of that personage whose name it is to bear, and whose 
 virtues it is to perpetuate. May it excite in us those noble af- 
 fections that w 11 entitle us to the continuance of his favor, 
 who is the author of every t'ood and perfect gift; may we view 
 it as a continued monitor, to emulate the virtues and to follow 
 the example of him, whose character implies everything that is 
 great. ' O let our hearts, and all that is within us, praise the 
 JjOrd for his goodness.' 
 
18 
 
 **Let the soldier, when he views this monument, remember, 
 that America requires he should form his character upon the 
 model of WAsiiixfTTON; that he shoull combine bravery with 
 prudence; courage with humanity; the service of his God with 
 the service of his country. 
 
 *'Lei the statesman here learn the important lesson, that in- 
 tegrity is the rule by which all his plans are to be measured; 
 honesty the scale in which all his schemes are to be weighed; 
 that religion is the only base on which the happiness of a nation 
 can stand secure; and that true patriotism consists in that ardent 
 love of our country, which excites to originate and promote 
 measures to dispense the blessings of freedom, justice, and 
 plenty, among all descriptions of citizens. 
 
 *' Let the private citizen, when he looks upon this Monu- 
 ment, remember that it is erected in memory of a man who 
 was an ornament to private life as well as public; who, to the 
 bravery of a soldier and the integrity of a statesman, added the 
 virtues of an aifectionate husband, a kind neighbor, an useful 
 citizen, and a pious ckristian. 
 
 *' God ! as it pleased thee to appoint the rainbow, as a to- 
 ken that the earth should not again be destroyed by a llootl, so 
 may this monument remain as a token that America must not 
 be deluged by sin; that the land of Washixotox must not be 
 torn by faction or ruined by vice; that no domineering tyrant 
 shall raise his head on this soil, or the happiness of our citizens 
 be sacrificed at the shrine of ambition. 
 
 " To this Monument let the father lead his son, and tell him, 
 that to be great he must possess the virtues and the principles of 
 him to whose memory it is dedicated. 
 
 " On this Monument, O God, may we all look as a reproof 
 of sin, and an e?icouragement to virtue — as the ark of indepen- 
 dence, the model of patriotism, and the reward of greatness — 
 and may it be happily instrumental in inspiring our hearts with 
 noble sentiments, in elevating our souls above mean pursuits, 
 and in preparing us to share in the everlasting rewards of all 
 those who love God, who trust in a redeemer, and whose souls 
 are adorned by the noble qualities of pure christians. 
 
 "These, our prayers, we oiler unto thee in the name and 
 through the inerits of our blessed Redeemer; to whom, with 
 thee and the holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without 
 end — Amen." 
 
19 
 
 The President, accompanied by the Board of Managers, then 
 descended to the place where the corner stone was suspended, 
 and by their Secretary invited His Excellency Levi Winder, 
 R. W. G. M. of Masons, Colonel John E. Howard, President, 
 and General S. Smith, Vice President of the Cincinnati, and 
 Edward Johnson, Mayor of the City of Baltimore, to witness 
 the laying of the stone. To whom, when assembled, the 
 President made the following address: 
 
 ** I have, gentlemen, been requested by the Board of Mana- 
 gers, to ask your participation with them on this interesting oc- 
 casion; and, worshipful sir, (addressing the R. VV. G. Mastei*, ) 
 to present you with these implements, (handing the square, 
 plumb, and level, ) used by your ancient fraternity, with which you 
 will be pleased to proceed and ascertain the fitness of this stone." 
 
 The R. W. G. Master replied, "Honorable sir, on behalf 
 of the free and accepted masons of this State, I accept with 
 pleasure your invitation, and it will allbrd us peculiar satisfac- 
 tion to render all the assistance within our power, so that the 
 stone may be laid agreeably to the ancient usages of the order; 
 especially, as the object of the building to be erected is to hand 
 down to the latest posterity the virtues and patriotism of the 
 greatest of men; who, during his valuable life, honored our order 
 by becoming a zealous and faithful member of the fraternity." 
 
 His Excellency, the R. W. G. Master, then proceeded to 
 try the fitness of the stone; and, addressing the President, pro- 
 nounced the same *'true and trusty." 
 
 The Architect, assisted by Messrs. William Steuart and 
 Thomas Towson, the operative masons, under the direction of 
 the President, placed the stone in its proper position. 
 
 The Secretary then deposited in the stone a copper plate, 
 and a scaled glass bottle containing a likeness of Washington. 
 his valedictory address, the several newspapers printed in this 
 city, and the different coins of the United States. On the stone 
 wa^B engraved — 
 
 "WILLIAM STEUART 
 
 A>'I) 
 
 THOMAS TOW^SON, 
 
 STOXK CUTTlcnS. 
 
 SATER STE VE i\S N, 
 
 STOKE SIASOX." 
 
20 
 
 On the plate was engraved — 
 
 ON THE 4th of JULY, A. D., 1815, 
 
 WAS LAID THIS 
 
 FOUNDATION STONE 
 
 OF A 
 
 MONUMENT, 
 
 TO BE ERECTED TO THE 
 
 MEMORY 
 OF 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 'Keverse side of the plate. 
 
 DIRECTORS. 
 
 JoHX Co:megts, Wasiiixgtox Hall, 
 
 James A. Buchakax, Lemuel Taylor, 
 
 Robert GiLMoif, Jr. George Hoffma:?)', 
 
 Isaac M'Kim, Edward J. Coale, 
 
 W:m. H. Winder, James Partridge, 
 
 Dayid Wixchester, Nicholas C. Ridgelt, 
 
 Fieldi>'g Lucas, Jr. Robert Miller, 
 
 James Calhou^^^, Jr. Nathaniel F. Williams, 
 
 James Cocke, Levi Hollixgsworth, 
 
 John Frtck, William Gywnx, 
 
 James Williams, B. H. Mullikzn, 
 
 James Barroll. 
 ELI SIMKINS, Secretary. 
 ROBERT MILLS, Architect. 
 
 EDWARD JOHNSON, Mayor. 
 The Site presented by Col. Joiix Eagku Howard. 
 The President, accompanied by the R. W. G. Master, the 
 President and Vice-President of the Cincinnati, and the Mayor 
 of the city, proceeded and settled the stone. The Grand Mas- 
 ter then pronounced — " May the Grand Architect of the uni- 
 verse grant a blessing on this foundation stone, which we have 
 now laid, and by his providence enable us to finish this and 
 every other work which may be undertaken for the benefit of 
 the republic and the perpetuity of our free institutions." 
 
21 
 
 The R. W. G. Master then received, severall}'-, the vessels 
 containing corn, wine, and oil, and addressed the President — 
 *• Sir, as the scattering of corn, and the pouring out of wine 
 and oil, on such occasions, area part of our ancient ceremonies, 
 with your assent I will perform that duty.'* The President 
 signified his assent, when the Grand Master scattered the corn, 
 and poured out the wine and oil on the stone, saying, " May 
 the all bountiful author of nature bless this city with an abun- 
 dance of corn, wine, and oil, and with all the necessaries, con- 
 veniences, and comlorts, of life; and may the same Almighty 
 Power preserve this city from ruin and decay to the latest pos- 
 terity." 
 
 The R. W. G. Master, then addressing the Rev. John Har- 
 grove, Grand (Chaplain, said, •' Have we here the first and 
 greatest light of masonry?" 
 
 He replied, " it is in my hand, R. W." 
 
 The R. W. G. Master attain asked, '* What instructions 
 does it give on this occasion''" 
 
 The Grand Chaplain read the following select passages from 
 the holy writings; 
 
 **Thus, saith the Lord God, behold I lay in Zion, for a 
 foundation, a done, a tried stone, a precious corjier-sfone, a 
 sure foundation, &c. 
 
 " Judgment also will I lay to the line and righteousness unto 
 the plummet." — Isaiah xxyiii ch. 16 and 17 v. 
 
 *' For behold the stone which I have laid before Joshua: upon 
 one stone shall be seven eyes. Behold I will engrave the en- 
 graving thereof, with the loud of uosts." — Zach. iii ch. 9 v. 
 
 •' Bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. 
 
 *' Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord. 
 
 "The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of 
 Zlon." — Psalm, cxxxiv- 
 
 Grand honors by the masons. 
 
 The President then addressed Mr. Mills* — 
 
 " The managers, appointed by the Legislature of Maryland 
 to superintend the erection of this Monument, intended to hand 
 down to the latest generation, the love of country, the disin- 
 
 *Mr. Robert Mills, the Architect, is a native of Charleston, 
 South Carolina, and has the honor of being the first American 
 educated architect. 
 
22 
 
 terestedness, the 'valor, and the patriotism of one of the great- 
 est and best of men that ever hved in any age, having the 
 most unbounded confidence in your skill and integrity as an 
 architect, do now entrust you with these symbols, (handing 
 the S. P. and L. ) by which you are to prosecute, according to 
 that design, (pointing to a representation of the Monument, as 
 designed by Mr. Mills, painted by Mr. Warren, ) a Monument 
 which may do honor to yourself as an architect, as well as those 
 who have confided in you, and be in some degree commensu- 
 rate with its object." 
 
 Mr. Mills replied — 
 
 ♦'The honor, sir, you have been pleased to confer upon me, 
 I hope to prove that I duly appreciate, by a faithful performance 
 of the duties incumbent on me as your architect. 
 
 ♦'I feel a double inducement to use my best exertions to exe- 
 cute faithfully, and with ability, the important duty entrusted 
 to me, from the recollection that the work to be performed 
 is the execution of a monument to perpetuate our country's 
 gratitude to the father of her liberties; and that you have given 
 a preference to native talent in the choice of a design for the 
 work." 
 
 VALETllCTOnY BT THE EeT. Dr. InGLTS: 
 
 *' Sovereign of nations, whose throne is the only throne be- 
 fore which our free Republic bows herself! If we know our 
 own hearts, it is our delight to do thee homage as our monarch, 
 our judge, and our God. We give thee thanks, that at length 
 tlie foul blot of reproach is effaced from the public name, and 
 that a splendid memorial of the people's gratitude is at length 
 about to be reared, to tell to the world that honor is due from 
 them, and shall be paid to the brave, the just, and the good, to 
 their chief, their benefactor, and their father. 
 
 *' What people has ever had such cause of gratitude to thee, 
 as this people? For what people, except of old, for thy chosen 
 tribes, whom thou ledst through the wilderness to a land of 
 rest, of plenty, prosperity, and glory hast thou ever done such 
 deeds of wonder, as for this people? And of all thy multitu- 
 dinous blessings bestowed upon us, we esteem it not the least, 
 that thou didst give us the achievements and the example of 
 tliine eminent servant, whose spirit is now in other worlds, but 
 whose happy memory lives undecayingly in our affections, 
 and to the honor of whose transcendent character this monu- 
 
23 
 
 nipntal fabrick is devototl; thy sp.rvant, 'first In war — first in 
 peace — and first in the hearts of his countrymen' — thy servant, 
 the dehght of an admiring world, * whose country is the uni- 
 verse — whose fame is eternity.' We thank thee that thou 
 didst form and adapt his mind to the crisis which called him 
 into action — to the exigencies of the eventful times during which 
 he exercised his exalted talents and his no less exalted virtues. 
 For while we cherish the name and memory of our glorious 
 chief, we humbly and thankfully acknowledge that every perfect 
 gift, whether of goodness or of greatness, cometh down from 
 above,' from thee, O fountain of excellence ; from thee, O 
 father of lights; with whom is no variableness or shadow of 
 turning ! 
 
 '* We thank thee that this great man lived not in vain, and 
 that his precious example has not been lost upon the people be- 
 fore whose eyes it shines. The wounds of those brave men 
 who have survived the shock of recent battles on no distant 
 fields, whose patience and fortitude, under the privations and 
 exposures of war, whose self-denial, whose contempt of danger, 
 and whose martial ardor, drove back the unsuccessful hosts of 
 invasion to their ships, attest that the example of his valor and 
 his patriotism has not been lost upon us. The annunciations 
 of victory by our laurelled commanders, when the blood of the 
 brave dyed the waters of the lakes, attest that the example of 
 his modesty and his piety, has not shone upon us in vain. 
 They attest, that, like him, the intrepid leader and the warrior, 
 who, with firm and faithful step, advances to the onset, forgets 
 not, amidst the pomp and circumstance of war, that God is the 
 Lord of Hosts, to whom all might and all success are to be 
 ascribed. 
 
 •*0n this occasion, and at this sacred spot, may we be en- 
 abled to look back with gratitude uponthe past, and forward up- 
 on the future, with hope, confidence and courage- Thou who 
 didst accomphsh this unparalleled man with rich gifts for war 
 and peace, that he might go in and out before this so great 
 people, will not forsake the country that gave him birth, and 
 where his ashes lie. To thy blessing we solemnly commend 
 its institutions and its interests. This day, the anniversary of 
 that proud day which gave us national existence; of that glori- 
 ous day, when first independence thundered from the Senate 
 Hall, and scattered its lightening from the sword of the chief 
 
24 
 
 Along the thorny and ensanguined pathway, that, under ni« 
 auspices of Omnipotence, led, in the event, to victory and to. 
 peace ; this day, this joyful day, we invoke thy blessing. 
 Bless these assembled multitudes; bless this flourishing and 
 growing city, ever favored by thy smiles, and of late signally 
 protected by thy providence. Bless the State, of which it is 
 the ornament, our Governor and public functionaries; bless th& 
 United States of America, united indissolubly; free and inde- 
 pendent perpetually; God save the republic, which himself hath 
 formed to be the refuge of freedom — never, never, of free- 
 dom, may it prove the grave ! Bless the President of the Uni- 
 ted States and all in authority; and grant that, under their ad- 
 ministration, the people may lead quiet and peaceable lives in, 
 all godliness and honesty. 
 
 " Sovereign of nations, author of all good, patron and re- 
 warder of integrity, patriotism, and valor, we supplicate thy 
 benediction upon the interesting solemnity of this day; deign 
 to smile upon the deed which has been done, and to accept it. 
 For while this raonum.ental structure shall present to the be- 
 holder the emblematic register of glory, shall it not proclaim 
 the obligations of the republic to Him who formed her general 
 for the field, her ruler for the cabinet? O may this memorial 
 of our dead friend and father speak in tones of deep interest to 
 all his children. May it lead them to remember every particu- 
 lar of his moral, civic, and military virtue. Let the believer 
 remember that our chief veneiated the rites of religion and the 
 name of God. Let the citizen remember, that our chief bowed 
 to the supremacy of the laws, and gloried in rendering prompt 
 obedience to the voice of constituted authority. Let the soldier 
 remember that our chief fought because freedom, and truth, 
 and virtue, and conscience, armed him; that his sword would 
 have refused to leave its scabbard in an unholy cause, and that 
 he never could have been induced by seduction or provocation 
 to turn its point against the maternal bosom of his country. 
 Let successive Presidents, Commanders, Magistrates, Counsel- 
 lors, and all depositaries of power, remember that our chief 
 sought not, in any one instance, hi-tiseff, but at all times hii 
 counfrjt/'.i weal. 
 
 " Save Lord, save this fabric of the people's gratitude ; this 
 structure to the blessed memory of our national father and bene- 
 factor, consecrated by the recollections, the sensibilities, and the 
 prayers of bis children. O save it from destructive casualties;. 
 
25 
 
 protect it against the mouldering touch of time; and at what 
 period soever the clangor of arms may again disturb our 
 peaceful pursuits, let us look on this splendid pile; let us ask, 
 where is the spirit of the hero whose fame it perpetuates; let us 
 emulate his deeds, and gather round the monument of our 
 father; let us guard it with a no less resolved and unshrinking 
 purpose than we would our altars and our homes ! 
 
 *' Almighty God, we leiieve that thou art never displeased 
 with the expression of praise, where praise is due; we, there- 
 fore, deem it becoming us on this solemn occasion, to notice 
 with tender recollection, the respectable, amiable, and patriotic 
 person, to whose indefatigable labors, we, of this vicinity, are 
 chiefly indebted for the honorable privilege of laying the first 
 monumental stone sacred to the memory of the father of his 
 country. In all patriotic offices^ in all public works promotive 
 of the interest of truth, virtue, benevolence, and liberty; grant 
 that his example may be universally imitated with a persever- 
 ance and an enthusiasm worthy of the American citizen. 
 
 " Sovereign of nations; Alnjighty Creator; God of the spirits 
 ofallllcsh; Father of our Saviour; by whose divine permission 
 we have united in these exercises; listen, we beseech thee, to 
 our thanksgiving and supplications, and favorably, in much 
 mercy, be pleased to answer them — Amen. 
 
 " Men, brethren, and fellow-citizens — Jehovah bless you, and 
 keep you — Jehovah make his face to shine upon you, and be 
 gracious unto you^— Jehovah Hft up his countenance upon you, 
 and give you peace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be 
 with you all — Amen." 
 
 Music. First solemn, then national. 
 
 Grand salute of one hundred guns, the band playing a na- 
 tional air. 
 
 The whole ceremonies of the day were concluded by three 
 voUies from the whole line of infantry. 
 
 The evening sky was beautifully bespangled by rockets thrown 
 from the Java frigate, and from the mansion of Col. Howard, 
 in the park. They rose in a brilliant line of fire, and forming 
 a graceful arch, brak^ into stars as they descended. Divine 
 Providence seemed to smile upon the occasion; the air was de- 
 lightfully cool and the firmanent serene. The evening silence 
 and tranquility that closed the joyful turbulence of the dayj 
 formed a striking contrast, and seemed to display that sobriety 
 of pleasure which the solemnity of the occasion demanded. 
 
26 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 
 
 Soon after the laying of the corner-stone of the Monument, pre- 
 parations were made to progress the work without delay ; every 
 precaution was taken in laying the foundations, which were 
 composed of large stone laid in solid masses ; those were all 
 raised to the level of the grade of the square, during the first 
 working season. The succeeding year, the sub-foundations of 
 the column and the Avails of the marble zocle or grand base 
 were raised to the springing of the gallery vaults within. The 
 following year the finished work of the column was elevated to 
 half its height. 'J'he fourth year's operations raised the column 
 high enough to receive its capital. The fifth year capped the 
 the shaft and zocle base, and raised to its height, the pedestal 
 surmounting the whole, which w^as to receive the statue. Here 
 operations were suspended for a time, and the work allowed to 
 attain that solidity which was necessary, pre[)aratory to receiving 
 its colossal statue. In 1824 the scafiblding around the Monu- 
 ment was removed, and the column displayed in honor of the 
 visit to Baltimore, of the friend of Washington, the venerated 
 La Fayette. In 1826, the marble terrace or roof over the 
 grand base was laid, and soon after the marble steps to the four 
 entrances of the same erected. In )835, the lower terrace, 
 formed of marble slabs, and the footways around the grand base, 
 of granite slabs, together with the marble plinth, for receiving 
 the iron railing, were laid, as also the tessalatcd marble pave- 
 ment inside of the Monument. In 1836, the rich iron palisade 
 fence, with its ornamented gates, enclosing the whole Monu- 
 ment, were put up, as also the tripods upon the blockings of 
 the steps of entrance, and the bronze inscriptions upon the four 
 facades of the grand base. 
 
 Thus far this work has progressed ; its completion, according 
 to the original design, as approved by the Legislature of Mary- 
 land, and put upon its records, will depend upon its own acts 
 making the necessary appropriations for the purpose. The 
 trophies to surmount the four angles of the grand base are the 
 principal features of the design yet to be completed, independent 
 of the thirteen bronze shields, banding the foot of the shaft, 
 which are to be enriched with the escutcheons and inscriptions 
 of the glorious thirteen States which formed the Federal Union 
 in 1776, crowned by festooned banners of the Union, as it now 
 iSf supported at each cardinal point, marked on the face of the 
 
27 
 
 column bj' a spreatl eagle, and circled by a laurel wreath, de- 
 noting Victory. The broad frieze under the cornice of the 
 grand base is to receive as many wreaths as there are States in 
 the Confederacy, the name of each being inscribed within the 
 wreath. 
 
 As far as the worlv has been completed, every description of 
 material used was furnished in the neighborhood ; the marble 
 was obtained within nine to twelve miles of Baltimore, the 
 foundation stone from Jones' falls, close by ; the rich cast iron 
 railing from the Savage Factory foundry, twenty miles west of 
 the city; the contractors for the marble and masonry work were 
 all natives of Baltimore, and with what tidelity it has been exe- 
 cuted may be judged of by the present stability of the structure 
 after a lapse of thirty years. 
 
 THE STATUE. 
 
 In 1827 invitations were sent out b}' the Architsct (accord- 
 ing to the instructions of the Board of Managers of the Monu- 
 ment) to the most eminent artists of our own country to 
 present models for the statue which was to surmount the co- 
 lumn. Among those sent in, that of Caucici, (the talented 
 artist who had previously been employed by the Government 
 at Washington, to execute some of the sculptures in the Capitol,) 
 was approved, and a contract entered intojvith him to complete 
 the work agreeably to the Architect's design, and also to place 
 it upon its pedestal on the summit of the column. A massive 
 block of white marble, weighing upwards of thirty tons, was 
 obtained from the quarries about twelve miles from Baltimore,* 
 and Caucici, with all the zeal and industry which characterized 
 the true artist, commenced the Plerculean task of reducing this 
 
 *Dr. David D. Owen, in his report on the marble quarries in 
 this neighborhood, says of this block, " At this locality (Mrs. 
 Taylor's quarries) a l.lock was got out upwards of seventeen 
 feet long, which was presented to the Building Committee of 
 the Washington Monument. Out of this block the statue on 
 the same was sculptured." It was a remarkable fact that this 
 block was found Folitary and alone in the wide fields of this re- 
 gion, waiting, as it were, for the honors that were to be confer- 
 red on it. It was found exactly of the dimensions required for 
 the statue. 
 
28 
 
 mass of hard marble to half its weight, and bringing out of it 
 the noble features and graceful person of the " Father of his 
 Country." Two years of laborious toil brought his work to a 
 close, and the day arrived when this mighty mass of sixteen 
 tons was to be raised one hundred and sixty feet high, and 
 safely placed upon its pedestal ! The poor artist was often 
 troubled, in the prospect of having to accomplish so responsible 
 a duty. 'J"he burden of his mournful song, whilst at work in 
 his studio, was heard to be, one hundred a>id sixty feet high, 
 one hundred and sixty f et high, one hundred and sixty feet 
 high. How was he to get this ponderous, precious mass placed 
 1^1 safety at this dizzy height i* The Architect, Mr. Mills, re- 
 lieved him from this responsibility, and made preparations for 
 raising the statue. The scaffolding having been removed, the 
 question then was agitated, how was this mass of matter to be 
 elevated to that height, and poised as it were upon a point. 
 Some were for erecting an inclined plane, upon which to haul 
 it up ; some to erect stage after stage, to hoist it upon. Either 
 of these plans would have cost more than the whole amount the 
 artist was to receive on his contract. But the Architect, when 
 he decided upon removing the original scaffolding, had devised 
 a plan for raising the statue, independent of all external scaffold- 
 ing; simply by means of a suitable pair of shears erected on, and 
 straddling the cap of the column itself. He was fortunate in 
 engaging the services of an experienced nautical man, skillful 
 in mechanical devices, Capt. John D. Woodside, of Wash- 
 ington city, and confiding to him his plan of operations, left it to. 
 his ingenuity and practical knowledge of machinery to carry out 
 and perfect the same. The complete success which attended the 
 operations proved the efficiency of the plan. Capt. Woodside 
 was paid by the Architect the full amount of his contract. Not 
 satisfied, however, with this, he petitioned the Legislature of 
 Maryland for additional compensation, which was allowed him. 
 So formidable was considered the undertaking to raise this 
 statue' to its destined height, that, during preparations for the 
 same, the Architect was perpetually cautioned by his friends to 
 **make the machinery strong enough," ^^ spare no expense to 
 insure safety." The whole city appeared to be deeply in- 
 terested in the success of the undertaking. One of our most 
 esteemed citizens, residing in a handsome house near the Monu- 
 ment, took the alarm, from the fears expressed by some of his 
 
29 
 
 friends, that on the operation of hoisting the statue, there was 
 danger of upsetting the column, and requested the Architect to 
 confer with that eminent mathematician and engineer of the 
 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Uapt. Long, (then in the city, ) 
 on the effect of the forces he was about to employ in this work, 
 which he cheerfully did, and the result was such as to calm all 
 his fears. The chief rigger, Capt. W'oodside, displayed much 
 judgment and mechanical knowledge in the use of his powers. 
 1st. He sent up a small pair of shears to the top of the capital 
 of the column, by which he hoisted up and secured a forty feet 
 length of derrick, with which he elevated the great derrick, sev- 
 enty' feet long and sixteen inches in diameter. This he secured 
 firmly to the shaft by lashings of iron chains around the neck 
 of the column, and by other stays. Every thing being well se- 
 cured so far, the massive chain to form the stirrups wore raised 
 and thrown over and around the domical cap of the pedestal 
 upon which the statue was to stand, preparatory to raising the 
 great shears which were destined to hoist the statue. These 
 immense shears, each leg being forty feet long, and forty-five 
 inches girth, were lashed together on the ground, and thus, as 
 a whole, raised by the great derrick, which towered fifty feet 
 above the highest apex of the Monument, and placed with beau- 
 tiful precision each leg in its stirrup. This was the last grand 
 operation preparatory to elevating the statue. These sur- 
 mounting shears were then braced by strong ropes or guys as 
 stays, in every direction ; and the venerable oaks around the 
 Monument furnished the necessary ties here. 
 
 The Architect had given orders to one of the first rope-makers 
 in Baltimore, (Mr. Ramsey,) to prepare new cordage, of the 
 best quality, for the work, (the cost of which material exceeded 
 $1,000,) and timbers of the soundest fibre were procured; 
 he had previously obtained from the Secretary of the Navy the 
 use of some large sheave blocks and chain cables, suited to the oc- 
 casion ; and last, not least, he had to calculate the strength and 
 determine upon the dimensions of iron for the luis to which 
 was to be suspended the weight of the whole stone, and upon 
 the accuracy of which the safety of the whole depended. 
 
 When every part of the machinery was completed. Commo- 
 dore Stewart, of the United States Navy, who was then in Bal- 
 timore, was invited to give his opinion of its strength and ca- 
 pacity for the work to be performed. His answer was charac- 
 
30 
 
 teristic of the man, and proved the judgment and decision of 
 this noble commander of our Navy : " If I had a seventy -four 
 gun ship hitched to the end of this cable, sir, I would not be 
 afraid to hoist it to the top of this Monument." Every caution 
 was used to guard against accident, and to test the efficiency of 
 the apparatus; the first block of seven tons, forming the lower 
 part of the statue, was hoisitcd with perfect ease and safety to its 
 place, without giving any public notice of the fact ; and thus 
 every part of the machinery was proved to work well, and in- 
 sure success to the ascent of the other two blocks, the middle 
 one of which was also raised under the same precautions. The 
 public anxiety being now allayed, the day was fixed upon when 
 the crowning block, which was to display the whole statue com- 
 plete, was to be raised. The Architect therefore issued the fol- 
 lowing public notice of this event. 
 
 ELEVATION OF THE STATUE. 
 
 The public are respectfully invited to witness the final eleva- 
 tion of the Statue of Washington to the summit of the Monu- 
 ment this day at 12 o'clock, should the weather prove favorable, 
 if not, on the first fair day after. 
 
 Seats are provided for the public authorities, adjoining thise 
 of the Managers of the Monument, fronting the works. Seats 
 are also provided for those venerable and honorable survivors of 
 the Revolutionary war who may attend — and such are earnest- 
 ly invited to witness thi-j public expression of their country's 
 gratitude, not only to him who led her armies to victory, and 
 established her liberties upon a svn-e basis, but thro'igh him, to 
 all those noble spirits who fought and bled under his banner. 
 
 ROBT. MILLS, 
 Architect of the Monument. 
 
 Baltimout:, November 2-5, 1S29. 
 
 Short as this notice was, the citizens turned out en masse, 
 with the military, commanded by Brigadier General S. Smith, 
 and took their station around the Monument to witness the tri- 
 umph of their hopes. The morning of the day was at first 
 shaded with clouds, but, by the hour appointed for the cere- 
 mony, they broke away; and while the dignified bust of " the 
 Father of his Country'' was slowly ascending, bright flashes of 
 light at intervals shown around it; and when it had reached its 
 destined place and joined the other portions of the figure, and 
 
31 
 
 stood forth ilie man entire, the clouds dissolved in ether, and 
 the sun broke forth in meridian splendor, fiUing the whole ex- 
 panse with light and liie, then could be seen soaring aloft and 
 circling the sjjot where stood the statue, the glorious ensign of 
 of our country's banner, the noble Ea>^k, as if conscious of 
 what had taken place; and lo ! high in mid heaven a brilliant 
 star appears — come as it were to shed a glory around the act 
 just consummated.* Shouts of joy now arose simultaneously 
 from the surrounding multitude, and the deep toned cannon 
 reverberated the sound to distant lands. November 25, 1829, 
 has thus become a memorable day in the annals of Baltimore, 
 commemorating, as it does, an event so important — the crown- 
 ing of the work of a grateful people, commenced on the 4 th of 
 of July, 1815. Fourteen years of happy toil had rolled by, 
 which was to accomplish this first oflbring; and thanks to a 
 watchful Providence, no accident occurred in this long period to 
 mar the glorious undertaking. 
 
 Some other emblematic decorations have yet to be added to 
 this Monument before its final completion; and these in time 
 will be done. The State of Maryland is pledged to do this, 
 and the patriotic citizens of Baltimore will see that the original 
 design of the Monument, as recorded by the Legislature of the 
 State in their annals, is carried out to completion. 
 
 The machinery lor raising the statue being all removed, and 
 without accident or injury to the work, (which was apprehend- 
 ed by many,) the statue stood forth in all its grandeur. This 
 statue is of Colosscan proportions, 1 6 feet high, and weighing 
 35,000 lbs. The artist, in the attidude given to his figure, 
 has represented that noble act in the life of General Washing- 
 ton, (which so strongly marks the exalted character of the 
 man,) the resignation of his commission to the Congress of his 
 country. This act having been consummated at Annapolis in 
 this State makes its representation here peculiarly appropriate. 
 The figure appears in the act of advancing with its right arm 
 
 •The appearance of the eagle and star on this occasion were 
 facts witnessed by many on that day. And the architect of 
 this work, on another occasion, witnessed the appearance of 
 the same star (Venus) on laying the corner stone, with General 
 La Fayette, at Camden, S. C, of the monument to the la- 
 mented General De Kalb, who fell in defence of our liberties. 
 
32 
 
 stretched out, holding in the hand a scroll, and clothed in a 
 military cloak, which, in the act of advancing, falls off the 
 right shoulder, and exposes the epaullette. To prevent the 
 cloak from falling entirely off, the left hand gathers up and 
 draws the folds over and across the breast, and coming to a rest 
 upon the hip, throws out the elbow, thus giving a fine breadth 
 to the figure by this disposition of the cloak — the left leg is ex- 
 posed, where the military boot is seen, and the nether end of 
 the sword. The tout ensemble is noble and graceful; a sober 
 dignity is spread over the whole figure, which is in perfect 
 keeping with the character of Washtxgtox. The statue faces 
 the South — the eye, as it were, directed to the very scene of the 
 original act (Annapolis.) 
 
 The following criticism on the figure, written at the time 
 of executing the statue, may be acceptable here : 
 
 The Colosseax Statue of Washington. — The great 
 desideratum in statuary has been at length effected in the 
 model of this great work, executed by Caucici, namely: to re- 
 tain the modern costume^ and yet not offend the classic eye. 
 The model before us dees this in an eminent degree; and it is 
 now sincerely to be hoped that we shall hereafter never have oc- 
 casion to clothe statues of our great men in the Roman garb, or 
 Grecian robe, which estranges them completely in our eyes. 
 When we look at the splendid statues of Canova and Chantry, 
 which were intended to personify our Washington, we see in 
 one the character of a Roman Senator, Consulj or Emperor, and 
 in the other, an ancient Grecian sage philosopher; but nothing 
 in either to remind us of our Washington. This is inadmis- 
 sible, and a confession of a deficiency of genius which the artist 
 would not wish to acknowledge, and a severe satire upon the un- 
 derstanding and good taste of the age. 
 
 The Washington which surmounts the colossal monumental 
 column erected in this city, was always intended by the archi- 
 tect to be attired in the style of costume which would familiar- 
 ize us with the man, being satisfied that this might be done, 
 and still retain all that classic eflect, which is so necessary to be 
 retained, and which has for centuries, chained us down to the 
 use of the Roman toga, &c, and the Grecian robe. The idea 
 was offered in the light of a problem by the architect to all the 
 artists engaged to present models for the Statue, to be solved by 
 them. For effect the military cloak was to be introduced, the 
 
33 
 
 ample folds of whrch could not fail to insilre, to the artist pos- 
 sessing genius and good taste, success, to give grace and dignity 
 to his figure. Mi:. Caucici has succeeded to admiration in his 
 WAsniNGTOX. The tout ensemble of the figure is all that we 
 could wish, and creates a confidence that posterity will award 
 us praise for a departure from the established forms and preju- 
 dices of the old school, and daring to think for ourselves in 
 matters X)f taste in the fine arts, as well as in matters of mild 
 government and in politics. The fine expression and benig- 
 nity in the face of this figure, the graceful, modest manner of 
 presenting the parchment scroll containing the commission, and 
 the noble mein of the whole person, strike the view of the be- 
 holder with surprise and pleasure, and the whole character of 
 the man seems developed before him. The altitude of the 
 figure is that o[ advancing, the arm extended holds in the hand 
 a scroll in a position the most easy, graceful, and natural, 
 nothing forced, or expressive of mean submission, but the 
 voluntary act of the man. The military cloak thrown over the 
 figure, seems falling off the right shoulder on the extension 
 of ihe arm, whilst the left hand, to prevent as it were the 
 cloak's falling entirely off, has grasped that side of the same, 
 and drawing it across the lower part of the person, throws itself 
 for support against the body, behind. The position thus given 
 the left arm aifords a beautiful display of drapery on this side, 
 the cloak falling in graceful folds almost down to the feet. The 
 falling otf of the cloak from the right shoulder gives a full dis- 
 play of all that part of the modern military dress worn during 
 tlie revolutionary war, at which the rig'd eye of classic taste 
 would not take oifence. The epaulet of that period stands fully 
 complete on the right shoulder, and a small portion of the other 
 seen on the left, which designate the military grade of the per- 
 son. The head is uncovered, and while it is confessed by all 
 who have seen it, and to whoili W.\s!ii>'(jtox was personally 
 known, to be that of this great man in form and feature, it is a 
 classic head, or a head in unison with the rest of" the figure, 
 'i'hat benign firmness which characterised Washington's 
 countenance is here finely expressed, and a dignified gravity 
 overspreads the whole face, expressive of deep thought, and 
 perfect self-command. 
 
 This model may V\rith propriety be said to represent the first 
 real Wasuixgtox that has yet been sculptured. 
 2 
 
34 
 
 It will be interesting here to revert to that period when this 
 glorious transaction typified by the Statue took place. Pre- 
 viously to. that august spectacle, a circumstance had taken 
 place, still more atfecting perhaps. On the fourth of December, 
 1783, WASHiJfGTOir took leave of his officers at New York. 
 This interview occurred at Frances' tavern in that city, where 
 the principal officers assembled at noon, soon after which, says 
 his biographer, their beloved commander entered the room. With 
 emotion too strong to be concealed, he filled a glass and said, 
 *' with a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of 
 you ; 1 most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as pros- 
 perous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and 
 honorable." Having drunk, he added, *' I cannot come to 
 eacli of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if 
 each of you will come and take me by the hand." General 
 Knox, being nearest, turned to him. Incapable of utterance, 
 W AsaiXGTOx grasped his hand and embraced him. In the same 
 affectionate manner, he took leave of each succeeding officer. 
 In every eye was the tear of dignified sensibility ^ and not a 
 word was articulated to interrupt the majestic silence and the 
 tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, he passed through 
 the corps of light infantry, and walked to Whitehall, where a 
 barge waited to convey him to Powles' Hook. The whole com- 
 pany followed in mute and solemn procession, with dejected 
 countenances, testifying feelings of delicious melancholy, which 
 no language can describe. Having entered the barge, he turn- 
 ed to the company, and waving his hat, bade them a silent 
 adieu. They paid him the same affectionate compliment, and 
 after the barge had left them^ returned in the same solemn man- 
 ner to the place where they had assembled. 
 
 Congress, says Marshall, was then in session at Annapolis, 
 in Maryland, to which place General Washington repaired for 
 the purpose of resigning into their hands the authority with 
 which they had invested him. He arrived on the 19th of De- 
 cember. The next day he informed that body of his intention 
 to ask leave to resign the commission he had the honor of hold- 
 ing in their service, and requested to know whether it would 
 be their pleasure that he should offer his resignation in writing, 
 or at an audience. 
 
 To give the more dignity to the act, they determined that it 
 should be offered at a public audience on the following Tuesday, 
 23d December, at 12 o'clock. 
 
35 
 
 When the hour arrived for performing a ceremony so well 
 calculated to recall to the mind the various interesting scenes 
 which had passed since the commission now to be returned was 
 granted, the gallery was crowded with spectators; and many 
 respectable persons, among whom were the legislative and ex- 
 ecutive characters of the State, several general officers, and the 
 consul general of France, were admitted on the floor of Con- 
 gress. Congress received him as the founder and guardian of 
 the republic. While he appeared before them, they silently re- 
 traced the scenes of danger and distress through which they had 
 passed together. They recalled'to mind the blessings of freedom 
 and peace purchased by his arm. They gazed with wonder on 
 their fellow-citizen who appeared more great and worthy of es- 
 teem in resigning his power, than he had done in gloriously 
 using it. Every heart was big with emotion. Tears of admi- 
 ration and gratitude burst from every eye. The general sym- 
 pathy was felt by the lesigning hero and wet his cheek with a 
 manly tear. The representatives of the sovereignty of the 
 Union; resumes Marshall, remained seated and covered. The 
 spectators were standing and uncovered. The general was in- 
 troduced by the secretary, and conducted to a chair. After a 
 decent interval, silence was commanded, and a short pause en- 
 sued. The President, (General Mifflin,) then informed him 
 that "The United States in Congress assembled were prepared 
 to receive his communications." With a native dignity, improv- 
 ed by the solemnity of the occasion, the general rose and deliv- 
 ered the following address. 
 
 ** Mr. President : The great events, on which my resigna- 
 tion depended, having at length taken place, I have now the 
 honor of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and 
 of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands 
 the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of re- 
 tiring from the service of my country. 
 
 *• Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sov- 
 ereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United 
 States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign, with satisfac- 
 tion, the appointment I accepted with diffidence ; a diffidence 
 in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, how- 
 ever, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our 
 cause, the sup])ort of the supreme power of the Union, andtlie 
 patronage of Heaven. 
 
36 
 
 "The successful termination of the war has verified the most 
 sanguine expectations ; and my gratitude for the interposition of 
 Providence, and the assistance I have received from my coun- 
 trymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest. 
 
 *' While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I 
 should 'do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in 
 this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the 
 gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the war. 
 It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose 
 my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me, sir, 
 to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the 
 service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice 
 and patronage of Congress. 
 
 *' I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn 
 act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dear- 
 est country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who 
 have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping. 
 
 "Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from 
 the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell 
 to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I 
 here oifer my commission, and take my leave of all the employ- 
 ments of public life." 
 
 Washington then advanced to the chair of the presitlent, and 
 delivered him his commission. (In Mr. Causici's statue he is 
 represented in the act of doing this.) He then returned to his 
 place and received standing the following answer of Congress, 
 which was delivered by the President : 
 
 "Sir : The United states in Congress assembled, receive, 
 with emotions too aflectingfor utterance, the solemn resignation 
 of the authorities under which you have led their troops with 
 success through a perilous and a doubtful v,'ar. 
 
 " Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, 
 you accepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alliances, 
 and whilst it was without funds or a governnieut to support you. 
 
 " You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom 
 and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power 
 through all disasters and changes. You have by the love and 
 confidence of your fellow- citizens, enabled them to display their 
 martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have 
 persevered, until these United States, aided by a magnanimous 
 king and nation, have been enabled, under a just Providence, to 
 
37 
 
 close the war in freedom, safety, and independence ; on which 
 happy event, we sincerely join yon in congratulations. 
 
 " Havin? defended the standard of liberty in this new world — 
 having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those 
 who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action, 
 with the blessings of your fellow- citizens ; but the glor}' of your 
 virtues will not terminate Avith your military command — it will 
 continue to animate remotest ages. 
 
 " We feel, with you, our obligations to the army in general, 
 and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those 
 confidential officers who have attended your person to this 
 afl'ecting moment. 
 
 '♦We join you in commending the interests of our dearest 
 country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to 
 dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the op- 
 portunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable 
 nation. And for you, we address to him our earnest prayers, 
 that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all his care ; that 
 your days may be as happy as they have been illustrious ; and 
 that he will finally give you that reward which this world can- 
 not give." 
 
 This scene being closed, a scene rendered peculiarly interest- 
 ing by the personages who appeared in it, by the great events it 
 recalled to the memory, and by the singularity of the circum- 
 stances under which it was displayed, the American chief with- 
 drew from the hall of Congress, leaving the silent and admiring 
 spectators deeply impressed with those sentiments which its 
 solemnity and dignity were well calculated to inspire. 
 
 PESCRIPTION OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 
 AS COMPLETED. 
 
 The n>ain feature in the design for this structure presents the 
 character of a Greek Boric column, of massive proportions, 
 elevated on a grand base or zocle : the column surmounted by a 
 circular pedestal, on which stands a colossean statue of the 
 Father of his Country, the whole executed in white marble. 
 The grand base is .^0 feet square and 25 feet high — the column 
 20 feet in diameter at the foot, and with its sub base 180 feet 
 high. It stands on an elevated hill 100 feet above the tide, at 
 the intersection of four principal avenues, and in the centre of 
 
33 
 
 a square 200 feet each way ; the avenues to the south and 
 north are 110 feet wide, 30 feet of which are to be laid out as 
 a promenade to the monument, enclosed, and planted with 
 shrubbery, leaving 80 feet for carriage ways, &c. on each side. 
 The entire structure is of white marble, obtained within twelve 
 miles of Baltimore. The material of which the base of the 
 zocle is constructed was presented by General Ridgley from his 
 quarries, 9 miles from Baltimore, the residue of the marble was 
 procured three miles further up. It is of the most durable 
 quality, and rather bleaches than discolors after a lapse of years. 
 The marble work was executed by those eminent marble ma- 
 sons and cutters, Cols. Wm, Stewart and Fhos. Towson, both 
 natives of Baltimore, the stone masonry was constructed by Mr. 
 Luther Stevenson, the brick inside by Mr. Stallings, citizens 
 also of Baltimore, all faithful workmen, as their work testities 
 after the lapse of thirty years. The block courses of marble 
 were all bedded on sheet lead and clamped together with copper, 
 and the horizontal outer joints exposed filled in with lead. 
 After the column had been raised to the height of the capital, 
 the guage by which it was worked lost but half an inch in the 
 whole heighth, which proved the solidity of the work as it was 
 carried up. The massive blocks of marble which make up the 
 Abacus and Echinus of the capital, forming by their bold pro- 
 jection a terrace and enclosed walk over the same, were admira- 
 bly put together, and stand unmoved to this day. The foun- 
 dations of this structure were deeply laid in the ground, at least 
 1 6 feet below the natural surface of the hill on which it stands, 
 and to bind the whole mass together, a heavy iron grating, 
 rivetted together, was laid over the entire bed of solid masonry 
 under the column. A well was previously dug 60 feet deep in 
 the neighborhood of the foundation, to test the character of the 
 under strata, which exhibited the same firmness of soil the 
 whole depth. This well (having reached the water) was made 
 serviceable to the work afterwards, and is that now in use on 
 the N. E. side of the structure. The monument is encircled 
 with a massive bronzed iron railing 314 feet in circumference, 
 opening on the four fronts of the grand base by rich iron gate- 
 ways. The design of the railing is in character with the whole, 
 being composed of .shields, facial columns, and spears. This 
 beautiful piece of work was cast at the Savage factory foundry 
 in the neighborhood, and though difficult of execution, (being 
 
39 
 
 circular in plan,) is a first rate work. The railing stands on a 
 marble base two feet high ; a flag-stone pavement extends out- 
 side of this 1 feet wide, all around ; on the inside, between the 
 railing and monument, is also a marble terrace. On every 
 front of the grand base, a flight of marble steps, flanked by 
 massive blo?ks of the same material, surmounted by tripods, 
 lead up to bronze door -ways in marble casings, which open 
 into vaulted galleries surrounding the lower base of the column. 
 The floors of these galleries are laid with marble slabs, forming 
 a beautiful tesselated pavement, the whole lighted from above. 
 A broad frieze runs round the exterior wall of the grand base, 
 immediately under the main cornice, which is to receive a se- 
 ries of civic wreaths encircling the names of all the States form- 
 ing the Union. In the centre of this freize on each front above 
 the door ways are large marble tablets inscribed in bronzed let- 
 ters, "To George Washington, by the State of Maryland." 
 On each side of the doors on each front are the following bronze 
 inscriptions : 
 
 1st. On the South. "Born 22d February, 1732. Died 
 14th Dec^Woer, 1799." 
 
 2d. On the East. " Commander-in-Chief of the American 
 Army June 25, 1775. Resigned his Commission at Annapolis 
 23d December, 1783." 
 
 3d. North side. "Trenton 25th December, 1776. York- 
 town 19th October, 1781." 
 
 4th. We?tside. "President of the United States 4th March, 
 1789. Retired to Mt. Vernon 4th March, 1797." 
 
 Over the main cornice, a blocking course runs round the base, 
 to be crowned at the four angles with miUtary and civic trophies, 
 and marble bronze inscriptions are proposed to enrich the shaft 
 of the column above the grand base. The following is that 
 proposed by the architect : 
 
 FAMA. NANET. PERENNIS. 
 
 SUMP81T. POSITQ. SECURES. 
 
 GEORGIO. WASHINGTON. 
 
 PATRI. PATRIAE. 
 
 QUO. DUCE. 
 
 SUMMO. NUMINE. FAVENTE 
 
 CrV^IT\TEs. FODERATE. 
 
 AMERICaE. SEPTENTRIONALIS. 
 
40 
 
 LIBERTATE- LEGESQ, 
 
 IMPlflTRARUNT 
 
 GIVES. BALTIMORIENSES. 
 
 HAUD. INANE. STUDIO. 
 
 TANTAE. LAUDIS. AUCENDAE. 
 
 SED. UT. 
 
 EXEMPLAR. YITAE. 
 
 PATRIAE. Q. ANORIS. 
 
 SEMPER. IN. CONSPECTU. HOMINON. ESSET. 
 
 H. M. 
 
 P. C. 
 
 J. H. Pratt. Esq., in his accoTint of laying the corner-stone, 
 praposes another inscription as follows : 
 
 MONUMENTUM PATRI PATRLE DEDICATUM. 
 
 Die quarto Juli, et Christians rerse anno ISl.^i, cives Balti- 
 MORiE?<sEs .substructionis primum lapidem posuerunt ColumnsB 
 Magnificae, memoiise Georgii Washijcgtox sacra: ; sujus 
 nomen, **et laurea et lingua," clarum ac venerable, hisce 
 Americse civitatibus faederatis semper fequeinclytumetpercarun^ 
 erit et etiam per Tolventia seecula, ut dux, miles etvindexpatrijB 
 libertatis heroicus, cunctis monumentis qua^ tcrapus edax exr 
 ciderit, gloria perenni ac fama inculpata, supervixerit. 
 
 On entering the gallery of the grand base from the North, an 
 arch-way opens in front across the gallery, which leads to the 
 stairway in the heart of the column ; on the right hand a flight 
 of granite steps descends to the subterranean vaults in the foun- 
 dation ; on the left a flight of marble steps ascend to the terrace 
 over the grand base, and in continuance to that on the top of 
 the capital of the column. The terrace oyer the base extends 
 all round the plinth of column 14 feet wide, covered with large 
 marble slabs, forming at the same time the roof of the galleries 
 below ; at the four angles are to be the trophies. The base of 
 the column above its zocle plinth is proposed to be encircled 
 with thirteen colossal bronze shield.s, emblematic of the Federal 
 Union, the faces of which enriched with the coats of arms of 
 those States which formed the Federal compact, each divided by 
 a massive spear. At some distance above this band of shields, 
 and fronting the four avenues of approach, are four bronze ea- 
 gles, one on each front, encircled with a wreath which it grasps 
 iu its talons, through these wrea,ths pjisses the banner of th? 
 
41 
 
 Union festooned between, thus forming a continuous line of 
 decoration all round the shaft. The hypotrachelion of the 
 column is fluted. The pedestal of the statue, which is an 
 elongation of the shaft, rises above the capital liS feet, crowned 
 above the cornice with a stepping dome, reduced from a diame- 
 ter of 14 feet to a plinth of 4 feet diameter, on which the statue 
 stands. The statue surmounting the whole is of colossal di- 
 mensions, 16 feet high, and weighing 15 tons. As you ap^ 
 proach the monument up either of the avenues, the figure isi 
 reduced by distance to about half its real height. 
 
 The statue represents the great man to whom the monument 
 is dedicated in the act of resigning his commission as commander- 
 in-chief of the American army into the hands of those from 
 whom he had received it, having accomplished the great object 
 of his appointment, the freedom and independence of his coun- 
 try. This heroic act, which has elevated the character of 
 Washinrtox above all praise, took place in this State, and 
 constitutes a noble subject for the sculptor, the painter, and the 
 historian. The artist has I)een happy in adapting the drapery 
 of his figure to the age, and at the same time preserved that 
 classic elegance which is needful for effect. The costume worn 
 by the General at the period alluded to, is strictly adhered to, 
 and yet no sacrifice of good taste has been made.* The mili- 
 ti^ry cloak which covers the figure gives all the effect and dig- 
 nity which has been sought for by the use of the Greecian robe 
 and Roman tunic which grace the statues of antiquity. 
 
 The ascent to the top of the monument is by a flight of 220 
 marble steps, (which were built into the walls as the work v/cnt 
 np,) winding around a solid pillar constituting the core of the 
 fxilumn on which the statue stands. The visitor in ascending 
 tliis hcighth, is disposed to proceed with great caution, even 
 with a lantern, (which is furnished by the keeper in charge of 
 tJie monument,) as more than midnight darkness lies before 
 him ; yet he may proceed with perfect confidence, for a solid 
 wall rises on each side of him. (It is intended to light up this 
 8tair-way with gas, which will render the ascent more agreeab'e.) 
 But whatever degree of fatigue is experienced by the visitor, he 
 
 *The militarj' dress of General Washtt^^otox is now deposited 
 in the room of tl\e National Institute, Patent Office, Washiiig* 
 
42 
 
 will be fully repaid on reaching the giddy height, by a survey of 
 the delia;htful prospect which opens belore him. Few spots in 
 any city of the world offer more interesting scenery, taken as a 
 whole, than this, either for variety or beauty. To the South, 
 and East, and West, the city is overlooked, studded with nu- 
 merous handsome edifices, public and private — magnificent 
 domes and splendid spires, glittering in the sun- beams — and its 
 beautiful basin and harbor, locked in by highlands on every side 
 save one, crowded with a forest of masts, and enlivened with the 
 hum of an active commerce. 
 
 Beyond this busy scene. Fort McHenry arrests the attention, 
 with its "star-spangled banner" waving in the breeze — a spot 
 celebrated in the events of the last war for the gallant defence 
 which it made against the inroads of the invader. Still further 
 on is seen the Patapsco pursuing its placid course and mingling 
 its waters with those of the Chesapeake Bay, which like a sea 
 expands its majestic waves far as the eye can reach, terminated 
 only by the horizon. Here the sail of commerce is seen per- 
 petually whitening the dark wave, appearing first as a speck in 
 the horizon, which gradually looming, resolves itself sometimes 
 into the gallant ship, sometimes into the plodding coaster, and 
 sometimes into the humble fisherman's bark. 
 
 At the very verge of the horizon, Kent Island may be seen 
 in a clear day. Annapolis^ also, would be brought into \iew, 
 were a small point of woods which intervene cut away. 
 
 Looking North, and East, and West, a number of beautiful 
 country seats arrest the attention. Close at hand is Bellevue, 
 the late residence of the venerable Col. Howard, the patriot and 
 hero of the Revolution. Beyond this, on a beautiful eminence, 
 is the cemetry with its interesting monuments — formerly the 
 country seat of the late Robert Oliver, Esq., the patron of pub- 
 lic and private improvements, and the friend of the poor. 
 Passing the eye around, other country seats, highly improved, 
 are discovered, many of which are almost hid from the view by 
 umbrageous woods. 
 
 Directly east several public buildings are seen ; the most 
 distant and elevated are the Maryland Hospital, a noble insti- 
 tution, and Jefferson Medical College, with its imposing 
 towers — nearer is the Penitentiary, and immediately adjoining, 
 the Public Prison, at the foot of which rushes Jones' Falls, a 
 romantic stream, which, after supplying several mills above, 
 
43 
 
 furnishes the city with abundance of wholesome water by 
 means of large reservoirs, all in view from the top of the monu- 
 ment. To the west and south-west, a dense forest, here and 
 there cut through for the passage of the turnpike and railroad 
 leading to the Federal City, Fredericktown, Reisterstovvn, &c., 
 terminates the view. Thus, whatever direction the eye takes, 
 a varied scene presents itself Innumerable other objects of 
 interest might ba noticed, but the limits allowed us here do not 
 admit of it. The visitor, desirous of being gratified further, 
 ought to take a good map of the city and suburbs up with him, 
 which would enable him to locate every object of notoriety, and 
 at the same time become acquainted with the names of the 
 places or objects interesting him. 
 
 The charge of this monument is placed by the managers in 
 the keeping of Mr. Hitzelbcrger, whose uniform urbanity has 
 rendered him a favorite with all who visit the monument. A 
 lantern light is furnished by him to any one requiring it in 
 their journey through the long ascent involved in more than 
 '•Egypt an darkness." 
 
 The managers have authorized Mr. Hitzelbcrger to charge for 
 each visiter ascending to the topof the column twelve-and a-half 
 cents, to pay expenses. Mr. H. keeps a register^for the entry 
 of the names of such gentlemen and ladies as visit the monu- 
 ment, and it becomes an interesting record to all, and has les- 
 sened the j'ractice previously with some who were desirous of 
 informing their friends of their "whereabouts." Visitors to 
 the monument are therefore requested to enter their names, 
 home, and residence on the register jdaced at the entrance door. 
 
 DIMENSIONS OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT, 
 
 BALTIMORE. 
 Square of the ground, in the centre of which .is 
 
 erected the structure 200 feet. 
 
 Square of the grand base or zocle 50 *' 
 
 Height of the grand base *. 25 ** 
 
 Projection of the steps and blockings on each front 15 ** 
 Circumfeienee of the iron railing enclosing the 
 
 grand base 314 " 
 
 Height of iron railing and base blocks 6^ ** 
 
 Diameter of the base of column 20 *• 
 
44 
 
 Diameter of neck of column ....,.<... 14 feet. 
 
 Height of column to top of capital above zocle. . . 120 ** 
 
 Square of abacus, forming terrace 20 ** 
 
 Height of pedestal of statue 20 ** 
 
 Diameter of plinth of statue 4 ** 
 
 Height of statue 16 «* 
 
 Total height of monument 1 80 ** 
 
 Weight of statue 33,750 lbs. 
 
 The architect of this Monument, Mr. Mills, is now a resi^ 
 dent of the (Jity of Washington, where he is engaged profes- 
 f^ionally in the service of the General Government, and is also 
 the architect of the National Monument to Wasjungton, now 
 erecting in that city. 
 
BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 GfORGB Washijigtow was the son of Augustihe Wash- 
 IXGToy, born on the 22d of February, 1732, and grandson of 
 John Washikgtox, an Enj^lish gentleman, who emigrated to 
 this country in 1767. When only nineteen years of age he 
 was appointed one of the adjutants general of Virginia, with the 
 rank of major. In the unfortunate action of General Braddock, 
 with the French and Indians, on the banks of the Monongahela, 
 Colonel Wasuijsgton, who had been appointed one of his aids, 
 had two horses killed under him, and four balls perforated his 
 coat. Shortly after the defeat and death of that general, he 
 resigned his office and married the widow of Mr. Custis. 
 Our revolutionary troubles commenced about the same time, and 
 Colonel VVAsaiNGTox was chosen a member of the first Con- 
 gress, from Virginia. On the 25th of June, 1775, he was 
 unanimously chosen by that body, to be General and Com- 
 mander-in chief of the American forces.* He refused compen- 
 sation for his services, and repaired to Cambridge, to take com- 
 mand of the American troops, there assembled. The British ar- 
 my under General Gage then occupied Boston, where they were 
 blockaded, and which place they vi^ere compelled to evacuate. 
 
 After the evacuation of Boston, the Commander-in-chief 
 departed for .N e\v York. He took possession and fortified Long 
 
 •In 1775, says Judge Cranch, in his memoir of President 
 Adams the elder, (read before the Columbian Institute, March, 
 1827,) it became necessary to appoint ^ Commander-in-chief 
 of the Continental Army. General Ward, of Massachusetts, 
 was then at the head of the troops before Boston, and in con- 
 ference among the members of the Massachusetts delegation in 
 Conyress, it is said they were all, except Mr. John Adams, of 
 opinion he ou^ht to be elected. Mr. Adams, however, was 
 stront;ly in favor of Geougk Washington, then a delegate in 
 Congress from Virginia, and when the conference ended, de- 
 clared that Colonel Washingtox should be nominated. Ac- 
 cordingly on the next day he was, at the request of Mr. Adams, 
 nominated by Mr. Joh.nso^', of Maryland, and on the 25th June 
 unanimously elected. 
 
46 
 
 Island, which was attacked by the British troops, under the 
 command of General Hance. The Americans were defeated, 
 and their situation becoming critical, the Commander-in chief, 
 with his usual intrepidity, withdrew his troops in the night ; 
 which he did in the face of a victorious enemy, within the reach 
 of the hostile fleet, carrying with him all his stores, &c. The 
 general was on horseback thirty-four hours. 
 
 After thi?, Washixgtox had to encounter difficulties, from 
 which other men would have shrunk with dismay. His army 
 was broken, dispersed and melting away before a victorious foe- 
 by whom he was incessantly pursued. His troops were desti- 
 tute of clothing, and in their passage over the Delaware, the 
 prints of their feet stained the snow and ice with blood. A 
 general despondency prevailed, until Washington, by the 
 decisive battles of Trenton and Princetown, renovated the 
 drooping ardor of his countrymen. The British General in the 
 retreating commander beheld the conqueror ; and found that he 
 was a man to be dreaded when oppressed by misfortune. At 
 the battle of Brandywine to the American army happened a 
 defeat. At Germantown an attack was made by the Americans, 
 which, in the outset, promised success ; but as the day was 
 misty, neither party could recognize each other at a few yards 
 distant, and our brave countrymen were repulsed.* On the 
 
 •An interesting scene here took place. Washington', 
 anxious to put an end to the brutal sacrifice of life consequent 
 on this attack, turned to his Generals, and hi a calm voice asked 
 for an officer who would consent to bear a flag of truce to the 
 enemy. A young aod gallant officer of Lke's Rangers sprang 
 from his horse — his name, Lieutenant Matthew Smith, of 
 Virginia. He assumed the snow white flag held sacred by all 
 nations, and advanced to Chew's house, where the enemy was 
 entrenched. In a short time he was lost to sight, amid the folds 
 of the fog-. A moment the firing ceased, and the young officer 
 went steadily on and stood within thirty paces of the house, and 
 waving his white flag on high rushed towards the hall door. 
 Alas ! he never reached it. He was cruelly shot down. A 
 volley of fire (says the historian) blazed from every window, 
 and the whole American army looked in vain for their messent^er 
 of peace. That flag was stained with blood — it was the warm 
 blood flowing from the young Virginian's heart. His comrades 
 wrapt his body within its folds and consigned it to the tomb. 
 
47 
 
 retreat of the American army from Long Island, a mist preserved 
 them from falling into the hands of the British ; and at Ger- 
 mantown, a heavy mist endangered their existence. In the at- 
 tack on Red Bank, the British were repulsed with considerable 
 loss — a place which was finally surrendered. The battle of 
 Monmouth was fought on a day in which the heat was so ex- 
 cessive, that many fell as martyrs of the solar beam. 
 
 At this time the heart cheering intelligence was announced 
 that the French cabinet had adopted the controversy of the 
 United States. General La Fatette arrived with intellig-ence 
 of aid from France, and the exhausted spirits of the Americans 
 were recruited. Count Rochambeau arrived with a reinforce- 
 ment in 1781, and marched to the North River. Lord Corn- 
 WALLis, after several severe engagements with General Gheene, 
 in which he was equally unfortunate, either in victory or in 
 defeat, retired to Yorktown. General Washington having 
 formed a junction with Count RociiA:MBEAU, invested that place 
 and finally compelled his lordship with all his army to surrender. 
 This was the decisive blow to the progress of the British arms 
 in America. Partial engagements succeeded, which were how- 
 ever ended, by a full declaration, on the part of his Britannic 
 majesty, to acknowledge the independence of the United States. 
 Peace was then restored, and General Washington resigned 
 his commission as Commander-in-chief of the American armies. 
 
 General Washington then retired from the fatigues, dan- 
 gers, hardships, and turmoils of the camp, to repose on his 
 laurels in the quietude of domestic retirement ; beloved, admired, 
 and almost idolized by his country. The public chapter of 
 confederation, however, by which the United iStates were held 
 together, Congress having no power to enforce their resolutions, 
 soon became apparent. A convention was held for the purpose 
 of forming a more vigorous constitution, of which body, he was 
 made the President. That constitution was framed, submitted 
 to the ratification of the diflerent States, finally adopted, and is 
 the very charter under which we now live. He was made the 
 first President by an unanimous vote of the several States, at a 
 time when they were torn by faction, and for eight years of his 
 Presidency, he left but one impression on the public mind, that 
 of admiration of his virtues. Twice was he called by his fellow- 
 citizens to that important office, and, on the most trying occa- 
 sions, twice were those sufirages unanimous. 
 

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