L l' ' ' ' 
 
 iiiiir 
 
Gass 
 Book. 
 
 C75IV U. 
 
 •^fy 
 

The History 
 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association 
 
 onije JTtrgt Centurp 
 
 THE UMTED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON WARREN, 
 
 LATE PRESIDENT OP THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 ONUMENTS THEMSELVES MEMORIALS NEED. 
 
 amiti) illustrations. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 'AMES E. OSGOOD AND COMPANY, 
 
 Late Ticknor and Fields, and Fields, Osgood, and Company) 
 
 M.DCCC.LXXVII. 
 
 In. U. S. a. CI. 
 

 Copyright secured, January, 1877, in tlie Office of the Librarian 
 of Congress, bj' 
 
 G. Washington Warren. 
 
 By tsrausfar 
 
 OtC BO t915 
 
 Cambridge : 
 Press of jfo/ni VVi/soji and Sou. 
 
y 
 
 TO 
 
 aDi)e jHemovp 
 
 DANIEL WEBSTER. EDWARD EVERETT, 
 
 THOMAS HANDASYD PERKINS, 
 
 JOHN COLLINS WARREN, 
 
 AXD 
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR. 
 
 THE PRINCIPAL ORIGINATORS OF THE 
 
 BUNKER HILL MOJS^UMENT, 
 
 OF 
 
 HENRY ALEXANDER SCAMMELL DEARBORN, 
 
 AND 
 
 WILLIAM SULLIV^AN, theik chief co-ad.iutoks; 
 
 OF 
 
 AMOS LAWRENCE and JUDAH TOURO, 
 
 WHO ADDED THEIK NOBLE DOXATIONS TO THE :MEANS KAISI;1> BY 
 
 THE WOMEN OF THE COUNTRY 
 
 FOK ITS COMPLETION IN 1840; 
 ALSO, OF 
 
 NATHANIEL POPE RUSSELL, THE FAITHFUL TREASURER, 
 
 AND 
 
 SOLOMON Wn.LARD, THE DEVOTED ARCHITECT, 
 
 STfifs ?^um6Ie IKemorial 
 
 OF THEIK IMPERISHAKLE WORK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 1877. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 'TpiIE first present the author remembers ever 
 ■*" to have received was one of those hand- 
 somely engraved diplomas of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, bearing his name in full, set in a 
 gilt frame, and hung in the parlor, — a paternal gift 
 to a boy of eleven years. Born at the foot of Bunker 
 Hill, and often in childhood having rambled over the 
 battle-field while yet a pasture, he naturally felt a 
 personal interest m the completion of the undertaking 
 of the Association, and, having been early chosen into 
 its directory, he was prompted to labor for it. 
 
 He was requested by Mr. Webster to prepare an 
 account of the first two great celebrations on Bunker 
 Hill, to accompany his orations in a proposed re- 
 publication. This he undertook to do* but, when 
 afterwards Mr. Everett kindly assumed the editorship 
 of all the works of the great Statesman, no other 
 hand was required. Subsequently the author has 
 been frequently requested to prepare a History of 
 the Association, embracing the noteworthy events, 
 and giving a summary of the labors, the difl&cul- 
 ties, and the triumphs it has experienced. 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 When first elected Secretary, he found scarcely any 
 of the original papers on file. By continuous search 
 and inquiries, he has been able to collect, during the 
 last forty years, from the descendants or family friends 
 of the prominent founders, a large mass of scattered 
 material. The newspapers of the period have supplied 
 many details. Some of the matter quoted is of a 
 trivial character, and some of a high order : taken 
 together, it may serve as an index of the times of the 
 former generations, and may help to give a nearer 
 view of the eminent men who figured in them. 
 
 Acknowledgments are due to Mr. Ernest Edwards 
 of London, now with J. R. Osgood & Company, the 
 inventor of the heliotyping process, who has found 
 out the way to multiply copies of the photograph in 
 a durable form, — an art superior to the art of 
 printing, as it reproduces the exact text and every 
 form of facsimile illustration. 
 
 An attempt has been made to prepare a com- 
 plete Table of Contents of this Volume, so as to 
 supersede the necessity of an Index, by denoting 
 the different topics treated on each page in course. 
 The reader, in consulting it, may see at a glance 
 the order in which the different divisions of the 
 work are set out, and may readily find any par- 
 ticular to which he may wish to advert. The 
 placing of reference notes at the bottom of the 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 page has been avoided, as it has seemed the better 
 way to incorporate into the text what is intended 
 to be read in connection, so that the attention 
 need not be distracted nor the symmetry of the 
 page be marred. Pains have been taken to pre- 
 sent to the pnbhc a book, which, at least in its 
 typographical appearance and in all those acces- 
 sories which attract the eye, shall be worthy of 
 those distinguished characters whose extraordinary 
 labors in building our noblest IN^ational Monument 
 have made an historical record thereof desirable. 
 
 It was at first intended to append a list of the 
 principal contributors to the Monument, but it was 
 found difficult to fix fairly upon the lowest sum, 
 the donors of which should be distinguished by this 
 honorable mention. The subscription of the pre- 
 scribed fee of membership was as generous and pa- 
 triotic an act on the part of some as that of twenty 
 times the amount or more by others; besides, it was 
 promised in the beginning that the names of all 
 those who should give a single dollar would be 
 preserved in perpetual remembrance. It may be 
 at some future time within the means of the Asso- 
 ciation to print a catalogue of all those who have 
 contributed directly to its funds, a considerable part 
 of which has already been prepared. The names, 
 however, of the original associates, and of all those 
 who have been made members by election, appear 
 in this volume. 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 It is hoped that this vokime may aid in perpetuating 
 the memory of the founders of this Society, to whom 
 the country's gratitude is due. And if it shall further 
 serve to foster and keep ever alive a profound senti- 
 ment of nationality, and an abiding love of thk Uisrioisi 
 which our Fathers bequeathed to us to transmit to 
 posterity, the author will be happy to have done some- 
 thing towards accomplishing one of the leading ob- 
 jects of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 Hotel Vexdome, 
 
 Boston, Dec. 25, 1876. 
 
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CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Battle of Bunker Hill, 1. The Two Great Events connected with 
 it, 3. Washington Commander-in-Chief, 5. The Rebuilding of 
 Charlestown, 6. The First Celebration of the Anniversary of the 
 Battle, 7. King Solomon's Lodge, 9. Address of John Soley, Jr., 10. 
 Act of Legislature for the Preservation of the Masonic Monument, 12. 
 The Re-interraent of the Body of Joseph AVarren, and the Exordium of 
 Perez Morton's Eulogy, 13. Warren's Character, and the Effect of 
 his Death, 14. 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 James Russell, his Ancestry, and his Son, Thomas Russell, 17. The 
 Russell Pasture, and the Visitors to the Battle-field, 20. Commissary 
 Deveus and Thomas Miller; President Dwight's Narration, 21. The 
 Survivors of the Revolution who were the Guides to the Battle-field; 
 Isaac Warren, 22. Timothy Thompson and William Calder, 23. 
 Matters to be explained, 2L Dr. John Warren's Diary, 25. Pres- 
 cott, Putnam, and Stark, 26. Last Words of General Warren ; the 
 Englishman's Claim, 28. Why the Battle was fought; Changes, 29. 
 The Centennial Year; Philadelphia and Bunker Hill; Boston the 
 Cradle of the Nation, 30. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Excitement caused by General Henry Dearborn's Account, 31. Daniel 
 Webster's Review of it, 32. General Sumner's Account of Governor 
 Brooks's Visit to Bunker Hill, 33. Public Attention called to it from 
 this Controversy, by William Tudor; Daniel Webster and Edward 
 Everett, 36. Thomas Handasyd Perkins, 37. John C. Warren, 38. 
 

 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 First Notice of a Meeting to form the Association, 39. The Agree- 
 ment to form it, 40. Petition to the Legislature, 42. Act of Incor- 
 poration, 44. First Meeting and Officers elected, 45. Additional 
 Members elected, 46. Circular of Committee of Correspondence, 47. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Governor Brooks, the First President, 49. Nathaniel P. Russell, the 
 Treasurer, 50. William Tudor, the Secretary; and Mr. Webster, act- 
 ing President; Letter of Caleb Cushing, 52; of Thomas Rotch, and of 
 Daniel Putnam, 53; of Levi Woodbury; Mr. Everett, and Franklin 
 Dexter, as Secretaries, 54. Mr. Russell's Acknowledgment of Money 
 received from the Washington Benevolent Society, 55. Dr. Warren's 
 Letter proposing a Dinner of the Directors, 56. Governor Eustis's 
 Reference to the Proposed Monument in his Message, 57. His Death 
 and Unexecuted Purpose, 58. Dr. Channing's Letter, 59. Professor 
 Silliman's, 60. Judge White's and Samuel L. Knapp's, 61. Willard 
 Peck's and William Crafts', 62. John Wilson's, 63. William Plu- 
 mer's, 64. Caleb Stark's, 65. Governor Morril's, 66. Governor Wol- 
 cott's; T. W. Storrow's, 67. W. C. Somerville's, 68. Governor 
 Pleasant's, of Virginia, and Mr. Osgood's, 69. Mr. Gilmer's, of Bal- 
 timore, 70. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Discouraging Responses counteracted by Encouraging Letter of Frederic 
 Tudor, 71. Letter of Judge Daggett, 72. Letter of L. Trescott and of 
 Ichabod Bartlett, 73; of Robert G. Shaw, and of James Lloyd, 74; of 
 John Lowell, 75; of Dr. Codraan; Com. Bainbridge, 76; of Jon. Good- 
 hue, of New York, 77. Old High Rates of Postage ; a Letter of John 
 McLean, Postmaster-General, 78. Letter of Ichabod Bartlett, 79. 
 Letter of Abbott Lawrence announcing Ariival of Lafayette, SO. 
 Standing Committee issue an Address drawn up by General William 
 Sullivan, SL The Address, 82. Copies distributed by General Sulli- 
 van's Students, 88. General Sullivan transmits to Dr. Warren Letter 
 of Rufus Dawes, with his Indorsement, 89. Response of Selectmen of 
 Sandisfield and of Dracut, 90; of Manchester, 91. Judge Story's 
 Letter to Mr. Everett, 91. The Judge desires to change Mr. Ever- 
 ett's Opinion, 92. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Governor Eustis's Wishes; the Desire of the Association for Legislative 
 Aid, 93. Act to aid the Bunker Hill INIonument Association, 94. 
 
CONTENTS. xi 
 
 Reason for the Grant of State-prison Labor, and for the Authority to 
 take Land, 97. Letter of Mr. Webster, 98. Purchase of the Land, 99. 
 Correspondence of Mr. Everett with King Solomon's Lodge, 100. 
 Grantors of the Land, and Prices paid, 101. Subscriptions coming in; 
 Certificates of Membership, 102. Letters of Mr. Everett, 103. His 
 Newspaper Article on Small Subscriptions, 105. His Circular in the 
 name of the Directors, 109. General Dearborn's Public Notice, 116. 
 Public Meeting at the Marlborough Hotel, 118. Report of Standing 
 Committee drawn up by Mr. Everett, 119. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Daniel Webster elected to deliver the Anniversary Address in 1825, 123. 
 Committee of Arrangements, and Letter of George Ticknor, 121. Letter 
 from Mr. Webster ; Election of Mr. Everett to Congress; Subscription 
 to a Monument in Concord, 125. Letter of Mr. Everett with regard 
 to it; and Letter of Mr. Webster as to the Concord Celebration, and 
 about the Part it was proposed that Lafayette should take, 126. 
 Changes in the Direction after the Death of President Brooks, 128. 
 Letter of Daniel Putnam; Vote of the Directors as to the Public Im- 
 pression that Lafayette would lay the Corner-stone of the Monu- 
 ment, 129. Mr. Everett's Letter in relation to this and other Matters, 
 130. Proposed Modes of celebrating the Anniversary ; Report of the 
 Committee of Twelve, 131. Report of the Committee on laying the 
 Corner-stone, 135. Conference with Mr. Webster as to its being laid 
 in Masonic Form, 136. New Executive Committee for the Celebra- 
 tion; Cornei'-stone prepared by Captain Paris, who afterwards offici- 
 ated as the Masonic Architect, 137. The Proposed and the Actual 
 Inscription on the Plate, 138. Articles deposited with it, 139. Mr. 
 Everett's Letter before going to West Point; he prefers the Column 
 for the Form of the Monument, 110. His Letter to Lafayette, 141. 
 Lafayette's Acquiescence as to the Masonic Ceremony; Bunker Hill 
 his Polar-Star in all his Travels ; General Sullivan's Invitation to Mili- 
 tary Companies for Escort Duty, 142. Prompt Replies of Several Com- 
 panies, 143. General Lyman reports the Resolutions of the House of 
 Representatives to walk in the Procession, 144. Attendance of the 
 Revolutionary Soldiers; a Place for Josiah Bowers, 145. The Attend- 
 ance of the same Chaplain and the Drummer who were in the Battle, 
 and of Great Numbers from the Different States; Charles River Bridge 
 made free for the Day; the Procession, 146. Colonel Samuel Jaques, 
 Chief Marshal ; the Masonic Ceremony; Lafayette's Masonic Apron, 
 
xii CONTENTS. 
 
 147. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Thaxter, 148. Mr. Webster speaks, facing 
 the Sun ; his Oration, 149. The Dinner and the Toasts, 151. Lafay- 
 ette's Toast; Levees in the Evening; Mr. Webster's Noble Contribu- 
 tion of his Address to the Monument Association, 152. 
 
 CHAPTER Vlir. 
 
 John C. WARRF.isr, 153. The Resolutions proposed by him and adopted. 
 154 The Board of Artists, 155. Reward offered for Best Plan, 156. 
 Letter of Solomon Willard declining to join in the Contest for the 
 Premium, 157. Report of the Board awarding the Premium to Hora- 
 tio Greenough,i58. Communication from him explaining his Model, 
 and his Reasons for adopting the Obelisk, 159. The Report laid upon 
 the Table, and never acted upon, 160. Mr. Greenough and his Model, 
 161. Stuart, with a Borrowed Pencil, writes "Adopted" upon it; 
 Amos Lawrence, in his last Letter, gives the Credit to Greenough and 
 Baldwin, 162. Letter of G. W. Brimmer, Architect, 163. New Com- 
 mittee apiDointed to report a Plan and Estimates of a Column, and 
 also of an Obelisk ; their Report recommending the Column, 164. The 
 Vote rejecting it, 167. New Committee appointed to report a Design 
 in the Form of an Obelisk, 168. Mr. Everett's Letter acquiescing in 
 the Decision, and containing a Toast for the Celebration Dinner, 168. 
 General Dearborn's Letter still urging the Column, 169. Letter of 
 Solomon Willard, with Estimates, 171. Honorable Conduct of Dr. 
 Warren; William Austin's Recommendation, 172. Letter of William 
 Ladd, the Apostle of Peace, recommending a Mausoleum, 173. The 
 Plan adopted the best for all time and wholly unobjectionable, 178. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 LoAMMi Baldwin, his Father a Friend of Count Rumford, 179; his Class- 
 mates; his Anecdote of his own Experience as a Lawyer; he adopts the 
 Profession of a Civil Engineer, 180. His Brothers in same Profession, 
 181. His Associates on the Committee upon the Obelisk, and his 
 Method in determining the Proper Proportions, 182. His Report in 
 full, adopted by the Board, 183. His Estimates, 188. The Building 
 Committee; Colonel Baldwin's Letter declining to serve, 190. His 
 Second Letter persisting in declining, 191. The Filling of the Vacancy, 
 and the Building Committee made the Standing Committee, 194. 
 Purchase of Sword of General Warren; Depositions of the Revolution- 
 ary Soldiers, 195. Failure of the Negotiations with the Town of 
 
CONTENTS. Xlll 
 
 Charlestown as to its Purchase of a Right in the Battle-ground; the 
 Training-field, 196. New Street needed; Controversy about Taxes, 
 197. Vote of Thanks to the Treasurer; his Statement, and the Ap- 
 propriation of $25,000, for the Monument, 198. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Solomon Willakd elected Architect; Dinner at Dr. Warren's, 199. 
 Letter of Daniel P. Parker, 200. Colonel Perkins's Recommenda- 
 tion of Willard, 201. Willard's Training and Ancestry, 201; his 
 Agreement to give his Services for his Expenses merely; his Selec- 
 tion of the Granite for the Monument, 203; his Preparations during 
 the Winter of 1825-20, 201; his Letter announcing he had broken 
 Ground, 205. The Position of the Monument, as intended by the 
 Committee, with reference to the Redoubt; Surveys since made, 
 206. Work at the Ledge; State Grant, 207. Mr. Willard's Let- 
 ter, 208. The First Railroad in the United States suggested by 
 the Projectors of the Monument, 209. First Year's Work, 210. 
 Gridley Bryant, 211. Colonel Perkins elected President, on the 
 Resignation of Mr. Webster, 212. Mr. Willard sends in his Resig- 
 nation; afterwards withdraws it; his Letter to Amos Lawrence, 213. 
 Money obtained by Loans to forward the Monument, on Bank Notes 
 signed by the Committee and on Pledge of the Land, 214. Suspension 
 of the Work; Mr. Willard's Labors in the Mean Time, 215. The Two 
 Succeeding Prosecutions of the Work, 216. Mr. Willard's Judgment 
 in his Choice of Men; the Monument built wholly by Total Abstinence 
 Men ; the Real Value of the Monument far above its Actual Cost, 217. 
 Mr. Willard's Death, 218. Memoir by Mr. Wheildon; the Work pub- 
 lished by Mr. Willard describing the Monument, and vindicating the 
 Course of the Directors, 219. The Most Impressive Scene in the Life 
 of Willard, 220. His Great Service in its Construction; his Claim to 
 the Regard of Posterity assured, 221. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 W^iLLiAM Sullivan; his Father; his Classmates; his Brother Richard; his 
 own Position, 223. His Letter to Dr. AVarren, 224. Vote of Thanks 
 for his Services; William Tudor elected Director; General Sullivan's 
 Criticism upon a Draft of a Letter proposed to be sent to Bolivar, 225. 
 His Letter to Dr. Warren proposing to close his Agency for the Asso- 
 ciation, 227. He retracts his Purpose; Effort of the Standing Com- 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 mittee to obtain New Subscriptions; Letter of Lemuel Shaw, 228; of 
 Thomas Power, 229. Boston had subscribed more than Half of the 
 Whole Amount; Letter of Otis Corbett describing the Situation in 
 Worcester, 230. Condition of Massachusetts and New England at that 
 Time, 231. The Response fully equal to the First Demand, 232. The 
 Lottery Scheme proposed ; it had been availed of by Harvard College, 
 was then proposed by General Dearborn as a Means to carry on Inter- 
 nal Improvements; Leave to sell Tickets for City of Washington asked 
 for, 233. J. K. Casey's Scheme; Petition for the Direct Aid of the 
 State preferred instead, 234. Extract from the Address of General 
 Dearborn, 23-5. Changes in the Board; Governor Levi Lincoln, Pi'esi- 
 dent; the Building Committee, 237. Effort of the Ladies; Judge 
 William Prescott, President, and other Changes; a New Petition to the 
 Legislature, 238. Resolutions adopted by the Board, 239. Extract 
 from a New Address of Mr. Everett, 240. The Committee to urge 
 another Petition; the Annual Meeting in 1831, 242. The Anti-Ma- 
 sonic Movement, 243. Adjournments to fill Vacancies; the Second 
 Adjournment to Faneuil Hall, 244. By-Laws and Votes adopted, 245. 
 The Annual Meeting in 1832, 246. Ground of the Anti-Masonic 
 Movement, 247. The Part taken by Mr. Paris in laying the Corner- 
 stone, 248. Expense of that Celebration, and the Reason for not invit- 
 ing Lafayette to perform the Ceremony ; the Complaint of having 
 bought too much Land, 250. Dr. Abner Phelps; Mr. Everett's Plea 
 against selling any of the Land, 251. Extract from it, 252. Regret 
 that the Appeal was not responded to; the Unfinished INIouument 
 like a Ruin, and as if awaiting the Result of Attempted NuUifi- 
 cation, 253. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Amos Lawrence's Birth; his Father Samuel, a Minute-man; Groton 
 Academy, 255. The Success of Amos Lawrence; his Partnership 
 with Abbott Lawrence ; his Great Philanthropy, 250. His Letter to 
 Dr. Warren, 257. The Reply, 258. He will not bargain with himself, 
 259. His Letter to Willard, 2G0. To General Sullivan ; he refuses to 
 favor a Lottery; induces his Associates on the Committee to join him 
 in a Loan to aid tlie Monument, 261. Letter and Proposition to the 
 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, 262. Honorable 
 Standing of this Society, 263 Committee of Directors to confer with 
 it as to Officers ; the Great Meeting in Faneuil Hall, 264. George 
 Blake, Colonel Greene, and Mr. Everett, 265. He made the Occa- 
 sion; his Speech, 206. Its Effect; Mr. Lawrence regrets the Oj^portunity 
 
CONTENTS. XY 
 
 was not improved, 267. Enlargement of the Board at the Annual 
 Meeting in 1833, 268. Mr. Everett's Letter to Mr. Sullivan as to New 
 Diploma, and to obtaining a Share in the Tolls of the Bridges for the 
 Monument, 269. His Newspaper Article advising the Public to go over 
 the Old Bridge to help on the Monument; General Austin's Objection 
 to a Diversion of the Tolls, 271. Executive Committee, 272. Their 
 Report, 273. Mr. Willard objects to their raising the Estimates; Mr. 
 Darracott compliments Mr. Willard, 275. Mr. Buckingham's Report, 
 276. Proposed Reduction in the Height of the Monument; Work re- 
 commenced; Amount expended; Mr. Buckingham made President; 
 Mr. Watts, Secretary; Celebration in Charlestown; Alexander H, 
 Everett's Oration, 278. Effort of the Young Men, 279. Conditional 
 Sale of the Land; the Square reduced; Depressed Financial State of 
 the Country, 280. Preparations to grade the Land ; the Last Effort to 
 save it, 281. Amos Lawrence's AVill; General Lyman; Nathan Tufts; 
 Joshua Bates, and A. L. Forrestier, 282. Judah Touro and his Friend 
 R. D. Shepherd, 283. The Monument waiting for Woman's Help to 
 elevate it, 281. 
 
 CHAPTER XIIT. 
 
 Sarah J. Hale's Effort; Extract from her First Article, 285. The Last 
 of the Band, 287. Mrs. Sigourney's Co-operation; Reply of General 
 Dearborn, Chairman of Committee, to Mrs. Hale's Offer, 288. The 
 Objectors to the Plan, 289. Resolutions of the Directors, 290. The 
 Ladies' Circular, 291. The Result, and Mrs. Hale's View of it, 293. 
 Annual Meetings in 1839 and in 1840 ; the President's Desponding 
 Report, 294. The Vote passed Authorizing the Fair, 295. The Fair 
 Committee and the Women set to Work, 296. Proposals for complet- 
 ing the Monument called for; the Time appointed for the Fair; the 
 Whig Mass Convention, 297. Opening of the Fair, 298. Regula- 
 tions, 299. "The Monument" Paper; the Post-office, 300. The 
 Whig Procession ; Mr. Webster Declines to propose a Whig Subscrip- 
 tion for the Monument; Honor to Judah Touro, 301. Mrs. Paige's 
 Subscription Book ; Contract for Completing the Monument ; the Build- 
 ing Committee; why a Contract was made, 302. The use of Steam 
 Power in hoisting the Stone; Proposed Change of Plan of the Apex, 
 303. The Record of the Laying of the Cap-stone, 304. Receipts from 
 the Fair, 305. Expenditures, 306. Thomas Sully's Letter; Payment 
 by Miss Mary Otis, Treasurer ; Report of the Fair Committee, 307. 
 Resolutions of the Directors, 309. Treasurer's Abstract of Recent 
 
XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 Donations ; Resolutions of Thanks to Mr. Touro, and providing for an 
 Inscription, 311. Mrs. Hale's Subsequent Efforts for the Annual Ob- 
 servance of a National Thanksgiving, 312. Mrs. Harrison Gray 
 Otis's Influence in Making the 22d of February a State Holiday, 313. 
 The Mission of the Women of the Country, 314. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Joseph T. Buckingham, President, 315. His and the Secretary's call on 
 Mr. Webster, 316. Committee of Arrangements for the Celebration 
 of June 17, 1843, 317. Entry of the President of the United States 
 into Boston; the Morning of the 17th, 318; the Procession, under 
 General Chandler, 319; the Perfect Order daring the Day; Arrange- 
 ments for the Public Services under James W. Paige, Chief-Marshal, 
 320. The Prayer; Mr. Webster presented to the Audience: the 
 Occasion fully equal to that of 1825; his Oration, 321. The Echo 
 *' over the Globe; " Dr. Warren's opinion, 322. Return of the Pro- 
 cession ; the New Procession to the Dinner in Faneuil Hall ; the first 
 Toast and Hymn, 323. Other Toasts; the Toast of the President of 
 the United States; Toast in Honor of Mr. Webster, 321. His Re- 
 ply; Toast to South Carolina and Massachusetts, 325. Mr. Ban- 
 croft's Speech and Toast in Honor of Vii'ginia, 326. Mr. Upshur's 
 Response, 327. Mr. Wickliffe's Reference to the Old South, 328. 
 Caleb Cushing's Sentiments; Toast to Mr. Everett, and his Letter, 
 329. Amos and Judah, 330. Concluding Sentiments ; Levee in 
 the Evening, 331. Changes near Monument Square; the two His- 
 torical Paintings, 332. Death of H. S. Legare, 333. Death of 
 Captain Cleveland, 334. Mr. Grattan's Letter, 335. The Masonic 
 Celebration, 336. Address of John Soley, 337. Grand ]\Iaster Pea- 
 body; Extract of Mr. Warren's Address on the Part of King Solo- 
 mon's Lodge, 338. Doings of the Building Committee and their 
 Report, 340. Improvements of the Square; JNlr. AVarren elected 
 President, and Joseph II. Buckingham Secretary, 312. Resolutions 
 of the Association; Celebration by the City of Charlestown; Presen- 
 tation of General Putnam's Sword, 313. Death of N. P. Russell, 
 Treasurer, and Election of Sanmel H. Russell; Connnittee for the 
 Celebration of the 75th Anniversary, 344. Mr. Everett the Orator; 
 the Use of a Ship-house in the Navy Yard obtained, Colonel I. H. 
 Wright Chief Marshal, 315. The Governor orders out the Cadets; 
 the Procession; the Appearance of the Ship-house, 316. Mr. Ever- 
 
CONTENTS. XVll 
 
 ett's Oration, 347. The Dinner, 348. The Toasts of Mr. Webster 
 and Mr. Winthrop; Colonel Perkins's Subscription of $1,000 for a 
 Monument to General Warren, 349. A Statue determined upon; 
 the Committee; the Sculptor; Arrangements for the Inauguration 
 of the Statue, 350. The Inauguration Services ; Death of Colonel 
 Perkins, 351. The Example he set; the Published Account of this 
 Celebration; the Theme on Bunker Hill, 352. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Visit of the Prince of Wales to Bunker Hill ; the Invitation and 
 Reception, 353. His Visit to the Historical Society; President Win- 
 throp shows him the Crossed Swords; the Attentions of Mayor Lin- 
 coln; the Letter to the Prince, accompanying the Memento of his 
 Visit, 355. Letter of the Duke of Newcastle, 356. Of General 
 Bruce, 357. Second Letter, 358. The Queen and the People of 
 England favored the Cause of the United States; the Error of the 
 Seceding States, 359. The Reason for the Displaying of the Flag 
 from the Top of the Monument, 360. Services of that Ceremony; 
 Extract from the President's Address to the Governor, 361. From 
 Governor Andrew's Reply, 262. The Enthusiasm of the Assembly, 
 363. Colonel Fletcher Webster's Remarks; his Heroic Death, 364. 
 Names of others connected with the Association, or its Founders, who 
 died in the Civil War; the Efforts of the Association; President's 
 Remarks in 1882; Mr. Winthrop indorses them, 365. The Faith 
 in the Ultimate Issue, as shown in the Prosecution of Public Works 
 and by Congress ; the Committee on the Beacon Hill Monument, 
 366. The Act authorizing the Association to rebuild it, 367. The 
 Last Display of the Flag from the Mast above the Monument ; a 
 Liberty Pole erected on the Square; its Removal, 368. Arrange- 
 ments for the Centennial Anniversary; Choice of Orator; the Union 
 of Charlestown and Boston ; Appropriation of the City Council ; 
 Petition that the 17th of June be declared a Legal Holiday, 369. 
 Its Residt; the Two Publications in relation to the Celebration; the 
 Procession, 370. Services in the Pavilion; the Oration, 371. The 
 Encomium upon it by the late Vice-President ^Vilson; Concluding 
 Services; the Grand Lodge of Masons, and the Masonic Aprons of 
 General Warren and Lafayette ; the Contrast between 1875 and 1825, 
 372. The Prophecy of Lafayette's Toast; the Unexpected Abolition 
 of Slavery, and its Glorious Result, 373. 
 
XVlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVT. 
 
 The Bunker Hill Monument a Type of tlie National Unity ; Mr. 
 Webster's Patriotism, 375. The Committee on Inscriptions ; tlie 
 Vacancies in it filled, 376. Drafts of Inscriptions by Francis C 
 Gray and George Ticknor, 377. Letter of Mr. Gray, 378. Draft by 
 Franklin Dexter, 379. Report of Mr. Everett to the Committee, 
 380. The Inscriptions recommended by him, 381. Meeting of the 
 Committee ; Mr. Webster's Suggestion, 384. Report of the Com- 
 mittee, and the Result, 385. The Proposed Granite Lodge; Plan of 
 George M. Dexter and of W. S. Park; Repairs and Expenditures by 
 Sub-Committee ; George Peabody's Donation, 386. History of the 
 Revolutionary Cannon, the Hancock and Adams, 387. The Streets 
 to the Monument, 389. The Proposed New Avenue and Statue of 
 Governor Winthrop, 390. Present Valuation of the Land sold by 
 the Association, and of the Buildings thereon, 391. The New Sec- 
 retaries, S. F. McCleary and A. C. Fearing, Jr. ; the New Diploma, 
 392. The Roll of Officers; Mr. Everett; the Russells; Mr. Tudor; 
 General Dearborn; Mr. Winthrop, 393. Uriel Crocker; T. R. Mar- 
 vin ; Honorary Members ; Annual Meeting in 1875, 394; Mr. Froth- 
 ingham elected President; Vote of Thanks to the Retiring President ; 
 Committee on a Statue of Colonel Prescott; other Work to be done, 
 395. The Great Pendulum Experiment of Foucault, made at the 
 Monument in 1850, 396. A New Phenomenon discovered by Pro- 
 fessor Horsford, and his Account of it, 399. Bunker Hill the Place 
 to show that the Earth moves, 401. 
 
 The Monumental Dedication 402 
 
 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 Resolutions upon the Death of N. P. Russell and of Daniel Webster, 
 405. Delegation to attend Mr. Webster's Funeral; Notices of the 
 Death of Amos Lawrence and Robert G. Shaw, 406; of Thomas B. 
 Wales. David Francis, Judah Touro, and Mr. Everett's Letter upon 
 the Death of Dr. John C. Warren, 407. Resolution upon the same 
 
CONTENTS. xix 
 
 and upon the Death of Abbott Lawrence, of David Devens, and of 
 Franklin Dexter, 409. Resolution upon the Death of George AV. 
 Otis; Notices of Benjamin Loriug and James Clark, 410. Enumera- 
 tion of the Notices and Resolutions published in the " Proceedings," 
 411. Winslow Lewis and Thomas Aspinwall, 412. 
 
 ROLL OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Presidents and Vice-Presidents, 413. Secretaries, 414. Treasurers, 
 Standing Committee, and Vice-Presidents ex officio, 415. Direc- 
 tors, 416. Anniversary Celebrations, 419. Chaplains at Annual 
 Meetings, 420. Honorary Members, 421. Associate Members, 423. 
 Subscribers to the Statue of General Warren, 427. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Battle of Bunker Hill Frontispiece. 
 
 Joseph Warren Facing 1 
 
 Daniel Webster ,, 31 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins ,, 49 
 
 Edward Everett ,, 71 
 
 John Collins Warren ,, 153 
 
 The Obelisk upon a Platform ,, 179 
 
 Amos Lawrence ,, 255 
 
 Robert Charles Winthrop ,, 353 
 
 Uriel Crocker ,, 391 
 
 Edward Everett, as he appeared in delivering the 
 
 Address on Washington ,, 405 
 
 Letter of Daniel Webster Facing viii 
 
 Masonic Monument, and New Inscription .... ,, 17 
 
 Letter of John Marshall and Superscription . . ,, 78 
 
 ,, ,, Thomas Jefferson ,, 93 
 
 The First Diploma ,, 102 
 
 Letter of Lafayette . . • ,, 123 
 
 Model by Horatio Greenough ,, 162 
 
 Section op Monument, with Measurements and 
 
 Stages of Progress ,, 199 
 
 Nathaniel Pope Russell ,, 223 
 
 Sarah Josepha Hale ,, 285 
 
 Tables at the Ladies' Fair ,, 298 
 
 Mr. Russell's Letter to Amos Lawrence .... ,, 311 
 
 Daniel Webster (from Pope's Historical Painting) . . ,, 315 
 
 Letter of Edward Everett ,, 350 
 
 Bunker Hill Monument and Square ,, 375 
 
 Mr. Webster's Draft of Votes with Mr. Ever- 
 ett's Indorsement ,, 385 
 
 Letter of James Madison FoUoiring 422 
 
 James Monroe 
 
 William Bainbridge 
 
 James Kent 
 
 Robert Y. Hayne 
 
 Henry Clay 
 
in the possession, of DrJ Mascn 'Warren.. 
 
 -a:)_s^:^^' 
 
/;^Si^i<!)ywj;i^^ 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori." 
 
 THE Battle of Bunker Hill, on the seven- 
 teenth of June, 1775, is one of those rare and 
 signal events whose historic importance is constantly 
 enhanced by the lapse of time and by the growth and 
 spread of our country. As the United States of 
 America advances in the scale of nations, the first 
 great conflict in the American Revolution assumes a 
 grandeur proportioned to its magnificent results. 
 The resistance in Lexington and Concord, on the 
 preceding 19th of April, to the incursion of the 
 mihtary forces sent from Boston by the British com- 
 mander to seize the military stores provided by the 
 j)rovincial authorities, was a simultaneous nprising of 
 the inhabitants of those places and of the surround- 
 ing towns, started by the minute-men and patriots 
 who were on the alert to watch and guard against the 
 suspected movement. The news of the successful 
 
 1 
 
\ 
 
 *• ♦ 
 
 2 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 repulse was transmitted by fleet and willing messen- 
 gers to all the British Colonies in North America. 
 
 Then it was felt that the crisis had surely come. 
 "VYar had been levied near the capital of Massachu- 
 setts against the ill-advised representatives of the 
 mother country, who were determined to enforce un- 
 constitutional laws, and all the Colonies would now 
 make common cause for home rule, or at least for a 
 representation in the parent government. Putnam 
 left the plough in the furrow, and came quickl}^ 
 with a j'cgiment from Connecticut. Stark and Reed 
 marched as quickly their forces from Xew Hampshire. 
 A cam^J was formed at Caaibridge, on the very heels 
 of the British army. Harvard College, even then 
 venerable, — for the dear old mother had passed more 
 than a third of her second century, — gave up her 
 seat of learning for military quarters to the patriot 
 army. 
 
 The civil authority of the people was, by general 
 consent, vested in the Pi'ovincial Congress then con- 
 vened at Watertown, composed of delegates duly 
 elected at legal meetings of the inhabitants of the 
 several towns. The Continental Congress was simi- 
 larly constituted by delegates elected from the thir- 
 teen Colonies, and was at this very time in session at 
 Philadelphia. Joseph Warren was President of the 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, and being also 
 chairman of the Committee of Safety, he exercised, 
 to a considerable extent, the powers of a civil ruler. 
 He was active and vigilant in the public service. He 
 aided in the routing of the British forces on the 19th 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 3 
 
 of April, and, in the carrying out of the order to 
 fortify Bunker Hill, was promptly on the ground to 
 render his advice and assistance for its defence. 
 
 This world-renowned battle has been graphically 
 illustrated by historians, orators, and poets. Other 
 famous writers have composed most interesting mono- 
 graphs upon it. Many controversies have unhappily 
 arisen with regard to its details, and the subsequent 
 distribution of honors among its heroic actors has 
 given rise to some acrimonious disputes. The actors 
 themselves in this memorable scene were little con- 
 scious of the noble history they were making, and of 
 the serious questions which would arise in after-times 
 as to some of the incidents of that eventful day; yet 
 it appears that pains were taken by the Provincial 
 Congress, immediately after, to make a true and suf- 
 ficient record as to all the points which it was then 
 supposed would become a matter of controversy. 
 
 Aside from the remarkable bravery of the men on 
 both sides, the coolness and self-possession of the 
 commanding ofiicers in their several assigned posts, 
 and the unequal slaughter inflicted upon the enemy, 
 there were two events which marked this memorable 
 day with sad and tragic interest. One was the con- 
 flagration of Charlestown. That ancient town, — the 
 slow and solid growth of almost a century and a half, 
 — where, on the Seventeenth of June as then (1630) 
 reckoned by the old style. Governor John Win- 
 throp and his associates sat down to locate the 
 seat of government, and where Harvard died, was 
 
4 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 reduced to ashes. The church, with its commanding 
 spire, the court-house, four other pubhc buildings, 
 and at least four hundred dwelling-houses, some of 
 which were elegant and costly, and about two hun- 
 dred stores, warehouses, and shops, with their contents, 
 were all destroyed! The fast-sjjreading flames, the 
 clouds of smoke, and the alarms and shrieks of the 
 homeless, added to the terrors of the bloody scene. 
 
 But the still more conspicuous event, and one most 
 significant in its results, was the death of Joseph 
 Warren on the field of battle. A graduate of Har- 
 vard College at the age of nineteen in 1759, a phy- 
 sician of high renown, a man of culture and social 
 distinction, the civil leader just elected a major-gen- 
 eral, he fell a glorious volunteer when he might have 
 taken the command. 
 
 While these great events were transpiring, unbe- 
 known to the Continental Congress then sitting at 
 Philadel^^hia, in those times about a seven-days jour- 
 ney from Boston, George "VYASHiNGTO]sr was, in the 
 name of the "United Colonies of New Hampshire, 
 Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
 York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle, Kent 
 and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North 
 Carolina, and South Carolina," appointed " General 
 and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United 
 Colonies, and of all the forces raised or to be raised 
 by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily ofi:er 
 their services, and join the said army for the defence 
 of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 5 
 
 invasion thereof." The commission bears date June 
 39, 1775, and is signed by John Hancock, President, 
 " by oi'der of the Congress," and by Charles Thom- 
 son, Secretary. 
 
 This act, the authoiit}^ of which was generally 
 recognized, was an official assumption by the Con- 
 gress, on the part of these United Colonies, — in which 
 Georgia was subsequently included, — of the military 
 defence of the newly formed nation. The Congress, 
 as if by Divine intimation, w^as led unanimously to 
 the choice of the man Avho was to guide, protect, de- 
 fend, and eventually to preside over the destinies of 
 this nation, until its establishment should everywhere 
 be acknowledged. 
 
 General Washington made haste to reach the scene 
 of the opening strife, and on the 3d of July follow- 
 ing, he took command of the army at Cambridge. 
 When, in answer to his inquiries, he was informed 
 of the bravery and coolness displayed by the Ameri- 
 cans in the battle of Bunker Hill, he took cour- 
 age, and declared that our liberties were safe. In 
 nine months from the day of Bunker Hill, — on the 
 17th of March, 1776, — the deliverance of Massachu- 
 setts was accomplished by the evacuation of Boston 
 by the British troops. During these nine months, they 
 were beleaguered and hemmed in by the American 
 forces, — dignified by and actually deserving the name 
 of the American army, — and were cut off from all 
 supplies. 
 
 The battle-field and the territory of the peninsula 
 of Charlestown had until then been occupied by the 
 
6 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 British forces. As soon as they put to sea, the inhabi- 
 tants of Charlestown came back to find where their 
 homes were, and to rebuild the waste places. Timothy 
 Dwight, in his " Travels in 'New England and New 
 York," has commented with considerable severity 
 npon their neglect to improve the fine opportunity 
 they had, to lay out the town in regular streets and 
 squares; the land-owners putting their land into com- 
 mon stock for this purpose, and then each taking an 
 equal quantity near his former position npon the new 
 location. Had this been done, no town or city in the 
 world could have presented so fine an appearance, so 
 beautiful and well adapted for elegant residences are 
 the natural advantages of the place. But if any 
 people could be excused for that singular want of 
 forecast in not laying out the township anew, with 
 reference to a greater convenience and utility, the 
 inhabitants of Charlestown, returning to the places 
 of their homes after a most disastrous conflagration, 
 deserve the extenuation. During the war of the 
 Kevolution, with their crippled means, and in the 
 absence of proper legislative authority, they could 
 hardly do otherwise than allow each proprietor to 
 improve his own land, without interfering with his 
 ancient boundaries. 
 
 But the people of Charlestown showed they were 
 conspicuous for enterprise. In nine years after their 
 return, they conceived the design of erecting a bridge 
 between Charlestown and Boston over the mouth of 
 Charles Kiver. The act of the General Coui't of 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 7 
 
 Massachusetts, passed on the 9th of March, 1785, re- 
 citing in the preamble that " the erecting of a bridge 
 over Charles River, in the place where the ferry be- 
 tween Boston and Charlestown is now kept, will be 
 of great public utility," authorizes John Hancock, 
 Thomas Russell, Nathaniel Gorham, James Swan, 
 and Eben Parsons, Avith their associates, to become 
 a corporation to build and maintain such a bridge. 
 The accomplishment of this work was the wonder of 
 the times: it was a bridge over what was then called 
 an arm of the sea, longer than either of the London 
 bridges, and supported by piers when it was asserted 
 that in the swiftly flowing currents of the stream the 
 undertaking would be impracticable. 
 
 The completion of this wonderful structure was 
 celebrated on the 17th of June, 1786, — the first cele- 
 bration of this anniversary. 
 
 An imposing procession was formed at the old 
 State House, in State Street, under the escort of the 
 Charlestown Artillery, commanded by Major "William 
 Calder, a survivor of the battle, led off by one hun- 
 dred and twenty " artificers " who had been employed 
 on the bridge, carrying their different tools. Then 
 followed in order the ofl&cers and proprietors of the 
 Bridge Corporation; the Sheriffs of Middlesex and 
 Suffolk; His Excellency James Bowdoin, the Gover- 
 nor; His Honor Thomas Gushing, the Lieutenant- 
 Governor, and the Council of the Commonwealth; the 
 Senate, with its President; the Speaker and House of 
 Re]3resentatives; the Treasurer and Secretary of State; 
 the Consuls of France and Holland; the Judges of 
 
8 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Supreme Judicial Court; the Attorney-General; 
 Naval and Excise officers; the clergy; the Professors 
 and Tutors of the University; the Selectmen of 
 Boston and of Charlestown; the Commander of 
 Castle William, and officers of the late Continental 
 Army; the President and Directors of the Massa- 
 chusetts Bank, the only bank then established; and 
 a large number of private gentlemen, foreigners and 
 citizens, with a body of civil officers closing the ranks. 
 
 As this dignified procession moved along in joyous 
 state, it was greeted by thousands along the streets. 
 On aj^proaching the centre of the bridge, the artificers 
 opened to the i-ight and left. The President of the 
 Bridge Corporation advanced, and gave the order to 
 the master workman to adjust the draw for the pas- 
 sage of the company over the marvellous structure. 
 This ceremony was accompanied by a discharge of 
 thirteen cannon from Copp's Hill, and then the pro- 
 cession moved on amid the loudest shouts of an im- 
 mense multitude. The estimate, at the time, of the 
 whole number of those who gazed upon the proceed- 
 ings, places it at twenty thousand persons. 
 
 On reaching Bunker Hill, there was another salute 
 of thirteen guns, — corresponding to the number of 
 States of the Union, — and the distinguished com- 
 pany, numbering from eight hundred to a thousand, 
 sat down to the tables. Among the thirteen regular 
 toasts which were drunk after the dinner were: "The 
 United States," — there was then no President, — 
 " The Governor and Commonwealth," " The Allies of 
 America," " This Anniversary, — may it be for ever 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 9 
 
 marked with joy, as its birth was with glory," " The 
 junction of the two towns;" and the last, the thirteenth, 
 was, "All mankind, — may peace, harmonj^, and hap- 
 piness reward and unite all the branches of the mig-hty 
 family." So terminated, on this field of terrific slaugh- 
 ter, the first great celebration of this memorable day, 
 which, after the short period of eleven years, was 
 fixed upon to commemorate the completion of a great 
 undertaking auspicious of future prosperity. l^ov 
 since has the day been permitted to pass without 
 some observance of a local or a more general nature. 
 
 A few years later, in 1794:, King Solomon's Lodge 
 of Free and Accepted Masons, in Charlestown, erected 
 a monument to the memory of General Joseph Warren 
 and his associates, on the spot where he was slain. It 
 was a most graceful and patriotic act on the part of 
 the Lodge, in honor of the illustrious man wdio was, 
 at the time of his death, Grand Master of the Grand 
 Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, and united high 
 Masonic character and renown to his devotion to 
 principle and his soul-stirring patriotism. James 
 Russell, a venerable citizen and magistrate, ofiJered a 
 deed of as much land as might be wanted, and a com- 
 mittee of the Lodge, of which Josiah Bartlett was 
 chairman, erected in " Mr. Russell's pasture " (as their 
 report says) a costly monument, in the form of a 
 Tuscan pillar, eighteen feet high, placed upon a plat- 
 form eight feet high and eight feet square, and sur- 
 mounted by a gilt urn, bearing the initials and age of 
 Warren : " J. W. M. 34." 
 
 2 
 
10 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The following appropriate inscriptions were placed 
 upon the base : — 
 
 Erected A. D. 1794, by King Solomon's Lodge of Freemasons, constituted 
 
 at Charlestown, 1783, in memory of Major General Warren 
 
 and his Associates, who were slain on this 
 
 memorable spot, June 17, 1775. 
 
 " None but they who set a just value upon the blessings of Liberty are 
 
 worthy to enjoy her. In vain we toiled; in vain yve fought; 
 
 we bled in vain, if you our offsiDring want valor 
 
 to repel the assaults of her invaders! " 
 
 Charlestown Settled 1628; Burnt 1775; Rebuilt 1776. The enclosed 
 land given by Hon. James Russell. 
 
 The dedication of this Monument, December, 1794, 
 was a touching spectacle. A j^rocession was formed 
 at Warren Hall, where the Lodge then met, consisting 
 of the Lodge and other Masonic brethren, the Select- 
 men of the town, the magistrates of the counties of 
 Middlesex and Suffolk, the minister and deacons, 
 other town and parish officers, military officers, and 
 citizens, and closing up with the trustees and the 
 scholars of the public schools. It was preceded by a 
 band of music, and marched with slow step to the 
 notes of a dirge, to the place where the monument 
 was erected. There the following concise and appro- 
 priate addi'ess was delivered by John Solej^, Jr., the 
 Worshipful Master of the Lodge : — 
 
 FELLOAv-CrrizEKS AKD Bketheen : 
 
 We have now assembled, around the graves of our departed 
 countrymen, to pay that tribute which is due to tlie brave de- 
 fenders of our liberties. Nations in all aaes have endeavored 
 
BUNKER HILL MOXUMENT ASSOCIATION. 11 
 
 to perpetuate the brilliant actions of their heroes ; thereby to 
 inspire the living with a spirit of emulation, and to discharge 
 the obligations they owe to those deeds of valor by which their 
 rights are secured. 
 
 We, citizens of Columbia, not content with having raised a 
 monument of gratitude in our hearts, would present one to the 
 eye of future generations. Directed by these laudable motives, 
 King Solomon's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons have 
 erected on Mount Warren the Pillar you behold ; and in their 
 behalf I now solemnly dedicate it to the memory of our late 
 beloved and Most Worshipful Brother, the Honorable Joseph 
 Warren, and his associates, who nobly fell on this memorable 
 spot, in the cause of their country. 
 
 And when, from this celebrated eminence, you behold the 
 solemn temple, the abodes of domestic happiness, the an- 
 cient seat of literature, the vestiges of opposition to tyranny, 
 the fruitful fields of the husbandman, and the waving flag of 
 commerce, — forget not those by whose virtuous exertions you 
 now enjoy these inestimable blessings. 
 
 And, while they bloom afresh in your own remembrance, con- 
 vey the history of this noble purchase to your listening children. 
 Teach them obedience to the voice of their country ; inform 
 them that their birth-right is Freedom; and, pointing to this 
 Monument, tell them, the legacy left them by their countrymen 
 to maintain it is valor. Having thus inspired them with their 
 bravery to defend their country in the field, may they descend 
 from the tumult of war to the tranquillity of peace, and learn 
 the noblest conquest, — of themselves. 
 
 And, O thou ever-existing and omnipresent Architect, ap- 
 prove this solemn dedication to the memory of Columbia's 
 valiant sons; accelerate the extension of their honest fame, and 
 perpetuate its being in the bosom of posterity. May this pub- 
 lic evidence of their valor teach others the danger of invading 
 the peaceful abodes of freemen ; and may it have a tendency 
 to lessen that lawless ambition for conquest which has filled the 
 world with blood. 
 
12 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The flags were placed at half-mast, and minute- 
 guns were fired bj the Charlestown artillery. After 
 the ceremonies on the hill, the procession returned in 
 the same order to Warren Hall, where Josiah Bart- 
 lett, who was afterwai'ds Grand Master of the Grand 
 Lodge of Massachusetts, pronounced an eloquent 
 eulogy on General Warren, and a solemn dirge or 
 requiem was sung. The General Court afterwards 
 recognized the noble tribute of King Solomon's Lodge 
 by the following Act, passed February 3, 1796 : — * 
 
 An A.ct fur the Preservation of a Monument erected on the 
 Heights of Charlestown. 
 
 Whereas, the Society of Freemasons, in Charlestown, 
 in the county of Middlesex, designated by the name of King 
 Solomon^ s Lodge, have erected a Monument in memory of 
 Major General Joseph Wary'en and his associates, who were 
 slain on the heights of said Charlestoion, on the seventeenth of 
 June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five ; and have 
 been presented by the Hon. James Russell with a piece of land 
 for that purpose : 
 
 Sect. 1. J3e it enacted by the Senate and House of llep- 
 resenlatives iti General Court assembled , and by the authority 
 of the same, That any legal deed or conveyance of tlie said 
 land, duly recorded, shall enable the ^'AnXICing Sulomon''s Lodge 
 of Freemasons to hold the same in fee-simple, for the purposes 
 aforesaid, for ever. 
 
 Sect. 2. And be it further enacted hy the authority afore- 
 said, That the ISIaster or Treasurer of the said Lodge for the 
 time being shall have power and authority to sue for and re- 
 cover damages, in any court of law suitable to try the same, 
 from any person or persons who shall be convicted of defacing, 
 injuring, or destroying the said ]\[onumcnt ; and the person or 
 persons thus convicted shall, in addition to such damages 
 as may be legally awarded, pay to the Master or Treasurer 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 13 
 
 of the snid Lodge a fine not exceeding twenty dollars, nor 
 less than two dollars, at the discretion of the court before 
 whom the action for damages shall be finally tried ; which 
 fines shall be appropriated for the necessary repairs of the said 
 Monument. 
 
 Soon after the great Evacuation-day of Boston, the 
 17th of March, 1776, the body of General Warren was 
 found, having been identified by Dr. Jeffries, by the 
 loss of a joint of one finger by a felon, and also by a 
 peculiar tooth, a part of which had been broken off 
 in early life. The body was reinterred, with solemn 
 ceremonies, at King's Chapel in Boston, April 8, 
 1776. Perez Morton delivered the eulogy. As in 
 the following exordium he solemnly addressed the 
 remains of the departed spirit, the effect upon the 
 crowded audience was indeed startling: — 
 Illustrious Relics : 
 
 "What tidings from the grave? Why hast thou left the 
 peaceful mansions of the tomb to visit again this troubled earth ? 
 Art thou the welcome messenger of peace? Art thou risen 
 again to exhibit thy glorious wounds, and through them pro- 
 claim salvation to thy country? Or art thou come to demand 
 that last debt of humanity, to which your rank and merit have 
 so justly entitled you, but which has been so long and ungene- 
 rously withheld ? Art thou angry at the barbarous usage ? Ee 
 appeased, sweet Ghost ! For though thy body has long laid 
 undistinguished among the vulgar dead, scarce privileged with 
 earth enough to hide it from the birds of prey ; though not a 
 kindred tear was dropped, though not a friendly sigh was ut- 
 tered o'er thy grave ; and tho' the execrations of an impious 
 foe were all thy funeral knells, yet, matchless Patriot, thy 
 memory has been embalmed in the affections of thy grateful 
 countrymen, who, in their breasts, have raised eternal monu- 
 ments to thy bravery ! 
 
14 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ]^J^ot only were the name and fame of Warren justly 
 celebrated at the place of his birth and death, but all 
 over the globe where liberty was loved and heroism 
 revered did they become the subject of eulogy. 
 Botta, the elegant Italian historian, in his history of 
 the American war, thus speaks of him, in the faithful 
 translation of Otis: — 
 
 " He was one of those men wlio are more attached to liberty 
 than to existence ; but not more ardently the friend of freedom 
 than foe to avarice and ambition. He was endowed with a 
 solid judgment, a happy genius, and a brilliant eloquence. In 
 all private affairs, his opinion was reputed authority ; and in all 
 public counsels, a decision. Friends and enemies, equally know- 
 ing his fidelity and rectitude in all things, reposed in him a con- 
 fidence without limits. Opposed to the wicked, without hatred ; 
 propitious to the good, without adulation ; affable, courteous, 
 and humane towards each, he was beloved with reverence by 
 all, and respected by envy itself. Though in his person some- 
 what spare, his figure was peculiarly agreeable. He mourned 
 at this epoch the recent loss of a wife, by whom he was tenderly 
 beloved, and whom he cherished with reciprocal affection. In 
 dying so gloriously for his country on this memorable day, he 
 left several orphans, still in childhood ; but a grateful country 
 assumed the care of their education. Thus was lost to his 
 State, and to his family, in so important a crisis, and in the 
 vigor of his days, a man equally qualified to excel in council or 
 in the field." 
 
 The exalted praise universally extended to Joseph 
 Warren was not on account of any merit of his in the 
 conduct of the battle of Bunker Hill. Thon<>h some 
 writers took it foi* granted that, being Major-General 
 and the highest officer in rank in the field, he, of 
 course, assumed the command, yet it is generally 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 15 
 
 known that, when the command was tendered to him by 
 Colonel William Prescott, he courteously replied to 
 him that he came to learn the art of war of a veteran 
 soldier. It was rather for his unflinching service and 
 devotion to the cause of liberty, as shown in his 
 whole career, — as orator of the public assembly, as 
 a civil leader in the council of state, as a copatriot 
 with Samuel Adams and Josiah Quincy. Though, as 
 is supposed, he did not concur in the order of the 
 council to fortify Bimker Hill at that time, neverthe- 
 less, after the measure was determined upon, he was 
 all the more eager, by his personal presence and aid, 
 to promote its successful execution. When, the night 
 before, his friend Elbridge Gerr}^, afterwards Vice- 
 President of the United States, entreated him not 
 to risk his life in that attempt, he replied in that well 
 known motto, henceforth for ever associated with his 
 memorj^: " Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" 
 (Sweet and graceful it is to die eor one's 
 country). He seemed to have a presentiment that he 
 was to die for a country which even then existed in 
 his contemplation, — embracing all the United Colo- 
 nies, a correspondence with whom he had promoted, — 
 and which was destined to become one of the grandest 
 and most powerful nations of the earth. 
 
 But, whatever his thought might have been, certain 
 it now is, as we trace the signal events of the century 
 to their leading causes, that, while the ruthless and 
 unjustifiable act of General Gage, of burning Charles- 
 town to the ground, set the hearts of the people 
 
16 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 against all further efforts of reconciliation with the 
 demented government of the mother country, the 
 martyrdom of Joseph \Yarren hallowed the cause in 
 behalf of which the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, 
 and inflamed the hearts of all American patriots with 
 an enthusiastic and a determined purpose to prose- 
 cute it to the end, until the Independence of the 
 united Colonies should be achieved. 
 
ORIGINAL- INSCRIPTION. 
 
 "Erected A. D. MDCCXCIV.,by King Solomon's Lodge of Freemasons, constituted at 
 
 Cliarlestown, 1783, in memory of Major General Joseph Warben and his Associates, 
 
 who were slain on this memorable spot, June 17, 1775. 
 
 'None but they who set a just value upon the blessings of Liberty are worthy to enjoy her. 
 
 In vain we toiled ; in vain wc fought; we bled m vain, if you, our offspring, want 
 
 valor to repel the assaults of her invaders !' 
 
 Charlestown Settled 1628; Burnt 1775; Rebuilt 1776. The enclosed land given by Hon. 
 
 James Russell." 
 
 NEW INSC'RIPTION. 
 
 " This is an exact model of the first monument erected on Bunker- Hill, which, with the 
 land on which it stood, was given, A. D. 1825, by King Solomon's Lodge, of this town, to the 
 Bunlter-Hill Monument Association, that they might erect upon its site a more imposing 
 structure. The Association, in fulfilmcntof a pledge at that time given, have allowed, in their 
 imperishable obelisk, this model to be inserted, with appropriate ceremonies, by King Solo- 
 mon's Lodge, June 24th, A. D. 1845." 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Hie cunabula gentis. 
 
 JAMES EUSSELL, the generous donor of the 
 land upon which the Masonic Monument was 
 erected, was born in Charlestown, August 5, 1715, 
 and died there on the 24th Api-il, 1798. His hfe 
 almost spanned the whole of the eighteenth century, 
 and was longer than that of any of his distinguished 
 ancestors in this country. He was the descendant, 
 in the fourth generation, from the Hon. Kichard 
 Russell, who, at the age of twenty-nine, in the year 
 1640, came from Herefordshire, England, and settled 
 in Charlestown, and died in 1676, having filled the 
 offices of Representative to the General Court, Coun- 
 sellor, and Treasurer of the Province, and having 
 made many noble donations and bequests to various 
 public objects. 
 
 The grandfather of James Russell, the Honorable 
 James Russell, the eldest son of Richard Russell, 
 was boi-n in Charlestown, October 4, 1640, and died 
 there at the age of sixty-nine, April 28, 1709, having 
 succeeded his father in his business as a merchant, 
 and also in the public offices which he held. The 
 father of James Russell, our illustrious donor, was 
 
18 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Hon. Daniel Rnssell, who was born in Charles- 
 town, ]N"ovember 30, 1685, and died December 6, 1763, 
 at the age of seventy-eight, having been a member of 
 his Majesty's Council for twenty years, and having 
 also served the Province as Commissioner of Impost, 
 and the Connty of Middlesex as Treasurer, for over 
 fifty years. 
 
 This is rather a remarkable instance of four gene- 
 rations of the same family living in the same town, 
 and succeeding to the same high offices of town, 
 county, and province, for more than a century and a 
 half, and all bearing the highest character for integ- 
 rity, fidelity to duty, and for private as well as for 
 official worth. 
 
 James Russell, the first above-named, married, 
 April 13, 1738, Catharine Greaves, great-grand- 
 daughter of the celebrated j^ioneer, Thomas Greaves, 
 who was born in RatcliflP, England, June 6, 1605, and 
 who arrived at Salem in 1629, with Governor Endi- 
 cott, and thence removed to Charlestown in that year. 
 He laid out the town, giving it, as it is said, the name, 
 and became one of the chief men of the place. One of 
 their sons was the celebrated Thomas Kussell, Avho 
 was born in Charlestown, April 17, 1740, and became 
 one of the most eminent merchants of the time in the 
 United States. He also represented his native town 
 in the General Court. On his removal to Boston, he 
 became president of several of the leading corpora- 
 tions and societies, and, among others, of the Branch 
 Bank of the United States. It was owing to his 
 father's faith in the practicability of building a bridge 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 19 
 
 over Charles River, persistently asserted against all 
 objectors, that he was indnced to embark in the en- 
 terprise, which, by his influence, was speedily accom- 
 plished. He was a leading man in all the great 
 undertakings and public charities of the place, and 
 was distinguished for his refined manners and generous 
 hospitality. He had determined to return to his na- 
 tive town to spend the evening of his days, where his 
 aucestoi's on both his father's and mother's side had 
 resided since its first settlement, and he was, indeed, 
 erecting an elegant mansion for his futiu'e residence, 
 wdien untimely death overtook him, at the age of fifty- 
 six, on April 8, 1796. Such was the general grief 
 over the great public loss, that, by request of the many 
 societies to wdiich he belonged and imparted the life- 
 giving vigor of his intellect and wealth, a eulogy was 
 pronounced by Dr. John Warren, a brother of 
 Joseph Warren, in King's Chapel, May 4, 1796, on 
 his life and character. 
 
 It was the unhappj^ lot of James Russell to bury, 
 during his protracted life, three other sons and two 
 daughters. He left, at his decease, one son and four 
 daughters surviving. He was ever singularly attached 
 to his native town, by whose inhabitants he was revered 
 and loved as a father. In many cases he subordinated 
 his own family interests to that of the town. Jedediah 
 Morse, D.D., in his funeral sermon, commeuds, with 
 pastoral affection, " his integrity, piety, charity, and 
 patriotism, his hospitality, sobriety, and temperance, 
 and the pareutal and social virtues which exalted and 
 adorned his character." 
 
20 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It is believed that there are no descendants of 
 James Knssell in the male line, and bearing the 
 family name, now living. There are, however, sev- 
 eral descendants in the female line, bearing distin- 
 gnished names, which they themselves have honored, 
 some of whom will appear as prominent actors in this 
 history. The blood of this great progenitor still 
 flows in the current of human life, in which his ex- 
 cellent traits and qualities, we may believe, have been 
 transmitted. John Soley, who dedicated the Masonic 
 Monument, and was afterwards Grand Master of the 
 Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, married a grand- 
 daughter, and has left several descendants who have 
 been famous in the public service. 
 
 The battle-ground, and especially the Russell past- 
 ure on which the Monument to " General Warren 
 and his brave associates " stood, became an object of 
 great interest to sojourners and ti'avellers. In the 
 early days of the Republic, when the facilities for 
 travel were exceedingly limited, the number of travel- 
 lers was comparatively less than now. There were 
 but few tourists in those days. A daily stage-coach 
 furnished all the accommodation for travel on the 
 principal thoroughfares, and many long and intimate 
 friendships were commenced by the chance acquaint- 
 ance of fellow-passengers during a long day's ride. 
 
 As strangers came to Charlestown to visit the 
 battle-field, they often inquired after some of the old 
 residents, who, as witnesses of the event, might relate 
 to them the details of the battle, eveiy year becoming 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 21 
 
 more famous. There was Richard Devens, the old 
 Commissary of the Army, who was on the Committee 
 of Public Safety, and knew all the movements of the 
 patriots, with whom he was associated from the start. 
 Many statements he communicated as to their doings, 
 and as to the reasons which prompted them to act. 
 He died, September 20, 1807, at the age of eighty 
 years; and there are several descendants of distinc- 
 tion bearing his honored name. 
 
 Of course, Judge Kussell, as the owner of the 
 pasture-land on Avhich the most important event of 
 the battle and of American history occurred, knew 
 all the incidents of the bloody day, and was ready to 
 impart them to all those who enjoyed his bounteous 
 hospitality. Deacon Thomas Miller, who married the 
 widow of a son of Commissarj^ Devens, and was in 
 the battle, was always ready to accompany the 
 strangers to the ground. 
 
 It was from these three prominent citizens that 
 President Dwight obtained the facts mentioned in 
 his account of the battle. He gives the following 
 narration of the advice of a veteran, in the first Amer- 
 ican council of war, upon the question, " How many 
 cartridges should be served out to the men in Pres- 
 cott's expedition?" This veteran felt the urgent ne- 
 cessity of husbanding their ammunition, and he said: 
 " War is in substance the same thing with hunting. 
 A skilful hunter never shoots until he is sure of his 
 mark. In the same manner ought soldiers to act. 
 To shoot at men without being sufficiently near, and 
 
22 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 without taking aim, is to shoot at random, and only 
 to waste your powder. A thousand men are ordered 
 out to Bunker's Hill. Suppose each man to have five 
 rounds of cartridges; the whole number will be five 
 thousand. If half of these should take effect (and 
 if they do not, the men are not fit to be entrusted 
 with cartridges), the consequence is that two thousand 
 five hundred of the British fall. Does any man be- 
 lieve that they will keep the ground until two thou- 
 sand five hundred are shot down? Let our men take 
 aim, then, as I do when I am hunting deer, and five 
 rounds will be enough. Ten will certainly be more 
 than enough." Although the result did not justify the 
 calculation, there is no doubt that the firing of the 
 Americans did far more deadly execution than that of 
 any like body in any previous battle. This well-au- 
 thenticated statement proves that there was a general 
 understanding among all those in command on the 
 American side that the men should reserve their fiie 
 until they could take good aim. 
 
 Many strangers were also refei-red to Isaac Warren, 
 a Revolutionary soldier, though not in this battle, but 
 on duty in the immediate neighborhood, who lived 
 near the old Charlestown Square, and was about the 
 only person bearing the name of Warren in the town. 
 He would send invariably for his friend and neighbor, 
 Deacon Miller, and they would often repair in com- 
 pany, as guides of the interested traveller, to the 
 consecrated ground. It is one of the earliest recol- 
 lections of the writer's childhood, being the errand- 
 boy, and then following the group, to hear the 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 23 
 
 oft-repeated, but always seemingly marvellous, story. 
 The Masonic Monument, as it gleamed up to the clear 
 sky from the vacant and extended field, with no 
 building near to dwarf its appearance or mar its 
 beautiful proportions, and bearing its impressive in- 
 scriptions, read repeatedly until learned by heart, was 
 always an object of surpassing interest. Isaac War- 
 ren was the founder of Warren Academy, a flourish- 
 ing institution in Woburn. 
 
 Timothy Thompson was also frequently sought out. 
 On the day of the battle, after removing his wife, who 
 was then pregnant, he made haste to join in the fight, 
 and assisted in bearing off the field Colonel Gardner, 
 who received a mortal wound, from which he soon 
 died. One of the first orders issued by General 
 Washington, after taking command, was in reference 
 to his funei'al. Thompson's son, Timothy, was the 
 first child born in Charlestown after the battle. The 
 father lived till 1834, and was much respected. He 
 has left several descendants, from whom the State and 
 the city have been receiving much valuable service. 
 • William Calder, who commanded a company in the 
 battle, was a prominent character. After providing 
 for the safety of his son, Robert, in the morning of 
 that day, by putting him in a box supplied with 
 breathing openings, and sending him off in a team, he 
 joined his company, and did good service. Major 
 Calder, as he was afterwards called, raised the 
 Charlestown Artillery, which he commanded at the 
 bridge celebration, in 1786, and was one of the Monu- 
 ment Committee of King Solomon's Lodge. 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 There were other survivors of the battle, and many 
 spectators of the scene from the surrounding house- 
 tops and high places, each of whom had his personal 
 reminiscences, and his own story to tell. To weave 
 these separate accounts into a connected narrative, 
 has been found to be no easy task. Such, however, is 
 the delicate and difficult office of history. Many state- 
 ments, as might naturally be expected, have been 
 found irreconcilable. As persons differ materially in 
 describing an ordinary occurrence, they would be apt 
 to vary more essentially in narrating a scene of such 
 great excitement and absorbing interest. But making 
 all allowance for the discrepancies which would natu- 
 rally arise from the excitement of the beholder at the 
 time, and from his inadequate means of observation 
 over the whole field, amid the smoke and din of a 
 frightful conflagration, enough still remains, from all 
 the statements put together and carefully sifted, from 
 which to draw a tolerably accurate sketch of the great 
 event as it actually transpired. 
 
 The first matter that was usually explained to 
 the visitor was, how this place came to be fortified, 
 Avhen the order was given to fortify the real Bunker 
 Hill, which is to be seen at a little distance, and of 
 apparently twice the height. The ready answer was 
 that this was not generally known by any distinct 
 appellation as another hill. The parcels of land were 
 called after their owners. Breed's pasture or land 
 was not on the height of this lower surface, but 
 stretched out on the south-easterly declivity. The 
 
BUNKEK HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 25 
 
 place selected, not being then commonly called Breed's 
 Hill, was deemed by Colonel Prescott, who had the 
 charge of its execution, to be clearly included within 
 the order under which he acted. It was nearer to 
 the enemy in Boston, and, besides, if the higher 
 eminence had been fortified, the British would imme- 
 diately take possession of this. General Putnam was 
 known to be in favor of fortifying both eminences, 
 but he advocated commencing here. 
 
 The next explanation Avould generally be that the 
 outlines of the surface did not correctly show the 
 works of the American forces in their expeditious con- 
 struction of their redoubt and line of defence. The 
 British, on taking possession and occupying the 
 ground, for nine months after the battle, during which 
 a large part of their army made it their winter quar- 
 ters, had almost obliterated the American lines. They 
 reversed the redoubt, so as to make it face in the 
 opposite direction, looking towards the j)atriot lines, 
 as will be more fully explained in the following 
 chapter. 
 
 Dr. John Warren says, in his diary, " The works 
 which had been cast up by our men were entirely 
 destroyed." This is of the date of March 21. He 
 describes Charlestown as " a most melancholy heap 
 of ruins," and says, " The hill which was the theatre 
 upon which the bloody tragedy of the 17th of June 
 was acted commands the most affecting view I ever 
 saw in my life. The walls of magnificent buildings 
 tottering to the earth below; above, a great number of 
 rude hillocks, under which are deposited the remains. 
 
26 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 in clusters, of those deathless heroes who fell in the 
 field of battle." 
 
 Vivid descrij)tions were given of Colonel WilHam 
 Prescott, as he was seen within the redoubt urging 
 on the work, or coolly walking outside upon the top to 
 give courage to his men, dressed in his loose Indian 
 banian ; or giving orders to his men to withhold 
 their fire, on the advance of the enemy, until they 
 could see the whites of their eyes, to take good aim, 
 and not to waste their powder; or as he was con- 
 ducting the retreat, the ammunition gone, and there 
 being few bayonets in the regiment to sustain a close 
 encounter, leading them off the field with so small a 
 loss. How he spurned the idea in the morning that 
 his regiment should be relieved, after their fatiguing 
 labors! ISo: the men who built the fort will best 
 defend it. How he did plead with General Ward for 
 leave to return with his own men and only five hun- 
 dred more, with sufiicient ammunition and bayonets, 
 and he would guarantee to retake the hill! 
 
 There were those who saw General Israel Putnam 
 gallantly riding over every part of the field, bringing 
 on reinforcements, giving counsel, and ever exposing 
 himself in the thickest of the fight. He imparted 
 his chivalrous ardor not only to his own troops from 
 Connecticut, but to all who joined in the combat. 
 The British officers who recognized his form in the 
 distance felt his jiresence, and nerved themselves to 
 greater efibrts in leading on their men to the en- 
 counter. Mention was often made of the hearty 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 27 
 
 cheers given to General Seth Pomeroy, the senior 
 general officer from Massachusetts, as he advanced 
 to the field. 
 
 Many anecdotes were told of Colonel John Stark, 
 afterwards appointed Brigadier-General of the Revo- 
 lutionary army, — of his coohiess and eccentric traits. 
 He was, indeed, an original character. As he 
 marched slowly with his regiment, that the men on 
 arrival might be still fresh for action, he took posi- 
 tion at the extreme left of the line, and firmly held 
 the ground. The New Hampshire men were there in 
 large numbers. In fact, while some of Stark's men 
 enlisted fi'om Prescott's town, Pepperell, near the bor- 
 der of that State, Hollis sent in turn a full company 
 to Prescott's regiment. Stark often said, " that there 
 was no commander of all the American troops on 
 this hard-fought day; and that most of the officers 
 who conducted men there, all being moved by one 
 common impulse and to one common end, fonght the 
 common enemy much as they deemed best, each 
 acting pretty mnch on his own hook." This state- 
 ment quoted by Judge Levi Woodbury seems to be 
 the conclusion now generally arrived at upon the vexed 
 controversy of the command : that, while Prescott 
 commanded and defended the fort, Putnam and 
 Pomeroy were mainly engaged in holding the centre, 
 and Stark, Reed, and Knowlton, at the extreme 
 left of the line on the Mystic, were driving back 
 the enemy in his persistent attempt to flank and 
 surround the American forces. 
 
28 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 There were those who saw General Warren fall, 
 as he slowly retreated in the rear, and was shot in 
 his head. He was heard to exclaim, "I'm a dead 
 man; fight on, my brave fellows, for the salvation of 
 your country! " " Country " was the last word upon 
 the heroic martyr's lips. 
 
 Those who gazed from the neighboring high places, 
 viewed a most sublime spectacle, mingled with terror 
 and grandeur, and they could not have failed to 
 describe it often. There were elements in this scene 
 rarely witnessed, which no pen could adequately 
 portray, but which must have been most impres- 
 sively told by the witnesses many a time upon the 
 spot, as the great sad experience of their lives. 
 
 Occasionally an intelligent Englishman would be 
 shown over the ground, and, if he ventured to re- 
 mark that the English gained this battle, he wonld 
 be told, in substance: "True, the English gained 
 this field at tremendous cost, for on that day they 
 lost a continent, as their ablest statesmen declared at 
 the time." Then the judgment of General Howe 
 would be questioned by his countrymen for landing 
 his troops where he did, when, under the protection 
 of his ships, his barges might have borne them further 
 up the Mystic, whence they could have attacked 
 Pi'escott in his rear. But, before that could have 
 been effected, from the superior point of observation 
 their movement would have been divined in season, 
 and General Ward would have hurried on detach- 
 ments from his army reserved at Cambridge for that 
 purpose, which, with Prescott's men, would have 
 placed the British in a still worse position. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 29 
 
 Was not the battle a blunder on both sides? were 
 not the Americans foolhardy in nndertaking to for- 
 tify the hill? and were not the British equally rash 
 in making the attack? were questions often asked 
 by the inquiring stranger. No ! it was the inevitable 
 movement of events. The Americans were deter- 
 mined to drive the British out of Boston. If they 
 had not made the advance, the British would have 
 secured the position, and strengthened their situation. 
 As the result showed, the British were drawn out 
 by the bold movement, and appeared eager to invite 
 the combat. The challenge was accepted, and an 
 exhibition of native skill, of cool courage, bravery, 
 and heroic daring, satisfied their opponents that the 
 American patriots were indeed in sober earnest. 
 
 It is now very many years since the last survivor 
 of the battle has lingered upon the scene to rehearse 
 his story upon the ground. Those who repeat the in- 
 cidents now to the curious stranger speak as they 
 have learned from tradition, or from their study of the 
 various printed accounts. The open pasture-fields 
 have been closed in; the rude fences which divided 
 them have given place to more frequent and more 
 permanent walls of separation. The Masonic Monu- 
 ment, erected so soon to mark the spot where Warren 
 fell, has disappeared, and a crowded thoroughfare 
 traverses its foundations. Costly mansions, school- 
 houses and churches, stand where the contending 
 armies trod, and commingled their blood, and buried 
 their dead. The historic Charlestown has arisen like a 
 phoenix from her immortal ashes, and now forms a part 
 
30 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 of the great metropolis, glorying in the sacrifice of 
 fire which she made at the coming of the new-born 
 nation. • Within the reserved square, where the 
 courageous Prescott raised, in a short summer's night, 
 a formidable fortification, — a type of the nation's 
 future rapid growth, — stands the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment, towering up to the skies, and, in a majestic 
 silence all its own, ever prepared to tell to succeeding 
 ages what the first Centennial anniversary of the 
 Battle of Bunker Hill has brought up vividly to 
 the notice of this generation. 
 
 During this Centennial year the attention of the 
 whole country and of the world is turned towards 
 Philadelphia, where the sentiment of the Union of 
 the States was first organized in a governmental form, 
 and where their Independence was not only declared, 
 but made a fixed fact in history. And, as the repre- 
 sentatives and peoples of all nations and tongues 
 repair thither to exhibit in friendly rivalry whatever 
 in Art, in Invention, and in Applied Science this pro- 
 gressive age has developed for them respectively; 
 and wiiile in the general greeting they, in turn, may 
 curiousl}'^ examine whatever of value and of interest 
 is exhibited on the part of the United States of 
 America, at the completion of its first century, — 
 they may be pointed to Bunker Hill as the place where 
 the idea of American Independence first germinated, 
 and to Boston as the Cradle of the Nation. 
 
Eugr aT ed brH W Smtai 
 
 ^^-^7^^S^—'^^f^-^<^i^^^^^::<^ 
 
 k\K. 6^ 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Oh ! is not this a holy spot ? 
 
 'Tis the high place of Freedom's birtl. : — 
 God of our fathers ! is it not 
 
 The holiest spot of all the eartli P 
 
 GREAT excitement was created in 1818 b}^ the 
 publication of "An Account of tlie Battle of 
 Bunker Hill," by Henry Dearborn, then Major-Gen- 
 eral of the United States army. It was a pamphlet 
 of sixteen pages, first written for the "Port Folio," 
 a popular magazine, and then published separately, 
 Avith a copy of a map or plan of the battle newly dis- 
 covered, which had been drawn by Henry De Ber- 
 nier, of the Tenth Royal British Infantrj^, who was 
 in the engagement. In this plan, as published, Dear- 
 born had made certain changes. Dearborn was also 
 in the battle, having command of a company raised by 
 him in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and forming a 
 part of Stark's regiment. Being invited by the edi- 
 tor of the " Port Folio " to prepare an account of the 
 battle, more than forty years after it occurred, he gave 
 several interesting reminiscences of the part which 
 his commander, Colonel Stark, and himself took; but, 
 overlooking and slighting the doings on other paits 
 of the field, he made a desperate attack upon General 
 
32 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Putnam, charging him with incapacity and cowardice. 
 These reflections, coming from one who held high 
 rank in the army of the United States, produced quite 
 a sensation throughout the country. Colonel Daniel 
 Putnam published an earnest and sharp reply in de- 
 fence of his father, and Dearborn, w^ith the assistance 
 of his son, Henry A. S. Dearborn, sought to sub- 
 stantiate his account, b}^ procuring affidavits from 
 several of the survivors of the battle. Hon. John 
 Lowell also published, in the " Columbian Centinel," 
 an able review of General Dearborn's statement, in 
 which he stoutly defended General Putnam. 
 
 At this juncture Daniel Webster pubhshed in 
 the " JSTorth American Review " of July, 1818, an ex- 
 haustive review of Dearborn's " Account," in which 
 he gives a glowing description of the battle, and by 
 a comparison of the various anthorities he proves 
 convincingly that General Putnam did his whole duty 
 on that day, and is fully entitled to the gratitude 
 which his countrymen had ever felt towards him, and 
 to the nnlimited confidence in his valor and discretion 
 which Washington had always expressed thronghout 
 his long and faithful service. At the close of his 
 article, after a very severe rebuke to the spirit of 
 detraction which characterized General Dearborn's 
 ill-timed production, Mr. Webster says: "Let us 
 remember that we have nothing more precious than 
 the reputation of our distinguished men, civil or mili- 
 tary, living or dead. Let us deprecate the spirit that 
 depreciates merit; and let us embrace, in all its extent 
 and spirit, that maxim, — full of the soundest wisdom, 
 
BUXKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 33 
 
 and fit to be urged again and again, with all possible 
 earnestness, — chakaoter is power." This admoni- 
 tion is applicable at all times to those writers and 
 speakers who, preferring to deal in censure rather 
 than in joraise, are too anxious to seek victims of their 
 si)ite, regardless of the fame and good name of their 
 country. Putnam is an exception to the general rule, 
 for his brilliant record was not questioned until this 
 time, over twenty years after his decease, while, with 
 most of our great public men, the case has been that 
 they have been the subjects of severe animadversion 
 and calumny in their lifetime, which have been suf- 
 ficiently atoned for by the general praise of their 
 opponents over their new-made graves. 
 
 General William H. Sumner, who was appointed 
 Adjutant-General of the Massachusetts militia by his 
 Excellency Governor John Brooks, called the atten- 
 tion of his Excellency to Dearborn's " Account " and 
 his plan from De Bernier, and he gives the following 
 statement: "The plan struck Governor Brooks as 
 being erroneous, and he said to Colonel Swett and 
 myself, ' Gentlemen, I have not been on to that ground 
 since the battle, and if you will accompany me I will 
 go there and examine it.' According to assignment, 
 the Adjutant-General, and Colonel Swett, his first aide, 
 met the Governor on the hill in the beginning of the 
 month of June, 1818, for the purpose of examining the 
 works and comparing them with Dearborn's plan. We 
 went into the redoubt together. After looking about 
 him and examining the ground, the Governor said: 
 ' Gentlemen, where is the sally-port? I do not see where 
 
34 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 it was. Let us look about aud see if we can find it.' 
 We found an excavation in the lines of the fort on the 
 side opposite to that where we afterwards found it had 
 been when the works were thrown up the night before 
 the battle. 'Gentlemen,' said the Governor, ^can we 
 verify this? For,' continued he, 'the fact is, the 
 breastwork ran in a northerly or north-easterly direc- 
 tion from the sally-port; and, if we can ascertain where 
 that breastwork was, we can identify the true position 
 of the sally-port.' He requested Colonel Swett and 
 Major Swan (who came doAvn with the Governor 
 from Medford, and whose father owned or leased 
 the ground) to go several rods in a direction which 
 he pointed out, then to turn and walk at right angles 
 to the course they had before taken, to see if they 
 could find where the old breastwork w^as, which had 
 l^robably been ploughed down. The grass was high, 
 and it could not be seen, until the gentlemen, wading 
 the grass, came into a hollow place and ascended a 
 little height, and then passed down into another hol- 
 low on the other side. The gentlemen exclaimed, 
 'We have found it.' Governor Brooks said: 'I 
 thought you would. Let us examine a little further. 
 Take the same course, and go down a short distance, 
 and see if you find there the same evidences of its 
 position.' They did so, and satisfied the Governor 
 that they had discovered the place where the breast- 
 work was built, and thus verified the fact that the 
 sally-port was originally in the place where he had 
 indicated it ought to be found.'' 
 
 " It was plain to the observer," continues General 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 35 
 
 Sumner, " that if the breastwork ran in the direction 
 indicated by General Dearborn's plan, it would puzzle 
 the commander to tell on which side of it his men 
 should be placed, in order to defend the main position. 
 Thus it appears, from Governor Brooks's recollection 
 of the ground, that the plan which General Dearborn 
 had published, in connection with his work impeach- 
 ing General Putnam, ivas not a jjJan of the ground 
 as it ivas on the 17th of tTune, when tlie battle was 
 fought. The explanation of these facts is probably 
 this: that Dearborn's was that of the icorTcs after the 
 retreat of the jimerican forces, and the consequent 
 change of the relative j^osition of the two armies." 
 
 Thus it will be seen that the embittered controversy 
 started by General Dearborn had the effect to recall 
 the attention of the leading men to the great signifi- 
 cance of the battle, and the importance of verifying 
 its incidents. Governor Brooks was prompted to 
 visit the field, which he had not trod since he there 
 risked his life, a period of forty-three years, although 
 he had lived all the time in the adjoining town of 
 Medford, at a distance of, only five miles. Colonel 
 Samuel Swett, his senior aide, from the awakening of 
 public attention to the subject, with great pains and 
 industry, gathered all the information from the various 
 sources which could then be reached, and produced, 
 in the fall of that year, his History of the Battle. The 
 article of Mr. Webster, in the " JSTorth American Re- 
 view," was eagerly read by all, as was every thing 
 coming from him, and his earnest and clearly ex- 
 pressed views became the theme of discussion in the 
 
36 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 press, and in the social circle. For years befoi-e, no 
 stranger visiting Boston would willingly leave with- 
 out visiting Bunker Hill, and now the people living 
 in its vicinity woke up of a sudden to realize to the 
 full extent the immortal fame of the locality. 
 
 While the topics of the battle were still made the 
 theme of discourse and investigation, a portion of the 
 land was oftered for sale. It was advertised to be 
 sold at auction. 
 
 William Tudoe, a distinguished writer and scholar, 
 whose father had served as Judge Advocate during 
 the Revolution, first called the attention of his friends 
 and of the public to the importance of securing, not 
 only this parcel that was offered for sale, but all the 
 adjoining land, that the whole battle-field might be 
 preserved, if possible, to posterity, and that a monu- 
 ment should be erected thereon, which should be 
 equal if not superior to any work of the kind in the 
 world. 
 
 Mr. Tudor was the founder, and for a considerable 
 period the editor, of the " ^orth American Review," 
 and, remembering the valuable contribution which Mr. 
 Webster had made to that journal in relation to the 
 Battle of Bunker Hill and the merits of General 
 Putnam, he applied to him to assist in the undertak- 
 ing. Mr. Webster gave it his most hearty approval. 
 Edward Everett was next approached upon the 
 subject, and he entered into it with equal interest. 
 
 Mr. Webster had been then a resident of Boston 
 for seven years, during which time he had been for the 
 most part in private life. But his previous service in 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 37 
 
 Congress as a representative from ISTew Hampshire, 
 his argument in the Dartmouth College case before 
 the Supreme Court of the United States, and his 
 address at Plymouth, in 1820, at the Bicentennial 
 Anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, 
 gave him a national reputation as the foremost man 
 at the bar and the forum, and in popular oratory. 
 He had just been elected as a representative of Bos- 
 ton in Congress. Although he came to Boston with 
 the determination to devote himself exclusively to 
 his profession, he was obliged to yield to this impera- 
 tive demand of the public. 
 
 Mr. Everett, then at the age of twenty-eight, was 
 filling the chair of Professor of Greek Literature at 
 Cambridge, and was attracting large audiences to his 
 public lectures; he was also a liberal contributor of 
 valuable articles to the "^orth American Peview." 
 The three might be said to constitute at that time a 
 literar}^ and professional triumvirate, whose opinions 
 would be authority not only in the social circles in 
 which they figured, but with the public in general. 
 They were also ardent in their patriotic devotion to 
 the memory of the leaders in the American Pevolu- 
 tion. 
 
 In their desire to enlist a leading citizen of the 
 wealthy classes, whose influence would be effectual to 
 gain their encouragement and support, the name of 
 Thomas Han^dasyd Perkins was naturally sug- 
 gested. Colonel Perkins, as he was then familiarly 
 called, having been a commander of the cadets, — for 
 
38 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 in those days Colonel was a high title, — was a trne 
 type of the merchant prince. He had retired from 
 active business with what was then considered an 
 ample fortune, and was engaged in works of benefi- 
 cence, and in the enjoyment of refined society. He 
 entered heartily into the plan proposed. 
 
 In securing the land of Bunker Hill, and especially 
 that part of it which was offered for immediate sale, 
 Doctor John Collins Waeren was appealed to. He 
 was the son of Doctor John "Warren, who was the 
 brother of the martyr Joseph, and whom he succeeded 
 in the business of his profession, with an exalted repu- 
 tation. He at once embarked in the nndertaking; he 
 promptly performed the part first assigned to him in 
 obtaining the land offered for sale, and in various 
 wajs co-operated zealously with those associated with 
 him. He readilj' purchased the Russell pasture (so 
 called), which was advertised for sale, containing 
 about two acres and three quarters, and held it until 
 a corporation could be created to take the title. 
 
 These five gentlemen were the principal originatoi'S 
 of the Bunker Hill Monument. By the happy com- 
 bination of their varied powers, and by the weight of 
 their social influence, they were enabled to form the 
 patriotic Association which has commanded the re- 
 spect of the countr}^, and is entitled to the gratitude 
 and praise of succeeding generations. 
 
 Well knowing the cfiective poAver of the festive 
 board as a means of legitimate social influence. 
 Colonel Perkins invited these gentlemen and about a 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 39 
 
 dozen others to his house, for the purpose of giving a 
 start to the enterprise. While seated at his bounteous 
 table, the select company discussed its merits^ and 
 determined to pnt it into execution. It was agreed 
 that it was high time that a national monument should 
 be erected in commemoration of the American Revo- 
 lution and its great results, and that Bunkek Hill 
 was the place of all others whereon it should stand. 
 Several other gentlemen Avere named who should be 
 asked to join in this undertaking. It was iBnally 
 determined that early in the ensuing spring, before 
 the meeting of the Legislature, measures should be 
 taken to j^rocure an act of incorporation, and it was 
 left with a committee to convene them, together with 
 the other parties agreed npon, in season. The Legis- 
 lature at that time commenced its session on the 
 last Wednesday of May, which was then the begin- 
 ning of the political year of the commonwealth. 
 
 In pursuance of this understanding, the following 
 notice was issued, and sent in the form of a j)rivate 
 letter to the gentlemen invited (the original, in the 
 handwriting of Mr. Webster, signed by him and by 
 Mr. Tudor and Mr. Lyman, is still preserved) : — 
 
 Boston, May 10, 1823. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Some conversation having taken place last 
 year on the propriety of forming an Association for the 
 erection of a Monument on Bunker's Hill, in commemoration 
 of the early events of the Revolution, it has seemed to us 
 desirable to renew the interchange of opinion on this subject, 
 and to pursue the design, as far and as fast as may be prac- 
 ticable. 
 
40 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 With this view, we have taken the liberty of inviting you 
 to meet us and a few other gentlemen at the Exchange Coffee- 
 house, on Tuesday, at twelve o'clock. 
 
 We are, with great regard, your most obedient servants, 
 
 Danl. Webster. 
 W. Tudor. 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 
 At the time appointed, after an animated discussion, 
 the following paper was adopted and signed. It is 
 the agreement under which the Association was 
 formed, prepared also by Mr. Webster, the original 
 of which has been carefully preserved : — 
 
 The advantages of our Revolution are daily felt by every 
 American ; and, at the same time, that illustrious event is 
 exciting more and more the admiration of the rest of the 
 world, and an ardent desire to adopt its principles. Yet, 
 glorious and beneficent as its consequences have proved to 
 this nation, not a single monument worthy of being named 
 has hitherto been elevated to testify public gratitude or do 
 honor to national sentiment in the eyes of our own citizens 
 or of strangers. 
 
 The feeling of patriotic minds has often been excited on 
 this subject, and has of late years been so frequently ex- 
 pressed that the time seems to have arrived when the gen- 
 erous spirit of an intelligent and prosperous community is 
 fully prepared for beginning in earnest the work of estab- 
 lishing a monument worthy of the citizens by whom it will 
 be raised and of the cause to which it will be consecrated. 
 
 It may be justly expected that the portion of the nation 
 which so feaiiessly, resolutely, and magnanimously took the 
 lead in the struggle, should also set the first example of 
 erecting a monument to its fame ; and that the citizens gen- 
 erally of the Eastern States would be eager to show their 
 reverence for the principles and services of the civil and 
 military heroes of New England. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 41 
 
 The Field of Bunker Hill has always presented itself 
 as the most suitable site for such a monument. This ground, 
 which is held sacred in public estimation, is yet open ; but 
 the rapid increase of population in its vicinity will soon cause 
 it to be parcelled out and occupied with buildings, when the 
 ashes of the brave who repose there will be dug up and 
 scattered : and posterity will then loudly exclaim against the 
 apathy of the generation which shall have suffered this field 
 of honor to be thus violated and for ever obscured. 
 
 From these and other considerations, the subscribers have 
 associated together to obtain an act of incorporation, as a 
 convenient mode of operation ; and to devise the means of 
 collecting subscriptions and contributions from the public, 
 and holding the same as trustees, for the purpose of deciding 
 on and erecting such a monument as sliall endure to future 
 ages, and be a permanent memorial, consecrated by the grat- 
 itude of the present generation, to the memory of those 
 statesmen and soldiers who led the way in the American 
 Kevolution. 
 
 For this purpose, we subscribe and pay the sum of five 
 dollars, 
 
 Danl. Webster. William Sullivan, 
 Jesse Putnam. by Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 
 Joseph Story, by D. Webster. G. Ticknor, by W. Tudor. 
 
 Edavard Everett. C. R. Codman. 
 
 Samuel D. Harris. W. Dutton. 
 
 Saml. Swett. L p. Davis. 
 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr. B. Welles. 
 
 Stephen Gorham, Jr. J. C. Warren. 
 
 W. Tudor. G. Blake. 
 
 T. H. Perkins, by W. Tudor. F. C. Gray. 
 H. A. S. Dearborn, hy Samuel D. N. P. Russell. 
 
 Harris. Rd. Sullivan. 
 
 B. Gorham, by W. Tudor. Thomas Harris. 
 
 Franklin Dexter. Seth Knowles. 
 
 In the absence of Mr. Webstei', General Henry A. 
 S. Dearborn took his place on the Committee, and 
 joined with Mr. Tndor and Mr. Lyman in preparing 
 
 6 
 
42 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and presenting the following petition to the Legis- 
 lature: — 
 
 To the Honourable the Senate and the House of Ptepresentatives of the 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled: — 
 
 We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, most respect- 
 fully represent, — That, feeling a deep interest in the honor 
 of our country, and entertaining a grateful recollection of 
 the distinguished services rendered by those patriots of the 
 council and of the battle-field who boldly commenced and 
 triumphantly achieved our national Independence, we are 
 unwilling: that their names, or the deeds which render them 
 illustrious, should pass down to future ages without a mon- 
 ument having been erected, by the present generation, to 
 the names of the soldiers who gloriously fell in the contest 
 for freedom, and commemorative of those momentous events 
 which immediately preceded, and which established numerous 
 splendid epochs during the progress of the Revolution. 
 
 If great actions, having for their object the public good ; 
 if individuals, renowned for their civil or military virtues, 
 have, in all ages, illumined the history and claimed the 
 admiration of nations ; — if they have been decreed worthy 
 of the triumphal arch, the column, the temple, or the mauso- 
 leum, — what people ever had more cause thus to cherish 
 the memory of their statesmen and heroes than those of the 
 United States? Emerging from the war for Independence, 
 we have advanced in the route of national glory with a 
 rapidity unprecedented in the annals of empires ; but, during 
 our cheering progress in agriculture, manufactures, commerce, 
 literature, science and the arts, we appear not to have been 
 sufficiently mindful of the infinite obligations we are under 
 to those who braved the hardships, privations, and dangers 
 of the confiict, for the boasted privileges we enjoy. No 
 monument designates the ever- memorable heights of Charles- 
 town, or Saratoga, the plains of Trenton, Monmouth, or 
 Yorktown. No statue, not even of Washington, adorns the 
 Capitol, or do his ashes repose under a national tomb. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 43 
 
 As "the first impulse to tlie ball of the Revolution"' was 
 given in the North ; as the plains of Massachusetts were first 
 stained with the blood of patriots, — theee should be reared 
 the FIRST PILLAR of the Republic ; and what spot more 
 sacred, more appropriate, and more commanding than Bun- 
 ker Hill ? The battle there fought may be considered as the 
 commencement of an era more wonderful in its progress and 
 important in its consequences than any which had preceded. 
 There were laid the everlasting foundations of liberty ; from 
 thence went forth the spirit of representative government, 
 which is advancing, with the general and irresistible march 
 of intelligence, round the globe. The whole human race are 
 destined to venerate the names of those gallant citizens of 
 New England who there breasted the temj)est of war for 
 the '■'' unalienable rights of man^"" — there are we bound, by 
 the principles of patriotism, gratitude, and honor, to erect a 
 column, which, while it perpetuates the names of those " who 
 lived in times that tried men's souls," and the ever-memo- 
 rable action of the seventeenth of June^ seventeen hundred and 
 seventy-five^ shall be a glorious monument of the taste and 
 munificence of our country. 
 
 Therefore, it is requested that we, together with such 
 persons as may hereafter associate with us, may be consti- 
 tuted a body politic and corporate, by the name of the 
 " Bunker Hill Monument Association," which shall be au- 
 thorized to collect money by subscriptions, and receive dona- 
 tions for the purposes above stated. 
 
 Boston, May 28, 1823. 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn. 
 W. Tudor. 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 
 A Committee on helialf of the Associates. 
 
 Then follow the names above given. 
 
 It required but little comparative effort to obtain 
 the passage of the following Act of Incorporation, 
 
44 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 which was readily approved by His Excellency 
 William Eustis, the Governor : — 
 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
 
 In the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and tic enty -three 
 An act to incorporate the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 Sec. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Rep- 
 resentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the author- 
 ity of the same, That Joseph Story, Jesse Putnam, Daniel 
 Webster, Edward Everett, Samuel D. Harris, Samuel Swett, 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr., Stephen Gorham, Jr., Thomas H. 
 Perkins, William Tudor, Henry A. S. Dearborn, Benjamin 
 Gorham, Franklin Dexter, William Sullivan, George Ticknor, 
 Charles R. Codman, Warren Dutton, Isaac P. Davis, Thomas 
 Harris, Seth Knowles, Benjamin Welles, John C. Warren, 
 George Blake, and Francis C. Gray, their associates and 
 successors, be and they are hereby made a body politic and 
 corporate, by the name of the " Bunker Hill Monument Asso- 
 ciation," with all the powers, and subject to all the duties, 
 of aggregate corporations, and for the purposes herein after 
 named. 
 
 Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That said corporation shall 
 have power to take and hold, by gift, grant, or devise, such 
 real and personal estate and property as may be necessary or 
 convenient to promote the object of the incorporation, — the 
 construction of a monument in Charlestown to perpetuate 
 the memor}^ of the early events of the American Revolution. 
 
 Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said Henry A. S. 
 Dearborn, William Tudor, and Theodore Lyman, Jr., or any 
 two of them, may call the first meeting of said corporation, 
 by giving three days' previous notice in two public news- 
 papers printed in Boston; at which, or at any subsequent 
 meeting, the said corporation may choose such officers, agents, 
 and trustees as they may think proper, and establish such 
 by-laws and regulations for their own government and the 
 management of their concerns, not repugnant to the laws 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 45 
 
 and constitution of this Commonwealth, as they may deem 
 necessary, and the same may modify and annul at pleasure. 
 Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That said corporation may, 
 at any time after said monument shall be completed, assign 
 and transfer the same, with the land on which it stands, and 
 the appurtenances, to the Commonwealth ; and that the 
 Commonwealth will accept the same, provided that the 
 Commonwealth shall not thereby become liable for debts 
 contracted by said corporation. 
 
 Approved by the Governor, June 7, 1823. 
 
 Copy. A. Bradford, 
 
 / Secretary of Commomvealth. 
 
 The parchment upon which the act is engrossed 
 bears the signatures of William C. Jarvis, Speaker of 
 the House, and Nathaniel Silsbee, President of the 
 Senate, as well as that of the Governor. 
 
 The requisite notice was given, by the gentlemen 
 named in the third section, by publication in the 
 "Boston Daily Advertiser'' and the "Boston Pa- 
 triot," on the 10th of June, and, on the 13th of June, 
 the first meeting was held at the Exchange Coffee 
 House, at which it was voted to accept the act, and 
 to form a corporation under the provisions thereof. 
 The meeting was adjoui'ned to the 17th June, when 
 by-laws were adopted, and the following officers were 
 chosen : John Brooks, President; Thos. H. Perkins 
 and Joseph Story, Vice-Presidents; William Tudor, 
 Secretary; Nath'l P. Pussell, Treasurer; and Daniel 
 "Webster, Henry A. S. Dearborn, Benjamin Gorham, 
 George Blake, John C. Warren, Samuel D. Harris, 
 Jesse Putnam, Isaac P. Davis, Seth Knowles, Edward 
 
46 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Everett, George Ticknor, Franklin Dexter, and Theo- 
 dore Lyman, Jr., Directors. A Committee of Corre- 
 spondence was chosen, consisting of William Tudor, 
 Richard Sullivan, and Francis C. Gray. These were 
 kindred spirits, all gentlemen of culture and high 
 character, and qualified to lead and adorn the most 
 polished society. 
 
 The by-laws prescribed the duties of the different 
 officers, fixed upon the Seventeenth of June as the 
 day of holding the Annual Meeting, authorized the 
 Directors to elect twelve additional Directors, mak- 
 ing the whole number twenty-five, and gave them full 
 power to purchase the land and erect the monument, 
 requiring the plan to be submitted to the Corporation. 
 This provision seems to have been subsequently 
 overlooked; except, perhaps, as the approval of the 
 Corporation was not declared to be requisite, the 
 report of the doings of the Directors, including the 
 adoption of the plan, might have been deemed a suffi- 
 cient compliance. 
 
 Twenty-five gentlemen were elected members: 
 namely, Amos Lawrence, David Sears, Patrick T. 
 Jackson, IN^athan Hale, Benjamin Kussell, Edward 
 Brooks, John D. Williams, Jonathan Pinllips, Augus- 
 tus Thorndike, of Boston; Nathaniel Silsbee, Lever- 
 ett Salstonstall, Henry Pickering, of Salem; Joseph 
 Hurd, of Charlestown; Levi Lincoln, of Worcester; 
 Henry H. Childs, of Pittsfield; Joseph Lyman, Elijah 
 H. Mills, of Northampton ; Samuel Dana, of Groton; 
 Bezaleel Taft, of Uxbridge; Caleb Gushing, of New- 
 buryport; Josiah J. Fiske, of Wrentham; Thomas 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 1 47 
 
 Rotch, of 'New Bedford; John Reed, of Barnstable; 
 Francis Baylies, of Taunton; and Barnabas Hedge, 
 of Plymouth. 
 
 Five dollars was established as the fee of Member- 
 ship. 
 
 The following circular letter was addressed to 
 prominent men of the country by the Committee of 
 Correspondence, who commenced their labors imme- 
 diately : — 
 
 Boston, July, 1823. 
 
 Sir, — The undersii);ned, a committee in behalf of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association, have the honor to ad- 
 dress you in regard to the object of said Association, incorpo- 
 rated at tlie last session of our legislature. 
 
 It is intended to elevate on Bunker Hill, which fortunately 
 is still partly open ground, a simple, majestic, lofty, and per- 
 manent monument, which shall carry down to remote ages a 
 testimony, consecrated by the patriotism of the present gen- 
 eration, to the heroic virtue and courage of those men who 
 began and achieved the independence of their country. It 
 is proposed that this monument shall contain the names and 
 dates of all the distinguished characters and events which 
 originated in New England ; that it shall comprise, in one 
 noble and commanding plan, all the separate merits which 
 have, on various occasions, been proposed to be thus hon- 
 ored ; in fine, that it shall be a monument dedicated to the 
 Kevolutionary glory which belongs to this portion of the 
 Union. It shall be a structure worthy of the cause, worthy 
 of the men, and worthy of the results these have produced. 
 As the struijole beiran with us, Ave should take the lead in 
 thus celebrating it ; and what spot can be more suitable — 
 possessed as it is of conspicuous natural advantages, and 
 rendered sacred by its recollections — than the ground where 
 the first battle was fought, — where our appeal was made ir- 
 revocable, and sealed in blood? All the States which now 
 
48 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 form the Eastern division of the Union have a similar interest 
 in this cause : they each sent their brave citizens to take part 
 in this same battle; and each produced great men, whose 
 names w^ill be inscribed on the monument. We presume, 
 therefore, that, from all parts of them, voluntary offerings 
 may be expected to aid this enterprise. In this State, we 
 propose, through committees in each town, to make an appeal 
 to every individual, and to receive the smallest donation 
 that may be offered ; believing that the design must be ef- 
 fected by a universal contribution of small sums, rather than 
 by a few subscriptions of great amount, though we are not 
 without expectation that some of our wealthy and public- 
 spirited men may subscribe liberally to the undertaking. 
 The separate contributions of each State and town will be 
 carefully noted ; and we intend to record, in a volume to be 
 deposited in the monument, the name of every person who 
 ffives to the amount of a dollar. 
 
 o 
 
 We have addressed a letter to the Governor of your State, 
 and have oiven him the names of the few o-entlemen men- 
 tioned below, to whom we have also written. We solicit 
 your sanction and your efforts in a cause which is to honor 
 the past and the present, and excite emulation in the future. 
 
 We remain, respectfully, your obedient servants, 
 
 W. Tudor. 
 
 Rd. Sullivan. 
 F. C. Gkat. 
 
 Thus sprang into legal existence the Bunker Hill 
 Monument Association, by whose means the most 
 interesting part of the historic battle-ground of 
 America has been preserved for the grateful admi- 
 ration and tribute of the lovers of liberty throughout 
 the world in all coming time. 
 
ambardfciia Fuiil 
 
 t?^i- 
 
 a^. 
 
 e^^ . cy^/^ / -t 
 
 ■' ^ yc^: ■> ^ 
 
 '^ 
 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Join we together for the public good. 
 
 JOHN BROOKS, who was elected the first Presi- 
 dent of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, 
 was a hero of the Revolutionary period, and continued 
 to show his unselfish devotion to his native town of 
 Medford, to his State and his country, during his 
 protracted life. He was an influential friend of 
 Washington, and received from him while President 
 the appointment of Marshal of the District of Massa- 
 chusetts. Upon the occasion of the lamented decease 
 of Washington he pronounced before the inhabitants 
 of Medford an eloquent eulogy. He was a firm sup- 
 porter of public order and the authority of law, and 
 gave his efiicient aid in the suppression of Shays's 
 Rebellion. He was an esteemed friend of Lafayette, 
 and it was his good fortune to extend to the Nation's 
 guest a cordial reception and welcome, in which his 
 fellow-townsmen heartily joined. When elected Pres- 
 ident of the Association, he had just retired from the 
 oflB.ce of Governor of the Commonwealth, which he 
 had held for seven years, his successor, Governor 
 Eustis, having been inaugurated June 4, 1823. 
 Dr. John C. Warren and Col. Samuel D. Harris, 
 
 7 
 
50 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 who were appointed a Committee to inform him of 
 his election and to request his acceptance, reported, 
 June 30, that he Avas pleased to say, " that the object 
 of the Corporation had been a desirable one in his 
 mind, that he felt a strong interest in its success, and 
 that he accepted with pleasure the oflfice of President 
 to which he had been elected." He was re-elected at 
 the Annual Meeting in 1824; but it does not appear 
 by the records, or by any report or letter in existence, 
 that he attended any meeting, or acted upon any com- 
 mittee, although it is highly probable that he might 
 have informally conferred with the officers of the Cor- 
 poration, and given them his advice or some important 
 suggestion. He was connected with Mr. Everett by 
 marriage, and probably had conferred with him on 
 the subject. The only real service which he appears to 
 have rendered the Corporation is his valued indorse- 
 ment of its objects by lending at the start his great 
 and venerated name. He died in his native town, 
 Medford, March 1, 1825, at the age of seventy-three 
 years. 
 
 The Corporation was remarkably fortunate in the 
 selection of its Treasurer, who was the only one of its 
 original members who filled the same office during* his 
 life and imtil after the completion of the great wort. 
 In the promptness, accuracy, and skill Avith which he 
 discharged the manifold and perplexing duties of his 
 office, he was alike distinguished. 
 
 Nathaniel Pope Russell was descended from a 
 fsuuily of that name, settled in Boston since 1680, 
 and evidently of a different origin from the Charles- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 51 
 
 town family. His first ancestor in this country was 
 the Rev. John Russell, Jr., pastor of the First Bap- 
 tist Church, who had come from England with his 
 father ^^I'evious to 1642. Mr. Russell was born in 
 Danvers, Mass., August 15, 1779, during the tempo- 
 rary residence of his father in that town, but was 
 educated and always lived in Boston. 
 
 He received a mercantile training with Stephen 
 Fales, a merchant of respectability, and was after- 
 wards employed as secretary by Peter C Brooks, in 
 the private underwriting office, now incorporated as 
 the Boston Insurance Company. In 1803, Mr. Brooks 
 retired from the office, and was succeeded by Mr. 
 Russell, who continued it till near 1820. Having 
 then acquired a competency, Mr. Russell withdrew 
 from active business, and devoted the remainder of 
 his life to the service of various public and private 
 charities and trusts. The most prominent among 
 these was the Treasurership of this Association, to 
 which he devoted twenty-five years of earnest and 
 valuable service. He was also for many years Treas- 
 m-er of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and of 
 the West Boston Religious Society, under the pas- 
 toral care of Rev. Dr. Lowell, besides having twice 
 been a member of the City Grovernment, and a Rep- 
 resentative and Senator in the Massachusetts Legis- 
 lature, but declined being a candidate for Ma3^or. 
 
 Mr. Russell was a kind-hearted, helpful man, always 
 ready to contribute his assistance or advice to those 
 who needed either. Perhaps, after Solomon Wil- 
 LARD, no member was more useful to the Association. 
 
52 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "William Tuclor, who originated the sublime con- 
 ception of erecting a superb National Monument, was 
 placed in the responsible office of Secretary, and 
 also upon the Committee of Correspondence. The 
 duties of both positions were congenial to his taste, 
 and he performed them with alacrity while he re- 
 mained at home; but he was soon called abroad in 
 the service of the ]S[ational Government, at first as 
 Consul at Lima, and afterwards as Charge d' Affaires 
 at Brazil. 
 
 Mr. Webster was at the head of the list of Di- 
 rectors, and he presided at the meetings of the 
 Directors in the absence of the President and Vice- 
 Presidents. 
 
 Among the replies to the notices of the Secretary 
 to those who were elected members is the following 
 from Hon. Caleb Cushing, which was sent with his 
 usual promptness: — ' 
 
 Newburyport, July 2, 1823. 
 William Tudor, Esq. 
 
 Sir, — I am much obliged to you, and the other members 
 of the Association which j^ou represent, for the favor you do 
 me in electing me into your number, and shall gladly do all 
 in my power to further its objects when they shall be more 
 fully communicated to me. Enclosed is my payment to the 
 treasury. 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 C. Gushing. 
 
 The venerable Mr. Potch, though belonging to the 
 Society of Friends, did not hesitate to send the fol- 
 lowing acceptance : — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 53 
 
 New Bedford, July 9, 1823. 
 
 My dear Sir, — Your note of 5th inst., informing me tliat 
 1 have been chosen a member of the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association, was received in due course. For this mark of 
 the partiality of my friends, I beg leave, through you, to 
 offer my best acknowledgments, and to assure them that, at 
 all times, I shall be ready to devote my feeble exertions to 
 the discharge of those duties which may be incumbent on its 
 members. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Thomas Rotch. 
 
 I enclose you five dollars, the amount paid by each mem- 
 ber. 
 
 The gallant son of General Putnam, who himself 
 served with his father as Aide in the Revolutionary 
 War, was not overlooked by the Committee, to whose 
 letter he replied as follows : — 
 
 Brooklyn, 16th August, 1823. 
 To W. Tudor, R. Sullivan, and F. C. Gray, Esquires. 
 
 Gentlemen, — I have not, until this evening, received your 
 letter, without date, but post-marked the 5th of a month not 
 legible. 
 
 I had previously been informed of the Association whose 
 organ you are, and of its object ; and it will hardly be neces- 
 sary for me to assure you that such co-operation as may be 
 within my power shall be most cheerfully rendered. But I 
 am growing an old man : my health, in its best state, will not 
 admit of much personal exertion ; and the interruptions of it 
 are so frequent as to confine me mostly at home. I iiitend, 
 however, if not prevented by circumstances beyond my con- 
 trol, to visit Boston in the month of October ; and, should I 
 be able to fulfil this intention, it will give me pleasure to 
 confer with the committee on the subject. 
 
 I am respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 D. Putnam. 
 
54 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Hon. Levi Woodbury gave his views to the Com- 
 mittee in this wise : — 
 
 Portsmouth, Aug. 7, 1823. 
 W. Tudor, R. Sullivan, and F. C. Gray, Esquires. 
 
 Gentlemen, — I have received your pohte communication 
 concernins" a monument on Bunker Hill. 
 
 The success of a subscription in this State will depend 
 much upon the time and manner of commencing it. Pre- 
 vious to the 4th of July would have been the most favorable 
 period for this purpose. Whether it would now be advisable 
 to delay it till another of our national festivals deserves con- 
 sideration ; and your opinions on that point might be service- 
 able to us. Inconveniences may attend the delay, of which 
 we are not aware. 
 
 I will, soon as may be, confer with some of the gentlemen 
 in this State whom you have designated, and give every aid 
 to the cause which my means and leisure may permit. 
 
 With high consideration and respect, your most obedient 
 servant, 
 
 L. Woodbury. 
 
 In 1824, Mr. Everett was placed on the Committee 
 of Correspondence, to fill the vacancy occasioned by 
 the departure from the country of Mr. Tudor. Frank- 
 lin Dexter was made Secretary of the Corporation. 
 The Directors, July 27, appointed a Standing- Com- 
 mittee of five to manage the af!\iirs of the Corporation, 
 with authority to call a meeting of the Directors when 
 needful to consult them. Mr. Everett Avas made Sec- 
 retary of this Committee, and the next year was made 
 Secretary of the Corporation, and Mr. Dexter was 
 put in his place as Director. 
 
 The Committee called a meeting of the Directors 
 on September 3, at which it was voted that the Com- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 55 
 
 mittee should be authorized to increase the number 
 of the associates in such manner and to such extent 
 as might seem to them best adapted to promote the 
 ends of the Association. They Avere advised to give 
 pubhc notice that all persons who should subscribe 
 five dollars should become members of the Asso- 
 ciation. At this meeting" it was deemed best to 
 secure to the Association the full benefit of clergy, 
 as it was voted that all the clergymen of 'New 
 England should be made honorary members. This 
 vote, however, was never carried out, and none of the 
 clei'gy were ever made honorary members under it. 
 
 The first money which the Treasurer received, 
 other than the initiation fees of the origijial members, 
 was acknowledged in the following official note to 
 the Secretary : — 
 
 Boston, Nov. 5, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sir, — The Hon. John Wells, as Treasurer of the 
 Washington Benevolent Society, has transferred to the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association a certificate for nineteen 
 hundred dollars, of the seven per cent stock of the United 
 States, and has given to me an order for the banners or flags 
 of that Society, which I believe are dej)Osited in tlie uj)per 
 story of Faneuil Hall. 
 
 I remain, respectfullj^, your obedient servant, 
 
 Natha^j^iel p. Russell, 
 
 Treasurer Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 Prof. Edward Everett, Secretary Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 This Society, established in honor of Washington, 
 having found it inexpedient to keep up its organi- 
 zation, determined that the best disposition it could 
 
56 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 make of its funds and other proj^erty would be to 
 appropriate it towards the erection of a National 
 Monument in commemoration of the American Revo- 
 lution, the happy issue of which was due, under Divine 
 Providence, to his matchless leadership. The only 
 condition attached to the donation was that the Asso- 
 ciation should pay annually, for five years, thirty dol- 
 lars to the Washington Artillery, for firing a salute 
 on the 22d of February, Washington's birthdaj^, — 
 which was done. 
 
 The following letter of Dr. Warren indicates the 
 familiar and social manner in which they would occa- 
 sionally meet to discuss the important questions brought 
 
 up before them : — 
 
 Boston, Jan. 5, 1825. 
 
 Dear Sir, — It would have gratified me to meet the Com- 
 mittee on the Monument, according to Gen. Dearborn's wish, 
 in the morning ; but you are aware that I am, at this season, 
 called on to consume nearly three hours of that part of the 
 day in lectures, &c., every day ; which, with the ordinary 
 calls of my j)rofession, is more business than I can meet. In 
 fact, the Avhole of my time by day is occupied at this season. 
 I will not ask an evening meeting, but will agree to give an 
 afternoon next week to the business ; or, considering Gen. 
 D.'s residence in the countrj^, with other things, I propose 
 that the committee should have a dinner together, at the 
 INIarlboro' Hotel, at 2 or half-past 2, some day next weeiv 
 except Tuesday ; and that this be at the expense of the cor- 
 poration, unless gentlemen prefer paying. 
 
 This is my project, and, if it meets favor, I propose to you 
 to issue notices therefor ; and, on hearing from you to this 
 effect, I will order a comfortable dinner, together with a 
 small quantity of the best wine that can be procured, in 
 order to assist our reflections on the Monument. 
 
BUXKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 57 
 
 It is quite necessary, if we mean to do any business, to get 
 the treasurer's reports before meeting. 
 
 I had a conference with his Excellency, who has a hand- 
 some notice of our plans in his speech. 
 
 Very faithfully yours, 
 
 JoHiT C. Warren. 
 
 E. Everett, Esq. 
 
 If the time proposed is not sufficiently early, please to order 
 a meeting whenever it suits Gen. D., and without reference 
 to me. 
 
 As a matter of fact, however, the g-entlemen pre- 
 ferred to dine at their own expense. There are sev- 
 eral notes and memoranda referring to other dinners 
 at meetings of the Committee with some of the Di- 
 rectors, at the Exchange, the Subscription House, and 
 the Park House, but in all cases at their own ex- 
 pense. The highest price one paid was $1.84. Happy 
 days those of the olden time! Occasionally they were 
 entertained by some member of the Committee. Par- 
 ticular mention is made of an agreeable dinner at Mr. 
 Russell's the Treasurer, and one at Mr. Webster's, in 
 Summer Street. 
 
 The " handsome notice," referred to by Dr. Warren 
 as forthcoming from Governor Eustis, was a part of 
 his address to the Legislature, January 24, 1825. 
 The Governor said: — 
 
 " The erection of a Monument on Bunker's Hill is 
 another work of a public nature, in which our fellow- 
 citizens have taken a great interest. For this purpose 
 an Act of Incorporation was granted, and it is believed 
 that adequate funds will be raised by voluntary sub- 
 scription. I recommend a revision of the Act, that 
 
58 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 two conditions may be added: first, that a plan or 
 model be snbmitted to the Legislature for their appro- 
 bation previous to the construction of the Monument; 
 and, secondly, that, when it is completed, it shall 
 revert to the Commonwealth. Should the funds 
 prove insufficient for the completion of such a work 
 as is worthy of the occasion and becoming the char- 
 acter of the State, 1 do not pei'mit myself to doubt 
 that aid will be afforded by an enlightened Legis- 
 lature. 
 
 " To commemorate one of the principal events of 
 the Kevolution; to consecrate the field in Massachu- 
 setts, on which, in the first stages of the war, our 
 heroes and statesmen sealed with their blood the 
 principles they had sworn to maintain ; where a dis- 
 ciplined enemy received from a hardy, untutored 
 yeomanry a lesson which produced the most bene- 
 ficial consequences through the whole of the Revo- 
 lutionary War, — is worthy the care of the patriot 
 and statesman. The splendid column on Bunker 
 Hill will unite principles with history, patriotism wdth 
 glory. It will be read by all ; its moral will strike 
 deep in the heart, and leave an indelible imj^ression 
 on the mind. The trust is too sacred, the work too 
 important, to rest exclusively in the charge of indi- 
 viduals; it should be a common property, in which 
 every citizen should have a right; as it will be the 
 pride, it should also be the property, of the Common- 
 wealth." 
 
 Governor Eustis, however, did not live to see his 
 recommendations acted upon. He died a few days 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 59 
 
 after the delivery of his address, February 6, 1825. 
 He was succeeded by the Lieutenant-Governor, Mar- 
 cus Morton, who occupied the Chair of State until 
 June 8, when Levi Lincohi was first inaugurated as 
 Governor. Governor Eustis served as surgeon in 
 the Battle of Bunker Hill, and he was made an hon- 
 orary member of the Association. He felt strongly 
 the importance of designing a Monument which 
 should be worthy of the approval and the adoption 
 of the State, even looking at the probable contin- 
 gency of the State's being called upon to finish it. 
 He expressed in a letter his detei*mination to subscribe 
 to the object after the session of the Legislature j but 
 his benevolent purpose was left unfulfilled, as is too 
 often the case with many who postpone too late the 
 execution of their good intentions. 
 
 The Committee employed much time in selecting 
 the leading men of the State and of the country for 
 active or honorary membership, and Mr. Everett, in 
 his careful and elegant manner, forwarded the notices, 
 accompanied generally with a note of explanation. 
 Dr. William E. Channing gave in his reply a good 
 reason for declining : — 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have such a consciousness that I should be 
 an inefficient member of the Bunker Hill Monument Associa- 
 tion, that I feel as if I should do wisely to decline the election 
 with which I have been honored. I accepted a similar ap- 
 pointment for the Washington Monument, and, am sorry to 
 say, did nothing. 
 
 Very truly your friend and servant, 
 
 W. E. Channing. 
 
 Boston, Sept. U, 1821. 
 
60 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The responses which came back varied from the 
 highest tone of encouragement to the frank expression 
 of great doubt as to the success of the effort, and 
 even to a stm-dy and bold disapproval of the measure. 
 iN^othing could better illustrate the different shades 
 of feeling of the time, and the courage, resolute and 
 persistent, of the promoters of the great patriotic 
 object, than a selection from these responses. 
 
 Professor Silliman, of Yale College, writing from 
 Hartford, expressed his views of the way to collect 
 money for the object in Connecticut: — 
 
 Haktford, Jan. 20, 1825. 
 
 Deae, Sir, — After receiving your letter of November 10, 
 I conversed with some of our principal gentlemen respecting 
 the practicability of executing the views of your committee. 
 It was their opinion that, although something might be done 
 with individuals, it would be difficult to get up any general 
 excitement on the subject ; and I could not find a person 
 willing to undertake the management of the affair. I am 
 sorry to say this, as perhaps it does not redound much to our 
 honour." Still, I am of opinion, with the gentlemen whom I 
 consulted, that, if an agent is going around to call on indi- 
 viduals, that there are many scattered through our towns 
 who would give their five dollars and their ten dollars, and 
 some more ; but I believe it would be requisite to send some 
 one to call on them at their houses. 
 
 I remain, dear sir, very truly and respectfully yours, 
 
 B. Silliman. 
 
 Kev. Prof. Everett. 
 
 Judge White, of Salem, thought that the scheme, 
 though highly laudable, was far beyond any hope of 
 its being accomplished by individual effort: — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 61 
 
 Salem, Sept. 24, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 favor, informing me that I have been elected a member of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association. This is an honor of 
 which I am duly sensible, and which I should feel no dispo- 
 : sition to decline, if my acceptance of it be not considered as 
 a pledge of active and efficient exertions in promoting the 
 highly laudable object of the Association ; for such a pledge, 
 I fear, it would not be in my power to redeem. I should 
 delight to see this object accomplished by the aid of the gov- 
 ernment, or the spontaneous contributions of opulent indi- 
 viduals ; but I could not feel the same freedom in soliciting 
 pecuniary aid for it as for some other less splendid, but more 
 immediately useful and necessary, public objects. 
 
 With great respect and regard, I have the honor to be your 
 obedient servant, 
 
 D. A. White. 
 
 Eev. Edward Everett, Sec. of Board Directors. 
 
 On the contrary, Mr. Knapp, a popular writer and 
 lecturer, was enthusiastic in his faith that it would 
 succeed : — 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have received the notice of m}^ being elected 
 a member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and 
 also your polite note of the 8th instant. The object of the 
 Association is near my heart ; and I am happ}'' to see men of 
 talents, enterprise, and perseverance, and these men exten- 
 sively known, engaged in the cause. There cannot be the 
 least doubt of complete success. The fulness of time has 
 come for the event ; but no efforts of mine, however humble, 
 shall be wanting to impress upon the minds of my friends the 
 utility and glory of the undertaking. I hope there will be 
 no reason for delaying the commencement of the work be- 
 yond the time contemplated, as the heroes of '75 are falling 
 like the leaves of the season around us, and all of them will 
 soon be gone. 
 
62 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 With liigli consideration and respect, I am jowv obedient 
 and humble servant, 
 
 Saml. L. Knapp. 
 
 E. Everett, Esq. 
 Oct. 12, 1821. 
 
 Mr. Peck believed in the scheme, as tending to 
 purify politics: — 
 
 Salem, Sept. 20, 1821. 
 
 Sir, — I received j'onr favor of the 8th inst., informing me 
 of my being elected a member of the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association. There are few pursuits in which I should en- 
 gage with more pleasure than in the furtherance of the 
 objects of this Association. The corruption of partisan 
 leaders renders it peculiarly important, at this moment, that 
 as frequent recurrence as possible, direct and indirect, should 
 be had to the feelings and principles of the American Revolu- 
 tion. The Association shall have all the little aid and influ- 
 ence in ni}- power in carrying into effect the designs of the 
 incorporation. 
 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 WiLLARD Peck. 
 
 Professor Everett, Secretary, &c. 
 
 Was there ever a time in the history of our countiy 
 when somebody did not raise the cry of "Corruption" 
 among our rulers? This is doubtless the eternal 
 vigilance by which our liberties are sustained. 
 
 A citizen of South Carolina, and a graduate of 
 Harvard College, promised his co-operation : — 
 
 Charlkstox, Feb. 7, 1825. 
 
 My DEAR Sir, — It afforded me sincere pleasure to be fa- 
 vored with 3'our communications relating to the Banker Hill 
 Monument, which I lost no time in making known to the 
 gentlemen of New England resident here, as well as to all 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 63 
 
 others friendly to tlie honorable iindertaldng. We are col- 
 lecting subscriptions, in pursuance of the proceedings at a 
 public meeting, which you have probably seen in the news- 
 papers ; and calculate, with great confidence, to get one hun- 
 dred subscribers at five dollars each. I am, therefore, desired 
 to request you to transmit to me one hundred certificates ; if 
 any of which shall remain unused, such shall be returned to 
 you. But of this latter contingency I feel no fear. 
 
 I pray you to return my most sincere thanks to the Direc- 
 tors of the Association for their complimentary selection of 
 me as their organ on this interesting occasion, and to assure 
 them of my cordial co-operation in their praiseworthy views. 
 We are in hopes of sending on to you, at the anniversary, 
 one of our respectable citizens, who had the good fortune to 
 be present, in command of a field-piece, on the day of the 
 battle. 
 
 With my best wishes for all that concerns you, I remain, 
 dear sir, your obliged friend and servant, 
 
 William Ceafts. 
 
 Professor Eveeett. 
 
 Another citizen of that State expressed his ap- 
 proval : — 
 
 S. C, Golden Gkove P.O., June 2, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
 yours of the 12th of April last (which only came to hand a 
 few days since). I should not do justice to my own feelings 
 were I not to acknowledge the honor conferred in being 
 elected a member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 It has, and I trust will always, afford me great pleasure to be 
 associated with my fellow-citizens in perpetuating events as 
 highly interesting to American freedom as the memorable 
 battle at Bunker's Hill. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 John Wilson. 
 
64 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A Biographer in 'New Hampshire thought the pro- 
 posed Monument unnecessary, inasmuch as the lives 
 of distinguished men could be wi'itten, which would 
 make, in his view, better monuments : — 
 
 Epping, N.H., April 5, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — By the mail of yesterday I received your letter of 
 the 22d ultimo, informing me that I was elected an honorary 
 member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and re- 
 questing my answer whether I would accept the appoint- 
 ment. 
 
 A considerable portion of my life has been, and still is, 
 devoted to raising a monument to the memory of those who 
 contributed their aid in effecting our deliverance from foreign 
 domination, and laying a foundation for the freest and best 
 government that exists. The monument the Association 
 propose to build will be expensive and splendid, and of the 
 hardest and most durable granite ; but mine will be the work 
 of an unassuming biographer, and, instead of imperishable 
 stone, will consist of fragile paper, bearing the impression of 
 types. I mention these facts to show that I am friendly to 
 erecting what I consider the most useful monuments to the 
 memory of departed worth, and to incite men of other times 
 to serve their country. 
 
 Without deciding the question, whether the time and 
 money, that must necessarily be expended in raising the 
 monument the Association propose, could be more usefully 
 appropriated in improving the state and condition of our 
 coLintrj^ and in ameliorating the wants and sufferings of 
 humanity, I must decline the honor of being considered a 
 member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 I am respectfully, sir, your obedient, 
 
 William Plumer. 
 
 Edwaud Everett, Esq., Secretary of the Standing Committee of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association, Boston, Mass. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 65 
 
 It remained for Caleb Stark to denounce the pro- 
 posed Monument, because Congress had not dealt 
 justly with the Revolutionary soldiers, — of which 
 number he was one : — 
 
 Pembroke, April 10, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — Your circular of 22d ult., on the subject of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument, arrived at maturity, but found me 
 extremely debilitated by a severe fever, or you would have 
 had a prompt answer ; and, although extremely emaciated, I 
 seize upon the earliest moment of abiUty to give you my 
 determination. 
 
 In the first instance, I never was very partial to societies, 
 never having been a member of but two in my life, — one of 
 them of a transient character, which has long since passed 
 off ; the other of a permanent character, where I still remain. 
 But, whatever m}' inclination would have led me to in other 
 cases, I have powerful national objections to the adoption of 
 this project, for the following reasons : First, those who made 
 this notable stand on this sanguinary hill have almost all 
 passed to those shades where miHtary honors are not more 
 highly appreciated than they have been in the United States ; 
 secondly, the actors in this bloody scene (the Revolutionary 
 War), after having performed their part in a manner perhaps 
 unparalleled in ancient or modern history, were refused by 
 the government the rewards that were so solemnly promised 
 in the hour of the most critical danger : and, while the gov- 
 ernment has found ways and means to satisfy all other legal 
 and many illegal demands, they still continue a deaf ear to 
 the crying demands for justice claimed by the disbanded 
 officer and soldier. And now, sir, in room of giving them 
 the bread that was solemnly promised, the debt is to be paid 
 by a stone ! ! It is not to be denied, that, after a lapse of 
 forty years, fourteen thousand of the soldiers who were State 
 paupers have been transferred to the United States ; but the 
 utmost care has been taken to preclude all others from the 
 just claims due by the high national compact on the one side, 
 
 9 
 
66 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and the discharged soldier on the other. These considera- 
 tions have induced me to think that it would redound more 
 to the honor of this rising, powerful nation to obliterate every 
 vestisfe of the Revolution rather than have such a foul stain 
 of ingratitude and injustice coupled with the heroic deeds, 
 privations, and sufferings of the authors of the Revolution. 
 
 I pray you to tender my most grateful thanks to the com- 
 mittee for the honor of their election, and regret that the 
 circumstances will not allow me to join the Association. 
 
 With considerations of the highest respect and personal 
 esteem, I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 
 
 Caleb Staek. 
 
 Edward Everett, Esq. 
 
 But the Governor of ]^ew Hampshire took a differ- 
 ent view of the matter, as his letter testifies : — 
 
 GoFFSTOWN, N. H., May 23, 1825. 
 Hon. Edward Everett. 
 
 Sir, — I take this opportunity to acknowledge the receipt 
 of two letters from you, by which I am informed that I have 
 been elected an honorary member of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, and also one of the Board of Directors, for 
 which you will present my thanks to that body. It would 
 be peculiarly gratifying to me to attend the Anniversary of 
 the Seventeenth of June ; but the sitting of our legislature 
 at that time will preclude the possibility of my enjojdng the 
 occasion. I enclose a small sum, $20.00, for the benefit of 
 the object ; and it would have been pleasant to have mani- 
 fested more liberality, had my present circumstances rendered 
 it convenient. 
 
 I am with great respect your most obedient and very 
 humble servant, 
 
 David Laweence Moeeil. 
 
 Nehemiah Hubbard, of Middletown, Connecticut, 
 conscientiously declined the appointment of honorary 
 member in the following language : " Being now in 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 67 
 
 the seventy-fourth year of my age, I feel it a duty 
 I cannot dispense with, to use my inflaence and pecu- 
 niary means to objects, in my opinion, more useful to 
 mankind." 
 
 Governor Wolcott, of Connecticut, was, however, 
 desirous that his State should contribute to it: — 
 
 Hartford, June 2, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter of the 10th of April, 1825, with information that 
 I have been elected a member of the Board of Directors of 
 the Bunker Hill Monument Association. In accepting the 
 honorable trust which has thus been conferred on me, I 
 regret that it is not in my power to render more efficient aid 
 to the patriotic Association of which the Board have consti- 
 tuted me a member. 
 
 After a consultation in this place, agreeably to the promise 
 made in ray letter of March 26, I was advised to leave the 
 contributions from this State to the voluntary aids of indi- 
 viduals, without any public solicitation on my part. I have 
 since seen Mr. Hale ; and I trust that he will succeed in ob- 
 taining a sum which, though inferior to what is desirable, 
 may yet be worthy of your acceptance. 
 
 I have the honor to be, respectfully, sir, your obedient 
 servant, 
 
 Oliver Wolcott. 
 
 Hon. Edward Everett, Esq., Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 A Bostonian in Paris expressed' his desire to pro- 
 mote the object: — 
 
 Paris, 26 November, 1825. 
 Edward Everett, Esq., Boston. 
 
 Dear Sir, — A press of business has prevented me sooner 
 acknowledging the receipt of your letter, by which you an- 
 nounce to me my election as a member of the Bunker Hill 
 Association. 
 
68 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 I beg to assure you, sir, that I accept this appointment 
 with sentiments of great respect; and I feel much gratifica- 
 tion at knowing that my name is associated witli those who 
 are taking means to perpetuate the remembrance of an event 
 which marked the destinies of the nation. 
 
 I shall use my endeavors to increase the number of sub- 
 scribers by applying to the Americans who may be in Paris. 
 At present, I am requested by Mr. Ebenezer May to cause 
 his- name to be added ; and you will receive from my friend, 
 Mr. J. C. Brown, the amount of his subscription. 
 
 I am, dear sir, with great respect, your obedient, humble 
 servant, 
 
 Tho. W. Stoeeow. 
 
 Mr. Somerville, a prominent citizen of Maryland, 
 who was about to represent the country as Charge 
 d' Affaires at the Swedish Court, sent his acceptance 
 and good wishes : — 
 
 Baltibioee, Aug. 23, 1825. 
 
 SiK, — I regret that your letter of the 29th of March has 
 only just been received. It reached ni}' residence in Virginia 
 whilst I was in Philadelphia, and by accident was not for- 
 warded to me during my illness at Bedford. 
 
 I beg you to express my thanks to the Standing Committee 
 of the Bunker Hill Monument Association for the honor they 
 did me in electing me an honorary member of that institu- 
 tion. I am apprehensive, however, that my acceptance of 
 the compliment is too late, as the celebration of your jubilee 
 is passed. If not, I shall be gratified to learn whether the 
 articles of your Association impose any particular duties on 
 its honorary members. I am on the eve of embarking from 
 New York for Europe ; and, after my departure, any com- 
 munication under cover to the Secretary of State will prob- 
 ably reach me, either before or after my arrival at Stockholm. 
 
 With the highest respect, sir, I have the honor to be your 
 obedient servant, 
 
 Wm. C. Someeville. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 69 
 
 Governor James Pleasants, of Yirginia, accepted 
 honorary membership, with appropriate words of en- 
 couragement : — 
 
 Richmond, 13th June, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — Your letter, dated as long ago as the 12th April, 
 reached this place in due course of mail. I was on a visit to 
 the country at tlie time ; and it by accident got out of j)lace, 
 and escaped my observation till a day or two past. I accept, 
 sir, with great pleasure, the honor of membership conferred 
 on me by the Standing Committee of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, and hope to live long enough to be able to 
 visit the spot on which it will be greeted, — a spot which 
 would call up in my mind an association of ideas of a charac- 
 ter the most highly gratifying and cheering. Be i^leased, sir, 
 to present me most respectfully to the worthy members of 
 the Standing Committee, and believe me to be, most truly, 
 your obedient servant, 
 
 James Pleasants. 
 
 E. EVERKTT. 
 
 A citizen of Baltimore, of l^ew England origin, 
 disclosed the lukewarm state of feeling there, even 
 among his brother JSTew Englanders : — 
 
 Baltimore, April 25, 1825. 
 Edward Everett, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 26th December came to 
 hand. I feel flattered at the enclosed certificate of member- 
 ship to the Bunker Hill Monument Association. Although I 
 have not before replied to your letter, you must not attribute 
 it to any indifference on my part to the object of the Asso- 
 ciation, or a want of personal regard to yourself, either of 
 which would be unjust, and a subject of the greatest regret 
 to me. The true reason is, that, on submitting the letter and 
 documents to most of the New England residents here, it was 
 received in so cold a manner that I hardly knew in what way 
 to answer it. This unwillingness to subscribe arises princi- 
 
70 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 pally from the peculiar situation in whicli they are placed ; 
 having, as you well know, constantly to contribute largely 
 (for their means) to keep that splendid edifice from falling 
 to the ground in which Mr. Sparks formerly officiated. How 
 much longer, even with their almost unprecedented liberal- 
 ity, they will be able to keep it up, is quite uncertain. 
 However, there are some who are anxious to become mem- 
 bers ; and, if you will forward me twenty or thirty blank 
 certificates, I will fill them up, and send you a list of the 
 names, with a remittance for the amount subscribed. Should 
 I then want more, I will send for them. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant and friend, 
 
 R. H. Osgood. 
 
 Fortunately, a native of Baltimore, engaged in a 
 like undertaking, felt a special interest in this : — 
 
 Baltimore, 10th April, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — I feel extremely flattered by the honor conferred 
 on me by the Standing Committee of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association in electing me an honorary member of that 
 respectable and praiseworthy institution, and accept the dis- 
 tinction with much pleasure. 
 
 Being myself deeply interested in a similar object here, as 
 President of the Washington Monument Association, I can- 
 not but desire that every success should attend the execution 
 of your plans, towards which I shall have much gratification 
 in contributing in any manner which may lie in my power. 
 
 Accept, sir, my best wishes for your health and happiness, 
 and believe me to be very truly yours, 
 
 Robert Gilmer. 
 
 Edward Everett, Esq., Sec. of S. C. B. H. Association. 
 
 Often the same slow mail brought both discourage- 
 ment and good cheer. What more approving than 
 those precious \ettevs, facsimile copies of which are 
 placed in this volume ! 
 
[f^ 
 
 yfm 
 
 i'' 
 
 R.M.Stalgg 
 
 ' Cheney 
 
 '-^^^ C^-^^/^t^^e^.^'C^Lr . 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 A Nation's character is the sum of its splendid deeds; they constitute one 
 common patrimony, the Nation's inheritance. 
 
 TTS 7HILE Me. Everett addregsed the letters of 
 ^ ' the Committee, joined with his special indorse- 
 ment, to the leading- men of every State, it could not 
 have been exj^ected that hearty responses would be 
 received fi'om all. Nor could they have been surprised 
 if, in some cases, where they might have relied upon 
 a hearty co-operation, or a God-speed, they got back 
 for answer cold discouragement, or even an absolute 
 refusal to have any thing to do with the scheme. 
 Following upon such rebuffs, a letter like the fol- 
 lowing, offering aid unsolicited, must have been 
 exceedingly welcome. The writer was a brother of 
 William Tudor, the prime oi'iginator of the Moim- 
 raent, and himself one of the most enterprising of 
 men, and the originator of the transportation of ice 
 to India and other countries where the luxury of 
 ice was before unknown : — 
 
 Boston, Nov. 12, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have an impression that aid may be ob- 
 tained for our Bunker Hill Monument from Bostonians and 
 other New-Englanders resident abroad, as we all know with 
 what peculiar fondness we turn homeward our recollections 
 
"72 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 when away, and the exultation which we feel in any thing 
 which honors and adorns the country we love. There are, 
 in many distant countries, numbers of our townsmen who 
 have enriched themselves, but who have so long been absent 
 that they are lost to us in every thing except those good feel- 
 ings of which I have spoken. These are vivid, and probably 
 will remain to the last, nor perish when they die. We have 
 forgotten them, but they cherish the remembrance of us. I 
 cannot but think it would be worth the attempt to invite 
 them to the general contribution which is to be made ; and I 
 take the liberty of tendering my services, if properly author- 
 ized by the Association, to ask of such as I am personally 
 acquainted with, and others through them, for assistance 
 towards the completion of an object so highly interesting. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Frederic Tudor. 
 
 Edward Everett, Esq. 
 
 Judge Daggett, Professor in the Law School in 
 'New Haven, and a native of Attleboro', Massachu- 
 setts, promptly sent his grateful contribution to an 
 object that touched his heart : — 
 
 New Haven, April 22, 1825. 
 Sir, — Your letter of 16th March last, informing me that 
 I was " elected an honorary member of the Bunker Hill Mon- 
 ument Association," was duly received. I cannot promise 
 much " influence or aid in carrying into effect the design of the 
 incorporation," though I accept with pleasure this mark of 
 respect. I have requested ni}^ friends, Munson and Barnard, 
 to pay you ten dollars towards this object. Proud of the 
 thousand institutions of my native State, and feeling a lively 
 interest in an association so suited to commemorate the glor}'' 
 of Bunker Hill, it would gratify me to be able to contribute 
 more of my substance and somewhat of my aid towards it. 
 Accept the assurance of my respect. 
 
 David Daggett. 
 
 Tlie Hon. Mr. Everett. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 73 
 
 A citizen of South Carolina, and a distinguished 
 diplomat, sent his liberal token: — 
 
 LuBECK, April 22, 1825. 
 To Edward Everett, Esq. 
 
 Sir, — Your favor of the 22d ult., informing me I had been 
 elected a member of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, I 
 received yesterday. I thank my fellow-citizens for the honor 
 they have conferred on me in adopting me one of the mem- 
 bers of that society. I enclose a draft on Nathaniel Goddard, 
 of Boston, for fiO, which I request the Association to ac- 
 cept of to forward the object they have in view. Every 
 thing relative to the transactions of that memorable day, the 
 17th of June, 1775, commands my attention. I enclose a 
 letter to my friend Goddard, which I wish may accompany 
 the draft. 
 
 I pray you, Mr. Secretary, to accept of the assurance of 
 my very respectful and high esteem. 
 
 L. Tkescott. 
 
 Mr. Bartlett, a leading- member of the New Hamp- 
 shire Bar, sent his donation, with a promise of further 
 aid in other ways: — 
 
 Portsmouth, April 19, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter of March 22d, informing me that I have been elected 
 an honorary member of the Bunker Hill Monument Associa- 
 tion. My absence from home has prevented an earlier 
 acknowledgment of your favor. It will give me pleasure to 
 aid, so far as in my power, the designs of that institution. 
 Please add to its funds the small sum, SIO, enclosed, and 
 acce|)t my best wishes, with the promise of my best efforts for 
 the success of its object. 
 
 With great respect, I am your obedient servant, 
 
 ICHABOD BaETLETT. 
 B[on. Edward Everett, Secretary, &c. 
 
 10 
 
74 ' HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Robert G. Shaw, whose name is identified with 
 almost every great charity and benevolent institution 
 in Boston which solicited aid during the half-century 
 in which he flourished, sent his subscription, with a 
 pledge, which he afterwards redeemed : — 
 
 Oct. 13, 1824. 
 Edward Everett, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I received a notification to meet a few gen- 
 tlemen this evening, at the Marlboro' Hotel, on the .subject of 
 the Bunker Hill Monument. My absence from the city will 
 prevent my attendance. At the same time allow me to say, 
 that no one feels more interest than I do in the accomplish- 
 ment of the object of the meeting, and I shall be ready at all 
 times to evince this in any way in my power. If a subscrip- 
 tion is to be made this evening, j^ou will please to put my 
 name down for one hundred dollars, with a pledge that, if a 
 further subscription should be called for, I am ready to go 
 to twice or even thrice this sum in promoting so laudable an 
 object. And I assure you that I feel much obliged to the 
 active promoters of it. Next to the worthies who risked 
 their all on the memorable 17th of June, they are entitled to 
 my thanks for their patriotic exertions. 
 
 With much respect, dear sir, your obedient humble servant, 
 
 Rob. G. Shaw. 
 
 Hon. James Lloj^d, then United States Senator 
 
 from Massachusetts, without waiting to be waited 
 
 upon by the Committee, sent his subscription in the 
 
 following graceful note : — 
 
 Boston, Oct. 4, 18^4. 
 
 Mr. Lloyd, with his respects, informs Mr. Everett, that he 
 had the honor to receive a notice, under Sept. 1, 1824, of his 
 having been elected a member of the Bunker Hill Associa- 
 tion, — the concluding sentence of Avhicli appeared to him 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 75 
 
 to preclude not only the necessity, but the expectation, of a 
 reply. He mentions this merely, as the certificate has not 
 yet reached him, lest his silence should have been misconstrued 
 into a disinclination he does not feel, — to become a member 
 of the society. 
 
 Mr. Lloyd will not trouble the committee to send him the 
 subscription-book, as intimated in Mr. Everett's note, which 
 has just reached him. The committee will be pleased to con- 
 sider him as a subscriber for one hundred dollars, to be paid 
 whenever requested. 
 
 Prof. Everett, Secretary of the Standing Committee of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 John Lowell, the defender of Putnam's honored 
 name, a distinguished lawyer and an eloquent speaker 
 and writer, sent also, unsolicited, his subscription : — 
 
 RoxBURY, Oct. 3, 1824. 
 Prof. Everett, Secretary of the Bunker Hill Association, 
 
 Dear Sir, — I cannot have the vanity to believe that any 
 opinion of mine will promote the subscriptions to a national 
 work, — a work which ought not to require any recommenda- 
 tion. I cannot recollect what I did say; and I am sure that 
 I should have written a letter with more care, if I had sup- 
 posed that it would be published. But, as I have the most 
 implicit confidence in the committee, I submit to their dis- 
 cretion the few remarks I made, to be used as they may 
 think proper. You are authorized to subscribe for me one 
 hundred dollars towards this object. This will spare you the 
 trouble of sending the subscription book to my house. 
 
 I am, dear sir, very respectfully, your friend and humble 
 
 servant, 
 
 J. Lowell. 
 
 The letter referred to was written the month be- 
 fore, and it contained the following sentiments worthy 
 of perpetual remembrance : " I entirely approve of 
 
76 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the design of commemorating the greatest and most 
 decisive event of our Revolntion, an event which 
 does not rest, as the repnted source of Swiss liberty 
 does, on fable; but on better and more authentic 
 grounds than any of the boasted exploits of Greece 
 and Rome. I think that it should be marked by a 
 monument w^orthy of the heroism which was there 
 displayed, and of the momentous consequences which 
 followed from it. If that small band had retired 
 without striking a blow, the army at Cambridge 
 might have been dispersed, and no man can now say 
 whether our Revolution might not have been retarded 
 to this day." 
 
 Thus wrote Rev. John Codman, D.D., who in this 
 cause stood at the head of the clergy : — 
 
 Dorchester, Oct. 15, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I received yonr favor of the 8th inst., inform- 
 ing me of my election as a member of the Bunker Hill 3Ion- 
 ument Association. 
 
 The patriotic object of this Association must commend 
 itself to every friend of his country, and has powerful claims 
 upon those who have it in their power to aid its complete 
 accomplishment. 
 
 I cheerfully enclose a checlv for $100. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your friend and servant, 
 
 John Codman. 
 
 Rev. Professor Everett. 
 
 The gallant Commodore "William Bainbridge en- 
 closed in his letter, a facsimile of which appears 
 elsewhere, his check for one hundred dollars. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONmiENT ASSOCIATIOX. 77 
 
 In unhappy contrast with the foregoing individual 
 subscriptions is the subjoined letter, giving an account 
 of the first canvass for subscriptions in the City of 
 New York: — 
 
 New York, May 20, 1825. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I had the honor to receive, in due course, 
 your letter of the 26th December, accompanied by the cir- 
 cular addresses of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, 
 and the certificate of membership which the Association had 
 done me the favor to fill up in my name. 
 
 I had, some time before, had the pleasure of conversing 
 with Mr. Webster on this subject ; and I had then hoped 
 that, amongst those resident here who derive their origin 
 from New England, a considerable number would be found 
 who, participating in the views of the Association, would be 
 desirous of enrolling themselves as members of it by at least 
 some small contribution to its funds. 
 
 In consulting with one or two of our friends on the best 
 manner of proceeding in collecting subscribers, it was thought 
 advisable not to attempt larger subscriptions than five dol- 
 lars, and a few of us put down our own names accordingly; 
 hoping that, in fixing on so small a sum, we should find a 
 general disposition to follow us. We then called attention 
 to the subject by publication in the newspapers, and placed 
 our book at one of tlie principal bookstores, and subsequently 
 took the additional measure of sending the book round to a 
 selected list of more than seventy names ; but our success, as 
 you will perceive by the annexed list, has been utterly insig- 
 nificant. Most of those called upon seemed to think the 
 object too local and too distant to claim their participation. 
 
 In so limited a list of contributors, I presume no regular 
 deputation will be appointed to join in the celebration on the 
 17th of June next ; but I am sure all of us will appreciate 
 the obliging invitation which you have communicated. 
 
 I have to request you will have the goodness to send me 
 blank certificates for the names at foot, which I will take care 
 
78 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to see filled up and distributed. The net amount of our col- 
 lection is $86y2^^, for whicli I beg leave to hand you a draft 
 enclosed. 
 
 I am, with great respect and esteem, dear sir, your most 
 
 obedient servant, 
 
 JojSTA. Goodhue. 
 
 Hon. Edward Everett. 
 
 The item of postage came to be a burdensome 
 matter to the Committee, esjoecially to Mr. Everett, the 
 Secretary, who, it appears, must have defrayed a con- 
 siderable amount at his own private expense. It cost 
 then to send a letter by mail the shortest distance, from 
 Boston to Charlestown, for instance, and up to thirty 
 miles, 64 cents; from that up to eighty miles, 10 
 cents; from that up to one hundred and fifty miles, 
 121 cents; from that up to four hundred miles, 18| 
 cents; and over four hundred miles, 25 cents, and the 
 same rate for every piece of paper additional. Mr. 
 Everett sought to obtain relief from the Post-office 
 Department, by inquiring if printed circulars could 
 be mailed for pamphlet postage. The Postmaster- 
 General, who was afterwards Justice of the Suj^reme 
 Court of the United States, gave the following- 
 answer : — / 
 
 Post-office Department, 11th October, 1824. 
 
 Sir, — I have received your favor of the 5th instant. The 
 law does not authorize me to exercise a discretion in remit- 
 ting the postage on letters or documents. If I could use 
 such a discretion, there is no case in which it could be more 
 properly exercised than the one named in your letter. 
 
 The proof-sheets of Cleaveland's " Mineralogy " were not 
 exempted from postage ; but they were believed to come 
 under the definition of pamphlets, and were directed to be 
 
^ 
 
 ^ 
 
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 N 
 
 ^^'ilrfn 
 
 ^ 
 
 Vv iX "i Ltk ',>^ i VX v^ 
 
 i^ -^^j 1,^ ^4^1 
 
^ 
 
 4^/-^C^ 
 
 
 /) 
 
 l,...-<yiX^-^-t>---'^-^c^ '^<' 
 
 ^^^<ri^ 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 79 
 
 charged with postage as such. This was a different construc- 
 tion of the law from what had prevailed in the Department, 
 but I have no doubt of its correctness. 
 
 Any communications which your Association may wish to 
 make by mail, which by their form and matter come properly 
 under the definition of pamphlets, will, of course, be charged 
 with no more than pamphlet postage. 
 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient serAant, 
 
 John McLeak. 
 
 Edward Everett, Esquire, Boston. 
 
 Your circular was not enclosed. I thank you for your 
 excellent oration. 
 
 The oration referred to was undoubtedly the one 
 delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society, at 
 Cambridge, Angast 26, preceding, in the presence of 
 Lafayette. 
 
 The following letter expressed an apprehension of 
 the safety of the mail, which turned out to be un- 
 founded, as soon after it was sent the writer received 
 the proper acknowledgment: — 
 
 PoRTSJiouTH, June 6, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — On the 19th of April, I answered your letter of 22d 
 March, and enclosed a ten-dollar bill of United States Bank, 
 as my mite to the Bunker Hill Monument ; but, not having 
 received any notice of its reception, it probably did not get 
 through the post-offices. It was directed to Boston. The 
 amount is of less consequence than the conduct of the post- 
 officers at this place or Boston. 
 
 I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 ICHABOD BarTLETT. 
 Hon. Edward Everett. 
 
 It serves, however, to illustrate the various little 
 details with which Mr. Everett was exercised in per- 
 

 ^^in^ 
 
 '-^^-'l^l^l^ 
 
80 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 forming his arduous duties as Secretary. We can 
 readily perceive what a drag and clog upon all enter- 
 prise, and upon social and business correspondence 
 was this excessive postage. Then the slowness of the 
 mail by the stage-coach in those days ! 
 
 The great event of the half-century was referred to 
 in the following letter from Abbott Lawrence, who 
 made an appropriate suggestion with regard to the 
 Association : — 
 
 Boston, Aug. 7th, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sm, — The Marquis has at last arrived at New 
 York, and probably will soon be here. Now, would it not be 
 well, while he is here, to have a general subscription among 
 all classes of our citizens, for the erection of a Monument upon 
 Bunker Hill ? Feelings in the community will be excited, 
 which, perhaps, never will again be felt ; and it does appear 
 to me that there will not again be so favorable a moment to 
 collect money as when the Marquis is here. I have men- 
 tioned the subject to several persons in quite middling cir- 
 cumstances, and all approve the object and say they will give. 
 In the mean time, I apprehend great benefit would arise if 
 some person who is read}^ with his pen (Mr. Everett, for 
 example) to address the public through the newspapers. I 
 merely make these suggestions to you, with a hope something 
 may soon be done to accomplish at least a part of our mutual 
 wishes in relation to the Monument. 
 
 I am, dear sir, truly your obedient servant, 
 
 Abbott Laweence. 
 
 Col. S. D. Hauris. 
 
 Indeed, the arrival of Lafayette, in compliance with 
 the earnest invitation of the National Government, 
 was a most joyful occasion, and his presence was 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 81 
 
 besouofht and o^reeted throughout the land. It was 
 the crownhig happiness and glory of the first half- 
 centuiy of the Republic. The Standing Committee 
 decided that this was the most fitting time to make 
 an earnest appeal in behalf of the Monument to every 
 town in Massachusetts. General William Sullivan 
 was appointed to prepare the Address. He was the 
 younger brother of Richard Sullivan, and a distin- 
 guished lawj^er, publicist, and scholar. He submitted 
 the Address to the Committee, which was unanimously 
 approved. It was found to suit the feeling of the 
 time, — patriotic, trumpet-toned, soul-stirring. It was 
 issued in the following form, with the request that the 
 Selectmen would cause it to be read in open town 
 meeting, at the November election : — 
 
 Address of the Bunker Hill Monument Association to the Selectmen of the 
 several Towns in Massachusetts. 
 
 Boston, Oct. 1, 1824. 
 
 At a meeting of the Directors of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, the committee appointed to prepare an 
 exposition of the views and objects of this Association, to be 
 transmitted, with a subscription-book, to the selectmen of the 
 several towns in the State, reported an Address. The same 
 having been read and considered, it was voted unanimously 
 that it be accepted. 
 
 Voted., That Dr. John C. Warren, together with the com- 
 mittee aforesaid, sign the Address in behalf of the Directors, 
 and cause the same to be printed in the first pages of the 
 subscription-books, and transmitted to the several towns. 
 
 Attest : 
 
 (Signed) Edward Everett, 
 
 Secretary pro tern, of the Board of Directors. 
 11 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Boston, Oct. 1, 1824. 
 To the Selectmen. 
 
 Gentlemen, — The American Revolution may be justly 
 considered as one of those remarkable events designed by 
 a wise and beneficent Providence to change and to improve 
 the condition of mankind. Its original causes lie far back in 
 the history of our Fathers. Its consequences are gradually 
 disclosing themselves throughout the civilized world. But 
 its immediate causes, and the agents bi/ ivliom they ivere di- 
 rected, are the peculiar objects of our attention at present. 
 
 We all know that the Parent Country exercised its power 
 over these remote colonies in a manner which its inhabitants 
 held to be unjust, unreasonable, and intolerable. A series of 
 complaints, j^etitions, and remonstrances produced no other 
 consequence than to bring over an armed force, to awe the 
 colonists to submission. They soon found themselves sub- 
 jected to an odious tyranny of hired soldiers. The indigna- 
 tion universally felt could not be alwaj^s restrained ; and it 
 sometimes broke forth in acts of hostility between the colo- 
 nists and the military power. As the spirit of resistance 
 increased, the number of soldiers was augmented, until, in 
 the spring of 1775, several regiments, as well as some ships 
 of war, were assembled at Boston. 
 
 The thoughtful colonists foresaw that scenes of violence 
 and bloodshed must follow, unless they submitted themselves 
 unconditionally to the will of the Mother Country. They 
 could not, they would not, so submit. But they knew that 
 the country was not prepared for an appeal to arms. There 
 was no armed force but the militia, — no magazines, no mili- 
 tary stores, no ammunition but the little which was provided 
 in time of profound peace, no experienced men qualified to 
 meet a trained and well-prepared foe. Certainly, no means 
 could be imagined of contending against the whole power of 
 Great Britain, which might be brought to act on the country. 
 In this desponding and hopeless state, it pleased the Al- 
 mighty to insjjire their hearts witli courage according to their 
 necessities. What they wanted in numl)ers, and in prepara- 
 
W /f^^ 
 
 '^A^*^ ^!>^^^ ^y^^t^ 
 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 83 
 
 tion for war, was abundantly made up to them in confidence 
 in the righteousness of their cause, and in the manly resolu- 
 tion to die ivith honor if they could not live without disgrace. 
 
 On the 19th of April, '75, the British sent a body of troops 
 from Boston, to destroy some powder and provisions at Con- 
 cord. These troops, while passing through Lexington, Avan- 
 tonly fired upon and killed a number of the inhabitants. 
 Some hastily assembled militiamen ventured to oppose them- 
 selves to the regulars at Concord, and there the first blood 
 was shed between the British and the armed Americans. 
 The dreadful scenes of this memorable da}' roused the spirit 
 of the country ; and tlie militia came from different quarters, 
 with any and whatever means they had, for conflict. 
 
 To divert the British from fortifying themselves on Dor- 
 chester Heights, it was deemed necessary to send a force, 
 from the headquai'ters at Cambridge, to take possession of 
 the heights in Charlestown. Under cover of the night of the 
 16th of June, 1775, this detachment proceeded silently and 
 cautiously, and with such arms and implements as they had, 
 and with a very small supply of powder, to take possession 
 of the hills, and spend the night in the hurried labor of pre- 
 paring for themselves some intrenchment against the probable 
 attack of the British. Poorly prepared, and wearied with 
 labor, they met the shock, on the following day, of the picked 
 and chosen men of the British army. 
 
 The consequences of the cool, undaunted, astonishing 
 bravery displayed on that day we now feel and enjoy ; and 
 they will continue to be felt and enjoyed so long as we and 
 our descendants shall be worthy of the name of freemen. 
 
 It is among these consequences that we are now the citizens 
 of a free and independent republic, not the degraded and 
 despised subjects of despotic royal power ; 
 
 That we live under laws made by rulers chosen from 
 among ourselves, not under the orders of arbitrary authority, 
 enforced by a ferocious soldiery ; 
 
 That we dwell in security in our peaceful homes, in the 
 full enjoyment of the fruits of our labor, instead of being 
 
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 w//v^// 
 
 //Z/ /^y i^f^ 
 
 '^>3^UjfUyt^ 
 
 y^y 
 
 
 f^fl^/H.^ 
 
 ^ 
 
84 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 liable to arbitrary taxation, and to personal service in wars of 
 ambition, in Avhich we could have no advantage, thougli sub- 
 ject to the most distressing evils ; 
 
 That the community of which we are members is thriving, 
 and expanding with the impulses of civil freedom, not creep- 
 ing through a humble existence, in the constraint of colonial 
 dependence ; 
 
 In short, that we are citizens of a free, powerful, and in- 
 creasing nation, not a remote and insignificant appendage to 
 a kingdom, and ruled by mandates issuing from a throne three 
 thousand miles from our homes. 
 
 What of gratitude, reverence, and affection do we not owe, 
 fellow-citizens, to our countrj-men who assembled and met 
 the British on Bunker Hill on the seventeenth of June ! It 
 is to their manly resistance that we owe the precious bless- 
 ings we call our own, — all, all that we hold dear. Had 
 they turned and fled, as the British believed they would ; 
 had a panic spread through the country from their flight, — 
 might, might not the germ of liberty have been crushed in 
 the bud, and the history of our country have been stained 
 with disgraceful military executions, instead of being read, 
 as it now is, with emotions of inexpressible thanksgiving and 
 j)raise ? 
 
 It is in honor of that glorious day that it is now proposed 
 to raise a monument worthy of those we commemorate, and 
 to remind successive generations of the deeds of our Fathers, 
 and to evince the just and heartfelt gratitude of the present 
 time. It is known to you that the design of erecting a monu- 
 ment has long been in contemplation. It has been held to be 
 some reproach to us all that it has been so long delayed. As 
 the FIFTIETH year froiu the day of this memorable battle is to 
 close on the next seventeenth of June, it has been deemed, 
 by a number of citizens, highh^ desirable that an effort should 
 be made to purchase the battle-ground, and to be prepared to 
 la}^ the corner-stone on that day. These citizens, animated 
 by the assurance that their patriotic efl'orts would be readily 
 seconded by all other citizens throughout the State, assumed 
 the labor and responsibility of carrying this design into effect. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 85 
 
 They obtained an act of incorporation, to enable them to 
 purchase and to hold the land on which the battle was 
 fought, with a provision to cede it to the State when it shall 
 have been adorned Avith a monument, raised by the grateful 
 contributions of the peoj^le throughout the Commonwealth. 
 It is the design of the corporation to erect a column of two 
 hundred and twenty feet in height^ of hewn granite, contain- 
 ing in its centre a circular stair-way, by which it may be as- 
 cended to the top. 
 
 The corporation cherish the hope that the means of accom- 
 plishing the object in view will have been so far realized that 
 the land will have been purchased, and that, after suitable 
 notice of the occasion by public address, and after solemn 
 thanksgiving to the Almighty Disposer of human events, the 
 CORNER-STONE may be laid on the seventeenth of June next, in 
 the presence of the venerable Americans who fought this 
 battle, and who may yet be living. How affecting must this 
 scene be to them ; contrasting, as they must do, their feelings 
 on that day of peril and destruction with those that will rush 
 on their noble minds on beholding this solemn tribute of 
 gratitude and honor ! 
 
 It is a part of the design of the corporation to collect and 
 preserve all printed and manuscript and personal histories of 
 these early scenes of the Revolutionary War, and the arms 
 and implements which were used in these scenes, and which 
 will otherwise soon be lost in the destroying progress of time. 
 It is greatly to be regretted that this labor has not been ear- 
 lier undertaken. It is not too late. Individuals yet live who 
 can describe facts which they saw, and scenes in which they 
 acted, so strange and heroic that they resemble ingenious 
 fables, or the dreams of romance, rather than the realities of 
 authentic history. A suitable apartment for the deposit and 
 preservation of these various relics and histories will be 
 deposited and preserved, — the oiiginal subscription-books, 
 arranged according to counties and towns, that the names 
 and places of abode of those who join in this tribute of re- 
 spect and gratitude may be for ever known. It is also 
 intended to erect a suitable monument at Concord, where the 
 
86 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 first conflict was had, bearing proper inscriptions to commem- 
 orate the glorious spirit of independence which manifested 
 itself there, and the names of the men ivho fell there, and whose 
 memory should be for ever cherished and honored. 
 
 It is ascertained, as nearly as can be by careful computa- 
 tion, that the purchase of the land, and the entire completion 
 of the whole design, Avill require an expenditure of seventy- 
 five THOUSAND DOLLARS. To laise this sum, a subscription- 
 book has been prepared for everj^ town in the State, and 
 transmitted to the care of the selectmen in each town, accom- 
 panied with a circular letter, respectfully recommending the 
 mode of obtaining subscriptions, and of collecting and trans- 
 mitting the money to the treasurer of the corporation. 
 
 Lately, when General Lafayette was on Bunker Hill, the 
 nature of the Bunker Hill Monument Association was ex- 
 plained to him. He expressed his wish to subscribe. His 
 name stands at the head of the list. He was requested not 
 to place any sum against his name, and so it remains. It 
 was the intention of the Association that the sum to be 
 placed against the name of Lafayette should be the whole 
 amount of all the sums which the little children throughout 
 the State might subscribe or give to the erection of the mon- 
 ;iment. We thus give to these little ones an opportunity of 
 testifying their gratitude to this excellent man and noble 
 BENEFACTOR of their country ; while the aggregate amount, so 
 placed as his subscription, will probably be such a sum as 
 would well become the munificent heart and patriotic wishes 
 of Lafayette. 
 
 It is with exceeding pleasure that the citizens who have 
 taken the responsible labor of organizing and giving effect to 
 the public sentiment can declare that they have received 
 every desirable support and encouragement from all persons 
 whose attention has been called to this object. 
 
 There is no longer a doubt tluit a monument will rise on 
 the spot where the battle of the seventeenth of June, '75, Avas 
 fought. As it will commemorate the greatest event in the 
 liistory of civil liberty, it should be, and shall he, the grand- 
 est monument in the world. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 87 
 
 Such a monument will not only carry down to distant ages 
 the memory of illustrious deeds : it Avill also remind the gen- 
 erations, as they rise, of the origin of their social rights ; it 
 will proclaim to them, with awful grandeur, the sacred duty 
 of preserving unimpaired the freedom which was purchased 
 
 with PRECIOUS BLOOD. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting of the Society, on the seventeenth 
 of June, 1824, the officers chosen for the year ensuing were 
 the following ; [the names are here omitted]. 
 
 Since the last Annual Meeting, the Society, encouraged by 
 the public sentiment, have proceeded with steady and effec- 
 tual steps in this great enterprise. It may be truly said that 
 there is but one sentiment, one feeling, throughout the State, 
 and that there is not a heart in all Massachusetts in which 
 that sentiment and feeling will not be found. 
 
 We pray leave to refer to the letter of advice which accom- 
 panies the subscription-book. 
 
 Gentlemen, we have had the honor thus to explain the 
 views of the Association. If you and your townsmen accord 
 in these feelings and sentiments, this Society desires your 
 aid, your approving sanction, and such co-operation as your 
 own feelings and sentiments may dictate. 
 
 There is no limitation as to the amount which any individ- 
 ual may contribute. No sum will be too great, none too 
 small. As the blessings of social life belong exclusively 
 neither to age nor to sex, all who dwell in this favored land 
 are alike interested in the proposed monument. But, as 
 many of our fellow-citizens may desire to be members of this 
 Institution, the Directors have established one general rule, 
 alike applicable to all ; viz., that all persons who subscribe the 
 sum of FIVE DOLLARS or more shall thereby become members 
 of the Society, and shall be entitled to a certificate of member- 
 ship, containing an engraved sketch of the action of June 17. 
 
 With great respect, your friends and fellow-citizens, 
 
 John C. Warren. 
 William Sullivan. 
 H. A. S. Dearborn. 
 Edward Everett. 
 
88 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It was proposed to send copies of this Address to 
 the settled ministers, that they might read it to their 
 several congregations on Thanksgiving Day; but 
 the ministers did not accede to the proposition. 
 General Sullivan was charged with the duty of 
 procuring the subscription-books containing the Ad- 
 dress, and of delivering them to the Selectmen. This 
 was before the day of Adams and of Harnden, when 
 the Express, as a regular means of distributing 
 parcels through every part of the land, was unknown. 
 On an emergency, the stage-coach was resorted to, 
 and the driver was requested to deliver the packages 
 committed to him at his convenience, which did not 
 always happen to be a great convenience to the 
 parties. 
 
 General Sullivan brought in requisition the services 
 of his brethren of the Bar in the Commonwealth, by 
 sending the books to them while attending court. 
 He employed two students in his office, one of whom 
 was Rufus Dawes, who, like his father, Judge Thomas 
 Dawes, was a poet, and an elegant writer of prose 
 besides. His letter gives us a vivid account of his 
 exploit: — 
 
 Peru, Oct. 28, 1824. 
 8 o'clock ill the evening. 
 
 Deae, Sir, — I arrived at Stockbridge yesterday p.m. at 
 3 o'clock, and was immediately conveyed to Lenox, six 
 miles distant. Mr. D wight was engaged in court, and the 
 other gentlemen mentioned particularly in your letter were 
 not to be found. I met, however, Mr. Whitney of the Bar, 
 who introduced me to Mr. Gold, of Pittsfield. In ten minutes, 
 one-half of the books were distributed, and the sheriff offered 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 89 
 
 to take the rest to the court-house, and distribute thera like- 
 wise immediately, which was of course accepted. 
 
 Mr. Gold said tliat it was not worth wliile to send me to 
 Zoa}\ there being only eight or ten famiUes residing there. 
 Its Hebrew name signifies its insignificance. Munroe is in 
 Franklin County, and there is no such town as Grore, it 
 being annexed to some other one. Mr. Gold suggested the 
 worth tvhile of sending a book to the Shakers, who, in Berk- 
 shire, are a public-spirited society, and might contribute 
 largely. I departed at once, business finished, for Pittsfield, 
 as a stage runs directly thence to Northampton, but was 
 obliged to wait till four this afternoon. I have nevertheless 
 saved time and money by this course, and sliall be in Boston 
 not till Sunday evening, unless I receive orders through Mr. 
 Pratt to proceed elsewhere. I have not delayed one mo- 
 ment ; and, had my motive in travelling been merely to ascer- 
 tain how far I miglit travel, I could not have gone more 
 speedil3% 
 
 From a most uncomfortable desk in a miserable bar-room, 
 
 I am your obedient and humble servant, 
 
 RuFus Dawes. 
 
 Hon. William Sullivax. 
 
 P. S. Shall be in Northampton at 9 o'clock to-morrow, 
 and shall, if Mr. P. is not there, hasten home. 
 
 The book for Stockbridge was sealed without a superscrip- 
 tion, and placed with those for Hampden County, which led 
 to my mistake ; but, soon after my letter had left, I found out 
 its proper destination, Berkshire, directed and delivered it. 
 
 R. D. 
 
 General Sullivan transmitted the letter to Dr. War- 
 ren, with the following indorsement: — 
 
 SUXDAT, 31st. 
 
 Dr. Warren. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Dawes and Pratt are returned. All the 
 books are distributed. Out of 316, I suj)pose at least 
 
 12 
 
90 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 280 are now in the hands of the Selectmen. We began on 
 Tuesday morn, and may consider a good deal done in five 
 days, at rather a low rate of expense. In some places, the 
 messengers were well received ; in others, not. My opinion is 
 that no great dependence should be placed on country dona- 
 tions. W. S. 
 
 The books came straggling back, brought some- 
 times by some private hand, more frequently by the 
 Representative to the General Court, and occasion- 
 ally by the stage-coacli. Here are samples of the 
 return of the Selectmen : — 
 
 Sandisfield, August 17th, 1825. 
 To Prof. Edward Everett. 
 
 Sir, — The selectmen of the town of Sandisfield have paid 
 due attention to the subject of the Bunker Hill Monument ; 
 but, the town of Sandisfield being remotely situated, no gen- 
 tleman feels sufficiently interested to become a subscriber. 
 
 We have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient 
 servants, 
 
 Urial Smith, 
 Thomas Deming, 
 Joseph Sears, 
 
 Selectmen of Sandisfield. 
 
 Dracutt, July 27tli, 1825. 
 
 SiE, — Your letter of the 11th has been received. The 
 subscription-book for the Bunker Hill Monument was not 
 received by us till June last, in consequence of which we 
 were prevented laying the book before the town at the annual 
 meetings ; and we have not given it that circulation we could 
 wish as yet. We have obtained subscriptions to the amount 
 of $35, which I shall deliver to yourself, or the treasurer 
 of the Association, on the 9th of August next, together with 
 the subscription-book. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 91 
 
 Please to pardon our neglect. 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, for the selectmen of Draciitt, 
 your obedient servant, 
 
 B. F. Varxum, 
 
 Chairman. 
 Hon. Edward Everett. 
 
 Manchester, Dec. 27, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sm, — By the politeness of the bearer. Captain Leach, 
 you will receive the book, and money collected here for the 
 Bunker Hill Monument, amounting to sixty-four dollars. 
 The sum has fell short of my expectation. You may rest 
 assured that every exertion on my part to swell the sum has 
 been made. There are many who appear to be void of that 
 gratitude due to our fathers whose blood drenched the hill 
 of Bunker's to make us free. 
 
 I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient 
 servant, 
 
 Israel Forster, 
 
 Chairman of the Selectmen. 
 Nathaniel P. Russell, Esq. 
 
 P. S. Please to send the certificates of membership by 
 Captain Leach. 
 
 Judge Story^ one of the Vice-Presidents, took 
 special interest in his town, to induce a large number 
 of his townsmen to subscribe the price of member- 
 ship, and thus obtain those precious " certificates," 
 which were handsomely engraved with a view of the 
 Battle and the facsimile signatures of the oflScers of 
 the Association. 
 
 Salem, Jan. 7, 1825. 
 
 My dear Sir, — • We have not yet closed our subscriptions 
 for the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and we shall not 
 
92 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCLVHON. 
 
 be as successful as we ought to be ; but we shall still do 
 something. There are, as I am informed by Mr. Jonathan P. 
 Saunders (the town clerk), two hundred and twenty-nine 
 who have subscribed five dollars each, and the}^ are impatient 
 for their certificates of membership. Mr. Saunders has, at 
 the suggestion of the selectmen, undertaken to fill up the 
 certificates for this town, pro hono publico, from a desire to 
 aid the object with all his power. He will hand you this 
 paper ; and, if you will send by him the number of certificates 
 required (deducting those whose names you already have, 
 and whose certificates have been sent), I shall be obliged 
 to you. He is a worthy man, and is very willing to give his 
 services, but is not able to subscribe. I hope, however, he 
 may be created a member by the Board ; and I am quite sure 
 his labors will deserve a far greater recompense. 
 
 If by any circumstance you should be prevented from 
 sending the certificates by Mr. Saunders, I wish you Avould 
 send them to me by the first opportunity. Mr. Saunders will 
 be requested to keep a list of all the certificates he fills up 
 and delivers. 
 
 I shall be glad if you are present in the senate chamber 
 on Thursday next, though I do not hope to change your 
 opinion. 
 
 Yours very truly and affectionately, 
 
 Joseph Story. 
 
 Mr. Prof. Everett. 
 
 The matter upon which the^ Judge desired to 
 change the opinion of Professor Everett was the 
 question, then deeply agitated among the Directors, 
 of the form of the proposed Monument. The Judge 
 was strongly in favor of the obelisk; the Professor, 
 true to his Grecian taste and classic culture, pro- 
 nounced as decidedly for the column. 
 
^^ ^ t 111 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 <;il 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 ^^ir 
 
CHAPTER YI. 
 
 Monuments are the grappling-irons that bind one generation to another. 
 
 GOVERNOR EUSTIS, as before stated, had 
 made the object of the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association a conspicuous topic in the address which 
 he pi'onounced before the Legislature a few days be- 
 fore his untimely death. The Association desired 
 three things, — aid of the Commonwealth in the 
 erection of the proposed monument, in the form of 
 money or its equivalent; authority to take as much 
 of the battle-field as might be deemed desirable 
 by the right of eminent domain, in case they could 
 not obtain a deed of the owner; and the donation of 
 two or more of the cannon belonging to the State, 
 which had been used in the Revolutionary War, to be 
 placed within or around the monument. The Gov- 
 ernor deemed it important that the plan of the monu- 
 ment should be submitted to the Legislature for its 
 approval, before any encouragement should be given. 
 But no one seconded that suggestion; and, after his 
 death, no notice was taken of it. 
 
 That portion of the Governor's address which 
 related to this subject was referred to a joint special 
 committee, of which Seth Knowles, a senator, was 
 
94 HISTORY OF THE , 
 
 made chairman, because he was known to be one of 
 the Directors of the Association, lie was a success- 
 ful merchant of Boston, then resident of Charlestown, 
 and connected by marriage with one of the leading 
 families of the latter place. The Committee, after 
 a hearing, gave leave to the Association to bring in 
 a bill. This was drawn by General Sullivan. Mr. 
 Everett, on behalf of the Directors, wrote letters to 
 several members of the two Houses, bespeaking their 
 favorable consideration of the patriotic movement. 
 The bill passed, with an amendment limiting the 
 amount of the stone to be hammered at the state 
 prison gratuitously, to the value of f 10,000, instead 
 of all the stone required foi* the monument, as re- 
 ported. The Act is as follows : — 
 
 An Act to aid the Banlcer Hill Monument Association. 
 
 Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
 Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the 
 authority of the same, that the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association shall be entitled to have the stone, of which their 
 intended monument may be constructed, hammered and pre- 
 pared to be used, at the state prison in Charlestown ; and the 
 proper officers of the prison are hereby authorized and re- 
 quired to cause the same stone to be hammered and prepared 
 accordingly ; and in such form and manner as the Directors 
 of said Association may retpiest. Provided, that the ham- 
 mering of stone under the provisions of this section shall 
 never exceed in value the sum of ten thousand dollars ; and, 
 provided further, that nothing herein contained, shall be so 
 construed, as to prevent or retard the fulfilment of any 
 contract for stone work with any other person or persons 
 whatever. 
 
 Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, that whenever the Directors 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 95 
 
 of said Association shall apply therefor, the Governor and 
 Council be, and they hereby are, authorized and empowered, 
 to cause to be delivered to said Association, the two cannon 
 called the Hancock and Adams, to adorn the intended monu- 
 ment, and to be preserved as the earliest of the reliqnes of the 
 revolutionary struggle ; and to deliver, also, for the same 
 purpose, any two other cannon used in the Revolutionary 
 "War, and now belonging to the State, as to the Governor and 
 Council may seem proper. 
 
 Sect. 3. Be it further enacted, that the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association be, and the Directors thereof, acting for 
 said Association, hereby are, authorized and empowered to 
 take and to appropriate to the legal uses of said Association, 
 any land on Breed's Hill, in Charlestown, which said Direc- 
 tors may tind to be necessary in the design of erecting a 
 monument, and laying out the surrounding ground in the 
 appropriate manner, not exceeding five acres : Provided 
 always, that the said Corporation shall, before the title to 
 said land which shall be so taken shall vest in said Corpora- 
 tion, apply by petition to the Court of Common Pleas, in the 
 county of Middlesex, to have a committee of five disinterested 
 freeholders within the same county, appointed to appraise the 
 land which may be so taken for the uses aforesaid ; and the 
 said committee shall be commissioned by said court to per- 
 form that duty, and shall be duly sworn to the performance 
 thereof, and having notified all persons known to be inter- 
 ested in said land, to appear at a time and place, to be by said 
 committee appointed, shall proceed to appraise the same, and 
 shall make return into said court under their hand and seals, 
 of their doings, and shall describe the lands taken by said 
 Corporation, by metes and bounds, and the just value thereof 
 in money to each and every individual proprietor thereof ; 
 and the return of said committee being accepted by the court, 
 and ordered to be recorded, the said Corporation shall be 
 holden to pay unto said court the full appraised value of the 
 land taken, with all the costs of appraisement ; and, on mak- 
 ing such payment into court, the title to said land shall vest 
 
96 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ill said Corporation. Provided always, that any person or 
 persons, who may be aggrieved by the appraisement of said 
 committee, may move the court tliat a jury may be impan- 
 elled to appraise the value, by their verdict, of the land 
 which may have been taken from such person or j)ersons, and 
 the said court shall proceed to inquire of the said value by the 
 said jury, and it shall be lawful for any two or more of the 
 proprietors from whom land shall have been taken, to join 
 in submitting their joint or respective claims to such jury. 
 And if the said jury sliall not, by their verdict, find the value 
 of the land to be greater than said committee shall have 
 appraised the same at, the said former owner or owners shall 
 not recover costs for the trial by jury. But if the said jury 
 shall find the value of the land to be greater than the said 
 committee shall have appraised the same at, the said Corpora- 
 tion shall be adjudged to pay the costs of the trial ; that the 
 verdict of the jury being accepted and recorded by the court, 
 the said Corporation sliall be entitled to have and hold the 
 land taken, on paying the value found by the jury, into court, 
 with, or without costs, as aforesaid. 
 
 Sect. 4. Be it further enacted, that the money paid into 
 court shall be paid out to such person or persons as the court 
 shall find to have been the lawful owners of the land taken 
 by said Corporation, or to the legal representatives of such 
 owners, according to tlie respective rights which such own- 
 ers, or their legal representatives, shall make to appear to 
 said court, and that said corporation shall pay the legal costs 
 of such application to the court. 
 
 Sect. 5. Be it further enacted, that when the said monu- 
 ment shall have been completed by the said Corporation, the 
 same shall be, together with all the land purchased, and then 
 held by said Corporation, conveyed to the Commonwealth of 
 INIassachusetts, to be had and held by said Commonwealth, 
 on the condition tliat the Commonwealth shall keep the said 
 monument, and any buildings for public use connected 
 therewith, in good repair for ever. 
 
 Approved by the Lieut. Governor, Feb. 26, 1825. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 97 
 
 Dr. Warren wi'ote to Mr. Everett, February 24 : 
 "Our Bill passed the House this afternoon, — not 
 without a struggle, Avhich made me tremble for its 
 fate. Mr. Dexter was at my side, and, though opposed, 
 he declined speaking or voting against the Bill; for 
 which we have much reason to thank him, as it would 
 have proved fatal." 
 
 Although the passage of the Act was deemed of the 
 highest importance, the result did not prove so bene- 
 ficial as was expected. It was then supposed that 
 the granite stone for the monument would be quar- 
 ried in Chelmsford, where the supply was generally 
 obtained, whence it would be transported by the Mid- 
 dlesex Canal to the state prison wharf, where it could 
 be hammered and dressed by State labor, and thence 
 could be readily teamed as wanted for 'construction. 
 
 The land was principally negotiated for and pur- 
 chased in the summer and fall of 1824. In only one 
 instance was there recourse to the provisions of the 
 Act, and that was the case of a party under guardian- 
 ship, who was owner of an undivided sixth part of a 
 lot; but Mr. Knowles was of the opinion that in three 
 or four other instances, in which the negotiation was 
 not completed till the spring of 1825, the power given 
 by the Act was a great assistance. 
 
 In August, 1821, Dr. Warren wrote to Mr. Web- 
 ster, who was passing his vacation at Sandwich, — he 
 had not then acquired his famous farm in Marshfield, — 
 for his opinion as to the quantity of land the Associa- 
 tion ought to purchase, and how to raise the money 
 to pay for it, before the subscriptions came in, and 
 
 13 
 
9-8 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 upon the extent to which the membership of the Asso- 
 ciation shonld be enlarged. To these inquiries was 
 sent the following reply, written in a free, familiar 
 style, and disclosing graphically the rural, recreative 
 life of the great Statesman, while enjoying the Otium 
 cum dignitate: — 
 
 Sandwich, Aug. 15. 
 
 My dear Sir, — I received yours yesterday, and have 
 shown it to Mr. Blake. For myself, I have always been in 
 favor of buying a pretty liberal piece of land, before we 
 began onr work. I do not know enough of particulars to 
 rely on my own judgment, but am disposed to follow you, 
 Mr. Sullivan, and the rest of the gentlemen. I am content, 
 therefore, to take a part in the proposed purchases, with a 
 limitation, such as you mention, — that ia\y part does not 
 exceed one thousand dollars. Mr. Blake authorizes me to say 
 the same in his behalf. We are not afraid of loss, unless 
 advantage be taken of our pat7'iotism to demand enormous 
 prices. 
 
 As to the other suggestion in your letter, the proprietj^ of 
 augmenting greatly the numbers of the Corporation, I have 
 not heard the pros and cons, and have no fixed opinion on the 
 subject. My feeling, however, of expediency — for it is at 
 present nothing but an impression — is, that it would be 
 desirable to get along without such augmentation if we could. 
 But on this point we can confer next week. I shall be likely 
 to repose more trust in the judgment of others than in my 
 own. 
 
 We are passing away time here not unpleasantly. The 
 ladies are very agreeable, and we feel no want of company. 
 Some things I like much ; viz., the early rising, early meals, 
 early going to bed. Nor Avould speak slightingly of picking, 
 catching, and eating birds and fish. I have left all ideas 
 behind me except such as are appropriate to the place, — 
 such as the places and seasons for trout, &c. As to Mr. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCLVHON. 99 
 
 Blake, he resembles the old Roman soothsayers, being, like 
 them, very superstitiously given to watching the flights of 
 birds. Mrs. B. and Mrs. W. both send their love, and both 
 wish that you would join us for a few days. 
 
 Yours always, 
 
 D. Webster. 
 
 Judge William Prescott also signified his willingness 
 to be obligated in the sum of one thousand dollars 
 as sm^ety for the Association upon a temporary loan 
 for this purpose. Twenty gentlemen, including Mr. 
 Webster, Mr. George Blake, and Judge Prescott, 
 signed a note with the treasurer, each as surety in 
 that sura; and the money was obtained at the Suffolk 
 Bank, Sept. 17, 1824, and was repaid one half in 
 January, and the other half in February following. 
 
 Mr. Knowles was industriously engaged in negoti- 
 ating for the land, and General Sullivan examined 
 the titles, and prepared the conveyances. Dr. Warren, 
 who at the outset purchased the Russell pasture, a 
 tract of nearly three acres, the title of which had been 
 in the Russell family for over a century, was reim- 
 bursed the cost of his conveyance, $1,250. This land 
 descended to Sarah Russell, daughter of James Rus- 
 sell; and at her decease, without will, there were so 
 many heirs at law, that, by their order, it was put in 
 the hands of Charles R. Codman for sale. Kins: Solo- 
 mon's Lodge came forward nobly to surrender their 
 claims to the land and to their monument, with the 
 request that there should be hereafter preserved some 
 memorial of it. Their request was granted, as the fol- 
 lowing correspondence will show : — 
 
100 HISTOKY OF THE 
 
 Charlestown, April 8, 1825. 
 
 Gentlemen, — The undersigned are a Committee, ap- 
 pointed by King Solomon's Lodge of Free and Accepted 
 Masons, in Charlestown, to oifer to your Association the 
 monument and its appurtenances, by them erected to the 
 memory of Major-General Joseph Warren and his associates, 
 slain on the heights of Charlestown in the glorious battle of 
 the 17 June, 1775. 
 
 This monument is a j)lain Tuscan pillar, built of wood 
 eighteen feet in height, exclusive of the pedestal, which is 
 eight feet high, built of stone and brick, the top terminating 
 with a gilt urn. On one side of the pedestal is a tablet with 
 an inscription commemorative of the battle. It cost, orginally, 
 about one thousand dollars. 
 
 In relinquishing their claim, the Committee would state, 
 in brief, that the monument was erected by King Solomon's 
 Lodge in 1794, having previously obtained a charter of incor- 
 poration for the purpose of holding in fee-simple the ground 
 on which it is erected. The land was the donation of the 
 Hon. James Russell, late of Charlestown. By neglect, no 
 deed of conveyance was ever given, and no recorded evidence 
 exists of such donation. The Lodge has, however, held quiet 
 possession for more than thirty years. But, whatever may 
 be the claim thus acquired, it is freely and cordially waived 
 in favor of an institution whose object is so national and 
 patriotic. At the same time, the Committee cannot but cher- 
 ish the hope that some trace of its former existence maj^ be 
 hereafter found in the archives of the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association. 
 
 Wishing your patriotic labors may be crowned with 
 abundant success, 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants, 
 
 Thomas J. Goodwin, 
 Tho-aias Hooper, 
 William Going, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 The President and Directors of the B. II. Monument Association. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 101 
 
 Gentlemen, — Your favor of the 8th nit. was duly re- 
 ceived by the President and Directors of the Bunker Hill 
 Monument Association. I am directed to express to you the 
 high sense which the President and Directors entertain of 
 the patriotic spirit which originally prompted King Solomon's 
 Lodge to the erection of a monument at so early a period, 
 and (compared with the resources at command) at so great 
 an expense, to the memory of the great and excellent men 
 who fell on the 17th of June. Nor are the President and 
 Directors less sensible to the very liberal and generous course 
 which has been adopted by King Solomon's Lodge in propos- 
 ing to cede the monument and their claim to the soil to the B. 
 H. M. Association. I am directed, in the name and on behalf 
 of the President and Directors, to inform you that this pro- 
 posal is gratefully accepted, and that the hope expressed by 
 you, " that some trace of its former existence may hereafter 
 be found on the archives of the B. H. M. Association," shall 
 faithfully be fulfilled. 
 
 You will doubtless be pleased to have it in your power to 
 inform the Free and Accepted Masons of King Solomon's 
 Lodge, the forerunners of the B. H. M. Association in this 
 honorable undertaking, that the best prospect exists of the 
 accomplishment, in due season, of a patriotic enterprise, of 
 which their Lodge was the first to form the design and to set 
 the example. 
 I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with the highest respect, 
 
 Edwakd Everett. 
 
 Thomas J. Goodwin, Ch. Com. K. S. Lodge. 
 
 The several grantors of the land to the Association 
 were : — 
 
 Nathaniel Austin, for $5,000.00 
 
 Timothy Walker, „ 4,500.00 
 
 Andrew Kettell, „ 2,600.00 
 
 Ephraim Frost, „ 2,200.00 
 
 Paruell Brooks, „ 3,450.00 
 
102 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Benjamin Adams, for $1,000.00 
 
 Samuel Spring, „ 600,00 
 
 William Austin, „ . . 400.00 
 
 Heirs of Mary Beaman, „ 2,232.42 
 
 Dr. John C. Warren, „ 1,250.00 
 
 Amount, $23,232.42 
 
 For this sum the Association acquired fifteen acres 
 of land, at about $1,550 an acre. We are surprised 
 now that the Directors should have ever been charged 
 with extravagance, either in buying too much land, 
 or in payiug too high a price. ISTone of this land ever 
 belonged to the Breed family. Their nearest land to 
 the Association's purchase was at least one hundred 
 feet distant from its easterly boundary. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Committee were canvassing vigor- 
 ously forsubscriptions in Boston. WilliamPhillips, who 
 had been Lieutenant Governor of the State from 1812 
 to 1823, under the successive administrations of Caleb 
 Strong and of John Brooks, headed the subscription 
 with one thousand dollars. After him, David Sears 
 and Peter C. Brooks subscribed each five hundred 
 dollars. The order in which gentlemen should be 
 called upon, and in what way they should severally 
 be approached, were points of discussion. Colonel 
 Perkins was at first strongly of opinion that all sub- 
 scriptions should be limited to not exceeding ten 
 dollars. Doubtless, it would have been better if that 
 sum had been fixed as the fee of membership. Mr. 
 Kussell wrote to Mr. Everett to inquire, as if in sur- 
 prise, if their handsome copper-plate diploma was 
 really to be given to every one who paid five dol- 
 
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BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 103 
 
 lars ! Many notes on these matters passed between 
 the members of the Committee, some of which have 
 been preserved. The following from Mr. Everett 
 give some idea how he was pressed and occupied by 
 this patriotic work, especially when we consider that 
 he was then performing his arduous duties of Pro- 
 fessor at Cambridge, between which place and Boston 
 there were then only two stage-coaches daily : — 
 
 Monday morning. 
 
 Dp:ar Sir^ — I called at your house for the Bunker Hill 
 Book, and I attempted to get into your study. On arriving 
 at Mr. Hale's, I found you had foi-eseen my wants. 
 
 I have put the book into Mr. Kuhn's hands to-day to Avait 
 on Mr. Gray, Mr. Sears, Mr. Thorndike, Colonel and James 
 Perkins, and Governor Eustis. He is to wait on the Gov- 
 ernor this afternoon. As tlie result of this day's application, 
 if favorable, will have a good effect on to-morrow's, I wish 
 you could send to Mr. Kuhn's (just back of the State House, 
 in Hancock street), about sunset, and get from him a report 
 of his doings, and, if favorable, send it to the " Daily 
 Advertiser," to appear to-morrow morning. I make no 
 apology for asking this trouble, knowing that your heart is 
 in the thing. 
 
 Yours, E. Everett. 
 
 I will try to be at E. Brooks's office from half-past eleven 
 till twelve this morninsf. 
 
 Boston,. Thursday morning. 
 
 Dear Doctor, — We have got on rather slowly through 
 printers' delay. The circular is now circulating. I leave the 
 book with you to get Mr. Phillips's subscription. I took the 
 book myself to Mr. Walley's office yesterday, but he and Mr. 
 Phillips were both at Andover. 
 
104 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 John Q. Adams goes to Washington Saturday; dines, I 
 understand, at John Welles's to-morrow. He has told me he 
 wishes to subscribe. I do not dine at Welles's, but am to be 
 in town, and will join you and George Blake, or General 
 Dearborn, to wait on him with the book. Let me find a note 
 from you at Mr. Hale's to-morrow morning. 
 
 Yours truly, E. Everett. 
 
 If you can get at Mr. Adams at any time, do not wait for 
 me. 
 
 Boston, Oct. 14, 1824. 
 
 Dear Doctor, — I leave you two notes. Twenty dollars 
 would not recompense me for the chagrin of having been 
 tardy last evening. 
 
 I Avill do the best to get an account into the papers to- 
 morrow, but fear it will not be practicable. On Saturday it 
 shall be. 
 
 I will attend to Mr. Webster and the lists, and engage a 
 
 good writer. 
 
 Yours in great truth, 
 
 Edward Everett. 
 
 On Sunday last I sent a special messenger with a labored 
 communication (of a printed column and a half) for the 
 " Daily Advertiser," on the need of large subscriptions. 
 Hale atrociously mislaid it, but has found it, and says it shall 
 come out to-morrow. 
 
 The article referred to as having been mislaid by 
 Nathan Hale, the renowned editor of the " Adver- 
 tiser," of whom Mr. Everett wonld not have ventnred 
 to write so familiarly, had he not been his brother-in- 
 law, presents the subjects so ably, that it should cer- 
 tainly be inserted in this History entire, not only as 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 105 
 
 forming" a part of the Banker Hill literature of the 
 time, but as containing ideas upon subscriptions well 
 expressed and applicable to all times. 
 
 Bunker Hill Monument. 
 
 Mr. Hale, — I have been much gratified at witnessing the 
 favorable reception which the proposal for this monument 
 has met with from the public. The subject, it is well known, 
 had been often agitated in former years ; and, like many 
 other enterprises for the public good, which require much 
 time and labor for their execution, without promising any 
 private emolument, it seemed to be one of those things des- 
 tined to be talked about. 
 
 The zeal, however, with which this object has lately been 
 pursued ; the stimulus given to public feeling by the visit of 
 the beloved champion of our country ; the approach of the 
 fiftieth anniversary of the great events which marked the 
 commencement of the Revolution, are circumstances which 
 augur very favorably for the execution of the long contem- 
 plated project. Nothing seems now to be done but for all, 
 who take an interest in this great public work ; for all who 
 think America has now reached that point in resource and 
 prosperity where the elegant arts ought to receive a gener- 
 ous patronage ; for all, who regard the battle of the 17th of 
 June as the decisive event in our revolution, and, as such, an 
 event whose importance is surpassed by that of no other hu- 
 man history, — to consult for the most effectual and proper 
 mode of carrying into effect the proposed design. 
 
 As to the general mode of raising a fund sufficient for 
 such a work as ought to be erected, it is of course that of 
 private contribution. The Commonwealth, it has been 
 thought b}^ some persons, ought to take upon itself the erec- 
 tion of the monument. But it seems unprofitable to employ 
 time in considering what the Commonwealth ought to do, 
 when no one can thijik for a moment that they will do it. 
 We must take things aj they are, not as they ought to be. 
 
 14 
 
106 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A reasonable hope is indeed entertained, that the General 
 Court will extend some important j^atronage to the monu- 
 ment. By the act of incorporation, after the monument shall 
 be completed, the Association are authorized to " assign and 
 transfer the same, with the land on which it stands, and the 
 appurtenances, to the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth 
 will accept the same." There is no doubt that, in considera- 
 tion of the transfer of a costly and valuable work of art, and 
 the spacious area on which it is placed, the government of 
 the Commonwealth, whose duty it is, by the constitution, to 
 encourage " all private societies and public institutions " by 
 which the improvement of the country is promoted, will feel 
 itself justified in affording liberal aid to the Association ; espe- 
 cially as its objects are such as the people of the State, with- 
 out distinction of party, cherish and approve. Still, however, 
 the great burden must be supported by private contributions ; 
 and it is an important question, to those who feel a deep in- 
 terest in the work, on what principle the citizens ought to be 
 expected to subscribe ; whether a small contribution should 
 be expected from every one able to make a small contribu- 
 tion, while no one should be allowed to exceed a given sum, 
 say ten dollars ; or whether the affluent should be requested 
 to make large and generous donations, at the same time, 
 however, relying on a general contribution to make up the 
 chief part of the funds required. This seems to be the 
 alternative presented ; and in an object of this kind, where 
 no one can be actuated by any other wish or motive than 
 that of doing what is right, it is important that tlie question 
 should be duly considered. 
 
 In favor of relying entirely upon small subscriptions, it is 
 urged that, from the nature of the object, it ought to be a 
 general thing. The sentiments which dictate the erection 
 of the monument are common to all, the events commemo- 
 rated by it are equally interesting to all ; and therefoi'e the 
 burden of the expense should be equall}' borne by all, and 
 would be easily defrayed by a general subscription, through- 
 oat the Commonwealth, of five or ten dollars. It is also 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 107 
 
 urged, on the same side, that large donations tend to dis- 
 courage small ones; that many persons who would cheer- 
 fully give their ten or fifteen dollars, if their neighbors gave 
 no more, will be unwilling to put down so small a sum, by 
 the side of donations of five, two, or one hundred dollars, and 
 so will o-ive nothinsc. These are the considerations which I 
 have heard in favor of confining the subscrij^tion to small 
 sums. 
 
 In favor of looking to the affluent for liberal donations, in 
 addition to the smaller sums subscribed by the rest of the 
 community, it is urged, in like manner, that the object is a 
 general one, and one which ought therefore to have an equal 
 support from all. But if no one gives more than ten dollars, 
 a very unequal effort is made by the different classes of 
 society. To the rich man ten dollars is nothing. It is no 
 more than he is willing to give any time for a box at the 
 theatre, for an elegantly bound novel, or for two or three 
 bottles of rich wine. The industrious farmer who gives ten 
 dollars gives a half ton of ha}^ which would have kept his 
 cow two months ; the frugal mechanic who gives it, gives a 
 month's board of his journeyman. The clerk, the school-mas- 
 ter, the country clergyman, the young lawyer and doctor, 
 who gives ten dollars, gives from one to two per cent on his 
 year's income. If, then, we call on the citizens generally to 
 raise the sum required by small subscriptions of five and ten 
 dollars we ask of those best able to give a mere trifle, and 
 of those least able to give we ask more than they can well 
 spare ; and, though the sum may be the same, the burden can 
 by no means be said to be equally borne. It is true, it would 
 be ridiculous to go to the opposite extreme, and expect the 
 affluent to contribute in the full proportion of their means. 
 This is not attempted even by the tax-gatherer ; and the 
 citizen who counts his million or his half-million is never ex- 
 pected to pay toward the burdens of society a sum as burden- 
 some to him as the frugal tax of the mechanic is to one who 
 labors for his daily bread. Still, however, something like 
 a proportion is aimed at ; and it would be absurd to lay an 
 
108 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 equal tax on all, upon the ground that the protection which 
 the government affords is an object of equal interest to all. 
 
 In addition to this, the sum required is too large to be con- 
 veniently raised by an exclusive resort to small contributions. 
 According to the Circular Letter of the Directors, the column 
 proposed will cost thirty-seven thousand dollars, and the land 
 cannot be procured under an additional expense of twenty- 
 four thousand ; making an aggregate of sixty-one thousand 
 dollars, without any allowance for contingencies, which must 
 nevertheless be anticipated. Those who are conversant with 
 the business of raising large sums of money by subscription 
 will probably agree that to raise this amount exclusively by 
 small sums would prove a difficult thing. It could no doubt 
 be accomplished ; the immense sums raised by some of our 
 Missionary institutions, and in a degree from very small con- 
 tributions, jDrove that it could be accomplished, though with 
 almost incalculable labor and time bestowed in the details 
 incident to such attempts. This consideration, we under- 
 stand, had its influence on the minds of the gentlemen of 
 large fortunes who have already subscribed so liberally tow- 
 ard the monument. They did it from a persuasion that, 
 without some assistance of this kind, the difficulty of raising 
 the requisite funds would be very great ; and, we are much 
 inclined to think that, the more the subject is considered the 
 more this opinion will prevail. It is under this impression, 
 that we entertain a strong desire to see their example sanc- 
 tioned by such of our opulent and liberal citizens as have not 
 yet had an opportunity of subscribing. 
 
 With respect to the difficulty, that large donations will dis- 
 courage small ones, I am inclined to think it of little force. 
 In subscribing to this object, the citizen must be actuated by 
 such motives as will raise him above this feeling. He gives 
 what he can afford to a noble object of patriotic interest. 
 Shall he withhold it because a neighbor has been favored by 
 Providence with the means of giving more, and, under the 
 influence of the same patriotic spirit, is willing to bestow 
 according to his ampler means ? I think not. Besides, on 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 109 
 
 the most unfavorable footing, more will doubtless be gained 
 by a few large subscriptions than will be lost by discourag- 
 ing small ones. It would take two hundred subscriptions at 
 five dollars each to make one thousand dollars ; but we can- 
 not suppose that two hundred citizens, willhig to give their 
 five dollars each, will be deterred from doing it because one 
 liberal and affluent neighbor has given a thousand. 
 
 It may just be suggested that, though this event is, in 
 many senses, of common and equal interest, yet if there be 
 any class peculiarly indebted to the Revolution, and our con- 
 sequent independence, it is the rich. As Colonies, though 
 our population would not have advanced so rapidly, yet those 
 who compose the middling and lower portion of the commu- 
 nity, no doubt, would have lived much as they do now, ex- 
 cept as to political privileges ; but Avhere would have been 
 our great commercial fortunes under the English Navigation 
 Act ? M'here our vast manufacturing establishments under 
 the prohibition " to manufacture a hobnail " ? Civis. 
 
 The further duty was imposed upon Mr. Everett 
 to prepare a circular, to be issued in the name of the 
 Directors. This also he found time to do, and did it 
 w^ell, as he did every thing which he undertook. Dr. 
 Warren declared it ought to be handsomely printed, 
 and a copy sent to every respectable house in Boston. 
 For the same reason, it deserves a place here : — 
 
 Circular. 
 
 Sir, — It is a matter of public notoriety that, about a year 
 since, an act of incorporation was granted by the Legislature 
 of the Commonwealth to the Bunker Hill Monument Asso- 
 ciation. The gentlemen who applied for and received that 
 act of incorporation have no other interest' in the subject 
 than what actuates them in common with their fellow-citi- 
 zens. They were induced to take this step from the very 
 
110 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 general private expression of feeling in favor of the erection 
 of a monument on the spot alluded to ; from the opinion 
 that the suitable time for such an undertaking had now 
 arrived ; and from strong assurances received from many 
 most respectable persons that, in order to concentrate the 
 public sentiment, and ensure a general co-operation towards 
 the end in view, it was only necessary that some few individ- 
 uals should take upon themselves the unpretending but indis- 
 pensable office of formally soliciting the attention of a liberal 
 and patriotic community to the subject. 
 
 It would be a very superfluous though a pleasing task to 
 insist upon the importance of the event to be commemorated 
 in the monument proposed. The action of the 17th of 
 June, 1775, is too well known, not merely to Americans, but 
 to the readers of history throughout the world, to require 
 any attempt at illustration. It ma}^ only be observed that 
 this action is most important, considered merely in the aston- 
 ishing resistance made by raw militia, badly armed, scantily 
 provided with ammunition, facing an enemy for the first time, 
 and that enemy the flower of the best troops in the world, 
 and actually killing and wounding a number scarcely less 
 than the whole of their own engaged. It is still more worthy 
 of commemoration when we consider it in its effect on the 
 fortunes of tlie war, in teaching the enemy to respect the 
 spirit of the people whom he had endeavored to crush, and 
 inspiring America herself with the consciousness of her own 
 power. Lastly, the spectacle itself presented by the action 
 was justly styled by General Burgoyne, who witnessed it 
 from Boston, " one of the greatest scenes of war that can be 
 conceived," — the re-enforcements moving over the water ; 
 the fire of the floating batteries and ships of war ; the flames 
 from three hundred houses in Charlestown ; the ascent of the 
 British troops, pausing from time to time, as their artillery 
 played upon the American works ; the coolness and intrepidity 
 with whicli that fire was sustained by our countrymen, and 
 the fatal precision with which thc}^ returned it ; the broken 
 and recoiling lines of the enemy ; the final retreat of the gal- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. Ill 
 
 lant band wlio had withstood them ; the tens of thousands 
 looking on from the house-tops and steeples and hills of Bos- 
 ton and all the neighboring country, and beholding with the 
 most conflicting emotions the awful struggle in their yiew. 
 It would perhaps be difficult to select in history an event 
 more entitled to celebration by the character of the exjDloits, 
 its great national effects, its astonishing grandeur, and its 
 affecting incidents. 
 
 The spot itself on which this memorable action took place 
 is extremely favorable for becoming the site of a monumental 
 •structure. Competent judges have pronounced the heights 
 of Charlestown to exceed any spot on our coast in their adap- 
 tation to the object in view. Their position between the 
 Mystic and the Charles, with the expanse of the harbor of 
 Boston and its beautiful islands in front, has long attracted 
 the notice of the stranger. An elevated monument on this 
 spot would be the first landmark of the mariner in his ap- 
 proach to our harbor ; while the whole neighboring country, 
 comprising the towns of Roxbury, Brookline, Cambridge, Med- 
 ford, and Chelsea, with their rich fields, villages, and spires, tlie 
 buildings of the University, the bridges, the numerous orna- 
 mental country seats and improved plantations, the whole 
 bounded by a distant line of hills, and forming a landscape 
 which cannot be surpassed in variety and beauty, would be 
 spread out as in a picture to tlie eye of the spectator on the 
 summit of the proposed structure. 
 
 Nor are these the only natural advantages of the spot. 
 Thougli essentially rural in many of its features, it rises 
 above one of our most flourishing towns, the seat of several 
 important national establishments, where the noble ships of 
 war of the American Republic seem to guard the approach 
 to the spot where her first martyrs fought and bled. Its 
 immediate vicinit}^ to Boston, and its convenient distance 
 from Salem, make the access to it direct from the centres of 
 our most numerous, wealthy, and active population ; and will 
 be the means of keeping continually in sight, or bringing 
 frequently to view, to the greatest masses of the community, 
 
112 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the imposing memorial of an event which ought never to be 
 absent from their memory, as its effects are daily and hourly 
 brought home to the business and bosom of every American 
 citizen. 
 
 These are a few of the circumstances, very briefly stated, 
 which point out the battle of the 17th of June, 1775, as a 
 suitable event to be commemorated ; and which illustrate the 
 great adaptation of the spot where it was fought to the erection 
 of a monumental structure. The present moment seems pecu- 
 liarly marked out as auspicious to the enterprise. Fifty years 
 have now nearly elapsed since the curtain rose on this mo- 
 mentous scene of our national drama. A half of one of those 
 great periods by which the history of our race is reckoned 
 is drawing to its close, and bringing with it the jubilee of 
 our political existence. This long period has laid down in 
 the soil which they combined to liberate most of the high- 
 minded men who raised their hands or their voices in those 
 trying times. A few only remain, the venerable witnesses of 
 what we may do to show our gratitude toward those to 
 whom we owe all " that makes it life to live," our liberty. 
 A few only remain to carry to their compatriots who have 
 gone before them the welcome tidings that we tenderly 
 cherish their memory, and that we are determined to bestow 
 upon it every mark of honorable and grateful respect. The 
 presence of these few Revolutionary patriots and heroes 
 among us seems to give a peculiar character to this genera- 
 tion. It binds us by an affecting association to the mo- 
 mentous days, the searching trials, the sacrifices, and dangers, 
 to which they were called. The feeble hands and gray hairs 
 of those who, before we were living, faced death, that we, 
 their children, might be born free, are a sight which this 
 generation ought not to behold without emotion ; a sight 
 which calls upon us not to delay those public expressions of 
 gratitude which soon will be too late for those we would 
 most wish to honor. Nor is the present moment, in other 
 respects, less adapted to this honorable enterprise. It is a 
 time, not indeed of adventurous speculations and dazzling 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 113 
 
 gains, but of steady general prosper! t}''. Dwelling-houses 
 and warehouses are rising in unexampled numbers in our 
 large towns ; manufactures with equal rapidity, and on the 
 most solid footing, are advancing in every district of the coun- 
 ty ; and agriculture, the great substantial interest, the basis 
 of every other pursuit, is daily assuming an improved, lib- 
 eral, and more productive character. It is only when we com- 
 pare these well-known features of our present position with 
 the general languor, the scanty population, and the poverty 
 which existed at the opening of the Revolutionary War, that we 
 can do justice to our present prosperity. Nor is this enough. 
 Now, in the days of our independence, of our prosperity, of 
 our growing internal wealth, of our participation in all the 
 the world's commerce, of our enjoyment of every thing 
 which can make a people happy, we ought to remember the 
 sacrifices and losses of our fathers. No grateful mind can, 
 from the fruits of this unexampled welfare, refuse to bestow 
 a trifle upon a work proposed as a decent and becoming 
 tribute to the memory of the great and good men to whose 
 disinterestedness in putting to hazard their property and 
 lives we owe our being, our rights, our property, our all. 
 
 In forming an estimate of the cost of the struc- 
 ture proposed, a single eye has been had to the principle 
 which dictates its erection. Every thing separated from the 
 idea of substantial strength and severe taste has been dis- 
 carded, as foreign from the grave and serious character both 
 of the men and events to be commemorated. With this 
 principle in view, it has been ascertained that a monumental 
 column, of classical model, with an elevation to make it the 
 most lofty in the world, may be erected of our fine Chelms- 
 ford granite, for about thirty-seven thousand dollars. The 
 nature of the work allows the estimate to be made with great 
 accuracy, and little fear of being exceeded. There is also 
 ground to hope that such contracts may be made with the 
 proprietors of the part of the hill on which the monument 
 must stand, as will bring the whole additional expense for 
 land within reasonable limits. 
 
 15 
 
114 HISTORY or THE 
 
 From the interest which has been discovered in this object, 
 even in this early stage, by many distinguished citizens of 
 Boston, Charlestown, Salem, and other places ; from the dis- 
 position which has been everywhere evinced to afford a 
 hearty co-operation in the plan, — it has been hoped that 
 the corner-stone of the monument may be laid on the 
 17th of June next, the day that completes the half-century 
 from that on which the battle was fought, and which it is 
 proposed to commemorate with every demonstration of re- 
 spect, joy, and gratitude, becoming the anniversary of such 
 an event. As the entire success of the undertaking depends 
 on the zeal with which it may be seconded by a liberal and 
 patriotic community, it lias been thought proper that this ad- 
 dress should be thus early made ; not with a view of urging 
 those considerations, which so obviousl}^ suggest themselves 
 to the mind of every American citizen, particularly of this 
 State and the vicinity, but merely to bring the subject sea- 
 sonably to the public notice. 
 
 The general propriety and expediency of erecting public 
 monuments of the kind proposed are acknowledged by all. 
 They form not only the most conspicuous ornament with 
 which we can adorn our towns and our high places ; but 
 they are the best proof we can exhibit to strangers that our 
 sensibility is strong and animated toward those great achieve- 
 ments and greater characters to which we owe all our na- 
 tional blessings. There surely is not one among us who 
 would not experience a strong satisfaction in conducting a 
 stranger to the foot of a monumental structure rising in 
 decent majesty on this memorable spot. 
 
 Works of this kind also have the hai:)piest influence in 
 exciting and nourishing the national and patriotic sentiment. 
 Our government has been called, and truly is, a government 
 of oriNiON ; but it is one of sentiment still more. It is not 
 the judgment only of this people which dictates a preference 
 of our institutions ; but it is a strong, deep-seated, inborn 
 sentiment ; a feeling, a passion for liberty. It is a becoming 
 expression of this sentiment to honor, in eveiy way, the 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 115 
 
 memories and character of our fathers ; to adorn a spot where 
 their noble blood was spilt, and not surrender it uncared for to 
 the plough. Years, it is to be remembered, are rapidly pass- 
 ing away ; and the glorious tradition of our national emancipa- 
 tion which we received from them will descend more faintly 
 to our successors. The patriotic sentiment which binds us 
 together more strongly than compacts and constitutions will, 
 if permitted, grow cold from mere lapse of time. We owe 
 these monuments, therefore, not less to the character of our 
 posterity than to the memory of our fathers. These events 
 must not lose their interest. Our children, and our cliil- 
 dren's children have a right to these feelings, cherished and 
 kept warm by a worthy transmission. It is the order of 
 nature that the generation to achieve nobly, should be suc- 
 ceeded by the generation worthily to record and gratefully to 
 commemorate. We are not called to the fire and the sword ; 
 to meet the appalling array of armies; to taste the bitter cup 
 of imperial wrath and vengeance proffered to an ill-provided 
 land. We are chosen for the easier, more grateful, but not 
 less bounden dut}^ of commemorating and honoring the la- 
 bors, sacrifices, and sufferings of the great men of those dark 
 times. 
 
 There is one point of view in which it seems to be 
 strongly called upon to engage in the erection of works like 
 that proposed. The beautiful and noble arts of design and 
 architecture have hitherto been engaged in arbitrary and des- 
 potic service. The pyramids and obelisks of Egypt, the mon- 
 umental columns of Trajan and Aurelius, have paid no tribute 
 to the rights or feelings of man. Majestic or graceful as they 
 are, they bear no record but that of sovereignty, sometimes 
 cruel and tyrannical, and sometimes mild ; but never that of 
 a great, enlightened, and generous people. Providence, 
 which has given us the sense to observe, the taste to admire, 
 and the skill to execute these beautiful works of art, cannot 
 have intended that, in a flourishing nation of freemen, there 
 should be no scope for their erection. Our fellow-citizens of 
 Baltimore have set us a noble example of redeeming the arts 
 
116 ' HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to the cause of free institutions in the imposing monument 
 they have erected to the memory of those who fell in defending 
 their city. If we cannot be the first to set up a structure of 
 this character, let us not be otlier than the first to improve 
 upon the example ; to arrest and fix the feelings of our gene- 
 ration on the important events of an earlier and more mo- 
 mentous struggle, and to redeem the pledge of gratitude to 
 the high-souled heroes of that trying da}'. 
 
 For a work calculated to appeal, without distinction, to 
 every member of the community, we trust we need no apol- 
 ogy for respectfully soliciting your co-operation and interest. 
 The monument must be erected by the union of all the classes 
 and members of society, and the smallest assistance, by con- 
 tribution or encouragement, will aid in the great design. 
 
 Daniel Webster, Jesse Putxam, 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn, Isaac P. Davis, 
 
 Benjamin Gorham, Seth Knowles, 
 
 George Blake, Edward Everett, 
 
 John C. Warren, George Ticknor, 
 
 Samuel D. Harris, Theodore Lyman, Jr., 
 William Sullivan, Directors. 
 
 Secretary of the Standing 
 
 Edward Everett, 
 Boston, Sept. 20, 1824. 
 
 Committee of the Directors. 
 
 General Dearborn was also instructed bj the 
 Standing Committee to pre^jare and publish a notice 
 to the public in their name, in all the newspapers in 
 the State. This was done in the following style : — 
 
 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The objects of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and 
 the measures which have been taken to achieve them, having 
 been made knoAvn b}'- the recent publication of a circular 
 letter to the members, — notice is now given, that a sub- 
 scription book, headed by the nation's guest. General La- 
 fayette, will, in a few days, be presented to the patriotic 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 117 
 
 and liberal citizens of Boston, for contributions, to enable 
 us to erect the projected magnificent monument ; and we 
 are sanguine that the result will be honorable to their mu- 
 nificence. 
 
 The citizens of every town in the Commonwealth are 
 respectfully and most earnestly requested to call meetings 
 and appoint committees, to collect subscriptions and transmit 
 the sums, with the names of the donors, to Nathaniel P. 
 Russell, Esq., the Treasurer of the Association. 
 
 Every person who subscribes five dollars will be entitled to 
 become a member of the Association, and will receive a richly 
 engraved certificate of admission, embellished with a vignette 
 of the Battle of Bunker Hill; and all persons who subscribe 
 one dollar will have their names inscribed on the records, and 
 deposited in tlie archives of the Association. 
 
 It would be supererogation to remind our fellow-citizens 
 of the interesting events which immediately preceded the 
 Battle of Bunker Hill, or to dwell on the glorious results of 
 that ever-memorable action. It united a whole people in the 
 cause of liberty, and roused to arms those determined cham- 
 pions who triumphantly achieved our national independence. 
 
 From the heights of Charlestown went forth that spirit of 
 freedom which cheered and upheld the statesman and soldier 
 during the darkest and most stormy periods of the Hevolu- 
 tiou. Our advancement in the arts, sciences, and literature ; 
 our progress in agriculture ; the establishment of manufac- 
 tories ; the vast range of our commerce ; all the comforts 
 and embellishments of society ; and our grand career in 
 the march of nations, — take their date from the 17th of 
 June, 1775. 
 
 Let us, then, generously do honor to those gallant sol- 
 diers who, on that eventful day, unsheathed their swords in 
 defence of the rights of man, and whose battle-cry was, 
 " Liberty or Death." 
 
 By order of the Standing Committee of the Directors of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn, Chairman. 
 
118 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A general public meeting was held at the Marlbor- 
 ough Hotel, on the 13th of October, at which it was 
 finally, on motion of General Sullivax, amended on 
 the proposal of H. 11. Fuller, Esq., voted to choose 
 a committee of thirteen to appoint and organize the 
 Ward Committees, in such manner as shonld seem 
 most expedient. The following gentlemen were ac- 
 cordingly appointed a committee of thirteen, being one 
 from each Ward, and one from South Boston: Henry 
 J. Oliver, Gedney King, Benjamin Smith, H. H. Fuller, 
 G. W. Otis, Nathan Appleton, Abbott Lawrence, 
 Joseph P. Bradlee, Josiah Bradlee, Amos Lawrence, 
 Gerry Fairbanks, John D. Williams, and Cyrus Alger. 
 
 This meeting was attended by Dr. Wan-en, and Mr. 
 Everett, who was pressed into the service as Secretary. 
 
 Mr. Oliver afterwards made report to Franklin Dex- 
 ter, Secretary, of which the following is an extract: — 
 
 Lynn Street, Nov. 27, 1824. 
 
 Sir, — On the 15th ultimo, I received a letter from Edward 
 Everett, Esq., secretary of a " meeting of gentlemen friendly 
 to the erection of a Monument on Bunker Hill," commu- 
 nicating to me an appointment on a committee for the purpose 
 of selecting and organizing Ward Committees, to solicit sub- 
 scriptions for said object ; and requesting my attendance at 
 the Marlboro' Hotel, to proceed to the necessary duties, &c. : 
 at which place the gentlemen of said committee attended, 
 and proceeded to business ; the Board being organized by 
 the appointment of Nathan Appleton, Esq., as chairman, and 
 the subscriber as secretary. After a discussion of the subject 
 upon which they were convened, the Board proceeded to the 
 nomination of six persons in each ward, and three for South 
 Boston, to solicit subscriptions. ... 
 
 Henry J. Oliver, 
 
 Secretary to the Board of Nominating Committee. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 119 
 
 At the close of nine months' deliberation and inces- 
 sant labor on the part of the Standing Committee, 
 Mr. Everett drew np the following snmmary of their 
 doings, which was presented as their report to the 
 whole Board of Directors : — 
 
 Report of the Standing Committee to the Directors, March 1, 1825. 
 
 In consequence of the inconvenience experienced by the 
 whole body of Directors in attending meetings as frequently 
 as the affairs of the Association appeared to require, it was 
 determined, at a meeting of the Directors held at the Boston 
 Exchange Coffee House July 27, 1824, that a Standing Com- 
 mittee should be appointed, which was done by the following 
 votes ; viz. : — 
 
 " That a Standing Committee of the Directors, to the 
 number of five, be appointed to exercise the powers of the 
 Directors in managing the affairs of the Association, and that 
 this committee be authorized to call a meeting of the Direc- 
 tors whenever it may be needful to consult them. 
 
 " That this committee consist of Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, 
 Dr. Warren, E. Everett, Geo. Blake, Esq., and S. D. Harris." 
 
 The committee raised by this vote immediately entered 
 upon the discharge of their duty. 
 
 The first object that engaged their attention was the pro- 
 curing the transfer to the Association of the funds of the 
 Washington Benevolent Society, which was shortly accom- 
 plished through the exertions of the friends of the Associa- 
 tion, and the liberality of the officers and members of the 
 Washiiigton Benevolent Society. The very handsome sum 
 of near $2,000, with the banners of the Washington Benevo- 
 lent Societ}^, and other interesting articles, were thus jirocured 
 to the Association. 
 
 The acquisition of the land required for the objects of the 
 Association, on the hill where the battle was fought, next 
 engaged the attention of the Standing Committee, as an 
 object of primary interest. In the prosecution of this object, 
 
120 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 considerable delay and some difficulties were encountered. A 
 portion of the land was procured on fair terms ; for another 
 portion, it became necessary to pay an exorbitant price ; 
 while, for a small quantity, it was requisite to receive legisla- 
 tive aid, which was afforded by the act lately passed. In 
 pursuing the measures for procuring the land, the Standing 
 Committee were desirous of availing themselves of the coun- 
 sel of the whole body of Directors. The Board was accord- 
 ingly convened Sept. 13, 1825, and sanctioned the acts of the 
 Standing Committee in reference to this, one of the most 
 important parts of their duty. The Standing Committee are 
 under particular obligations to sevei'al gentlemen, through 
 whose services and good offices they were enabled to effect 
 the acquisition of the land, particularly to the Hon. Setli 
 Knowles. 
 
 No steps had hitherto been taken toward engaging the 
 interest of the community in general in the objects of the 
 Association, with a view to raising the funds necessary to 
 effecting those objects. Besides an appeal to the public in 
 the form of an Address, it was thought expedient very con- 
 siderably to enlarge the numbers of the Association by elect- 
 ing additional members, and also to entitle every one to the 
 privilege of membership who should subscribe to the fund of 
 the Institution five dollars and upwards. In furtherance of 
 this part of the plan, an engraved certificate of membership 
 was prepared. 
 
 In this stage of the proceedings, the arrival of General 
 Lafayette seemed to offer a favorable opportunity of drawing 
 the public attention to the monument, in connection with 
 this illustrious stranger. The shortness of the notice not 
 admitting ver}^ adequate preparation for this purpose, it was 
 only in the power of the committee to procure a partial meet- 
 ing of the Directors on the top of Bunker Hill, where the 
 objects of the Association were explained to the General ; 
 and he promised to attend the celebration of the 17th of next 
 June. 
 
 In proceeding upon the very important business of procur- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 121 
 
 ing subscriptions to the funds, the committee thought it their 
 duty to act with the prudence and consideration required by 
 the delicacy and magnitude of that part of their trust. Let- 
 ters were addressed to gentlemen conspicuous for their wealth 
 and liberality, and with very gratifying results. Esteeming 
 it, then, desirable to give a powerful movement to the Insti- 
 tution, a meeting of active, liberal, and public-spirited gen- 
 tlemen, including the Board of Directors, was called, at 
 which a Central Committee was appointed, and authorized to 
 organize Ward Committees throughout the city. These 
 measures were carried into effect with regularity, prompt- 
 ness, and decision. The gentlemen of the Central and Ward 
 Committees bestowed much time, and conferred very signal 
 benefits, on the Association ; and an estimated sum of 
 $25,000 has been raised in the city. 
 
 The collecting of subscriptions in other parts of the Com- 
 monwealth next engaged the attention of the Standing 
 Committee. Particular application was made to the town 
 of Charlestown, as more nearly interested in the success of 
 the undertaking; and a very liberal spirit has been disclosed 
 on the part of its citizens. To every toAvn in the Common- 
 wealth was sent a subscription-book, addressed to the select- 
 men, containing a statement of the principles, views, and 
 objects of the Association, drawn up, at the request of the 
 committee, by General Sullivan, to whose services in prepar- 
 ing and circulating this Address with the subscription-books, 
 as well as in procuring the land and organizing the Ward 
 Committees, the Association is under great obligations. A 
 copy of the same Address was also forwarded to the clergy- 
 men of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of being read on 
 the day of the general thanksgiving. In furtherance of this 
 part of the operations, the members of the Council, Senate, 
 and House of Representatives were elected members of the 
 Association. Partial returns onl}' have been received from 
 towns in the State. The estimated amount of subscrip- 
 tions, in the towns heard from, is about -$20,000. 
 
 The committee next directed their attention to the other 
 
 16 
 
122 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 States, in and out of New England. They have opened a 
 correspondence with citizens of Maine, New Hampshire, Con- 
 necticut, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and 
 with American citizens in Europe. They have still this part 
 of their duty in train, and are as yet unable to ascertain with 
 what probable result. 
 
 On the meeting of the General Court of the Common- 
 wealth, a petition was presented by the committee, request- 
 ing legislative aid in procuring a portion of the land needed, 
 
 — a donation of Hancock and Adams, the brass field-pieces, 
 
 — and an amount of labor in hammering stone at the State's 
 Prison. These objects were all obtained, the latter to the 
 amount of $10,000. 
 
 In reference to the erection of a monument, two or three 
 plans have been offered to the committee, particularly an 
 elaborate one b}* Mr. Solomon Willard. The committee have 
 deemed it expedient to offer a reward of •$ 100 for the best 
 plan that shall be presented. 
 
 The foregoing is not submitted to the Directors as a com- 
 plete history of the doings of the committee : a great many 
 details, attended with care and labor at the time, but not of 
 consequence to be mentioned now, are omitted. The com- 
 mittee have only endeavored to present the leading features 
 of their course in discharging the duty intrusted to them 
 thus far ; and shall be happy if the Directors think that 
 hitherto the objects for which the committee was raised have 
 been, in any due degree, attained. They hope to be able to 
 present hereafter a favorable account of the final result of 
 the subscription in this Commonwealth and in other places, 
 both in and out of New England. 
 
 Edwaed Everett, Secretary. 
 
CHAPTEE YII. 
 
 Let it rise till it meet the sun in his coming ; let the earliest light of 
 the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play on its summit. 
 
 DAOTEL WEBSTER was appointed at the first 
 annual meeting of the Association, after its 
 organization, held in 1824, to deliver the annnal ad- 
 dress on the 17th Jnne, 1825, without reference to 
 the laying of the corner-stone of the monument, or 
 to the day being the half-century anniversary of the 
 battle. It was simply in pursuance of the following 
 vote passed at the same meeting, — " That there shall 
 be an address annually delivered before the Associa- 
 tion on the seventeenth day of June, to commemorate 
 the Battle of Bunker Hill, and that a citizen shall be 
 chosen at each annual meeting to make such ad- 
 dress at the next annual meeting, and that the Direc- 
 tors be authorized to supply the vacancy, if any should 
 occur." 
 
 At the meeting of Directors held on the 13th of 
 July following, the Secretary was instructed to com- 
 municate the above vote to Mr. Webster; and, at a 
 meeting held on the 27th of the same month, the Sec- 
 retary, Edward Everett, reported that he had done so. 
 At the meeting on the 13th July, a Committee of 
 Arrangements for the celebration of June 17th, 1825, 
 
124 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was chosen, consisting of tlie following gentlemen 
 (twelve in number) : George Blake, William Sulli- 
 van, S. D. Harris, Theodore Lyman, Jr., Samuel 
 Swett, H. A. S. Dearborn, Seth Knowles, T. Harris, 
 J. T. Austin, H. Orne, I. P. Boyd, and Benjamin 
 Russell. Mr. Austin having declined, F. J. Oliver 
 was afterwards chosen in his place. 
 
 The first acknowledgment made by Mr. Webster 
 of this invitation appears indirectly in the following 
 letter wi'itten by Mr. Ticknor while at Washington, 
 who, being a Director, and also a particular friend of 
 Lafayette, took special interest in the occasion he 
 anticipated: — 
 
 Washington, Jan. 13, 1825, 
 
 My deae. Sir, — I have conversed, at different times lately, 
 a good deal with Mr. Webster, about the oration for the sev- 
 enteenth of June. He has been undecided, until within a 
 few days ; but last evening he told me he was determined to 
 do it, and desired me to let some of the Trustees know his 
 resolution. No one is more interested than j^ourself, and 
 therefore I place the information at your disposition. You 
 may consider it decided, for he does. 
 
 General Lafayette will be with you also. At least, in all 
 his arrangements for the West, he makes it a sine qua non 
 that he shall be delivered in Boston on the 15th of June. I 
 know not, therefore, why we should fail to have one of the 
 most solemn ceremonies that has happened since Pericles 
 made liis funeral oration in the Ceramicus. 
 
 Yours very faithfully, 
 
 Geo. Ticknor. 
 
 The following from Mr. Webster was probably 
 written in reply to certain suggestions that Dr. War- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 125 
 
 reii had made to him after the receipt of Mr. Tieknor's 
 letter: — 
 
 Washington, Jan. 26, 1825. 
 
 My deae, Sir, — I have received yours of the 19th. I do 
 not see (if you do not) any objection to let things rest as they 
 are till I come home. I shall be home, doubtless, three months 
 before the 17th June, which will be in season for any arrange- 
 ment. You seem to be going on finely; though I doubt 
 whether the State will do much. I think the subscriptions 
 look well. 
 
 If it occurs to you as being proper that I should say or do 
 any thing before I come home, please let me know ; otherwise, 
 let all things remain as they are. 
 
 Yours always truly, 
 
 D. Webster. 
 
 It should be here stated that Mr. Everett was at 
 this time the representative elect to the Nineteenth 
 Congress, which was to be convened on the first 
 Monday of December, 1825, daring the first year of 
 the administration of John Qnincy Adams. He was 
 nominated at a convention of citizens, held, without 
 distinction of party, in October, 1821:, in Lexington. 
 His active efforts in behalf of the Monument Associa- 
 tion had brought him in contact with the leading men 
 of the Middlesex District, such as Mr. Knowles of 
 Charlestovvn, and other members of the Legislature, 
 to whom he had applied to fiivor the Association's 
 Petition. In the Address sent out to the selectmen of 
 the several towns, a promise was made that the Asso- 
 ciation would contribute of its funds to the erection 
 of a monument in Concoi'd, and her inhabitants sub- 
 scribed about four hundred dollars, as they claimed, 
 
126 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 in view of that offer. Mr. Everett was nrgeiitly in- 
 vited by them to deliver an oration at Concord on the 
 approaching 19th of April, when the corner-stone of 
 the proposed monument should be laid. It appears 
 by the following letter to Doctor Warren that the 
 matter was not fully decided until a very short time 
 before that anniversary : — 
 
 Cambridge, March 2, 1825. 
 
 Dear Doctor, — As Governor Brooks is to be buried to- 
 morrow, and it is proper I should attend the funeral, I would 
 propose to defer our meeting till Saturday. 
 
 I found more difficulty at Concord than I expected ; nor 
 is the thing yet settled. I wish you would come to the meet- 
 ing on Saturday, prepared to speak decisively as to making a 
 grant of |500 for a monument there. Not a word was said- 
 on the subject by or to me. They told me, if I would not 
 come, there would be no celebration. 
 
 Yours ever sincerely, 
 
 E. Everett. 
 
 Mr. "Webster seems to have been not a little dis- 
 turbed by the proposed celebration in advance of the 
 Bunker Hill occasion, and also by the statement gen- 
 erally made in the newspapers, that General Lafaj^ette 
 was to lay the corner-stone of the monument. 
 
 March 6. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have received your two letters, and am 
 obliged to you for your kindness. The papers state, I perceive, 
 that Mr. Everett makes an address at Concord, although I un- 
 derstood your letter differently. Doubtless you are right, and 
 the editors all wrong. For my part, I do not see the propri- 
 ety of a series of skirmishes on the occasion : that would be 
 fighting our battles over again, somewhat too literally. If 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 127 
 
 IVTr. E. be in truth to make a speech at Concord, let him say 
 all that the whole subject requires, and we will lay our cor- 
 ner-stone without the pomp of words. But I suppose you 
 are better informed in this matter ; but your letter, being 
 parti}'' covered in the material words by the wax, leaves me 
 a little in doubt whether I understand you. To-morrow I 
 shall know. 
 
 As to General Lafayette, my opinion is that we ought to 
 treat with all the frankness in the world one of the frankest 
 men in the world. I should say, therefore, that a letter 
 ought at once to be written to him, confidentially, stating 
 the present posture of the business. His sense of propriety, 
 quick beyond that of most others, would see this affair in- 
 stantly in its right light. Mr. Ticknor can write him such a 
 letter. It would meet him at N. Orleans, if written soon. 
 For my own part, my opinion as to the course proper to be 
 pursued is pretty strong. It may perhaps oblige me, in 
 some possible events, to decline any part in this ceremony, in 
 order to avoid unworthy suspicions of personal motives ; but 
 it is not likely to be given up. I will communicate farther 
 on my arrival ; and would not now have said any thing, but 
 from the belief that it might be necessary to write to the 
 good General soon. 
 
 Yours always, 
 
 D. Webstee. 
 
 I have no objections to your showing this to Mr. Ticknor ; 
 sed ne plus ultra. 
 
 It is not surprising that Mr. Webster should, at the 
 first thought, shrink from following Mr. Everett on 
 the 17tli of June, 1825, upon almost the same ground, 
 if he should pronounce a commemorative discourse 
 on the 19th April preceding. The oi-ation which Mr. 
 Everett had delivered in 1821:, before the Phi Beta 
 Kappa Society in Cambridge, in the presence of 
 
128 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Lafayette, and in which he extended to him a glowing 
 welcome, so thrilled and carried away the audience 
 that its praise was in every one's mouth, and the pop- 
 ular judgment was that it was the grandest display of 
 eloquence that had been witnessed in this country. 
 The only popular or commemorative address which 
 Mr. Webster had before given was delivered in Ply- 
 mouth, on the Bicentennial Anniversary of the landing 
 of the Pilgrims, in December, 1820, in the former 
 meeting-house of the First Church; and it is stated 
 that the day before he was much depressed through 
 fear of not meeting the public expectation. 
 
 Mr. Webster was somehow reassured, and in the 
 result the public had the benefit of an oration from 
 each of these great orators, — one at Concord, and 
 the other at Bunker Hill. Whatever friendly rivalry 
 there might have been seemed only to stimulate each 
 to exert his utmost ability, and to render the celebra- 
 tions of the two semi-centennial anniversaries marked 
 precedents for future observances. 
 
 The death of Ex-Governor Brooks, which occurred 
 March 1, caused a vacancy in the ofiice of President 
 of the Association. The Directors assigned April 12 
 for the choice of a successor. When Mr. Webster 
 was elected, Mr. Everett, Secretary of the Standing 
 Committee, having charge of the correspondence, 
 was requested by Mr. Dexter to act for him as Secre- 
 tary of the Corporation, and a vote of the Directors 
 was passed to that effect. William Prescott, Gov- 
 ernor Wolcott of Connecticut, Governor Morrill of 
 New Hampshire, Peter C. Brooks, David Sears, 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 129 
 
 Nathaniel Silsbee, Loammi Baldwin, and John 
 Welles were added to the list of Directors. Mr. 
 Brooks having declined, Colonel Daniel Putnam, of 
 Brooklyn, Connecticut, was elected in his place, 
 who, on being notified, returned the following 
 
 reply: — 
 
 Brooklyn, 16 May, 1825. 
 Hon. Mk. Everett. 
 
 Sir, — Your letter of the 13th ultimo was just a month 
 travelling from Cambridge to Brooklyn. I mention this cir- 
 cumstance to account for the delay of making my acknowl- 
 edgment for such an unexpected honor as has been conferred 
 on me by the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 While tracing this measure to my descent, and reflecting 
 on the unanimity with which you are pleased to say I was 
 elected a member of the Board of Directors, I feel a confi- 
 dence in the disposition of the Association to do justice to the 
 memory of my father, which puts my mind quite at ease on 
 that subject. Circumstances of an unpleasant nature have 
 made this the paramount object of my solicitude ; and if I am 
 permitted the happiness of a meeting on an anniversary 
 glorious to our country, and honorable to the brave who 
 defended it on the heights of Charlestown, I hope neither 
 jealousy nor envy will mar the good feelings which ought to 
 predominate on the occasion. 
 
 I have the honor to be, most respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient and obliged servant, 
 
 Daniel Putnam. 
 
 At a meeting of the Directors, held March 1, it 
 was — 
 
 Voted, That, whereas an impression prevails that General 
 Lafayette has been requested to lay the corner-stone of the 
 monument, which impression is unfounded, the Standing 
 Committee be requested to communicate with the General 
 on the subject, in such a way as they shall judge expedient. 
 
 17 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The delicate task of preparing this letter was of 
 course put upon Mr. Everett, who had also to satisfy 
 the demand of Concord for her share of the snb- 
 cription money which was improvidently promised in 
 General Sullivan's circular to the Selectmen of the 
 towns. Mr. Everett reported to Doctor Warren on 
 both subjects in the following letter, in which there 
 is also a suggestion with regard to the celebration of 
 Bunker Hill: — 
 
 Dear Doctor, — I enclose you the Lafayette letter as I 
 have finally drafted it. My mind misgives me about sending 
 it, but my scruples ought not to Aveigh. It is my opinion 
 that, if we mean to save the General's feelings, he must help 
 lay it ; and, if so, no letter need be sent. Nevertheless, if 
 you say the word, two copies are signed, sealed, and ready 
 to go off by to-morrow's mail. I concluded not to send the 
 certificate, as it would get crushed. 
 
 I enclose a letter from Concord. I propose to Avrite to 
 them: 1. That the Association stand ready at any time to 
 pay $500 ; 2. That they recommend it to the Selectmen (if 
 they deem it expedient) to raise an additional subscription ; 
 3. That the Association will furnish a plan as soon as practi- 
 cable ; 4. As the plan will undoubtedly be of a column or 
 obelisk of — say eight feet square at the base, there will be 
 no objection to preparing the ground to lay a corner-stone, at 
 least pro /orm^, on the 19th of April; 5. That the Associa- 
 tion request the Selectmen of C. to superintend the work. 
 
 Something precise of this kind they will expect by wa}' of 
 answer. The next thing is to get a plan. Will it do in the 
 state of Willard's feelings to go to him, and ask him to make 
 one ? if not, would 3^ou apply to Baldwin ? I think an obelisk 
 of a solid shaft, say 18 feet on a base of 5 or 6, all of granite, 
 could be had for the money, and would be the scyfest thing to 
 venture on. Shall I hear from you by the afternoon's stage ? 
 Yours ever very truly, Edward Everett. 
 
 Cambridge, Friday, March 25, 1825. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 131 
 
 P. S. A thought has struck me lately. You will excuse 
 me, if it is wholly improper. Would it not be in itself highly 
 suitable, and add extremely to the interest of the 17th of 
 June, if the remains of your uncle, as far as they can be 
 identified, should be collected in a funeral urn, borne in the 
 procession, and deposited under the monument ? 
 
 On March 22, General Sullivan wrote: "A meet- 
 ing is to be held at General Lyman's this evening to 
 arrange for the 17th June. The principal subject of 
 discussion will be the practicability of representing 
 the battle ; and, 2d, if practicable, the utility and ex- 
 pediency of doing it. Certainly these are debatable 
 points." It was not uncommon at that time, at the 
 fall musters of the militia, to have what were called 
 sham fights, or representations of a battle by the 
 troops. And on the 19th of October, the anniversary 
 of Yorktown, and of the close of the Revolutionary 
 War, the event was frequently celebrated by the 
 getting up of a " CornAvallis," or the representation 
 of the suri'ender of his army to Washington, at 
 which these characters would be personated. 
 
 The Committee of twelve made the followino: re- 
 port, which was accepted : — 
 
 The Committee for that purpose beg leave to report the 
 following arrangements for the Celebration of the 50th Anni- 
 versary of the Seventeenth of June, 1775 : — 
 
 1. The officers and members of the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association to assemble at the New Court House at nine 
 o'clock, A.M., and make the organization for the ensuing 
 year ; after which tlie officers will proceed to their room in 
 the Subscri^^tion House. 
 
 2. A committee of five to be chosen to wait on General 
 Lafayette on his arrival in this city ; inform him of the ar- 
 
132 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 rangements ; and on the morning of the 17th of June 
 conduct hmi to the room of the Association, immediately 
 after the officers shall have there assembled. 
 
 3. The officers of the Association to proceed to the State 
 House at ten o'clock. 
 
 4. The members of the Association, officers and soldiers 
 who were in the battle of Bunker Hill, and of the Revolution, 
 the Freemasons, the subscribers to the dinner, and invited 
 guests, to assemble at the State House at ten o'clock. 
 
 5. The escort to be formed and move from the State House 
 at half past ten, proceeding through Park, Common, Market, 
 Union, and Hanover Streets to Charlestown, and through 
 Maine, Salem, and High Streets to the battle ground. 
 
 6. The Commander of the escort to fix lines and place 
 a guard round the site of the monument, within which the 
 officers and members of the Association and all invited guests 
 will be admitted. 
 
 7. The corner-stone to be laid under the direction of the 
 Committee, which has been charged with that dutj", and which 
 will make all the arrangements therefor, including those with 
 the Freemasons. When the stone has been laid, the Com- 
 mander of the escort will cause a salute of twenty-four guns 
 to be fired. 
 
 8. The procession to be reformed, and proceed through 
 
 Streets to Doctor Morse's meeting-house, where the 
 
 Committee for that purpose will make all the necessary 
 arrangements for the performances. 
 
 9. The procession to reform and proceed through 
 
 Streets to the tent where the dinner shall have been provided. 
 
 10. The arrangements of the dinner to be under the direc- 
 tion of the Committee appointed for that purpose, which is 
 authorized to increase its numbers to such an extent as may 
 be deemed necessary. 
 
 The following are the regulations for carrying the above 
 arrangements into effect : — 
 
 1. The Committee for tlie escort will invite such officers 
 and independent companies as may be necessary for that 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 133 
 
 purpose; procure the powder for the salutes; appoint the 
 marshals, and obtain civil officers for preserving order at the 
 State House, during all the movements of the procession, and 
 on the battle ground, and to aid such as the Meeting-House 
 Committee shall provide ; and, if necessary, to be placed 
 under the direction of the Dinner Committee, to assist those 
 which may have been selected for the police of the tent. 
 
 2. The Meeting-House Committee will request some persons 
 to write odes or hymns, procure music, chaplains, and do all 
 that may be necessary for the performance of the ceremonies 
 at the meeting-house. 
 
 3. The Dinner Committee to provide a tent and dinner for 
 such number of persons as shall be found expedient, at some 
 place near Breed's Hill ; request some of our most distin- 
 guished poets to write odes and songs, and engage gentlemen 
 to sing them ; prepare toasts ; procure music ; furnish tick- 
 ets ; appoint marshals and assistants ; and do whatever may be 
 requisite for rendering the entertainment such as the occa- 
 sion requires. A tent guard to be furnished by the Comman- 
 der of the escort, and placed under the Chairman of the 
 Committee. 
 
 4. An Executive Committee of three to be chosen to act 
 for the whole Committee of Arrangements hereafter, which 
 shall publish the order of arrangements for the day ; give, 
 under the directions of the Directors, such invitations as may 
 be extended to Revolutionary officers and soldiers, and gentle- 
 men of distinction, who may either be present or it shall be 
 proper to notice, living in or out of the State ; receive re- 
 ports from the sub-committees, and, when necessary, report 
 to the Directors ; receive all bills, and, after passing the same, 
 transmit them to the Treasurer for payment ; and have a 
 general superintendence of the ceremonies of the day. 
 
 5. It is recommended that the following gentlemen be 
 invited by the Executive Committee : — 
 
 Lafayette. Goveiinor. 
 
 govehnous of the five other lieutenant governor. 
 
 New England States. Executive Council. 
 
134 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 President of Senate. Judges of Supreme Court. 
 
 Speaker of House. Judges of United States 
 
 Navy Commandment. Court. 
 
 Senators of United States. President of College. 
 Representatives of Congress Army Commandment. 
 
 of United States. Grand Master Mason. 
 
 Survivors of Battle, without distinction as to ability to buy 
 
 tickets. 
 
 6. The Chairman of the Escort, Meeting-House, Corner- 
 stone, and Executive Committees to be furnished with a 
 copy of these regulations. 
 
 Geo. Blake, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for the Vlth June. 
 
 This report was modified afterwards, in some re- 
 spects. The annual meeting for organization was 
 called at six o'clock on the morning of the 17th, at 
 which Mr. Everett was unanimously elected secretary; 
 and then the meeting was adjourned to the 24:th. 
 The officers and members of the Association, and in- 
 vited guests, assembled at the State House. The 
 Meetiug-House Committee, which consisted of Mr. 
 Knowles, Mr. Lawrence, and Colonel Swett, were 
 instructed to consider the expediency of providing 
 seats on the hill for the exercises, as it was evident 
 from the general interest felt that this would be the 
 only place for the vast assembly. 
 
 The Standing Committee were instructed to pro- 
 cure a suitable corner-stone for the ceremony; but 
 the subject of measures proper to be taken at the 
 laying of the corner-stone was referred to a com- 
 mittee consisting of General Sullivan, General Ly- 
 man, and Dr. Warren. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 135 
 
 That Committee reported on May 10th as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 The Committee appointed to make arrangements for laying 
 the corner-stone of the monument on the 17 June beg leave 
 to report in part : — 
 
 That, if the plan of a monument be definitely settled in 
 time, the north-east angle of the foundation be prepared, and 
 raised as high as tlie surface of the earth ; and that, if it be 
 not settled, then an angle of the foundation shall be prepared 
 as near the expected situation as possible, and raised suffi- 
 ciently to receive the stone, which shall form the south-east 
 angle above the surface of the earth. 
 
 That a stone of proper magnitude be procured for this pur- 
 pose, and an excavation made therein to contain the following 
 articles, and such others as it may be thought best to deposit 
 therein; viz., a silver plate containing the name or names of 
 the person or persons who may perform the ceremony of lay- 
 ing the corner-stone ; the names of the officers of the Bunker 
 Hill Monument Association ; of the Standing Committee ; of 
 the Directors ; of the Committee of Artists ; of the President 
 of the United States and Governor of the Commonwealth ; 
 of the principal architect of the monument ; and of such 
 others as may be added by the Directors. Also, that the printed 
 book of subscribers to the monument be deposited therein ; a 
 history of its origin and foundation ; a certificate of mem- 
 bers ; the various addresses made to the public ; histories of 
 the battles of Bunker Hill and of Lexington ; and such other 
 papers as may be judged proper. 
 
 All these articles, being placed in a box, shall be deposited 
 in the excavation prepared for the purpose ; and another por- 
 tion of the corner-stone shall be placed on the inferior portion 
 by the person or persons who shall perform the ceremony of 
 laying the corner-stone ; and immediately the two portions of 
 stone shall be secured to each other by such means as shall 
 prevent any change in the relative position of the two pieces, 
 until the monument shall be destroyed. 
 
136 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Further, your Committee beg leave to report that, as the 
 Bunker Hill Monument is to be erected at the expense and 
 by the labors of this Association, it is becoming that the 
 corner-stone should be laid by this Association, through the 
 medium of their first officer, the President of this Association ; 
 and as the distinguished friend of this country, General La- 
 fayette, is expected to honor this anniversary celebration by 
 his attendance, that he be invited to accompany the Presi- 
 dent of this Association, and to assist in the ceremony of lay- 
 ing the corner-stone of the monument ; and, moreover, as the 
 Freemasons of King Solomon's Lodge [of this State] have, at 
 their expense, erected the monument now standing on Bunker 
 Hill, which is to be removed, that, as a mark of respect to 
 this fraternity for tlieir patriotism and liberality, the principal 
 Grand Master be invited to assist the President of this Asso- 
 ciation in laying the corner-stone, and seeing that it be placed 
 in a workmanlike manner ; and that the Freemasons of this 
 and other States be invited to attend, with their insignia, &c. 
 
 If these ]3ropositions should be adopted, the Committee will 
 jjroceed in arranging the details, and make further report. 
 
 All which is submitted by the Committee. 
 
 Wm. Sullivan, Chairman. 
 
 On considering this report, it was voted that a 
 committee of two be raised to wait upon the Hon. 
 Mr. Webster, President of the Association, and con- 
 fer with him on the subject of hiying the corner- 
 stone in Masonic order. Messrs. Oliver and Prescott 
 were appointed of this committee ; and, having re- 
 tired to confer with the President, so the record states, 
 made report that the President approves of having 
 the corner-stone laid by the Grand Lodge of Masons; 
 and thereupon the report of the committee for lay- 
 ing the corner-stone was amended, so that the last 
 paragraph shall read as follows: "The Committee 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 137 
 
 beg leave further to report, as the clistmguished guest 
 of our country, General Lafayette, is expected to 
 honor the celebration with his presence, that he be 
 invited to accompany the President and assist in 
 the ceremony; and, as the fraternity of Masons of 
 King Solomon's Lodge have erected the monument 
 now standing on the hill, as a mark of respect for 
 their liberality and patriotism, the Most Worshipful 
 Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
 be invited to lay the corner-stone, and see that it 
 be jDlaced in a workmanlike manner, and to request 
 the Freemasons of this and of other States to attend, 
 with their insignia and badges." 
 
 The original Committee of twelve being discharged, 
 the Executive Committee for the celebration was 
 made to consist of General Sullivan, General Lyman, 
 Colonel Harris, and Mr. Knovvles. It was ordered, 
 June 8, that General Lyman have the exclusive con- 
 trol of the procession on the 17th June, and that 
 the Executive Committee be directed to aid him in 
 such manner as he may desire, and that the said 
 Committee have full power to afford such aid in what- 
 ever relates to the anniversary celebration. 
 
 The Standing Committee were obliged to procure 
 a corner-stone for the occasion before the form and 
 size of the structure could be determined upon. In 
 the uncertainty whether the stone itself would form 
 a permanent part of the monument, they intended 
 to be sure that the box containing the articles de- 
 posited should be incorporated with it. Captain 
 Alexander Paris, an architect of high reputation, who 
 
 18 
 
138 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 had faniished complete designs for the monument, 
 was employed to prepare the stone, the box, and 
 the plate of inscription. He also acted as the 
 official architect (none other having been then ap- 
 pointed) to receive the working tools from the Grand 
 Master at the Masonic ceremony, with the injunc- 
 tion to see that the structnre was laid in a true 
 and workmanlike manner, and to make the customary 
 reply. This he did acceptably in Masonic style. 
 
 Dr. Warren suggested the following inscription for 
 the plate : — 
 
 Erected by the present generation to testify their venera- 
 tion, commemorate the noble spirit which animated their 
 fathers to shed their blood on this sacred soil, and thus to 
 afford an example for the imitation of their own countrymen, 
 and for the defenders of freedom in all countries and all 
 ages. 
 
 This structure was begun on the 17th June, 1825, in pres- 
 ence of the officers of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, 
 by the Grand Master of Freemasons, and the friend of the 
 United States, General Lafayette (with the list of officers, &c.). 
 
 On consideration, it was determined to adopt the 
 following 
 
 INSCEIPTION. 
 
 On the XVII day of June, MDCCCXXV, at the request 
 of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, the Most Wor- 
 shipful John Abbott, Grand Master of Masons in Massachu- 
 setts, did, in the presence of General Lafayette, lay this 
 corner-stone of a Monument to testify the gratitude of the 
 present generation to their fathers, who, on the 17th of June, 
 1775, here fought, in the cause of their country and of free 
 institutions, the memorable Battle op Bunker Hill, and 
 with their blood vindicated for their posterity the privileges 
 and happiness this land has since enjoyed. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 139 
 
 Officers of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. — Presi- 
 dent, Daniel Webster ; Vice-Presidents, Thomas H. Per- 
 kins, Joseph Story ; Secretary, Edward Everett ; Treasurer, 
 Nathaniel P. Russell ; Directors, Wm. Prescott, Dan. Put- 
 nam, Wm. Sullivan, John C. Warren, Geo. Blake, John 
 Welles, Benj. Gorham, Thos. Harris, H. A. S. Dearborn, Seth 
 Knowles, Loammi Baldwin, George Ticknor, Saml. Swett, 
 David Sears, Theod. Lyman, Jr., Amos Lawrence, Sam. D. 
 Harris, Oliver Wolcott, D. L. Morrill, Jesse Putnam, Isaac 
 P. Davis, Franklin Dexter, Nath. Silsbee, F. J. Oliver, Nathan 
 Appleton ; Standing Committee on collecting Subscriptions, 
 H, A, S. Dearborn, John C. Warren, Edward Everett, George 
 Blake, Samuel D. Harris ; Committee on the form of the 
 Monument, Daniel Webster, L. Baldwin, G, Stuart, Washing- 
 ton Allston, G. Ticknor ; Architect, Alexander Paris. Presi- 
 dent of the United States, John Quincy Adams ; Governor of 
 Massachusetts, Levi Lincoln ; Governor of Connecticut, Oli- 
 ver Wolcott ; Governor of New Hampshire, Danl. L. Morrill ; 
 Governor of Rhode Island, James Fenner ; Governor of Ver- 
 mont, C. P. Van Ness ; Governor of Maine, Albion K. Parris. 
 
 List of Articles deposited. 
 
 Official Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress ; Official Account by General Gage ; both 
 written on parchment, and presented by John F. Eliot. 
 
 Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill by Samuel Swett. 
 
 Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill by H. Dearborn, 
 Major-General U. S. A. 
 
 Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill by a Bostonian (Al- 
 den Bradford, Esq.). 
 
 Address of Bunker Hill Monument Association, by Wil- 
 liam Sullivan. 
 
 Circular Letter of Bunker Hill Monument Association, by 
 Edward Everett. 
 
 Account of the Battle of Lexington in an Oration delivered 
 at Concord by Edward Everett. 
 
 Life of Josiali Quincy, containing letters and a facsimile of 
 the writing of General Warren. 
 
140 ' HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Coins of the United States. 
 
 Medals presented by Hon. T. L. Winthrop. 
 
 A fragment of Plymoutli rock, presented by the Pilgrim 
 Society. 
 
 Plan of the Battle of Bunker Hill and plan of Charlestown. 
 
 Specimens of old Continental currency, presented by Ebe- 
 nezer Clough, Lemuel Blake, and Major George Bass. 
 
 Silver plate, inscribed as above. 
 
 A copy of each of the newspapers of the city, printed this 
 week, 
 
 Mr. Everett, having received the honorary appoint- 
 ment on the Annual Examining Committee of the 
 United States Military Academy at West Point, 
 wrote Dr. Warren the following before going : — 
 
 Boston, May 25, 1825. 
 
 Dear Doctor, - — I am going to New York to-morrow with 
 my brother A. H. E., and from thence proceed to West Point. 
 I have taken measures to have the meeting on the first Tues- 
 day in June, duly warned ; and, as I shall not be present, I 
 venture to trouble you with the books of the Association, 
 which I beg you to be so good as to cause to be at the 
 meeting. 
 
 Our strangely chosen committee will probably report a 
 plan of a column, which is a copy of Trajan's, divested of its 
 ornaments. I do not think any thing else safe. I have acci- 
 dentally conversed with Dr. Bigelow (who has made a study 
 of these things), and who prefers a column decidedly on that 
 ground. 
 
 I shall strain every nerve to be here by June 17th ; but, 
 by what I understand of the duration of the examination, that 
 will not be j^ossible. I suppose that there will be room 
 enough for one to be absent. 
 
 Yours ever very truly, E. Everett. 
 
 Mr. Everett had preserved a copy of his letter to 
 General Lafayette, which is as follows : — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 141 
 
 Cambridge, 29 March, 1825. 
 
 Dbak General, — It gives me great pleasure to have it in 
 my power, by order of the Committee of the Directors of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association, to inform you that the 
 undertaking in which we have engaged has prospered beyond 
 our expectations. When we enjoyed the happiness of your 
 visit last autumn, it wq,s proposed only to commence the erec- 
 tion of the monument this spring. The Directors had in- 
 deed determined, at all events, to celebrate the ever memorable 
 17th of June in the most honorable manner, and felt them- 
 selves more than fortunate in receiving your kind promise to 
 be present at this great commemoration. But whether we 
 should have it in our power, the next June, to make the be- 
 ginning of the great monumental work which we design to 
 construct, was at that time doubtful. You will sympathize, 
 I am sure, in the pleasure we feel at finding such ample means 
 already at the disposal of the Board of Directors, that they 
 will be enabled, without fail, to lay the corner-stone of the 
 monument on the 17th of June next. 
 
 I am instructed by the Committee, in this formal and 
 official way, to repeat their invitation to you to be present on 
 the interesting occasion, and to assure you that nothing con- 
 tributes more to the interest with which we look forward to 
 this great national ceremon}'- than the circumstance that the 
 " Nation's Guest " has kindly promised to witness it. 
 
 In behalf of the Committee of the Directors, I have the 
 honor to be, dear General, your most faithful, humble ser- 
 vant, E. EVEEETT. 
 
 The facsimile of the holographic ve-ply faces this 
 chapter. There was much groundless fear as to the 
 danger of wounding the good General's feelings on 
 this matter. Lafayette was a good and true Free- 
 mason, and not only would have conceded the pro- 
 priety of the corner-stone being laid in Masonic form, 
 but of its being done by the Grand Master. He 
 
142 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 would have, with equal frankness, assented to its being 
 done by Mr. Webster, who evidently thought it be- 
 longed to himself, as President, to j)erform the august 
 ceremony, and who probably had designed to make 
 it a prominent feature of the celebration, in his own 
 imposing manner. 
 
 On Lafayette's return to Boston for the great occa- 
 sion, he said, " In all my travels through the country, 
 I have made Bunker Hill my polar star." How true 
 to his adopted country did his noble heart beat! 
 
 All the Light Lifantry companies of Boston, 
 Charlestown, and the neighboring towns, were invited 
 to perform escort duty, in the following form, to 
 which some of the responses are appended : — 
 
 Boston, June 9, 1825. 
 To 
 
 Sm, — In the name and behalf of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, you are hereby requested to invite the 
 officers and men under your command to appear with you in 
 uniform (with your own rations, because on this occasion it 
 is absolutely impossible for the Association to provide them, 
 as they gladly would do, if possible), for the purpose of 
 performing escort and guard duty (or either, as may be 
 necessary) at the celebration on the 17th June, 1825. You 
 are respectfully requested to ascertain and report to the un- 
 dersigned Committee on or before 12 o'clock at noon, on 
 Monday the 14th instant, whether this request can be com- 
 plied with. The companies and the whole procession will be 
 under the command of Brigadier-General Lyman. 
 
 I have the honor to be, most respectfully, for the Execu- 
 tive Committee of the B. H. M. A., 
 
 Your obedient servant, ' • 
 
 Wm. Sullivan. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 143 
 
 Salem, llth June, 1825. 
 Hon. Wm. Sullivan. 
 
 Sm, — I have the honor to inform you that the Cadets 
 under my command do most cheerfully accept the invitation 
 to perform escort and guard duty (or either, as may be nec- 
 essary) on the 17th instant. With much respect, I am 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Benjamin S. Beowne, 
 
 Capt. S. I. Cadets. 
 
 Charlestown, June llth, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — Having received your invitation, in behalf of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association, to attend the celebration 
 on the 17th instant, I have laid the same before the company 
 under my command, which they have accepted. I shall 
 therefore expect to receive instructions from General Lyman 
 as to time and place, and shall endeavor to pay that attention 
 the nature of the occasion requires. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 Shadrach Varney, 
 
 Capt. of Charlestown Light Infantry. 
 To Wm. Sullivan, Esq. 
 
 Captain Jenkins, of the Columbian Guards (Light In- 
 fantry Company of Charlestown), acknowledges the receipt 
 of General Sullivan's very polite invitation to his company 
 to parade on 17 June, and informs General Sullivan that he 
 with his company will comply with the request, and will 
 very cheerfully place themselves under the command of 
 General Lyman, and perform any duty he may assign to 
 them. 
 
 Boston, June 13th, 1825. 
 
 Hon. William Sullivan, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 
 B. H. M. A. 
 
144 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Concord, June 15. 
 Sm, — I received your invitation yesterday morn, and 
 with pleasure accept, for myself, officers, and soldiers under 
 my command. 
 
 I have the honor to be 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 Francis Jarvis, Jr. 
 
 Dorchester, June 16, 1825. 
 
 Sir, — The invitation of the Executive Committee of the 
 B. H. M. Association to perform field duty on the occasion 
 of the anniversary of the 17th instant is accepted, and I shall 
 report for orders on the Common to-morrow morning. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Walter Baker. 
 
 Salem, June 11, 1825. 
 To the Hon. Wm. Sullivan. 
 
 Sir, — The Salem Mechanic Light Infantry, under my 
 command, have been honored with an invitation from the 
 Executive Committee of the Bunker Hill Monument Associa- 
 tion to participate in the celebration on the 17th June, 1825. 
 Agreeable to request, I have made it known to my company; 
 and with pleasure I inform you that we respectfully accept 
 3'our highly favored invitation. 
 
 I have the honor to be, most respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 David Pulsifer, Jr. 
 
 General Lyman, being then a Representative, 
 reported the following resolutions : — 
 
 House of Representatives, June 11, 1825. 
 
 The Select Committee, to whom was referred the communi- 
 cation of the Executive Committee of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 145 
 
 ment Association, have considered the matter committed to 
 them, and now report the following resolutions. 
 
 For the Committee. 
 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 
 ■^ Resolved, That this House do accept the invitation of the 
 Directors of the B. H. M. Association to be present at the 
 laying of the corner-stone to the monument, on the 17th day 
 of this month. 
 
 Resolved, That the members of this House will walk in the 
 procession that is to be formed on the 17th instant, in the 
 order of their seniority. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee that has reported these 
 resolutions be directed to communicate these resolutions to 
 the Directors of the B. H. M. Association. 
 
 Read and agreed to. 
 
 Pelham W. Warren, Qlerh. 
 
 House of Representatives, June 13, 1825. 
 
 Every possible effort was made to procure the 
 attendance of the Revolutionary soldiers ; and one 
 hundred and ninety were gathered together, of whom 
 forty were in the battle of Bunker Hill. The Legisla- 
 ture defrayed their expenses of coming. Most of 
 them were able to walk in the joi'ocession. The fol- 
 lowing letter to General Sullivan showed how scru- 
 pulous they were in those days as to place : — 
 
 Josiah Bowers, of Lancaster, was a soldier in the Revolu- 
 tionary war, and was on Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 
 1775. He did not get quite into the battle, but got within a 
 few rods of the battle. When they retreated, he was sent in 
 the recruit, and he remained in the army through the war. 
 Can he be permitted in the procession, as other Revolutionary 
 soldiers? Jonathan Prescott. 
 
 19 
 
146 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Eev. Joseph Thaxter,of Edgartown, who was chap- 
 lain of Colonel Prescott's regiment, was present, and 
 was the chaplain of the day. The regimental drum- 
 mer was also there ; and, in marching np Bunker Hill, 
 he beat the drum to the tune of " Yankee Doodle," 
 exciting the cheers of the vast concourse of people. 
 
 Although the means of conveyance by land in 
 those days were limited to the stage-coach and to 
 private vehicles of all sorts, there was no lack of the 
 attendance of the people. Every thing seemed to be 
 put in requisition to bring them here, and to accom- 
 modate them and their horses during their stay. 
 They flocked here from every part of the State. 
 Other States sent large delegations, and notably New 
 York, South Carolina, and all New England. To 
 the South CaroHna delegation a cordial greeting was 
 specially given by the Directors. 
 
 The only avenue to Charlestown was Charles River 
 bridge, which was a toll bridge. By vote of its 
 directors, it was declared free for that day ; and 
 Mayor Quincy gave orders that the police should 
 protect it as far as the jurisdiction of the city went, 
 which was to the draw. 
 
 The procession was admitted to be the finest pageant 
 that had ever been seen in this country. The day 
 was a perfect June day. Not a cloud was visible ; 
 and the showers of the preceding day gave a fresh- 
 ness to the green sward of the many vacant fields ; 
 and, in the pure atmosphere and clear sky, the bright 
 uniforms of the soldiery and the rich Masonic regalia 
 and banners shone with a peculiar lustre. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 147 
 
 As the head of the cohimn reached Charlestown 
 Square, the rear on Boston Common had not com- 
 menced to move. The route was as mdicated m Com- 
 mittee's report. All the church-bells in Boston and 
 Charlestown were ringing while the procession was 
 in motion; and they strikingly suggested to the mul- 
 titude the wonderful contrast between that joyous 
 spectacle and the stormy scenes of the 17th June, 
 1775, when their fathers gazed in dread suspense 
 upon the great opening contest in which the new 
 republic was baptized in the flames of burning Charles- 
 town. 
 
 Colonel Samuel Jaques was the chief marshal upon 
 the grounds; and, with a large corps of assistants, 
 backed by detachments of the military, was barely 
 able to keep the reserved space clear until the pro- 
 cession arrived. He was a gentleman of the old 
 school, tall, erect, and portly, in size and bearing not 
 unlike Mr. Webster. He wore a blue dress coat 
 and buff vest, — a style in which Mr. Webster fre- 
 quently appeared. The two were great friends. 
 
 As the body of the civic procession came upon the 
 grounds, a hollow square was formed, enclosing the 
 site of the proposed monument, and the Masonic ser- 
 vices began. The corner-stone was laid by the Most 
 Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of 
 Massachusetts, John Abbot. Lafayette stood by, 
 and received from him the trowel, and spread the 
 cement over the stone. He wore the Masonic apron 
 duriug this ceremony and the other exercises on the 
 hill; and, when he laid it aside, Mr. Francis C Whis- 
 
148 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ton, one of the marshals, and the toast-master at the 
 dinner, took it at once into his possession, and care- 
 fully preserved it. 
 
 The Masonic services over, the lai'ge assembly re- 
 paired to the northern declivity of the hill, where an 
 amphitheatre was arranged with seats. At the lower 
 part was the stage, with a canopy, elegantly adorned, 
 surmounted by a gilded eagle. Upon this stage 
 the orator, the chief guests, and the Revolutionary 
 soldiers were placed. On either side was a plat- 
 form covered with an awning, and each was filled 
 with ladies, who were patiently waiting for the 
 commencement of the exercises. When Kev. Mr. 
 Thaxter stepped forward to oflPer prayer, the whole 
 air was hushed to a profound stillness, and there was 
 a sea of uncovered heads before him. Half a century 
 before, he stood on that hill, and prayed for Colonel 
 Prescott and his men, and for a blessing on the Ameri- 
 can cause. During the battle, he was urging the men 
 to their duty, and paid the last offices to some of 
 those who there consummated their service to country 
 with their life offering. He was then in the spring 
 of life; and now, in the frost of age, as with a clear 
 but faltering voice and evident emotion he uttered 
 his prayer of thankfulness and praise, his attenuated 
 form appeared like that of a mortal then about to put 
 on immortality. 
 
 An ode by Rev. John Pierpont was next sung. 
 Then followed the oration. It was calculated that the 
 arrangement of the awning would screen the orator 
 from the sun's raj^s during its delivery j but the un- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 149 
 
 expected delay of nearly three hours brought the sun 
 lower down, so as to shine upon the front of the 
 stage. As Mr. Webster stepped forward, Lafayette 
 beckoned to him to stand back in a place which was 
 shaded ; but he gracefully declined, and he faced 
 the sun with his eagle eye, advancing even as near 
 as he could to the uncounted multitude before him. 
 This act was greeted with profound applause. 
 
 Many still live who heard that master-piece of genu- 
 ine eloquence, and to them it is a proud remembrance. 
 The exordium alludes to the time and place of meet- 
 ing of the great assembly, the half-century anniver- 
 sary of the first great battle of the American Revolu- 
 tion, and this the very spot among the " sepulchres 
 of our fathers.'' He compares that event with the 
 discovery of America by Columbus, of which he gives 
 a graphic picture, and to the landing of the fathers at 
 Plymouth ; but the American Revolution he declares 
 to be the great prodigy of events, and the wonder and 
 blessing of the w^orld. He announces then the object 
 of the Association, in erecting a national monument to 
 the memory of the early friends of American inde- 
 pendence on that memorable spot, to be preferred to all 
 others, — not, indeed, to perpetuate national hostility 
 nor to cherish a purely military spirit, but to promote 
 peace and progress, a love of country, and a pure 
 patriotism, both in the time of prosperity and dis- 
 aster ; and, under the blessing of God, he bids the 
 monument " to rise till it meet the sun in his coming." 
 He addresses the survivors of that battle then before 
 him, with a touching apostrophe to the memory of the 
 first great Martyr -, then he addresses the other sur- 
 
150 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 viviiig soldiers, the veterans of half a century ; and, 
 after a brief description of the battle, he addresses 
 Lafayette, whom the sensation which its intelligence 
 created in Europe prompted to come over to help us, 
 with his life and fortune. The great changes which 
 the half century had produced iu the direction of 
 human progress and improvement then became his 
 theme. In his fine peroration, he exhorts his country- 
 men to preserve and improve upon what their fathers 
 achieved; and, by a perfect parody, he announces 
 the duty of an American citizen to his country to be 
 full as obligatory as that of a witness under oath to 
 the cause of truth and justice, so that the couutry 
 itself should become a monument, great, powerful, 
 and permaneut, of which the structure about to 
 be erected should be an everlasting type. The con- 
 ception of the whole discourse was magnificent; and, 
 being grandly sustained in all its parts, its effect upon 
 the immense auditory, carried away by his lofty senti- 
 ments, miugled into one mass, and wrought up as 
 one man to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, was 
 really sublime. 
 
 Mr. Buckingham, afterwards President of the 
 
 Association, in his contemporaneous account, finding 
 
 himself powerless to do adequate justice, applied to 
 
 Mr. Webster the following couplet : — 
 
 " To those who know thee not no words can paint ; 
 And those who know thee know all words are faint." 
 
 The singing of a hymn composed by Rev. James 
 Flint of Salem, concluding prayer by Rev. James 
 Walker of Charlestown, the singing of an ode, and 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 151 
 
 the benediction by the venerable chaplain, concluded 
 these memorable exercises, which were conducted in 
 the presence and hearing of over twenty thousand 
 people. 
 
 A dinner followed. The Association, their chief 
 guests, and a considerable portion of the Masonic 
 Fraternity then repaired to the elder Bunker Hill, 
 where they sat down to the tables in a large tent, 
 to the number of about four thousand. The public 
 dinner in those days was more orderly, and more 
 social and enjoyable, than that of the present time. 
 For the intellectual entertainment, there would be a 
 series of regular toasts, — generally thirteen, to cor- 
 respond with the original number of the States. These 
 wxre announced by the toast-master in order, and 
 followed by appropriate music, the tunes being all 
 previously arranged. Yolunteer toasts and songs 
 would be interspersed ; but long speeches were 
 ignored. The subjects of the regular toasts at this 
 dinner were: 1. The 17th June, 1775 ; 2. The Mili- 
 tia ; 3. The Committee of Safety ; 4. The Martyrs of 
 Bunker Hill Battle ; 5. Bunker Hill Monument ; 
 6. Survivors of Bunker Hill Battle ; 7. Lexington 
 and Concord ; 8. The President of the United States ; 
 9. The Governor of the Commonwealth ', 10. The 
 Continental Army ; 11. The Memory of Washing- 
 ton ; 12. The Continental Congress ; 13. The Mem- 
 ory of Warren. 
 
 After these were all drank, the President, Mr. 
 Webster, arose, and with a few introductory words 
 proposed : — 
 
152 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 " Health and a long life to General Lafayette." 
 
 The General, with a prefiice equally brief, gave the 
 following sentiment : — 
 
 " Bunker Hill, and the holy resistance to oppres- 
 sion which has already enfranchised the American 
 hemisphere. The next half century's jubilee toast 
 shall be, To enfranchised Europe." 
 
 What profound faith the gallant General had in 
 the cause to which he gave his life! Although the 
 l^rophecy has not been exactly fulfilled in the sense 
 in which he intended, still, in looking back over the 
 progress of the last half century, we may say that 
 the leaven of American institutions has somewhat 
 leavened the whole European lump. 
 
 In the evening, there were two grand receptions : 
 one given by Colonel Jaques, the chief marshal, at 
 his residence in Washington Street, Charlestown ; 
 and the other by Mr. Webster, at his elegant house, 
 now demohshed, in Summer Street, Boston, — both 
 of which were attended by Lafayette and other dis- 
 tinguished personages. 
 
 Mr. Webster, with his characteristic generosity, 
 presented his Address to the Association, the copy- 
 right of which was readily sold for six hundred dol- 
 lars, — a large sum in those days, — whereby he 
 became at that time, after William Phillips, the 
 largest contributor to the monument. 
 
y.i^-d. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Yet ne'er the less 
 Tower thou in majesty, nor fainter stamp 
 Thy outline on the clouds. 
 
 Brief man may pass 
 On with his generations to the tomb ; 
 But wait thou till the dim decay of time, — 
 Yea, stand and gaze on Nature's dying throes, 
 See the skies shrivel and the faint stars fall, 
 And the pale sun, like wounded Csesar, fold 
 His mantle darkly round him, — hear the shriek 
 Of old Creation, when dissolving fires 
 Envelop her, — and so decline at last, 
 But with the solid globe. 
 
 JOHN COLLIN'S WAEEEN was looked up to by 
 his associates as a leading spirit in their great un- 
 dertaking. He took the first step by securing a large 
 portion of the battle-ground before the corporation 
 was formed ; and as Tudor was soon afterwards called 
 away to South America, and Webster and Everett 
 were engaged for a good portion of the year in their 
 congressional duties at Washington, he was frequently 
 addressed by the several Directors, when they had any 
 particular suggestions to make. Though at this time 
 high in the rank of the medical profession, both as a 
 surgeon and general practitioner, and performing all 
 the while many other public duties which devolved 
 upon him, he attempted to do every thing which Avas 
 required of him in this regard with astonishing promjjt- 
 
 20 
 
154 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ness. Mr. Everett wrote to him on one occasion of a 
 special service he had rendered: "I once thought I 
 was active, but your industry and zeal have put me 
 to shame." ]!:^or was he in any way solicitous that 
 exclusive or even special honor should be paid to the 
 memory of his uncle, the glorious martyr, in the plan 
 of the Monument. On the contrary, he took the lead 
 in obtaining the advice and co-operation of the friends 
 and kindred of all the heroes of the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill; and when General Dearborn, imbibing the un- 
 accountable prejudices of his father in relation to the 
 merits and claims of Putnam, strenuously objected to 
 any of his family being elected, Dr. Warren was mainly 
 instrumental in silencing his opposition, and procuring 
 the election of Colonel Daniel Putnam, the son of the 
 brave General, as Director. Upon his motion, also, 
 the following Resolutions written by him were adopted 
 by the Directors at a meeting held April 5, 1825 : — 
 
 Resolved, 1. That a final decision in regard to the kind of 
 Monument to be erected shall be made only at a meeting of 
 Directors warned by special notice to each individual, and 
 also by advertisement in two newspapers in Boston, twenty 
 days before the time of such meeting. 
 
 2. That every decision relative to the land owned by the 
 B. H. M. Association in Chaiiestown, so far as regards laying 
 out roads or paths, elevating or depressing, selling, or in any 
 other way disposing of said land or any part of it, or erecting 
 buildings thereon, be made at a meeting of the Directors held 
 in the manner pointed out in the preceding Resolution ; and 
 at no other meeting of any description. 
 
 3. That whenever the Directors shall judge expedient to 
 take measures to come to a decision in regard to the kind of 
 Monument to be erected, they shall elect a Board to whom 
 shall be submitted all plans and designs which may be pre- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 155 
 
 sented, in order that this Board may give an opinion as to 
 the superiority of any plan or design thus presented ; and, 
 farther, that the said Board of Artists be requested to 
 give their opinion in regard to any other plan which may 
 occur to them, beside those which may have been laid before 
 them by the Directors. 
 
 At this same meeting, the Directors proceeded to 
 elect the Board of Artists created by the last Resolu- 
 tion, and the Standing Committee were requested to 
 retire and nominate seven gentlemen to serve thereon. 
 The Standing Committee withdrew, and after consul- 
 tation brought in the names of only five: Daniel 
 Webster, Gilbert Stuart, "Washington All- 
 STON, LoAMMi Baldwin, and George Ticknor. 
 
 The Directors accepted the nomination " both as to 
 the persons named and the number of them;" and 
 these distinguished gentlemen, all men of national 
 renown, were constituted the Board of Artists. Al- 
 though the magical number of seven was first deter- 
 mined upou, the Standing Committee undoubtedly 
 found it impossible to select the two others, whose 
 services could readily be obtained, and who would 
 have added materially to the weight of authority of 
 these five in matters of art; and the Directors also 
 were satisfied both with the number and the selection. 
 
 The Standing Committee in January, 1825, had 
 caused to be inserted in the leading newspapers of 
 Boston, and of other cities of the country, their in- 
 vitation to artists to furnish plans of whatever char- 
 acter or design, for the proposed Monument. In the 
 invitation, the Committee stated, " although there are 
 some obvious recommendations of a column as the 
 
156 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 best form for a monumental structure on the spot in 
 question, yet the Committee are determined to pro- 
 pose no plan whatever to the Association till they 
 have had the means of comparing all the suggestions 
 which may be offered by the architectural skill and 
 genius of the country. . . . But as a column is recom- 
 mended by various local circumstances, and appears 
 to enjoy a general preference, the Committee are par- 
 ticularly desirous to receive plans of a monumental 
 column of about 220 feet in height, to be built of 
 hewn granite." 
 
 A premium was offered in the following terms : " It 
 is wished that proposals should contain two plans: 
 one, the architectural plan and elevation of the work, 
 with a suitable scale; vertical and horizontal sections 
 of the interior; particular statements of the propor- 
 tions and magnitudes of the members; and, if a column, 
 drawings of the ornamental portions of the pedestal: 
 and the other, a handsomely finished perspective view 
 of the work. For the plan of this description which 
 shall appear to merit the preference, the Committee 
 offer a reward of one hundred dollars." 
 
 The Standing Committee, it will be seen from their 
 advertisement, were decidedly in favor of adopting 
 the column, and Dr. Warren was the only one of the 
 Committee who, in the final vote after the long discus- 
 sion, turned against its adoption. On IN'ovember 4, 
 1824, the Standing Committee voted that Mr. Willard 
 be authorized to draw a plan of a monument jJrojected 
 on a large scale, to be painted for the purposes of ex- 
 hibition to the Legislature, and the citizens of Boston 
 and the vicinity. Mr. Willard complied with this 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 157 
 
 request, and presented a plan which was highl}^ 
 satisfactory to the Committee, who explained to him, 
 through Mr. Everett, the reason for their offering a 
 public reward for the best plan to be submitted, — that 
 they felt it their duty in discharge of a public trust to 
 make a general advertisement to the artists of the 
 country, — and solicited his permission to keep his 
 l)lan and to compensate him therefor. 
 
 In a letter to Dr. Warren, written in February, 
 1825, before the appointment of the Board of Artists, 
 Mr. Willard withdrew " from the contest about the 
 designs," and wished a " God-speed " to the Associa- 
 tion. He also wrote the following letter to Dr. 
 Warren : — 
 
 Deak Sir, — I believe. that there has been some mistake 
 in stating that the column which has been estimated for would 
 be the highest in the world. I have lately seen in a periodical 
 work a description of one erected after the Battle of Auster- 
 litz, which is 246 feet high, including the statue. The statue 
 is 11 feet high. The height of the one estimated for is 210 
 feet. The mistake originated, I believe, with General Dear- 
 born, but I do not know whether it is of much importance. 
 It will not be in my power to furnish the drawings mentioned 
 so soon as they are wanted, and as I understand that the 
 Committee expect them from another quarter, I suppose it 
 will be no disappointment. 
 
 I shall consider myself honored in aiding the cause as far 
 as my influence extends, and also in subscribing my mite to 
 defray the expense of the undertaking ; but I have no wish to 
 enter into any contest about the designs. 
 
 Yours, &c., Solomon Willard. 
 
 On April 12, when Mr. Webster was elected 
 President of the Association by the Directors, he 
 
158 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 made a T^eport in part of the doings of the Board of 
 Artists, of which he was chairman. The further 
 consideration of this Report was postponed to the next 
 meeting, and the Board was requested to report at 
 that time " which of the plans submitted be entitled to 
 the premium of one hundred dollars as the best sub- 
 mitted plan." It seems that a large number of plans 
 were submitted, about fifty, as nearly as can now be 
 ascertained, some of which were sent at a considerable 
 expense from a great distance, as that of Mr. Robert 
 Mills from Columbia, South Carolina, which was in 
 the form of an obelisk. 
 
 On April 26, the Board made the following Re- 
 port : — 
 
 The Committee to whom were referred the plans and 
 designs, &c., of different artists for a Monument on Bunker 
 Hill, beg leave further to report, — 
 
 That the number of designs, plans, and models is very con- 
 siderable, and that several of them show much talent and 
 great architectural skill. The. Committee, however, feeling 
 more and more persuaded that a column is not properly a 
 monumental structure such as the purposes of the Bunker 
 Hill Association require, have been obliged, from this consid- 
 eration, to reject a large proportion of the plans and designs 
 submitted to them. Setting these aside, therefore, they rec- 
 ommend that the premium of one hundred dollars be awarded 
 to Mr. Horatio Greenough for the model and section of an 
 obelisk ; and this model and all the remaining plans and 
 designs are herewith presented to the Directors for their fur- 
 ther consideration. 
 
 The Committee, however, do not wish to be understood as 
 advising that the Monument on Bunker Hill be erected pre- 
 cisely according to the model and plan of Mr. Greenough. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 159 
 
 On the contrary, they feel unable at present to give any 
 
 opinion other than the opinion contained in their last Report, 
 
 and are intimately persuaded that they have not yet sufficient 
 
 grounds and materials to form one that would satisfy either 
 
 the Directors or themselves. 
 
 Dan'l Webster. 
 
 Geo. Ticknor. 
 
 W. Allston. 
 
 G. Stuart. 
 
 Apkil 25, 1825. 
 
 The following communication from Mr. Greenough 
 accompanied the model presented b}^ him, and, it is 
 presumed, was presented with the Report together 
 with his model: — 
 
 To the Committee of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 Gentlemen, — Having designed an obelisk instead of a 
 column, and presented a model rather than a perspective 
 drawing for the purpose of illustration, it has seemed to me 
 proper to explain what might be interpreted a wilful or neg- 
 ligent disregard to the published proposals of your com- 
 mittee. 
 
 I have given you my design in a model, because, as it may 
 be examined from every quarter, it may be said to contain 
 in itself a perspective of the object, as seen from ever^ point 
 instead of one only, and is on that account more easily and 
 perfectly understood. 
 
 I have made choice of the obelisk as the most purely mon- 
 umental form of structure. The column, grand and beauti- 
 ful as it is in its place (where it stands beneath the weight of 
 a pediment, and supports a long liue of heavy entablature), 
 considered as a monument, seems liable, to unanswerable ob- 
 jections. It steps forth from that body, of which it has been 
 made a harmonious part, to take a situation which, of all 
 others, requires unity of form : hence the more completely it 
 has been fitted to a situation so different, the greater must be 
 
160 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tlie number of useless ajDpendages and unmeaning parts when 
 it assumes its new place and office ; in fact, that increase in 
 the upper part of the shaft of the column, in each of the 
 Greek orders, as plainly implies a weight above, to be sup- 
 ported, as the base implies a ground on which to stand. 
 
 The proportions of this obelisk are taken from one at 
 ancient Thebes. The height from the ground to the top of 
 the plinth is twenty feet ; from the plinth to the apex of the 
 shaft, one hundred feet. 
 
 A circular stair-case, lighted by narrow windows or glazed 
 loop-holes, — : which could not be seen at a short distance, — 
 might be carried as high as the base of the pyramid in which 
 the structure terminates. This stair-case might be entered 
 at one of the sides of the plinth by a door, of the same color 
 as the rest of the building, and made without any projecting 
 parts about it, so that the lines would not be cut up, or the 
 masses of light and shadow broken. 
 
 The entrance would be reached by ascending a flight of 
 twenty steps, which are to be seen on each side of the lower 
 base in the model. The four blocks at the angles are de- 
 signed to receive four groups of monumental or allegorical 
 sculpture. These are indicated by the pieces of cla}'- seen on 
 those parts of the model. But, should any circumstance pre- 
 vent or delay the erection of these, four large field-pieces 
 would form noble and appropriate ornaments, and would 
 contrast pleasingly with the general form of the other parts 
 of the structure. 
 
 The scale in the drawing of the section is reduced to one- 
 half that of the model. — No. 12. 
 
 The record states with regard to this Report, "On 
 motion, and after discussion of the principles of the 
 Report, it was voted to lay this Report on the table." 
 It was understood that Colonel Baldwin concurred with 
 his associates on the Board of Artists, though his 
 signature was not appended to the Report, as he was 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 161 
 
 absent when it was written. Mr. Ticknor was the only 
 member of the Board present at this meeting of the 
 Directors, Mr. Stnart and Mr. Allston not being 
 Directors. As the feeling of the Board was then 
 pretty general in favor of the adoption of the column, 
 it is not very surprising that this course was taken. 
 Other pressing matters awaited the attention of the 
 Directors in view of the arrangements for the coming 
 17th June, and the Report was not again called up, 
 nor was the promised reward ever bestowed. 
 
 Mr. Greenough was a native of Boston, and was 
 then about to graduate from Harvard College in the 
 class of 1825, and to devote his life to art, in which he 
 afterwards achieved the highest distinction, reflecting 
 honor upon his Alma Mater and his country. His 
 fine model of the obelisk form of the monument, and 
 his brief cogent statement of its superior merits to the 
 column, did much to change the general opinion in its 
 favor. Although he did not receive the one hundred 
 dollars offered, — which the Association could ill 
 afford to pay, — the unanimous award of the Board 
 of Artists, as impartial as it was distinguished, to 
 Avhom the selection of the best design of all those sub- 
 mitted was intrusted, was the highest testimonial that 
 could be given him. It was greatly valued by him, 
 and, since his decease, has been proudly cherished by 
 his family, as the auspicious first fruit of his profes- 
 sional success. 
 
 The model offered by Horatio Greenough is dis- 
 tinctly remembered by many. It was of wood, painted 
 of the color of granite. It had a flight of steps to 
 
 21 
 
162 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the base, with blocks at the corners for the reception 
 of suitable objects as ornaments, and a broad platform 
 designed for statnes, to be provided at a fntnre period. 
 "When returned to Mr. Greenongh, it had the word 
 " Adopted " written upon it in a slanting direction by 
 Gilbert Stnart. After the decision of the Board, he 
 said to Warren Dutton, Esq., " An artist never has a 
 l^encil in his pocket: lend me yonrs." Mr. Dutton 
 gave him one, and saw him write the word. 
 
 The model was two feet high. It was an exquisite 
 thing, and spoke its own praise to the general eye. 
 The wish has been expressed that whoever of the 
 family relatives of the great sculptor may now have 
 it will consent to place it in the possession of the 
 Association. Colonel Swett, one of the committee last 
 appointed to report the plan of a monument in the 
 obelisk form, gave the authorship of the present plan 
 of the Monument to Greenough. Amos Lawrence, 
 also, in a letter to Professor Packard, of Bowdoin 
 College, dated " December 30, 1852, evening," the day 
 before he died, — and said to be the last letter he 
 wrote, — stated that Greenough's plan " was substan- 
 tially adopted, although the column was amended by 
 the talents, taste, and influence of Loammi Baldwin, 
 one of our Directors." 
 
 On May 19, 1825, the special notice of twenty days 
 required by the Resolution offered by Dr. Warren 
 having been previously given, a meeting was held to 
 act uj^on the plan of the Monument. Dr. Warren 
 received on the same day the following letter fi'om a 
 Boston architect: — 
 
MODEL BY HORATIO GREENOUGH 
 
 FROM A ROUGH SKETCH BY HIM. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 163 
 
 Boston, 19th May, 1825. 
 Dr. J. C. Warren. 
 
 Sir, — I send you a model of a monument, to be offered to 
 the Committee of Bunker Hill Association, which meets to- 
 day to decide on a plan ; and I regret that want of time has 
 prevented a more finished design. An attempt is made in 
 this model to combine the associations connected with the 
 important event it is intended to commemorate, with conven- 
 ience and the public subscriptions. 
 
 1. The obelisk may be of any height, and the base of any 
 extent, adapted to the funds of the Society. Should an 
 ascent to the top of the obelisk be required, it is proposed to 
 affix the stairs to its sides, as spiral stairs fatigue the passen- 
 ger by compelling a constant change of step adapted to stairs 
 constantly diminishing as they ascend. This is felt by all 
 who ascend the Washington Monument in Baltimore. To 
 obviate the objection to windows in the sides of the obelisk, 
 it is proposed to admit light from the top. 
 
 2. As stairs on the outside of a fort militate with all the 
 uses of fortification, while they diminish the grandeur of 
 every large design, the entrance is by a main gate in the 
 base, and the ascent by steps in the base of the obelisk. 
 
 3. It is proposed that the platform be sufficiently extensive 
 for a promenade, and for groups of statuary, which the future 
 resources, invention, and gratitude of posterity may supply. 
 
 4. Cannon are j^hi-ced on the four bastions, to be used at 
 every anniversary, and for other celebrations connected with 
 American independence. 
 
 All which are submitted, with respect, by your humble 
 servant, 
 
 G. W. Brimmee. 
 
 At this meeting, Mr. Webster, the President, both 
 the Yice-Presidents, Colonel Perkins and Judge 
 Story, and nearl}'^ all the Directors, were present. 
 There was a long and animated debate. The result 
 was the passage of the following votes : — 
 
164 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Voted, That a Committee of five be appointed to report 
 the plan of an obehsk, and also of a column, with estimates 
 of the expense of each. 
 
 That this Committee consist of the following gentlemen : 
 General Dearborn, E. Everett, Mr. Knowles, Colonel Harris, 
 Colonel Perkins. 
 
 The meeting adjourned to June 7, only ten days 
 before the time for the great celebration, to hear the 
 Report. At this adjourned meeting the following 
 Keport was presented : — 
 
 Report of the Committee on Plans of an Obelisk and a Column. 
 
 The Committee which was directed to report plans of an 
 obelisk and a column, with estimates of the cost of each, con- 
 sidered it unsafe to trust to the genius and taste of modern 
 times in the selection of designs of monuments which were 
 ancient in origin and execution. 
 
 The obelisk having been first and almost exclusively 
 erected in Egypt, engravings of the most celebrated now 
 standing were examined ; but, being placed on a simple tab- 
 let of stone, their appearance in an isolated position, detached 
 from the approaches of the splendid temples whose extended 
 avenues or spacious areas they once embellished, is desolate, 
 naked, and rude ; and they only become interesting and im- 
 posing from an association of their great antiquit}^, and the 
 imagined legends of their unintelligible hierogij'phics, with 
 the fact that such lofty and ponderous masses of stone were 
 wrought from a single block of Thebaic granite. They were 
 therefore rejected as models. Those which had been trans- 
 ported to Rome and Constantinople, and placed on apj)ropri- 
 ate pedestals by distinguished artists, next claimed attention ; 
 and drawings on an extended scale were made of the two 
 which Augustus and Constantius brought from Heliopolis 
 and Alexandria, and placed in the Great Circus ; and ulti- 
 mately that which stands in the Square of St. Giovanni was 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 165 
 
 selected, being, witli its pedestal, considered the most sym- 
 metrical and magnificent. 
 
 This was the largest obelisk brought to Rome, the length 
 of the shaft being one hundred and fifteen feet. The Em- 
 peror Constantine intended to have placed it in one of the 
 public squares in Constantinople, and had it brought down 
 the Nile from Thebes to Alexandria, to be from thence trans- 
 ported to his new city ; but, after his death, his son Constan- 
 tius made a visit to Rome, in the year 357, and, as a proof of 
 his regard for the ancient city of the empire, he had this 
 trophy brought from Egypt, and placed upon the Spina of 
 the Circus Maximus, ninety feet distant from that of Au- 
 gustus. 
 
 Towards the close of the sixteenth century, it was found 
 buried in the ruins of that magnificent circus, and placed in 
 the Square of St. Giovanni, by order of Pope Sixtus V., 
 under the direction of that celebrated architect and engineer, 
 Dominico Fontana. The lower end having been shattered 
 by its fall, it became necessary to cut off seven feet to obtain 
 a plane and solid base, so that it is now only one hundred 
 and eight feet high. The breadth at the bottom is nine feet 
 six inches, and eight feet thick. 
 
 The Committee present an elevation of this obelisk, and 
 analytical plans of the proposed construction. 
 
 Mr. Willard, the architect who made the drawings, states 
 that he was assisted by Mr. G. Bryant, an experienced 
 mason, in estimating the cost of erecting such an obelisk of 
 blocks of granite, and that it will amount to $60,000. 
 
 In selecting a plan for a column, the members of the Com- 
 mittee were guided by the same principles which induced 
 them to decide on the form of an obelisk ; and, of the six 
 colossal columns now standing, Trajan's in Rome is the most 
 ancient, — except, perhaps, that called Pompey's, near Alex- 
 andria, — and has been ever considered the most perfect in 
 form and magnificent in execution. 
 
 Of all the stupendous buildings which were in the Trajan 
 Forum, nothing remains but this column. It was designed 
 
166 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and executed by Apollodorus, the most celebrated architect 
 of Rome. 
 
 The whole height of the column is 147 feet, according to 
 some writers, and others make it 141 ; the shaft, 108 ; the 
 pedestal, 19 ; and the crowning, about 14 feet. The diame- 
 ter of the shaft is represented to be from 12^^ to 13 feet. It 
 is composed of 33 tamboons, or blocks, of white marble ; the 
 pedestal being of 8, the base 1, the shaft 23, and the capital 
 of 1. 
 
 The bas-reliefs of the pedestal represent trophies and bar- 
 barian arms. The shaft is adorned with bas-reliefs, mounting 
 spirally from the bottom to the top, representing the victories 
 of Trajan over the Dacse, which begin from the passage of 
 the Danube. This band of bas-reliefs passes twenty-three 
 times round the shaft. On the top was a gilt-bronze statue 
 of Trajan. 
 
 Trajan had ordered this column to be erected ; but as he 
 died at Selinus, on his return from his Eastern conquests in 
 117, it was completed by the senate and people of Rome, and 
 dedicated to him ; and his ashes were put in a globe, which 
 his statue held in its left hand. 
 
 Sixtus V. finding the pedestal of the column buried by 
 the accumulation of the ruins of numerous edifices and of 
 earth,' he caused an excavation to be made around it quite to 
 the bottom, and placed the statue of St. Peter upon the top. 
 
 This grand structure was monumental, honorary, historical, 
 and triumphal. It has been the model of that erected to 
 Marcus Aurelius, commonly called the Antonine column ; of 
 the Theodosian in Constantinople ; and of the one erected 
 by the Emperor Napoleon in the Place VendSme. Distin- 
 guished artists have considered it the paragon of columns, 
 while the scientific and accomplished Freart pronounced it 
 the queen of architecture. Learned travellers, of every age 
 and country, have been lavish in its praise ; and for nearly 
 seventeen centuries it has braved the ravages of time, the 
 ruinous incursions of barbarians, the devastations of wars, 
 and still proudly stands, the admiration of the world. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 167 
 
 From these facts and considerations, and unwilling to rnn 
 the risk of corapromitting the character of the Association, 
 the State, or country, by rendering either obnoxious to cen- 
 sure from a solecism in architectural taste, the Committee did 
 not hesitate to recommend a like structure, extended to two 
 hundred and twenty feet in height, with a proportional 
 diameter, but excluding the bas-reliefs on the pedestal, and 
 those which ascend spirally round the shaft, leaving it chas- 
 tened to its graceful flutings. A castellated stereobata was 
 added, to embrace the steps : and on the bastioned angles it 
 is proposed to place, mounted on iron or bronze carriages, the 
 cannon presented by the Legislature ; thus exhibiting the 
 kind of fortress and arms which were in use at the period 
 the battle was fought, as a substitute for the jjile of barbarian 
 trophies and military weapons on which the column of Trajan 
 appears to be reared. 
 
 Mr, Paris, the architect who furnished the elevations, 
 estimates the cost at $74,000 ; and, the plan having been 
 submitted to Mr. Willard, he calculates the expense of 
 the structure at $75,000 : but, if of large blocks of from 
 three to twelve tons, and three-feet courses, it will amount 
 to $85,000. Both of these artists were aided in their esti- 
 mates b}^ some of our most experienced mechanics, and 
 therefore great reliance is to be reposed on their results. 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn, 
 
 June 2, 1825. Chairman of the Committee on Plans. 
 
 This Report was discussed at great length, and the 
 question was finally taken by yeas and nays, and each 
 Director, being called in turn, answered as follows : — 
 
 Daniel Webster, President, No. Amos Lawrence . . . No. 
 
 Joseph Story, Vice „ No. Jesse Putnam .... Yes. 
 
 Nathan Appleton . . . No. Seth Knovvles .... Yes. 
 
 Loammi Baldwin . . . No. Samnel Swett .... No. 
 
 Henry A. S. Dearborn . Yes. William Sullivan . . . No. 
 
 George Blake .... Yes. David Sears No. 
 
 Isaac P. Davis .... No. George Ticknor . . . No. 
 
 Samuel D. Harris . . . Yes. John C. Warren . . . No. 
 
168 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 So the Report was rejected by the vote of five in 
 the affirmative to eleven in the negative, and the 
 column fell to the ground. 
 
 It was then 
 
 Voted, That the form of an obelisk shall be adopted for the 
 proposed Monument, or in other words a pyramidal structure 
 such as may be hereafter agreed on. 
 
 The following Committee was then chosen by ballot 
 to report a design of an obelisk, or pyramidal structure, 
 and to consider and report on the subject generally: 
 Loammi Baldwin, George Ticknor, Jacob Bigelow, 
 Samuel Swett, "Washington Allston. 
 
 Thus was definitely settled the form of the Bunker 
 Hill Monument, and the prevailing opinion which was 
 originally entertained in favor of the column yielded 
 to the confirmed judgment of the Board of Artists, 
 which was probably reached by them after long delib- 
 eration, assisted in some measure at least by the argu- 
 ments of Mr. Greenough and other architects. 
 
 Mr. Everett, as soon as informed of the result, 
 gracefully yielded in the following patriotic letter: — 
 
 West Point, June 14, 1825. 
 
 My dear Sir, — I received your favor of the 9th this 
 morning, and am much obliged to you for the precise and 
 candid account you give me of the decision. I had, I confess, 
 pretty much made up my mind, as you are aware, on the 
 other side ; and not having the advantage of hearing the 
 debate, which preceded the decision, have had no reason to 
 depart from my first conclusion ; except the natural distrust 
 I must, of course, feel in any judgment so powerfully opposed. 
 As it is, I acquiesce, with greatest cheerfulness, in the will of 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 169 
 
 the majority. I should be unwilling, on every account, to be 
 made unhappy at not being able to carry a point relative to 
 the monument, — when I remember that Prescott lost the 
 battle and Warren his life, on the spot where the monument 
 is to stand. 
 
 Being much occupied with the examination here (which is 
 not expected to close till the 26th), I have only time to 
 request you, if the dinner should be prolonged till volunteer 
 toasts are in order, and if it be perfectly convenient to you, 
 to do me the favor to propose the following for me : — 
 
 " The Heights of Charlestown, — consecrated by the blood 
 of our fathers, adorned by the gratitude of their children. 
 May the Monument stand the comparison which after time 
 will make between Our spirit in commemorating and Theirs 
 in achieving." 
 
 I am much obliged to you for missing me. T believe, how- 
 ever, there will be no lack of company. Mr. Webster writes 
 me that all goes on well. 
 
 In haste, very faithfully yours, 
 
 E. Everett. 
 
 General Dearborn, however, was not so ready to give 
 up his strong convictions, but wrote to Colonel Perkins 
 the following letter, to be read to the Directors : — 
 
 Boston, July 5, 1825. 
 
 Deae, Sir, — In consequence of sickness in my family, it 
 will not be in my power to attend the Directors' meeting this 
 evening ; but, as the obelisk rejDorted will cost $100,000, and 
 as many gentlemen prefer a still larger one, permit me to 
 urge the propriety of adopting the column of Trajan, which 
 was exhibited some weeks since, and is now in our room. 
 
 It is certain we cannot finish the obelisk ; and, if begun 
 and raised fifty or one hundred feet, the reason that is urged 
 in favor of that form of monument — viz., that it will look 
 well if built only half or two-thirds of its height — will prevent 
 an effort on the part of the public to finish it. 
 
 • 22 
 
170 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Now, the column has been estimated to cost but $75,000 
 by two of our most distinguished architects, who are also 
 practical men, and constantly are, and have long been, super- 
 intending the erection of stone edifices. I therefore do con- 
 fide in their estimates. 
 
 We can leave out the crowning, the eagles at the corners 
 of the pedestal, and the castellated base. This would lessen 
 the cost of the column as follows : — 
 
 Crowning $4,500 
 
 Bronze eagles 6,000 
 
 Castellated base 6,000 
 
 $16,500 
 
 Cost of column as per estimate $75,000 
 
 Deducting the above 16,500 
 
 Cost of the column $58,500 
 
 Subscriptions can be more successfully extended for a col- 
 umn ; and I am confident that, by the contributions of the 
 public and the patronage of the State, funds can be obtained 
 to finish the column in three years^ in conformity to the al- 
 tered plan. 
 
 It will look better without the crowning, if a statue does 
 not surmount it ; and it is perfect as an architectural struct- 
 ure without the eagles or castellated base. The two former 
 may at any future period be added : in the mean time, it will 
 be a magnificent structure. 
 
 I am quite sure a column will give more satisfaction to the 
 public, and it is within our power to erect it ; but I cannot 
 indulge a hope of seeing an obelisk, of thirty or forty feet 
 base, ever completed. 
 
 It is from a deep conviction that our surest and best course 
 is to adopt the column, that I press this subject ; and, as it is 
 the only remaining chance for stating these facts, I beg j^ou to 
 make such use of them as you may think proper. My only 
 object is to successfully accomplish what we have undertaken, 
 and not leave it for posteritj^ We are the posterity of the 
 times and deeds we wish to commemorate ; and let us, there- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 171 
 
 fore, not begin a structure whicli will for a century be a 
 ruin. 
 
 Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 
 
 H. A. S. Deakborn. 
 Col. Th. H. Perkins. 
 
 The following estimate of Mr. Willard was probably Z-'"~^.7 
 furnished to General Dearborn at about the same 
 time:— L0J^i^x<^1 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have made a rough sketch and estimate for 
 two columns, which have nearly the proportions of the Trajan 
 and Antonine columns at Rome ; excepting that the pedes- 
 tals are a little higher than the pedestal of the Trajan col- 
 umn, and not so high as that of the Antonine. A column 
 220 feet high and 20 feet in diameter, having the figure of 
 the sketch, will cost about $37,000, if the construction be 
 like the one in Baltimore, or like our common stone build- 
 ings, as represented on the plan marked A. If constructed 
 of large blocks, as represented at C on the same plan, it will 
 not cost much less than f 50,000 under the best management. 
 
 The small column, 120 feet high and 11.6 in diameter, will 
 cost, if constructed of large blocks according to the sketch, 
 about $15,000. If the expense of any intermediate size 
 should be required, its comparative cost will be nearly as the 
 square of its diameter to the square of the diameter of the 
 large column, supposing no error in the estimate. 
 
 N.B. — The estimates are made for granite equal to the 
 base of the new United States Bank, State Street. 
 
 Yours, &c.. 
 
 Monday, July. 
 
 r l'txH-~l Solomon Willard. 
 
 General Dearborn desired to see the Monument 
 completed in his time, and for the reason of economy 
 preferred a plain column divested of ornaments, as 
 being within the means of the Association. And yet 
 
172 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 he was aware that at some future time there would be 
 a demand for a statue to surmount it. On the con- 
 trary, General Sullivan was satisfied to see only the 
 commencement of a grand work. He wrote Dr. War- 
 ren in relation to the obelisk: "I understand that the 
 Committee will report thirty feet base. I shall vote 
 against it. I am for forty, if it goes up but fifty feet 
 in my day, and would prefer fifty feet base." 
 
 It will be observed that not only Mr. Everett, but 
 Colonel Perkins, who was of the Committee in favor 
 of the column, was absent at the time of the decision. 
 Had Dr. "Warren adhered to them, and had the three 
 been present to re-enforce General Dearborn in his 
 ardent support of the column, their combined influence 
 might have enabled him to carry his point. This fact 
 should be remembered in commendation of Dr. Warren, 
 that, considering if the column had been adopted and 
 erected, there was a general desire that it should some 
 time be surmounted by a statue of his martyr uncle, 
 his declaring for the obelisk, and probably turning the 
 scale in favor of its adoption, was a noble relinquish- 
 ment on his part of the opportunity of family honor to 
 the unselfish desire to erect a monument that should 
 be purely national. 
 
 The Directors were not without advice from other 
 intelligent quarters. William Austin, an eminent 
 counsellor of Charlestown, — a graduate of Harvard 
 College of the class of 1798, — an author also of great 
 merit, and one of the grantors of the land of the 
 Association, sent a communication recommending the 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 173 
 
 erection of an elegant, permanent building, containing 
 a hall for lectures, an Athenaeum, and a gallery of 
 fine arts, — thus uniting the useful and ornamental 
 with the commemorative. There is now no trace of 
 the plan he proposed in existence, nor is it known 
 how far he had furnished the details. It would appear, 
 however, that he withdrew his objections to the Monu- 
 ment as he afterwards was elected on the Board of 
 Directors. 
 
 It remained for "William Ladd, — a graduate of 
 Harvard College of the class of 1797, — known as 
 the Apostle of Peace, and President of the American 
 Peace Society, to present his objections to the obelisk 
 in this carefully prepared letter to his old classmate, 
 which received the respectful consideration of the 
 Directors, but, however, did not alter their views or 
 purposes : — 
 
 MiNOT, County of Cumberland, State of Maine, 
 
 Jan. 3, 1826. 
 Doctor John C. Warren. 
 
 Dear Sir, — In looking over the " plans of the Church of 
 Batalha," which you will receive with this, I find that I have 
 associated in my mind the Mausoleum of King Emanuel, 
 which is octagonal, with that of King John, which is square 
 for the first story, and afterward an octagon. If you look 
 at the "general plan" of the church (plate No. 1), you will 
 find the ground plan of the mausoleum of Emanuel marked 
 R, and the view and elevation of the same as it was intended 
 to be built, in plate No. 14. This is certainly beautiful ; but 
 it is better suited to a level than a hill, — is too extensive and 
 costly, and has many other objections, — though it would be 
 very suitable for a national mausoleum at Washington. 
 
 The mausoleum of King John (the ground plan) you will 
 
174 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 find on the general plan marked C, — tlie west elevation in 
 plate No. 7, — the south elevation in plate No. 10, and a view 
 of the interior in plate No. 11. I should propose the adop- 
 tion of this plan with one alteration, viz., an octagonal base 
 instead of a square one, — which I suppose was adopted in 
 this case, on account of its being joined to the church, which, 
 would not have been done well in an octagonal form in the 
 place in which it was situated. 
 
 I should prefer the octagonal base : 1st, because it is more 
 in symmetry with the superstructure ; 2d, because it encloses 
 a greater space than the square, in proportion to the external 
 surface ; 3d, because it gives a greater height in proportion 
 to the base in reality, and still greater in appearance, and 
 lastly because I should not like a servile imitation of any 
 model, however good. I should prefer to have the main part 
 of the building of granite, the ornamental, both within and 
 without, of the dark-colored freestone from Connecticut, or 
 marble. You will please to observe that, by adopting the 
 octagon for the base, the clumps of spires at each corner 
 would be avoided, and the whole much simplified. It would 
 also perhaps be well to omit some other parts of the orna- 
 mental work. I would have the windows of stained glass, 
 and if practicable with appropriate devices. In the centre I 
 would place a sarcophagus enclosing the remains of General 
 Warren, and perhaps other sarcophagi under the adjoining 
 alcoves, and tablets to the memory of other officers who 
 fought on that day, whether slain or not, on the pillars ; and 
 appropriate places would be found for inscriptions describing 
 the battle, — an account of the erection of the monument, — 
 the names of the committee, donors, — laying of the corner- 
 stone, &c. It is unnecessary to go further into detail, as the 
 judgment of the Committee would, undoubtedly, suggest im- 
 provements. In the list of subscribers to this book, I find the 
 name of Charles Bulfinch, Esq., of Boston. As he is a cele- 
 brated architect, if any such plan should be adopted, it would 
 be well to consult him. 
 
 I pass now to considerations of a general nature, and will 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 175 
 
 offer some reasons why a mausoleum, something like what I 
 have alluded to, would be preferable to a pillar or an obelisk. 
 
 The great objection to the pillar and obelisk is that they 
 are trophies of victory. The obelisk is less objectionable than 
 the pillar ; but, whatever may be the intentions of the Com- 
 mittee, the obelisk is, and ever will be, considered as a trophy 
 of victory, — a monument erected to national glory, — an 
 object which will be the first to strike the eye of an English- 
 man, as he approaches our shores, in the same manner as the 
 captured American standards in St. Paul's strike an Ameri- 
 can, — exciting feelings of mortified pride, hatred, and re- 
 venge. Now a monument which is unequivocally/ sepulchral 
 will have no such effect. 
 
 By adopting the plan of a monument purely sepulchral, 
 there would be a great accession to the funds of the Associa- 
 tion. Many who now object to the obelisk, on account of its 
 being considered by them as a trophy of victory, would very 
 willingly come forward to aid in honoring the dead, provided 
 they could do it without, as they think, endangering the 
 peace of the living. Those, on the contrary, who have al- 
 ready subscribed can have no reasonable objections to the 
 proposed plan, or, if they have, will be unwilling to avow 
 them. 
 
 The proposed mausoleum would probably be more durable 
 than the obelisk, — not from natural but from moral causes. 
 Should war, foreign or civil, again ravage our country, the 
 obelisk would furnish a quarry, from which the defenders of 
 the city — in imitation of the conduct of the Athenians, who 
 demolished their monuments to rebuild their walls — would 
 draw materials for the fortification of Charlestown Neck, or 
 the construction of a fort on the spot. This no one could 
 object to, as necessity has no law. But the assailants might 
 also use the materials, which a single barrel of gunpowder 
 would prostrate on the ground, for similar purposes. This 
 would not be the case with the mausoleum, the materials of 
 which would be few in comparison with the other, and unfit 
 for fortifications ; and the beauty and sanctity of the struct- 
 ure would preserve it like the Lantern of Diogenes and the 
 Acropolis, through ages of barbarism. 
 
176 HISTOKY OF THE 
 
 The obelisk furnishes no shelter for sarcophagi inscriptions, 
 tablets, or sculpture of any kind, and should a statue be 
 erected on Bunker Hill, even of colossal size, it would be 
 lost in contiguity with the gigantic obelisk. The mausoleum 
 furnishes a remedy for all this, and an area on which may be 
 erected the statues of the heroes who fell in the conflict, — 
 which may be carved by some future Phidias or Praxiteles, — 
 which would be thus protected from the weather, and this 
 building may in time be to Boston what Westminster Abbey 
 is to London. 
 
 Foreigners have always reproached us for our want of taste, 
 especially in Gothic models, and the "Yankee Gothic" has 
 been the by-word of Europeans. The fact is, we are obliged 
 to make our taste give way to our convenience. The con- 
 gregation that builds a church must be comfortably accommo- 
 dated with seats, let what will become of architecture. Here 
 there are no such objections, and the mausoleum may exhibit a 
 model of architecture, which for symmetry, beaut}^ durability, 
 situation, and the most sacred moral associations, is not 
 equalled in the world. 
 
 The obelisk must be vast and stupendous, or it is nothing. 
 It can surprise only by its magnitude. It has no other at- 
 tractive feature. Even then, if nearly viewed, it loses its 
 effect, because the eye cannot take in the whole altitude. 
 If viewed from a distance, even 220 feet of altitude would 
 appear diminutive, because there is nothing to compare it 
 with but the hill itself, in comparison with which it would 
 only appear like a flagstaff. It must, therefore, be vast — 
 immense. But, to be vast, it must also be very expensive. 
 It is not easy to calculate the cost of raising large stones to 
 the height of 220 feet. The expense of the bare staging 
 would build a respectable mausoleum. Should the funds fail, 
 — should dissensions arise, — should the obelisk remain un- 
 finished, what a conspicuous and durable object of sarcasm 
 and ridicule would it furnish its opponents at home and 
 abroad I 
 
 The only use of the monument is to mark a place which, 
 without it, would never be forgotten. As a token of a na- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 177 
 
 tion's gratitude and honor to the mighty dead, it can never 
 equal the mausoleum. As a monument of national glory, it 
 is worse than nugatory. A nation may honor itself by grati- 
 tude to its benefactors, but a nation cannot honor itself by 
 erecting trophies to its glory, any more than an individual 
 can honor himself by erecting his own statue. 
 
 Finally the mausoleum would be useful, not only in every 
 thing in which it comes in competition with the obelisk in 
 preserving the inscriptions, sculpture, and archives, but in 
 affording a place of meditation and retirement, where an 
 American might meet with an Englishman as a reconciled 
 brother, who might join him in admiration of English princi- 
 ples carried to jjerfection by descendants of Englishmen ; and 
 a place for future celebrations, where a small assembly might 
 be addressed from a pulpit within, and a vast concourse from 
 the balustrade without. 
 
 More might be said, but it is unnecessary. An objection 
 arises, — that the form of the obelisk has been already de- 
 termined on. This determination, however, as I understand, 
 was only to give the obelisk the preference to the column. 
 But, if it were otherwise, it must be remembered that second 
 thoughts are often best. Many gentlemen of respectability 
 agree with me on this subject. I have mentioned the plan to 
 no one who has not immediately fallen in with it, and I think 
 no one can have any objection. Any alteration then, if there 
 be one, must be considered as a change of, and dictated by, 
 public opinion. 
 
 I feel as though I ought to make some apology for having 
 so far intruded on a subject in which I am only interested as 
 a private individual ; but I also feel as though I had already 
 too far trespassed on 3'our patience. 
 
 Please to do me the favor to show this letter and the plans 
 
 accompanying it to General Sullivan, with whom I have had 
 
 some conversation on the subject ; and to the Committee. 
 
 And I would thank you to acknowledge the receipt of it that 
 
 I may know whether you have received the book. 
 
 With respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Wm. Ladd. 
 23 
 
178 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 At this distance of time, it may fairly be claimed 
 that those fearful apprehensions in this regard were 
 wholly groundless. There is no danger whatever that 
 the obelisk now erected on Bunker Plill will ever be 
 battered down by a hostile power, or that its massive 
 material will be disjointed and used for Avorks of mili- 
 tary defence, as suggested by Mr. Ladd's letter. It 
 will always be its own great defender. Much less 
 reason there is to fear that, like the Napoleon Column 
 in Place Yendome, it will ever be thrown down in the 
 rage of some civil commotion. It will stand ever, 
 fast-rooted in our Earth, impregnable, alike in its 
 matchless construction, and in the affections of the 
 people whose proud inheritance of glory it com- 
 memorates. INothing but some dire convulsion of 
 nature, under God's overruling providence, can sub- 
 vert it. Whenever, by an unalterable international 
 law, all nations by general consent, following the 
 recent example of Great Britain and the United States 
 of America, shall substitute Arbitration for War as 
 their " ultima ratio," it will still be as dearly cherished 
 for its sacred associations with the glorious memories 
 of the past, and its incentives to the highest hopes of 
 the future; nor can it ever be deemed offensive, or 
 even inappropriate in form, as commemorating the 
 success of the great Cause itself, for which men gave 
 their lives, and not simply as expressing the merited 
 praise of their heroic death. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Incipere dimidium est. 
 
 T OAMMI BALDWIN was born in 1780, in Wo- 
 -'— ^ burn, a township set off from Charlestown. 
 His father, Loammi Baldwin, was what was termed a 
 " self-made man," by which is ordinarily meant one who 
 has improved what advantages he had wherever he 
 conld find them outside of school or college, and after 
 school-days are over. He was a particular friend of 
 his neighbor in early life, Benjamin Thompson, after- 
 wards the celebrated Count Kumford. They fre- 
 quently walked to Cambridge to attend the courses 
 of college lectures on Mechanics and Natural Philoso- 
 phy. Both came to be distinguished, — Count Rum- 
 ford on the continent of Europe and in England; and 
 Baldwin at home, and in his native Connty of Middle- 
 sex. The latter received an honorary degree at 
 Harvard College, and was Fellow of the American 
 Academy. He was employed, as Director of the 
 Corporation, in superintending the construction of 
 the Middlesex Canal, which connected the waters of 
 the Merrimack and Charles Rivers. He had three 
 sons, who became celebrated as civil engineers, and 
 had the charge of many important public works, both 
 in the planning and execution. 
 
180 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 LoaiTimi Baldwin, the son, was a graduate of Har- 
 vard College, of the famous class of 1800, in which 
 were Washington Allston, the artist. Colonel Samuel 
 Swett, the first historian of the Battle of Bunker Hill, 
 Chief-justice Lemuel Shaw, Judge Samuel Prescott 
 Putnam Fay, and Pev. Dr. Charles Low^ell. He was 
 fond of telling a playful anecdote of his own experi- 
 ence in the profession of the law, which he first under- 
 took. He had a great many callers at his office, he 
 said; but they always came to inquire where Fay's 
 office was, and he would kindly direct them to his 
 classmate in the story above. He soon shut up his 
 office, and devoted himself to the profession of a civil 
 engineer, for which he thoroughly prepared himself. 
 For this purpose he went abroad, and continued his 
 education under the advice and patronage of Count 
 Pumford, his father's old friend. He was deemed to 
 be the first civil engineer of the United States in his 
 time, and had the charge of the construction of the 
 dry docks at the Charlestown and Norfolk N^aval 
 Stations, and of other national works; and he was also 
 employed to make surveys and reconnoissances of 
 great undertakings proposed by the Commonwealth 
 of Massachusetts and the City of Boston, as w^ell as 
 by corporations and public bodies out of the State. 
 His great forte was the ability to estimate rightly 
 the strength of materials for different structures, and 
 of foundations for arches of bridges, and to draw de- 
 signs combining gracefulness with strength of con- 
 struction. He made himself conversant also with the 
 principles of architecture, especially as applied to all 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 181 
 
 structures of this kind. He was the first to recom- 
 mend the making of a tunnel through the Hoosac 
 Mountain, as lying in the way of the best route con- 
 necting Boston with Hudson Kiver; and, had this 
 long-delayed enterprise been carried on in his day 
 and nnder his superintendence, the Commonwealth 
 would have been richer by many millions than she 
 now is. He was also appointed sole commissioner by 
 the City of Boston to examine the diflferent sources of 
 water supply, and to report the best source, and one 
 of a sufficient elevation, to furnish the city with pure 
 water by gravitation. His report is a complete and 
 exhaustive treatise on the subject of wells, aqueducts, 
 and water supply. Boston was not ready to carry 
 on the work in his lifetime, — his death occurred in 
 1838; but it was done under the direction of his 
 brother, James F. Baldwin, and, singularly enough, 
 the Mystic Water Works, a twin source of supply for 
 the newly annexed territory of Charlestown and the 
 adjoining municipalities, and now the almost invaluable 
 possession of Boston, were constructed under the 
 superintendence of his younger brother, George R. 
 Baldwin. He also furnished, with great pains, the 
 Directors of the Warren Bridge Corj^oration with an 
 elaborate plan of a wide stone bridge, with two cir- 
 cular drive-ways over the channel, the adoption of 
 which would have saved an incalculable sum to the 
 united cities. 
 
 It was fortunate that the Association was able to 
 have, in the beginning, his valuable and gratuitous 
 services as chairman of this important Committee, to 
 
182 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 whom was referred the general subject of the plan of 
 a monument, to be m the form of an obelisk or some 
 pyramidal structure. In the records he is more com- 
 monly named as Colonel Baldwin, though he was 
 never commissioned with any military title; bnt from 
 his professional eminence, and his noble personal 
 bearing, the title was put upon him by a sort of popu- 
 lar authority, and it became a part of his name, — in 
 these days he would have been called a general, by 
 common consent; or he might have inherited the title 
 from his father, who really was a colonel in the 
 Revolutionary army. 
 
 Two of his associates on this Committee of the 
 Association were not on the Board of Directors, — his 
 classmate Allston and Dr. Jacob Bigelow, who were 
 selected as being connoisseurs in works of this nat- 
 ure ; while his other classmate. Colonel Swett, and also 
 Professor Ticknor, were taken as the fittest represen- 
 tatives of the Board in the line of art. 
 
 The whole Committee spent much time in deter- 
 mining the proportions of the Monument. Colonel 
 Baldwin took them to the Boston and Roxbury Mill- 
 dam, whence, across the then vacant space, the surface 
 of Bunker Hill could be seen; and he fastened against 
 the railing of the sidewalk, in turn, miniature models 
 he had prepared of different proportions, and then, 
 going to a sufficient distance in the oj^posite direction, 
 so that the model would appear to the eye to be trans- 
 ferred to the hill, as if standing thereon in full size, he 
 would study with them its effect as seen at a distance. 
 Thus, by comparison, they were enabled to decide 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 183 
 
 upon the proper size of base, and the proper scale of 
 diminish which would seem to be most striking. In 
 this way, they fixed npon the size and proportion 
 which they reported. They departed from the model 
 of Greenough, which showed the form of an obelisk 
 npon an extended platform twenty feet high, with a 
 shaft one hundred feet high, reached by a flight of steps 
 on each of the four sides of the base, with buttresses 
 at the corners, for the reception of appropriate orna- 
 ments; perhaps for the reason that his plan would 
 be too expensive, but more probably because a lower 
 platform and a loftier shaft would be more effective. 
 They reported a platform twenty feet wide, and only 
 two feet high, which yet remains to be constructed. 
 
 When the whole Committee had agreed upon the out- 
 ward form, the report as to details and style of the inte- 
 rior construction was mainly intrusted to the chairman. 
 The whole report w^as drawn up by Colonel Baldwin 
 in his own neat, uniform, and compact handwriting, 
 the original of which is still preserved. It was first 
 read at the meeting of the Board held July 1, 1825, 
 by Mr. Ticknor, in the absence of the chairman; and 
 at the adjourned meeting, July 5, it was unanimously 
 adopted. It is as follows : — 
 
 To the Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 The Committee appointed at a meeting of the Directors of 
 the Bunker Hill Monument Association, on the seventh day of 
 June, 1825, " to report a design of an obelisk or pyramidal 
 structure, and to consider and report on the subject gen- 
 erally," beg leave to report : — 
 
184 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 That they have carefully examined and considered the sub- 
 ject submitted to them by the above vote of the Board, and 
 that they are unanimously of opinion that the most suitable 
 monument to be erected, pursuant to the design of the As- 
 sociation, is an obelisk, or frustum of a quadrangular pyramid, 
 the base of which shall be a square of thirty feet on each side, 
 to rise two hundred and twenty feet from tlie platform or 
 ground on which it is to be erected ; to be surmounted with 
 an apex having its upper angle ninety degrees, and to be 
 fifteen feet square at the top, agreeably to the plans and 
 section herewith presented. 
 
 That the position of the building shall be such that its 
 four faces shall be respectively opposite the four cardinal 
 points of the compass, and the north and south faces shall 
 intersect, at right angles, the plane of the meridian passing 
 through the axis of the monument. 
 
 That the foundation shall be laid twelve feet deep, or at 
 such a depth as to give, upon careful examination of the 
 ground, a stable and certain support to the fabric ; and, upon 
 the supposition that twelve feet is a sufficient depth for this 
 purpose, the foundation shall commence on a square of fifty 
 feet upon each side, and rise, by regular offsets or otherwise, to 
 the proper height to receive the base of the obelisk, where it 
 shall be at least thirty feet square. The stones composing the 
 foundation to be at least two feet thick, and of the largest 
 dimensions consistent with due economy and convenience in 
 works of such magnitude. The stones to be all dressed or 
 hammered in their bed and build, and to have no small irreg- 
 ular stones or rubble-work in the foundation. 
 
 That, in order to obtain a sufficient knowledge of the nat- 
 ure of the soil on which the foundation is to be placed, it is 
 expedient to sink a well near the proposed site, either on the 
 meridian before named, or on a line at right angles with it, 
 opposite the centre of the east or west front. The Board 
 will thus ascertain to what depth, and in what manner, a 
 secure foundation will be attainable, and at the same time 
 procure a convenient supply of water for all purposes re- 
 quired in the work. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 185 
 
 That, previous to excavating for the foundation, the site 
 should be carefully examined, to ascertain at what level, in 
 relation to the surface of the hill about it, the platform shall 
 be fixed ; so that in forming the terre-plein, or a suitable and 
 convenient area round the monument, an economical disposi- 
 tion of the earth shall be obtained, without incurring the 
 expense of costly excavation or filling. Upon this point the 
 Committee consider it very essential to preserve as high a 
 level for the platform as the nature of the land will admit, 
 consistent with that easy approach to, and promenade round, 
 a public monument of such grandeur and importance. 
 
 That the obelisk shall be erected of the dimensions and 
 proportions and in the manner represented in the plan and 
 section of the drawing herewith presented. That is to say, 
 there shall be formed, in the interior of the building, a hollow 
 newel or drum, six feet in its interior diameter, and rising from 
 the level of the platform to the top, to consist of a circular 
 wall one foot and a half in thickness. Round this newel 
 shall be constructed a winding staircase of hewn stone, four 
 feet wide at bottom, with steps having rises not exceeding 
 eight inches, and of such breadth of tread as to make an easy 
 and commodious ascent. The interior face of the principal 
 walls shall be circular and concentric with the newel, and the 
 stairs shall be firmly imbedded in, and connected with, said 
 walls at one end, and at the other they shall be secured in 
 the circular wall, which forms the inner drum or newel. 
 There shall be formed, at intervals, suitable landings, or 
 places of repose, in the staircase, with narrow openings 
 through the said circular wall of the newel, for the introduc- 
 tion of air and light. Through, the principal walls of the 
 obelisk shall be made openings to admit light, to be as high 
 upon 'the outside as the thickness of one of the exterior stone 
 courses, and half an inch or an inch wide. The interior 
 of said openings to diverge sufficiently for tlie admission of 
 light ; or that said o[)enings on the exterior shall be two or 
 three inches wide, and filled, flush with the face of the build- 
 ing, with thick blocks of ground-glass, so as to preserve at 
 
 2i 
 
186 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 a distance the appearance of uniformity in the color of the 
 monument. 
 
 The principal outward walls of the structure shall consist 
 of large, well-hammered stones, with the bed and build ham- 
 mered or dressed sufficiently to give solidity to the whole 
 mass, and no backing stones to be used which are not also 
 well dressed, and of proper magnitude to suit the size of the 
 exterior courses, which shall be from two to three feet in 
 height, so as to present as few joints as possible to the 
 weather. 
 
 That, in the execution of the work, it is expedient to make 
 such contracts for supplying the materials, making the neces- 
 sary excavations, dressing and hammering the stones, &c., as 
 shall be found economical and expeditious ; but that the 
 erection of the obelisk, and all labor of laying the foundation, 
 should be intrusted to the care and superintendence of an 
 experienced stone-mason, of known industry and integrit}', 
 and the work to be performed by hired workmen under his 
 direction. 
 
 That some skilful architect should be employed, in whom 
 the public, as well as the Board, may justly have confidence, 
 who shall make and prepare the detailed and working plans ; 
 and who shall see that the execution of the monument shall 
 be, throughout, faithfully and substantially performed, agree- 
 ably to the plans and directions to be adopted and delivered 
 by the Board, or a committee by them appointed for that 
 purpose. 
 
 That, in order to carry on this most important work in a 
 simple, expeditious, and efficient manner, it is expedient that 
 a building committee, to consist of three members of the 
 Board, should be appointed, to whom shall be delegated full 
 and ample powers to enter into all contracts ; employ an 
 architect, superintending stone-mason, and other workmen 
 and laborers ; to furnish materials ; and generally to do and 
 perform all things in behalf of the Association which shall 
 be necessary for the completion of the monument. 
 
 That, when the obelisk shall have been completed, and not 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 187 
 
 before, there shall be formed round it a firm platform of 
 broad, well-hammered stones, resting on foundation walls, 
 and extending to the distance of twenty feet from each face 
 of the building ; having at the exterior boundary three steps 
 of not more than eight inches rise each, running round the 
 whole platform : the steps and platform to rest on firm and 
 substantial stone walls, to be laid in such manner and to such 
 depths as to resist all action of frost, or other ordinary cause 
 of derangement. 
 
 That the construction of said platform, as well as every 
 disposition or appropriation of the land belonging to the As- 
 sociation, round or adjoining the site of the monument, should 
 be postponed until the completion of the obelisk, or until 
 some urgent and unexpected exigency shall otherwise require. 
 
 That the estimate of the expense of the monument which 
 is hereto annexed, and which the committee request may be 
 considered part of their report, has been made upon consulta- 
 tion with one of the most experienced and skilful stone- 
 masons that your Committee are acquainted with ; and they 
 present it, as nearly conformable to the foregoing description, 
 and the most satisfactory as to its result, which can be ex- 
 pected for a work so entirely new and peculiar as the pro- 
 posed monument. 
 
 In presenting this general description of a plan for the 
 monument, together with a sketch of the scheme to be pur- 
 sued in its erection, your Committee are aware that many 
 details and minute descriptions of the work are wanting. 
 They have considered that these might well be omitted in 
 their report, as they would more properly be considered in 
 preparing working plans for the execution of the edifice ; and 
 more especially as many slight deviations and modifications 
 will necessarily be made in the workmanship, which require 
 the attention and care of the architect. But they have 
 thought enough has been given to enable the Board to decide 
 upon its general merits. Several other propositions have 
 been examined, which presented dimensions and proportions 
 varying from tliose of the plan they herein recommend. One 
 
188 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 scheme was to preserve the relative proportion of base and 
 top, and to make the base a square of forty feet, and the top 
 twenty feet. Another was to enlarge the base to forty or 
 fifty feet, and give the top a proportionally smaller area, so 
 as to present an outline more distinctly pyramidal. But your 
 Committee having taken into consideration the funds already 
 provided or probably attainable, as well as the practical com- 
 pliance with the general wishes of the Board and the public, 
 had no hesitation in adopting the plan recommended, as the 
 one most likely to be finally and satisfactorily accomplished. 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted by 
 
 L. Baldwin. 
 Geo. Ticknor. 
 Jacob Bigelow. 
 Saml. Swett. 
 W. Allston. 
 Boston, July 1, 1825. 
 
 -Estimate of the Expenses of building an Obelisk 220 Feet JiigJi, on a Square 
 Base of 30 Feet and 15 Feet, of Quincy Granite. 
 
 Foundation. 
 
 Excavation for foundation, say 52 feet square and 12 
 " :52; ' 
 216 
 
 59 y 5"^ V r^ 
 deep— '^ " "^ —150 squares at %2 per V $300 
 
 square J 
 
 Foundation of masonry, say 50 feet square at bottom, "] 
 
 30 feet square at top, and 12 feet deep = 781 1 y o<pv 
 perches, which, including stones, hammering, mor- ( ' 
 tar, laying, &c., at $10 per perch J 
 
 Obelisk. 
 
 Stones for tvalls of the obelisk 3,538 perches, of which > ai- qqk 
 
 1,179 or 1 for outside, at $5 per perch . . . . ^^^1°-^^ 
 
 and 2,349 or |- for interior, at $3 per pei'ch . . 7,047 
 
 S8,140 
 
 Hammered iace of obelisk 220 feet high, 3 feet base,"' 
 
 and 15 at top, on each side = — X 220 = 4950 
 
 feet square on each exterior face, or 4,950 X 4 r= 
 19,800 square feet in the whole, at $0.50 . . . ■ 
 
 0,900 
 22,832 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 189 
 
 Amount brought forward 
 
 Average area of masonry 402 feet, 147 courses of \\ 
 foot each, gives for bed and build in square feet 
 402 X l-'7 X 2=: 118,188 feet. Add l for perpen- 
 dicular joints 59,094 
 
 S22,832 
 
 8,140 
 
 outside 
 
 Hammering . = 147,735 
 „ forontside= 29,547 
 
 177,282 ; from this deduct 1 for 
 29,547 
 
 feet, at S0.06 = $8,864. 
 ,, .25= 7,386.^ 
 
 330 steps^ 8. inches rise, average tread 1 foot, ham-) 
 mered rise and tread, say 2 feet, and 4 long in the > 
 draw = 4 X2 X 330 = 2,640 square feet, at $0.50) 
 
 Stones for steps, 1.16 X .67 X 6 = 4.66 cubic feet in 
 each, say 5 feet at $0.20=: $1 per step . . . $330 
 Laying do. at $1 each 330 
 
 Laying 3,538 perches at $5 per perch, including scaf- > 
 folds, rigging, &c ) 
 
 Extra hammermq and • laying circular staircase and ) 
 hollownewel,'say 20,000 feet, at $0.20 . . . . j 
 
 Roman cement, say 100 casks, at $7 . . . . $700 7 
 Lime and sand, at $0.75 per perch .... 2,653) 
 
 Platform. 
 
 Platform, say 20 feet wide all round, and 3 steps 1 
 foot 2 inches tread each =5,029 square feet of top 
 surface. Kise of steps 8 inches, say 1 foot for 
 top, &c. . . . = 1,176 square feet. 
 5,029 
 
 Hammered face =6,205 square feet at $1.25, in- 
 cluding stones, hammering, and laying .... 
 
 Y 16,250 
 
 Foundation walls for platform and steps, say equal to 
 \ wall under whole 6 feet deep, 107 X 23.5 X 6 = 
 603 perches, at $5 = 
 
 Excavation for platform 24 feet wide all round the 
 obelisk, and 6 feet deep, = 143 squares, at $1 . 
 
 1,320 
 
 660 
 
 17,690 
 
 4,000 
 
 3,353 
 
 y $7,756 
 
 3,015 
 
 143 
 
 5,115 
 
 10,914 
 4,831 
 
 Add for windows, iron clamps, railing to staircase, 
 framework for window on top, door, &c. . . . 
 
 $90,000 
 Add also for contingencies, superintendence, &c 10,000 
 
 Total $100,000 
 
 The number of the Building Committee was, how- 
 ever, enkirged from three to five; and General Sullivan 
 
190 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was appointed to draw up the rules for their govern- 
 ment. 
 
 On July 12, the following gentlemen were chosen 
 by ballot to be the Building Committee: L. Bald- 
 win, S. Knowles, J. C. Warren, General Dearborn, 
 and Amos Lawrence. 
 
 Colonel Baldwin was probably called from home at 
 this time on his surveys, as would appear from the 
 date of the following reply : — 
 
 Boston, Aug. 8, 1825. 
 
 Dear Sie, — I had the pleasure of receiving a note from 
 you, informing me that, on the 12th of July last, I had the 
 honor of being elected a member of the Committee for erecting 
 the Bunker Hill Monument ; and to day I was favored with 
 a copy of the rule^ and regulations to govern the Building 
 Committee, adopted July 12, 1825, and I feel much obliged 
 by your communication of this document. I must, however, 
 decline serving on this Committee ; and I beg you to acquaint 
 the Board of Directors that, while I am duly impressed with 
 the honor conferred by their vote, I can never serve them, or 
 any other body of men, under such rules and regulations as 
 they have adopted to govern the proceedings of the Com- 
 mittee. My objections are principally founded on the 3d and 
 6th articles. I never have been, and I can never consent to 
 be, employed on any service where I am to be personally 
 responsible, in a pecuniary way, for accidents and occurrences 
 beyond my control ; neither can I consent to be placed in a 
 situation which may render others liable by my acts, or where 
 I am myself to become liable by the acts of otliers. If the 
 Board think these restrictions and conditions important, I 
 presume they will find other members who are wilhng to 
 serve under them ; and I should hope that a committee of five 
 might be selected from such a Board as that of the Directors 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 191 
 
 of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, without binding 
 them by such severe conditions. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 L. Baldwii;^^. 
 
 This letter was at once referred to General Sulli- 
 van with instructions to confer with Colonel Baldwin. 
 The result of the conference was a second letter, in 
 which Colonel Baldwin, on account of his other en- 
 gagements then pressing upon him, felt obliged to 
 send in his absolute resignation : — 
 
 WiNCHENDEN, Sept. 27, 1825. 
 
 Deae Sir, — Your letter of the 10th inst. was received a 
 few d-dy& ago at Athol, while on my return from Connecticut 
 River to Westminster ; and I owe you an apology for not 
 replying sooner. The fact is, that I have been so constantly 
 occupied with the surveys that I have not had time to an- 
 swer it. A storm interrupts us to-day, and I avail myself of 
 the first opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of it. 
 
 I do not see how the conference you wish, and which I 
 should be happy to have with you, can be obtained. My en- 
 gagements are such that I shall not be able to return to 
 Boston for several weeks, and perhaps you will not think it 
 advisable to wait so long. 
 
 When I returned to Boston witli the Canal Commissioners, 
 I had but two or three days to spare, and was busy in pre- 
 paring for the survey's I am now making. I could not of 
 course see any of the Committee who had been appointed 
 with me, and am therefore ignorant of their opinions or feel- 
 ings as to the points upon which my objections rest. As to 
 any modification of the rules adopted by the Board, I cer- 
 tainly do not wish for any. When the rules and regulations 
 were reported to the Board, I believe no objection was made 
 except by myself, and my objections were principally confined 
 
192 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to that article which provides that the Committee should be 
 personally liable for any excess which the contracts or ex- 
 penses of the monument should amount to above the money 
 in the treasury. I proposed an amendment to the following 
 
 purport, viz. : "• Voted that the sum of dollars be 
 
 appropriated for the erection of the monument, and that the 
 building committee hereafter to be appointed be particularly 
 requested and instructed to regulate their contracts and ex- 
 penditures so that the payments shall not exceed that amount, 
 unless further appropriations are made, or they are otherwise 
 directed by this Board." 
 
 This was the substance of what I proposed in the discus- 
 sion, as nearly as I can remember ; and several members 
 seemed to be satisfied with this substitute for the one which 
 appeared to me, in every point of view, objectionable : and the 
 reported rules were handed back to the chairman of the Com- 
 mittee, with an understanding, as I thought, that the pro- 
 posed modification should be made. I have not since attended 
 a meeting of the Board. 
 
 On my return to town, I found a letter from the Secretary, 
 informing me I had been appointed one of the Building Com- 
 mittee, and also indorsing a copy of the rules and regulations 
 adopted by the Board to govern their proceedings. I was 
 not a little surprised to find the original penal condition was 
 retained, as nearly as I now recollect (for I have not the 
 papers with me) ; and that, by other articles, <iny three of the 
 five Committee might constitute a quorum, and that every 
 member of it was jointly and severally liable for the doings of 
 the whole. This mode of doing business appears to me quite 
 new; and I never heard that a committee, appointed by any 
 corporation or association whatever, was subjected to such 
 penal conditions. I know of but one thing more, which 
 would have been added ; and that is, to have ordered the 
 Committee to go before a magistrate, and enter into recogni- 
 zance, jointly and severally, for their good behavior during 
 the erection of the monument. 
 
 In my acquaintance with business, I have never known an 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 193 
 
 instance where an association of any kind, either incorporated 
 or not, either charitable or otherwise, where a specific object 
 was to be obtained, or where a particuLar sum was to be ap- 
 propriated, that a committee appointed to carry into efl'ect 
 the views of the institution has been subjected to such severe 
 terms of service. In labors merely honorary and charitable, 
 as I consider that of the Committee and whole Board to be, it 
 is rather an anomaly to throw the whole responsibility upon 
 five, or perhaps one, of the Committee, as you would bind 
 down a contractor or his bondsmen for common mechanical 
 labor. 
 
 I hope you will not suppose I am wanting in respect for 
 the Board, in making these remarks, and repeating my ob- 
 jections with my wish to be excused from serving on the 
 Committee. On the contrary, I feel it an honor to be among 
 the members of the Board, and should be proud of an oppor- 
 tunity to contribute all in my power to further their design. 
 Neither are my objections founded upon any suspicion of the 
 judgment or fairness of the other members of the Committee. 
 They are gentlemen with whom I am happy to be acquainted ; 
 and with them, under any circumstances, it would give me 
 great pleasure to be connected, either in amusement or 
 business. 
 
 Under all circumstances, I beg to be excused from serving 
 on the Committee. My occupations are and will be such for 
 several months that it would be utterly impossible to render 
 any service at present ; though, whether on the Committee or 
 not, I shall cheerfully contribute all the information or assist- 
 ance which they or the Board may think me capable of 
 rendering. I presume the opinions of the Board, after hav- 
 ing heard ray objections to the rules, which to me are insur- 
 mountable, remain so different from mine that no modification 
 can be made. 
 
 Verj' respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 L. Baldwin. 
 
 25 
 
194 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The Boardj in accepting his resignation October 4, 
 1825, instructed the Secretary " to write him a letter 
 expressive of the regret felt by the Directors that 
 for the reasons assigned by him they cannot have the 
 benefit of his services as Chairman of the Building 
 Committee, and tendering him the thanks of the 
 Directors for his offer of such advice and assistance 
 as he may be able to afford." They then revised the 
 regulations to conform to his suggestions, and elected 
 Dr. Warren chairman, and General Sullivan as the 
 fifth member, and also George Blake, in place of Seth 
 Knowles, resigned. The Building Committee were 
 also made " a Standing Committee, with authority to 
 exercise all the powers of the Directors in the manage- 
 ment of the affairs of the Corporation, and to call 
 meetings of the Directors whenever they shall deem 
 it expedient." 
 
 Meanwhile, the Directors did not entirely overlook 
 the other object of their incorporation, — the collecting, 
 for historical purjjoses, all the incidents, traditions, and 
 memorials of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and of the 
 whole period of the American Revolution. The 
 articles of this sort which had been gathered by the 
 Washington Benevolent Society were delivered over 
 to the Association, which in turn placed them in dif- 
 ferent depositories, for the want of any permanent 
 quarters of its own. Some of these are still in the 
 possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 It having been brought by General Lyman to the 
 knowledge of the Directors that the sword which 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 195 
 
 General Warren bore in battle was in the possession 
 of a Mr. Dnnhara of Maine, who procured it in Hali- 
 fax, and that it could be well authenticated as such ; 
 and General Sullivan having carefully examined the 
 evidence concerning it, and declared that it was " as 
 conclusive as that upon which property, and sometimes 
 life, is disposed of by courts of law," — it was pur- 
 chased by the Directors, for the sum of twenty-five 
 dollars, and was committed to Dr. Warren for safe 
 keeping. 
 
 While the survivors of the Revolution were convened 
 in Boston to attend the laying of the corner-stone of 
 the Monument, their several depositions were taken 
 of their reminiscences of the Battle. But the accounts 
 they gave were confused and conflicting; so much so 
 that no reliable information could be obtained from 
 them. At a meeting of the Directors, General Sulli- 
 van stated to the Board " that he had possession of the 
 papers containing the accounts given by the survivors 
 of the Battle of the 17th June, 1775, and that he pro- 
 posed to hold them subject to the inspection of the 
 Directors exclusively." His proposal was assented to, 
 as the most expedient course to be adopted. Where 
 they are now, nobody knows. 
 
 Important negotiations were carried on with the 
 Selectmen and the Town of Charlestown. They were 
 asked to sell the Training-field, a tract of about 50,000 
 square feet lying near the lands of the Association, 
 and to appropriate the proceeds of the sale thereof to 
 
196 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the building of the Monument, receiving therefor a 
 permanent right to use a square, to be laid out 600 feet 
 long by 400 feet wide, as a common and military parade- 
 ground. The town Committee, "John Soley, Sam- 
 uel Payson, George Bartlett, Nathaniel Austin, "Wil- 
 liam Austin, John Skinner, and Oliver Holden, 
 .Esquires," to whom the matter was referred, reported 
 that the town had no authority to sell the Training- 
 field, and it intended to appropriate it to public uses 
 of its own ; but it offered to pay the sum of $6,500 for 
 the proposed privilege, — $5,000 by subscription, and 
 $1,500 by a town tax. This arrangement was rati- 
 fied by both parties, but it was never carried out; the 
 town never having made the appropriation for the 
 payment of the $1,500, and the subscriptions not quite 
 reaching the stipulated sum, though amounting to 
 nearly $5,000. 
 
 Had the agreement been perfected. Monument 
 Square would have been nearly 200 feet longer than 
 it now is, and the City of Boston would have suc- 
 ceeded to a permanent right to its use. Five public 
 buildings were afterwards erected on the Training- 
 field, and remained there till 1847, when, upon the 
 recommendation of G. Washington Warren, Mayor, 
 they were all removed by the City of Charlestown, 
 then established, and the place was neatly fitted up 
 and called Winthrop Square. On June 17, 1871, a 
 Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, in " honor of those 
 who fought for their countrj^," was dedicated by the 
 City Council, Hon. Bichard Frothingham delivering 
 the address. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 197 
 
 The town in 1825 desired the Association to cede 
 some of its land for the widening of High and Train- 
 ingfield (now Winthrop) Streets, which was cheer- 
 fully done. It is to be regretted that the town 
 authorities did not further provide for the public 
 interest, by laying out a spacious avenue from the 
 site of the Monument, which was then determined, to 
 the Town's Square, near Charles River Bridge, which 
 would have given* a direct access to the battle-field from 
 Boston, and have afforded an unobstructed view of 
 the Monument, — a duty that yet remains to be done. 
 
 The inevitable controversy about taxes sprung ujd 
 between the town and the Association. General 
 Dearborn, Chairman of the Standing Committee, on 
 receiving a tax-bill for the year 1825, on its land to 
 the amount of $90, remonstrated in his eloquent strain 
 with the assessors. He wrote them : " It cannot be 
 possible that the patriotic citizens of Charlestown will 
 impose a tax on the tomb of the soldiers who expired 
 on their memorable heights in the bloody contest for 
 liberty." To this appeal, Josiah Harris, Chairman of 
 the Board, politely replied: "It is not their intention 
 or desire to tax the tomb of the soldiers who expired 
 on that ever-memorable height; but they cannot thint; 
 that such of the lands as were contemplated to be 
 laid out into house-lots should be exempted from 
 taxation." The tax was paid that year, and the two 
 years succeeding; and afterwards the Legislature ex- 
 empted the property of the Association from taxation, 
 its funds having been exhausted. 
 
198 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The Treasurer promptly entered every subscription 
 and duly acknowledged it. Assisted by Mr. Everett, 
 he saw also to the filling out and the delivery of the 
 copper-plate certificates to those who had paid as much 
 as five dollars. He received a copy of the following 
 vote, handsomely written by an expert calligraphist: — 
 
 At a meeting of the Directors of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, on the 25th of June, 1825, — 
 
 Voted, That the Directors of the Association entertain a 
 grateful sense of the faithful, unwearied, and most important 
 services of Nathaniel P. Russell, during the year past, in the 
 character of Treasurer of this Institution. And that it is 
 due to this gentleman to make this acknowledgment public, 
 that all the members of the Association may have the oppor- 
 tunity of knowing and of appreciating the highly useful labor 
 of this department. 
 
 By order of the Directors, 
 
 John C. Warken, 
 
 Secretary p. t. 
 
 On September 1, 1825, the Treasurer reported that 
 the whole amount of subscriptions actually received 
 by him (including $385.56 interest) was $54,433.07. 
 The payments for the land, laying of the corner-stone, 
 engraving certificates, and other miscellaneous ex- 
 penses, came to 129,416.03. He had placed |25,000 
 on interest at the Suffolk Bank, at 5 per cent interest, 
 and had $17.04 in his hands. Upon the strength of 
 this, and in the faith that the remainder would be 
 seasonabl}^ supplied, the Directors voted to commence 
 the obelisk, estimated to cost $100,000, and placed 
 $25,000 at the disposal of the Building Committee. 
 
s ^ 15 ir r j^ 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 The noblest motive is the public good. 
 
 S0L0M0:N' "WILLARD was unanimously elected 
 architect of the Monument, at a full meeting of 
 the Building Committee, held at the house of the 
 Chairman, October 31, 1825. The Committee then 
 voted that " the offices of superintendent and archi- 
 tect be united in the same pei-son." Mr. Everett was 
 present also, and was requested to act as Secretary. 
 His record states at the close, " The meeting of the 
 Committee being now dissolved, the Hon. D. Webster, 
 P]-esident, and Mr. Justice Story, Yice-President, of 
 the Association, were introduced; and the whole com- 
 jDany proceeded to partake of an excellent dinner at 
 the table of the hospitable Chairman." A more select 
 company of distinguished characters, eminent for in- 
 tellect, wit, high attainment, and a genial flow of con- 
 verse, could hardly be gathered in any city, than were 
 those eight gentlemen sitting down to a feast to dis- 
 cuss the fortunate appointment they had made. 
 
 Mr. "Willard's reputation as an architect being es- 
 tablished, information had been sought with regard 
 to his practical talent and ability to manage a great 
 undertaking in all its details. To confidential in- 
 
200 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 quirics previously made upon this point, the fol- 
 lowing, among other recommendations, had been 
 received : — 
 
 Boston, Oct. 8, 1825. 
 Doc. J. C. Warren, 
 
 Deak Sm, — I have received j'our note of yesterday, re- 
 questing me to inform you whether I consider Mr. Solomon 
 Willard competent to make the contracts, and superintend 
 the execution of any considerable and important work in stone. 
 In reply, I have to observe that I have known Mr. Willard 
 as an architect for some years, and during the last eighteen 
 months have been intimatel}^ acquainted with him. 
 
 The Directors of the Office of Discount and Deposit of the 
 Bank of the United States, in this city, employed Mr. Wil- 
 lard as their architect, for erecting the new banking-house. 
 Mr. Willard made the original model, drew all the plans of 
 the work, and has daily been consulted as the Avork pro- 
 gressed. 
 
 The Building Committee were instructed to make all the 
 contracts. Mr. Willard was, however, almost always consulted 
 before any contract was concluded. I found him perfectly 
 acquainted with all the technical phrases used by mechanics, 
 and the mode and general custom of measuring stone-work. 
 Had the Building Committee not had the advantage of Mr. 
 Willard's advice, they would have been liable to great im- 
 positions in making their contracts, and carrjnng them into 
 effect. I am not able to say whether Mr. Willard possesses 
 a sufficient knowledge of book-keeping and accounts to 
 qualify him to take the sole superintendence of an important 
 public work ; but I consider him fully competent to make the 
 contracts and superintend the erection. In all my inter- 
 course with Mr. Willard, I have found him strictly moral and 
 sober, and of indefatigable industry. Mr. Willard's extreme 
 modesty and reserve have prevented, in some degree, his real 
 merit being known; and, justly estimated, he is a man that 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 201 
 
 must be brought out, — he will not show himself. Should you 
 conclude to employ Mr. Willard, I feel confident he will not 
 disappoint your expectations. 
 
 With great respect, I remain truly, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Daniel P. Parker. 
 
 Colonel Perkins had also been requested to give 
 his opinion, and he wrote to Dr. AYai'ren : " I can say, 
 with great truth and with much pleasure, that the 
 Building Committee of the bank have had every 
 reason to be satisfied with Mr. AVillard, the architect, 
 both as an able artist and a most confidential agent; 
 and I know of no one who would so well answer your 
 purpose as this person. In the course of the execu- 
 tion of your duty, you will find it necessary to employ 
 a person not only to find where the material of which 
 you build can be best had, but also to make contracts 
 for stone, &c. And a man of loose principles may% if 
 employed, impose upon you grossly without your 
 knowing it, or having it in your power to detect his 
 knavery." Mr. "Willard was also personally known 
 to each member of the Committee, having had fre- 
 quent interviews with them in explaining the designs 
 and estimates he had previously made at their request; 
 and he must have impressed them all with his peculiar 
 fitness for his position, not only from his skill and 
 l^rofessional ability, but from his enthusiastic interest 
 in this undertaking. 
 
 He was, like the elder Baldwin, a self-educated 
 man as to his professional training. He received the 
 usual common-school education in his native town, 
 
 26 
 
202 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Petersham, in Worcester County, Massachusetts; 
 where he remained with his father — who was a car- 
 penter, and taught him in his shop the use of tools — 
 till he was twenty-one years of age. While at home 
 he mastered Euclid's geometry, and showed consider- 
 able expertness in mechanical inventions. lie then 
 came to Boston to seek, not his fortune (as is the 
 object of so many), but his own intellectual improve- 
 ment, and the means and opportunity of doing greater 
 good. He had, at the time of this appointment, spent 
 twenty-one other ^^ears in Boston, in the school of 
 self-culture; cultivating to the greatest extent that 
 wide field of literary and scientific advantage which it 
 is the great glory of the metropolis of New Eng- 
 land to aff"ord to all who come there to search for 
 knowledge. 
 
 Nor was he insensible to the pride of true ancestral 
 fame. He was the fifth in descent from Major Simon 
 Willard, who emigrated to Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
 from the County of Kent, in England, in 1634, at the 
 age of twent^^-nine, and, after having won the highest 
 distinction, died in Charlestown in 1671, soon after 
 completing his seventy-first year. From him a numer- 
 ous and honored progeny has sjDrung. Solomon was 
 the fourth in descent from Rev. Samuel Willard, who 
 was Pastor of the Old South Church, and afterwards 
 acted as President of Harvard College. Many others 
 of his lineage became celebrated in the University, 
 and also in civil and military life; among whom was 
 one who gave his life to his country in the Battle of 
 Bunker Hill. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 203 
 
 Mr. AVillai'd received from Dr. Warren the notice 
 of his appointment with great satisfaction, and he ex- 
 pressed his willingness to render his services gratni- 
 tonsly. The Committee, however, insisted upon his 
 receiving some compensation, — snfficient at least to 
 pay his expenses. Under this view, it was fixed at 
 five hundred dollars a year; which was more than Mr. 
 AVillard desired, as his personal expenses would not 
 reach that figure. He was never married, and he had 
 learned to practise the greatest economy; not as a 
 miser, but to do good with his savings. He subscribed 
 and paid one thousand dollars towards the Monument, 
 and induced those w^hom he hired for the Association 
 to subscribe what they could. 
 
 His first care was to select the material. After a 
 long search in various quarters, he at last discovered 
 the desired quarry of gray granite in the western 
 part of Quincy. He found, upon careful examination, 
 that here was an inexhaustible quantity of the very 
 best material for building purposes that could any- 
 where be obtained; and his selection led to its general 
 introduction, not only into Boston, but all over the 
 countr3\ Thus Solomon Willard and Frederic Tudor 
 were mainly instrumental in discovering to Massachu- 
 setts her two chief staples of export, which have 
 given her a remarkable reputation over the globe, — 
 granite and ice. The privilege of quarrying as much 
 granite as would be required for the Monument was 
 purchased of Mr. Gridley Bryant, for $325. Mr. 
 AVillard demonstrated to the Committee that the As- 
 sociation could quarry the stone at its own expense 
 
204 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 much cheaper than it could be furnished by contractors. 
 The result showed that there was a saving in the cost 
 of material alone of over f 60,000. Thus the recom- 
 mendation by Colonel Perkins of Mr. Willard, as being 
 the person most competent to select the material for 
 this new structure, and as one who would scrupulously 
 look out for the interest of the Association rather than 
 for his jirivate emolument, was signally verified at the 
 start. 
 
 The winter of 1825-6 was occupied by Mr. Willard 
 in studying the plan adopted, to see wherein it might 
 be improved, and in drawing the working plans and 
 models, and also in making the necessary calculations. 
 Heretofore it had been quite difficult to obtain large 
 blocks of stone, and those of extraordinary size were 
 provided at a very high cost. Hence Colonel Bald- 
 win had planned the courses of the Monument eigh- 
 teen inches wide. The finding of this quarry, and the 
 determination to work it on account of the Associa- 
 tion, enabled Mr. "Willard to enlarge the courses to two 
 feet eight inches; thus calling for more massive blocks, 
 which would give a gigantic appearance to the struct- 
 ure. It was also a work of great difficulty to calcu- 
 late the size and weii>'ht of the blocks in the different 
 courses, as, owing to the regular diminish from the 
 base to the apex of the Monument, no two courses 
 were alike, and it was necessary to draw a separate 
 plan of the blocks in each course. In all other re- 
 spects the exterior form, size, and proportion of the 
 Monument, as delineated by Colonel Baldwin, were 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 205 
 
 preserved: the same base, and diminish to the top, 
 and the same depth and size of foundation; namely, 
 fifty feet sqnare and twelve feet deep. But Mr. Wil- 
 lard executed a finer dressing of the stones, especially 
 of the interior courses, than Colonel Baldwin's plan 
 called for. 
 
 The following note, without date of day or year, an- 
 nounced to Dr. Warren the intention to break ground 
 on the hill; the excavation made for the formal cere- 
 monial of the half-centui'y anniversary not having been 
 sufficient. The box for the corner-stone Avas taken 
 ont as suggested, and properly cared for until it was 
 in a workmanlike manner replaced in the massive 
 block which forms the north-east corner of the Monu- 
 ment, — there to remain while time shall endure. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have enclosed the rules for the Building 
 Committee sent me, having made a copy. In the last part 
 of the third article there seems to be a want of precision. 
 The digging of the foundation for the obelisk will be com- 
 menced in a few days by a Boston man (the Charlestown 
 prices being too high). It may be requisite to remove the 
 rough stones which now overlay the corner; and, should this 
 render the box deposited insecure, it occurred to me that it 
 might be taken out for safe keeping until the work com- 
 mences. We should like your directions respecting it when 
 convenient. 
 
 Yours, &c., 
 
 Solomon Willard. 
 
 In one other particular was the direction in the 
 report of Colonel Baldwin departed from, — in the 
 
206 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 planting of the Monnment. He deemed it essential 
 that its four sides should be set square to the points 
 of the compass, and he specified the way by Avhich 
 this should be done with exactness. He thought a 
 permanent strncture of this kind should be a scientific 
 as well as an historic landmark. Dr. Warren, how- 
 ever, his associates doubtless concurring, attempted 
 to place it in the centre of the redoubt or fort as con- 
 structed by Colonel Prescott, and parallel with the 
 sides thereof; and the best means of ascertaining this 
 which were then accessible were employed. 
 
 In 1847, however, the City of Charlestown, upon 
 recommendation of the Mayor, ordered a new survey 
 and plan of the city to be made; which was done by 
 the distinguished engineers, Samuel M. Felton and 
 George A. Parker, who had been pupils of Colonel 
 Baldwin. Their new lithographic plan happened to 
 be made upon the same scale as that of Bernier and 
 Lieutenant Page, made just after the battle, which is 
 supposed to give the true location of the redoubt. By 
 a comparison of these two plans, and a new surv^ey made 
 by the city engineers of Boston in 1875, under direc- 
 tion of his Honor Samuel C. Cobb, the present Mayor, 
 the lines of the redoubt have been located anew, by 
 which it would appear that the Monument stands on 
 the south-east corner. Much labor has been recently 
 employed in this research by Hon. Richard Frothing- 
 ham, the present President of the Association, under 
 whose supervision stone posts have been set in the 
 ground, showing the boundaries of the redoubt as 
 indicated by the new surveys. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 207 
 
 In locating- the Monument, no vote was ever taken 
 by the Directors or the Committee; but in all prob- 
 ability the subject was fully discussed, and the 
 Chairman acted in accordance with the conclusion 
 informally arrived at. 
 
 Mr. lYillard wrote to Dr. Warren, soon after the 
 purchase of the Ledge : " Experiments have also been 
 made with a temporary machine at dressing stone, by 
 the inventor, with a success which I think will war- 
 rant a trial at our Ledge with a more perfect appara- 
 tus." By this it is evident that the intention to take 
 advantage of the labor of the State prison was aban- 
 doned as soon as the use of the newly discovered 
 quarry was decided upon. The grant of the Legislat- 
 lu'e of the sum of f 10,000 in labor in hammering stone 
 w'as made, it may well be supposed, upon the estimate 
 of the Association stated in the circular of Mr. Everett, 
 signed by the Directors, which is printed in Chapter 
 YL, — for a column to cost $37,000; and, in relation to 
 that amount, it was a liberal grant. But Avhen the form 
 of an obelisk was substituted for a column, and Colonel 
 Baldwin was charged with the duty of furnishing 
 the design, in carrying out the object stated in Gen- 
 eral Sullivan's address, to erect "the grandest Monu- 
 ment in the world," he drew his plan with no regard 
 to so exceedingly low an estimate; and Willard, in 
 maturing and perfecting that phm, had in view a struct- 
 ure of still gi-eater cost. The idea of what the Monu- 
 ment ought to be, and should be, expanded in his 
 mind without regard to the existing means of the 
 Association. 
 
208 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 In commencing operations at the Ledge, Mr. "Wil- 
 lard made the following proposition, which was ac- 
 ceded to:— C^o^ yr^sl 
 
 Dear Sie., — I called at your residence last evening. My 
 object was to ascertain "whether you would consider it ex- 
 pedient to erect a small building at Quincy, for the accom- 
 modation of those who are employed at the Bunker Hill 
 Ledge, as has been suggested some time ago. 
 
 I have marked out a plan which I think would answer the 
 purpose, and have obtained estimates for the building when 
 completed. The dimensions on the plan are 32 feet by 25, — 
 2 stories in front and one story in the rear, having a cellar, 
 kitchen, dining-room, and chambers sufficient for 30 boarders. 
 The situation best adapted, I think, would be on a gore of 
 land of about half of an acre, cut from Mr. Hall's land by the 
 railway (see sketch), which may be bought for thirtj^ dol- 
 lars. The house proposed will cost about $700 — land, $30 
 = 1730. If built, it may be finished in about three weeks. 
 The building will rent immediately for 8 per cent on the 
 whole cost. The saving to the Association in having their 
 men accommodated so near the work is estimated at 10 cents 
 per day for every day's work done. 
 
 The advantage of having the building located on the piece 
 of ground mentioned is, that this gore of land is a central 
 point, sufficiently near to the Bunker Hill Ledge ; and would 
 accommodate all the other Ledges in the vicinity, should the 
 quarrying at that Ledge be discontinued after we have re- 
 moved our stock. It would be well situated to command a 
 high rent when we have done with it, or to sell for its full 
 cost. If you should think it advisable to build, I should like 
 the necessary instructions as soon as is convenient. 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Solomon Willard. 
 
 x\ccompanying the letter was a sketch showing the 
 topography of the place, and the sites for the proposed 
 building. It is unnecessary to add that the desired 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 209 
 
 permission was granted. By having the labor of pre- 
 paring and dressing the stone performed at the Ledge, 
 Mr. Willard was able to get the greatest amount and 
 the best kind of work done at a very low rate. 
 
 It is a matter of history that the undertaking of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument led to the construction of the 
 first railroad in the United States. Colonel Perkins, 
 General Sullivan, Amos Lawrence, Solomon Willard, 
 and Gridley Bryant were the leading petitioners for 
 a charter incorporating them and their associates with 
 authority to establish a railway from the quarries in 
 Quincy to the waters of Massachusetts Bay. The 
 charter was granted March 4, 1826, and the company 
 was organized by the choice of Colonel Perkins as 
 President. In the spring of 1827, the railway was so 
 far completed by Mr. Bryant, that the company con- 
 tracted with the Association to transport, during that 
 year, 3,000 tons of stone to its own wharf, and thence 
 by water to Devens' wharf in Charlestown. From the 
 south-easterly corner of the lot on High Street to the 
 foundation of the Monument granite tracks were 
 laid, to facilitate the transportation over the steep 
 ascent of the hill. 
 
 Mr. Willard, with a single eye to the interests of the 
 Association, by way of caution gave this important 
 advice to the Building Committee, upon a proposition 
 about to be made by the new corporation: — (_ \^ Xb ^ 
 
 Deae, Sir, — It has been the wish of some of the members 
 of the railway company for some time that we should relin- 
 quish the Bunker Hill Quarry, and take the stock at Pine 
 Hill (a quarry recently purchased by that company). 
 
 27 
 
210 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The exchange would undoubtedly he advantageous to that 
 company, as it Avould save the expense of some rods of rail- 
 way, and would enable them more easily to keep others from 
 using it who now have a right. 
 
 Something of the kind has probably been suggested to you, 
 or will be soon ; and I think it will be important to examine 
 into the state of the Bunker Hill affairs, in order to decide 
 whether any proposition which they shall make will be for 
 our advantage. 
 
 For my own part, I doubt whether they will make any 
 offer which it would be for our interest or credit to accept. 
 If they would agree to pay what has been expended, and to 
 deliver all the stone for the monument on the ground where it 
 is to be erected, for the sum of seventeen cents per cubic foot 
 measured in the work, and within one year, I think there 
 would be no objection as relates to economy. 
 
 I will have bills collected this week to show the state of 
 the expenditure, and shall wait for your direction. 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Solomon Willaed. 
 
 Dr. WARKEisr. 
 
 This advice was heeded. - On mutual consultation, 
 the directors of the railway company acceded to the 
 request of the Committee, and extended their railway 
 to what was called the Bunker Hill Ledge, for which 
 they received a complimentary acknowledgment in 
 the report of the Directors made to the Association 
 at its annual meeting in 1826. This report, carefully 
 drawn up by Mr. Everett from the written statements 
 and suggestions of the members of the Committee, gave 
 a detailed account of their operations for the first year, 
 showing that much had been done in the wa}^ of j^repa- 
 ration, and at the Ledge, and that but about f 3,000 had 
 been expended, the rest remaining upon interest under 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 211 
 
 the careful charge of the Treasurer. It soon began to 
 be demonstrated, that the railway was not so great a 
 benefit as was anticipated. In Mr. Willard's opinion, 
 it was not worth the waiting for. Besides the delay 
 of over a year, thei'e was all the inconvenience at- 
 tending the putting in operation a new method of 
 transportation, the transhipment to the vessel, and 
 then the reloading at the wharf in Charlestown for the 
 teaming to the site, a distance from the Ledge of only 
 twelve miles. Mr. Willard was much annoyed at the 
 hindrance, and freely expressed his views to the Com- 
 mittee; declaring that he could have better afforded to 
 pay all the difference in the saving of cost of trans- 
 portation rather than suffer these inconveniences. 
 But the practical difficulties of the inception were 
 afterwards overcome, and the railway very soon de- 
 monstrated its great value to the public. 
 
 Gi'idley Bryant, the constructor of this the first rail- 
 road in America, deserves special mention in this con- 
 nection. He was born in Scituate, Mass., August 26, 
 1789. During the war of 1812, he was employed with 
 Colonel Baldwin, under Governor Strong, nj^on the 
 forts in Boston Harbor. He afterwards built the Mill- 
 dam, now the extension of Beacon Street in Boston, 
 and also the United States Bank building, under Mr. 
 Willard, to which Mr. Parker's letter refers; and had 
 become the leading and most enterprising mason and 
 builder in Boston, when he undertook this novel 
 enterprise. He not only built the railroad, but he 
 himself made it of practical use by planniug the neces- 
 
212 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sary machinery and equipments. He invented the 
 turn-table and the eight-wheel car, the same which 
 are now in use without any improvement or alteration 
 for the half-century since he originated them. He 
 also invented the railroad switch and the portable 
 derrick. He might have taken out letters-patent for 
 all these inventions, and have grown rich. But he 
 gave them to the ^^ublic use; and many years after- 
 wards, when a patent right was claimed foi* the eight- 
 wheel car by another, he took the pains to prove, 
 without any remuneration, that it was his original 
 invention, and had been freely made public. He died 
 June 13, 1867, leaving a name, after a long and use- 
 fnl life, associated with the commencement of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument and the introduction of the 
 new improved highway into the modern world. 
 
 At the annual meeting in 1827, held on Monday, 
 June 18, Mr. Webster signified his intention to with- 
 draw from the presidency, and Colonel Perkins was 
 unanimously elected in his place. In fact, he was by 
 some suggested as the one to succeed Governor 
 Brooks in March, 1824, being then First Vice-Presi- 
 dent; but, as Mr. Webster was to be the orator and 
 the organ of the Society on the great day of the half- 
 century, the place was most appropriately conceded to 
 him. On the retirement of Mr. Webstei', however, 
 there was but one opinion, that Colonel Perkins should 
 be the President. At the meeting of the Directors on 
 the same day, Dr. Warren i-esigned the place of Chair- 
 man of the Building Committee, and Colonel Perkins 
 was unanimously elected to fill that vacancy also. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 213 
 
 Mr. Willard, upon reading the public announcement 
 of the election of Colonel Perkins as President of the 
 Association, naturally concluded that it was because 
 he was president of the railway company, and to mark 
 the disapprobation of his own views so freely ex- 
 pressed. Nothing was farther from their thought. 
 But he at once sent in his resignation, and declared that 
 he should remove from Quincy as soon as possible. 
 Colonel Perkins and the Committee, as soon as they 
 understood the matter, at once set him right, and in- 
 duced him to withdraw his resignation. This he 
 willingly did; making only an alteration in the terms 
 of his contract, so that it should distinctly appear that 
 onl}^ his bare expenses were to be paid to him, and 
 that he was to give his services. 
 
 In the getting out of the stone at the quarry, he fol- 
 lowed what was true economy in the end, by prepar- 
 ing and dressing the blocks of different sizes as they 
 came out, if they were suitable for any of the upper 
 courses, according to the plans already made, without 
 reference to the continuous work in the erection. But 
 the more the material was made ready for the upper 
 jDart of the Monument, the less were the means at hand 
 for immediate use in laying the courses in order. 
 But this labor told at last. 
 
 At the end of two years, he wrote to Mr. Law- 
 rence : — 
 
 Boston, Jan. 3, 1828. 
 Dear Sir, — I was in Qiiincj yesterda}^ and directed 
 those employed to hammer by the foot, according to your 
 suggestion, excepting Mr. Badger and one to clear out the 
 
214 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 shed. The blacksmiths were discharged some weeks ago, as 
 you advised ; but a permanent one will now become neces- 
 sary, and I wish for instruction to authorize me to employ one. 
 
 The bills and roll for the last year are ready for deliver}'', 
 and also copies of the vouchers for Holmes's bills. By ex- 
 amining the items of these bills, and comparing them with 
 the bills of other mechanics in your possession, you will be 
 enabled to award to Mr. Holmes whatever credit is his due. 
 I wish to be with you and General Dearborn when this takes 
 place : the sooner you can make it convenient the better. 
 
 During the two years in which I have had the direction of 
 the executive part in building the monument, I have en- 
 endeavored to study the interest of the Association as far as 
 was in my power. 
 
 I am not aware of having given any reasonable cause of 
 offence to any. If any has been taken by a part of the Com- 
 mittee, by which another part are placed in an unpleasant 
 situation, it is easily set right ; as I am ready to resign my 
 post any moment when the interests of the Association re- 
 quire it. But, as I have made great sacrifices to get this 
 noble work into execution, and as I am the greatest proprie- 
 tor in it, I shall always feel a lively interest in its completion. 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Solomon Willaed. 
 
 A. Lawkence, Esq. 
 
 But Mr. Willard's apprehension was groundless. 
 Every one conceded to him his wonderful skill, in- 
 genuit}^, and fidelity. The only i-egret was, that the 
 means could not be furnished to him as fast as were 
 I'equired. The Directors were desirous that the 
 Monument should attain as much altitude as possible, 
 so as seasonably to impress the public mind. To that 
 end they authorized the Committee to obtain by loan, 
 on the hypothecation of the land, — reserving a square 
 for the Monument 600 feet long by 400 feet wide, — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 215 
 
 as much money as they deemed advisable. The Com- 
 mittee, upon this security offered, gave their own per- 
 sonal notes to the Suffolk Bank for different sums, 
 amounting to over $25,000. "With this, and all the 
 resources that could be commanded, including the 
 proceeds of the State grant for $7,0G0, in commuta- 
 tion of the 110,000 in labor, Mr. Willard was only 
 able to complete fourteen courses, raising the Monu- 
 ment but thirty-seven feet four inches, when in Feb- 
 ruary, 1829, the order was reluctantly given to 
 suspend the work; and the architect, and all whom he 
 employed, were necessarily discharged. He had ex- 
 pended f 56,525.19, of which about $10,000 were neces- 
 sarily spent in the machine for hoisting, in buildings 
 at the Ledge, and in other permanent fixtures. A large 
 part of this expenditure was in the hidden Avork of 
 the foundation, containing about 1,500 tons of stone, 
 another was in the stones prepared for the upper 
 courses; so that the work was, in reality, more than 
 half done, although it made but little comparative 
 show for the money. 
 
 During the intermission, he was authorized by the 
 Directors to receive from the Treasurer all the sub- 
 scription books and accounts, for the purpose of pre- 
 paring for the press a list of members, and a statement 
 of the estimates of the Monument, of the actual cost 
 incurred, and the amount necessarj^ to finish it. This 
 comjiilation he made gratuitously, and with great 
 pains, in order to disabuse the public mind of the 
 erroneous impressions received. He also made a plan 
 
 U^-r 
 
216 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the land of the Association, and laid it out in streets 
 and building-lots, upon and near the reserved square. 
 
 In the appeal made by the Committee to the public 
 in 1829, they say in close, as the highest incentive and 
 example they could offer: " Mr. Willard, the architect, 
 has already freely given three years' service and one 
 thousand dollars in money to the great Avork, and is 
 willing to do as much more." But his noble gen- 
 erosity was put to a still greater test. For nearly 
 fifteen years had transpired after the date of that ap- 
 peal, before the means were furnished him to com- 
 plete the work. During all this time he was frequently 
 called upon to render statements of what the work had 
 cost so far, and estimates of the further cost of com- 
 j^letion, and he gave them with the same care and 
 readiness that one would who Avas paid a handsome 
 salary. 
 
 On the 17th June, 1834, under the auspices of the 
 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, of 
 which Joseph T. Buckingham was President, under 
 a Building Committee appointed by him, the work 
 on the Monument was resumed, and continued until 
 N^ovember, 1835. During this time, eighteen more 
 courses were laid, making the whole height eighty- 
 five feet. At the final effort, when proposals were 
 issued for bids to complete the Monument by contract, 
 Mr. Willard was urged to put in his estimate. But he 
 spurned the idea of engaging in that patriotic under- 
 taking as a job. The contract was made with James 
 S. Savage, a stone-mason, who had worked upon the 
 Monument under Mr. AYillard from the beginning. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 217 
 
 upon the express condition that it should be per- 
 formed under his direction as the architect. 
 
 Mr. Willard showed remarkable judgment in the 
 choice of his men. He Avould employ none who were 
 wanting in capacity, industry, honesty, or sobriety, 
 and those whom he did employ he associated with on 
 equal terms, alwaj^s glad to impart to them instruction 
 or to show them any new invention or improvement. 
 Mr. Savage is authority for the statement that the 
 men employed to work upon the Monument were all 
 what are called total-abstinence men, and that not a 
 drop of intoxicating liquors was ever drunk, during 
 the three periods of its construction, by those en- 
 gaged therein. 
 
 The Monument contains, by Mr. Willard's estimate, 
 about the same quantity of granite as the Boston 
 Custom House, which cost a million of dollars. The 
 square on which it stands cost the Association nothing, 
 as the proceeds of the land which was sold paid for 
 the whole purchase. At the valuation of the sur- 
 rounding land, the square is now worth more than a 
 quarter of a million dollars. So that if the land were 
 now to be purchased, and the Monument to be erected 
 at a fail' relative proportion of the cost of the site of 
 the Boston Post Office, and of the Post-Office building 
 when completed, the amount called for would be an 
 incredible sum. The actual sum paid in money is no 
 criterion of the real value and whole cost of the Monu- 
 ment. The saving by the architect, his own services 
 vahied as such eminent services are worth, the time 
 
 28 
 
218 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and labor employed by the different Committees, rep- 
 resent the difference between the mere money paid 
 and the sum it wonld now reqnire to repeat it. If the 
 Monument had been bnilt by the N^ational or State 
 Government, Mr. Willard would have been entitled 
 to receive a salary equal to that paid to Colonel Bald- 
 win for superintending the construction of the Dry 
 Docks at Charlestown and Norfolk, which would have 
 amounted to $33,000. This sum, added to the im- 
 mense saving in the cost of material, — the difference 
 between the actual cost and the market price de- 
 manded for blocks of inferior magnitude, — would be 
 about equal to its whole actual cost. 
 
 Mr. Willard survived the completion of the Monu- 
 ment eighteen j^ears, the same period that he was 
 occupied at intervals in its construction. He died 
 February 27, 1861, at the age of seventy-seven years 
 and eight months, while the black portentous clouds 
 were gathering in the southern sky of his beloved 
 country, and were threatening its destruction. lie ex- 
 pressed his profound sorrow at the result he foreboded, 
 and well he might; for, if the country were really to 
 be severed into sections, the Monument, the great woi-k 
 of his hands, would be an object from which all his 
 countrymen would wish with Webster that their eyes 
 " might be averted fi'om it for ever." 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Association in 1861, 
 on the day of the raising of the National flag from 
 the toj) of the Monument by Governor Andrew, the 
 death of Mr. Willard was announced, and a Committee 
 was appointed to prepare a suitable notice of him. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 219 
 
 The duty was mainly inti-usted to the chau-man, Wil- 
 liam W. Wheildoii, Esq. His associates were Amos 
 A. Lawrence, Uriel Crocker, Nathaniel Cotton, and 
 Frederick H. Stimpson. They communicated to the 
 chairman such materials and information as they could 
 gather, and all the papers of the Association were 
 committed to his inspection. From these and from 
 his own most diligent investigation, Mr. Wheildon 
 produced, and the Association published in 1865, the 
 " Memoir of Solomon Willard," which has already be- 
 come a standard book of reference, giving a complete 
 view of his life, character, and services, and in connec- 
 tion a detailed account of the Monument and its con- 
 struction. That valuable Avork contains copies of 
 many original documents which would have been in- 
 serted entire, or specially referred to in this volume, 
 had not Mr. Wheildon incorporated them in his most 
 interesting Memoir. 
 
 In 1843 Mr. Willard published an elegant quarto 
 volume, entitled " Plans and Sections of the Obelisk 
 on Bunker's Hill, with the Details of the Experiments 
 made in Quarrying the Granite," which he dedicated 
 " To Architects and Engineers, and to the Working 
 Associates." Evidently he did not mean to honor 
 the contractors. This is a very instructive work, 
 and an acceptable contribution to the public. Mr. 
 AVheildon has quoted largely from the text. The 
 plates, illustrating the work, give a complete view of 
 the interior and exterior of the Monument, of the 
 different courses of construction, and of the apparatus 
 
220 HISTORr OF THE 
 
 employed for hauling and for hoisting the large blocks 
 of stone. The hoisting apparatus, invented by Al- 
 moran Holmes, is particularly described, and a tribute 
 is paid to the inventor, who had the personal charge 
 of hoisting the stone during the first effort, after 
 which the inventor died, thongh his apparatus is still 
 in use. "This apparatus," says Mr. "Willard, "is 
 remarkable for its compass, and for the ease and 
 grace with which it performs its work." He also 
 demonstrates that the Monument is the cheapest 
 structure ever erected in modern times for the money 
 paid out, and that the Washington Monument, in 
 Baltimore, and other jDublic structures, built at the 
 market prices of the time, cost many times as much 
 more. His book uot only vindicates the judgment 
 and action of the Directors in the conduct of their 
 great enterprise, but proves that the introduction of a 
 building material not before in use, capable of being 
 worked into any moulded or ornamental form required, 
 and these experiments in the working of it, have led 
 to a great improvement in architectural taste and 
 mechanical execution, have created a new demand for 
 an excellent building material for the exterior of 
 structures, and have generally promoted the erection 
 of buildings, both for public and private use, of a 
 superior order, in which strength and beauty have 
 been skilfully combined. 
 
 In contemplating the life of Willard, one might 
 select, as the most impressive passage, his first pres- 
 ence in the solitary clefts of the rocks, viewing 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 221 
 
 the quarry he had discovered, — within whose vast 
 recesses lay buried the yet unwrought walls of ele- 
 gant structures soon to become the ornaments of 
 numerous cities, — and studying how best to take 
 fresh from Nature's storehouse the massive material 
 for the Monument, in sections of such vast magnitude 
 that, in the opinion of all the contractors and builders 
 of the time, their use in the construction would be im- 
 practicable. It would be a scene not unworthy to be 
 compared to that of Columbus in mid-ocean sailing 
 upon an untried course, away from the known world, 
 to find that unknown continent which his scientific 
 faith assured him was gradually though slowly near- 
 ing before him. Willard's frugality, strength of will, 
 inflexible honesty, and above all his self-sacrifice and 
 all-controlling desire and motive to do the greatest 
 GOOD, present a character to be always the more re- 
 vered, because in the experience of ordinary life it is 
 rarely approached. 
 
 As the unprejudiced historian in his imi^artial ac- 
 count of the Battle of Bunker Hill will never award 
 to one great name the undivided glory of that memor- 
 able contest, but at least three leading characters will 
 illustrate his page, — the beloved martyr, the intrepid 
 defender of the redoubt, the gallant general of the field, 
 — so whenever it shall be inquired of by the stranger, 
 Who designed and planned this unparalleled Memo- 
 rial? the answer from the written record and from tra- 
 dition will be: The youthful genius of the sculptor 
 Greenough, by his " adopted " model, and masterly 
 
222 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 presentation of its superior claims to the column, 
 established the form; the eminent science of Baldwin 
 determined the precise proportion and the interior 
 structure; the skill of Willard perfected the whole, 
 and made it more majestic in its massive composition. 
 Gi'eenough and Baldwin gave to it their thought and 
 care but for a single season, and Parris merely offi- 
 ciated in the grand ceremonial. Willard, the chosen 
 architect and superintendent of the work, gave to it the 
 strength and maturity of his manhood, so that the 
 very soul and fibre of his existence were wrought into 
 the mighty fabric from the foundation-stone to the 
 airy apex. In view of such sublime devotion, it may 
 be hoped by us that as the lover of art, when he visits 
 Kome, and views each time with renewed admiration 
 the dome of St. Peter's, — that greater than the Pan- 
 theon, hung in the air, — recalls at once the exalted 
 genius of Michael Axgelo, so, in future ages, will 
 the visitor to Bunker Hill, as he gazes upon the im- 
 perishable obelisk which crowns the metropolis, be 
 reminded of the consummate skill and the unmatched, 
 priceless service of Solomon Willard. 
 
|IATHANIEL "POPE FyJSSELL.7><^,i>^/^-7r 
 
 Fl^OM /\_POf\TF\AIT BY STU/\RT. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Like one who draws a model of a house 
 
 Beyond his power to build it; who, half through, 
 
 Gives o'er, and leaves his part-created cost 
 
 A naked subject to the weeping clouds, 
 
 And waste for churlish winter's tyranny. 
 
 WILLIAM SULLIYAN, whose name has so 
 frequently appeared in this relation, was the 
 son of the distinguished James Sullivan, who was 
 Governor of Massachusetts in 1807 and 1808, and 
 who died in office. He was a graduate of Harvard 
 College of the class of 1792. Among his classmates 
 were Levi Hedge and John Snelling Popkin, who 
 came to be the venerable professors of the College. 
 His younger brother, Richard SulHvan, married a 
 daughter of the great merchant, Thomas Kussell, 
 whose father James Russell owned a part of the 
 battle-field of Bunker Hill. Both the brothers signed 
 the original agi-eement of the Association, and Rich- 
 ard was a member of the Committee of Corre- 
 sj^ondcnce. 
 
 "William Sullivan was one of the leading members 
 of the Suffolk Bar, a compeer with Webster, the elder 
 Dexter, and Jeremiah Mason. He took an interest in 
 military aiffairs, and became Brigadier-General of the 
 State Militia, which gave him a title as part of his 
 
224 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 name. Harvard College conferred upon him the 
 degree of Doctor of Laws in 1826. He was a grace- 
 ful orator, and a man of genial wit, and shone alike in 
 the social circle, in the select company at dinner, and 
 in the forum. His opinion was authority. He was 
 selected to write the first Address of the Association 
 to the people of Massachusetts, transacted all its legal 
 business, and drew up the votes that were passed of 
 importance, so that the acts of the corporation and of 
 the Directors, or Standing Committee in its behalf, 
 should not be questioned for want of legal accuracy. 
 The following letter to Dr. Warren evinces his care- 
 fulness : — 
 
 Sept. 14, 1824. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have considered the important suggestions 
 which jour letter contained. It has raised more thoughts 
 than I can put on paper, — or than 3'ou have time to read. 
 
 The intended publication I shall be happy to push forward 
 as soon as I have the materials (if the drafting falls on me) ; 
 and I include therein your report to the W. B. S., and the 
 statement of the B. H. M. A. which you read, and the re- 
 cords, — none of which I have. 
 
 I have something to say about subscriptions and public 
 meeting. If the latter is undertaken, I fear it will not be 
 done with the assistance you contemplate, and I think from 
 the labor of acquiring the facts — and preparing comments and 
 motives, which must be encountered by any one who is desir- 
 ous of having an effective meeting — without avoiding a mis- 
 carriage. 
 
 Your mind is so full and vehement on this subject, that 
 you can pour forth at will. I must consider beforehand, 
 and I am always compelled to aid myself with the previous 
 conviction, as to the things to be spoken of, to Avhom they 
 are to be spoken, and by whom. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 225 
 
 If the proposed publication should sufficiently ripen the 
 public mind, a meeting might follow. 
 
 Yours trul}^ W. S. 
 
 On November 4, 1826, after sending off the sub- 
 scription books to the Selectmen of the different 
 towns, he received a vote of thanks of the Standing 
 Committee " on behalf of the Directors for the highly 
 important services rendered by him in promoting the 
 objects of the institution." 
 
 He was particularly set against that style of ex- 
 aggeration and overdoing, into which the most intelli- 
 gent are apt to fall, and which is supposed to be the 
 peculiar characteristic of our people. William Tudor, 
 after he went to South America, was elected a Di- 
 rector to fill a vacancy, " in acknowledgment of his 
 services in promoting the objects of the Association; " 
 and he was desirous that Simon Bolivar, President of 
 the Republic of Colombia, then in the zenith of his 
 fame, should be elected an Honorary Member, and 
 that a formal letter should be sent to him. The vote 
 was passed, and a letter was prepared in a flattering 
 style, which was sent to each member of the Standing 
 Committee to examine, and to consent to its being 
 published. This is the criticism of General Sullivan 
 thereon : — 
 
 Sept. 26, 1826. 
 Dr. AVarren. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I presume you would not have sent the 
 papers, which I received last evening, for an opinion, unless 
 you intended that I should give one. 
 
 1. As to 2)riyitlnfj^ per se, it would have a bad effect if 
 Bolivar should happen to read the letter to him in a news- 
 
 29 
 
226 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 paper, before it reaches him in manuscript: except this I see 
 neither good nor evil in printing. 
 
 2. As to the proposed letter, throughout, on one subject, 
 self-adulation, I see no objection to the declaration, however 
 and wherever made, that we are the most virtuous, the 
 wisest, the bravest, the greatest, and the most glorious nation 
 that exists, or ever did, or ever will, on which subject I beg 
 leave to refer you to Mr. Politica's book. 
 
 3. As to the first martyrs^ as soon as Lexington sees this, 
 it will call another town meeting, and make a second edition 
 of its manifesto. 
 
 4. As to saying such sort of truths, at this day, as are ex- 
 pressed in the first part of the second page, concerning Eng- 
 land and Englishmen, I see not that it can be profitable. 
 Much less is read in England of things done in the United 
 States than is commonly supposed to be. In the present and 
 probable relations between the two countries, I cannot per- 
 ceive the use of making that which is read sure to displease. 
 
 5. As to Bolivar, a highly respectable American institu- 
 tion is speaking to a distinguished foreigner, as one of its 
 adopted members, — a man who holds the most responsible 
 relations to his own, and to other countries, and among them 
 to England. Whether he will be obliged or otherwise, by 
 expressions like those used in relation to England and Eng- 
 lish arms, in a matter which connects him with the institu- 
 tion using these expressions, may deserve further considera- 
 tion. 
 
 Lastly, I do not object to the expressions of adulation 
 which are offered to Bolivar, — if he can swallow them, he 
 must be as vain as he is brave, — nor to the opinions on South 
 American independence, and the connection of this one of 
 the " two Americas " with that on this subject. I am not 
 in the fashion in this matter; and my opinion, consequently, 
 is not worth expressing. 
 
 Your respectful friend, 
 
 W. Sullivan. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 227 
 
 Having a large professional practice, and many 
 duties and cares constantly calling upon his personal 
 attention, he was subject to many vexatious impor- 
 tunities and complaints which try the spirit. It was 
 after some such scene, in which the good Doctor was 
 made perhaps the unwilling spokesman, that the fol- 
 lowing letter was written, announcing a hasty con- 
 clusion: — 
 
 Nov. 4, 1824. 
 
 My deae, Sm, — I am extremely sorry, for so much of 
 our hasty conversation this morning as fell to ray share : you 
 came upon me at a moment when my patience and philosophy 
 were exhausted, and I am not accustomed to be interrogated 
 as to what I have done or omitted, quite so suddenly. The 
 B. H. M. A. will go on very well without me ; and as to the 
 public, any man is a fool who thinks the public cannot do 
 without him, and much more of a fool if he spends his life 
 in thankless service for the public. I have spent as much of 
 mine, in this way, as I mean to. 
 
 I should be obliged if one of your Committee could be 
 delegated to audit my liabilities for the Association ; and by 
 having an order passed that the Treasurer shall pay what may 
 be found to be due. 
 
 I shall attend to the distribution of the addresses, and 
 this will close my agency. Mr. Gould is desirous of having 
 a book prepared for the boys of his school, who intend to be 
 made members. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Wm. Sullivan. 
 
 Dr. Warren. 
 
 Most persons who engage in great undertakings 
 for the public advantage, in which the. public senti- 
 ment goes but half-way with them, or not so f\ir, have 
 at times similar periods of discouragement, when they 
 
228 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 are inclined to give up their plans, and to sink to the 
 level of those who care for nothing which does not 
 materially concern their own narrow circle. It is to 
 the credit of hnman natnre that " patience and philos- 
 ophy" will come to the aid of generous and noble 
 spirits, and prompt them to persevere in the good 
 cause they have espoused. So it was with General 
 Sullivan, w^ho retracted his sudden purpose, and con- 
 tinued his labors Avith such energy and will that no 
 one w^ould suppose he had ever thought of faltering. 
 He favored the adoption of the grandest plan of the 
 Monument that could be suggested, though not ex- 
 pecting to see it finished. He died September 3, 1839, 
 when the Monument was only eighty-five feet high. 
 
 The Standing Committee made every effort to in- 
 crease the subscriptions. They requested the Ward 
 Committees of Boston and the Selectmen of the 
 towns to make a new effort, and to glean a second 
 harvest. But the Ward Committees replied some- 
 what reproachfully, as if they were thought to have 
 been unfaithful, that they had been over the ground 
 thoroughly, had asked every man who would be likely 
 to contribute, and that it would be almost an insult 
 to ask again. 
 
 As an illustration of the prompt manner in which 
 the canvassing was done, the letter of Lemuel Shaw, 
 afterwards Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial 
 Court, will suffice to show : — 
 
 Nath. p. Eussell, Esq., Treasurer Bunler Hill Monument Association. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I herewith return you the Subscription Book 
 for Ward No. 11. You will perceive, that the whole amount 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 229 
 
 of subscriptions is -$906. A list of unpaid subscriptions, 
 whicli at your request I have handed to Mr. Kuhn, is $116. 
 The amount collected and received by the Committee, -$790, 
 is herewith handed to you, including a small bill of |3, being 
 the expense of printing notices. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, in behalf of the Committee for 
 Ward 11, your obedient servant, Lemuel Shaw. 
 
 Boston, March 14, 1825. 
 
 Thomas Power, who had served on the Ward Com- 
 mittee with great alacrity, made this reply in relation 
 to a second attempt: — 
 
 Boston, Aug. 13, 1825. 
 
 SiE, — A communication, under your hand, in behalf of the 
 Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, directed 
 to Ezra Dyer, Esq., and the subscriber, was duly received. 
 When the Committee of Ward 5 accepted their commission, 
 they divided the Ward into four Districts ; and I can truly say 
 that the District in which I labored was thoroughly searched 
 for subscribers. We then had a Ward List, but it was of 
 no use to us. We went to every house ; and I regret to say 
 there were many instances of refusal to subscribe, and, among 
 them, some whose means promised better things. There are 
 on the Ward List names of persons who have removed years 
 since from the Ward. Because therefore the names on the 
 Ward List are not found on the subscription book, it does 
 not warrant the inference that they were in the Ward, or, if 
 in the Ward, that they were not called upon to subscribe. 
 
 I have consulted Mr. Dyer on this subject, and lie is of 
 opinion with me that it is expedient to decline acting further 
 in this business as contemplated by the Directors. 
 
 We feel sensible of the honor intended and the confidence 
 reposed in us. Could we entertain a belief that we could aid 
 the efforts of the Association usefully, we should forthwith 
 proceed. 
 
 With great respect, yonx obedient servant, 
 
 Thomas Power. 
 
 Edward Everett. 
 
230 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Boston, as she then was, had contributed more than 
 half of the whole amount : as now enUirged, the 
 donations of her present territory were about three- 
 fourths. The response from the towns to a second 
 call — Boston was then the only city in the State — was 
 not more satisfactory. Those w^ho in the first in- 
 stance declined to subscribe did not, on a renewed 
 appeal, change their opinion. The following letter 
 from "Worcester illustrates the state of feeling that 
 existed in what was then called the heart of the Com- 
 monwealth : — 
 
 WoKCESTER, May 23, 1825. 
 
 Deae, Sie, — I transmit by Colonel John W. Lincoln 
 one hundred and seventy dollars and seventy-five cents, the 
 amount subscribed in this town, in aid of the Bunker Hill 
 Monument Association. It is a source of regret with me 
 that the citizens of this town have not been more liberal and 
 patriotic on this occasion. The reason in part is to be attrib- 
 uted to the influence of our clergy (with the exception of 
 Dr. Bancroft), whose opposition was proclaimed from the 
 sacred desk ; which undoubtedly operated to cool the ardor 
 and prejudice the minds of their respective hearers ; and my 
 immediate predecessor, who had the charge of the subscrip- 
 tion book, was not sufficiently alive to the subject in season to 
 accomplish the object in view. Having previously had a letter 
 or circular from Mr. Everett, requesting my aid and influence 
 in procuring subscriptions, I volunteered my services to the 
 Chairman of the Board of Selectmen last autumn, to carry 
 round the subscription book to the inhabitants of the centre 
 district, as I was then about taking a census of the minors in 
 said district for school purposes, and could have attended to 
 both objects with but little additional trouble, but my offer 
 was not accepted in season. 1 have since liad to travel the 
 ground over to collect the money which he had got subscribed, 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 231 
 
 and the subject had become so antiquated when the book 
 came into my hands that I had but poor success in obtaining 
 new subscriptions. These circumstances must be my apology 
 for the leanness of the subscription, as well as for not return- 
 ing the book more seasonably. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Otis Cohbett. 
 
 N. P. Russell, Esq. 
 
 If in Ma}^, 1825, " the siibject had become anti- 
 quated," the prospect for the Association was not 
 promising. But we can scarcely appreciate the situa- 
 tion of Massachusetts and New England in the latter 
 part of the first half-century of the Independence, and 
 just after the close of the second war. Although 
 there was everywhere great contentment, and the 
 appearance of thrift, it was owing to the industry and 
 extreme fi'ugality of the people. A silver dollar then 
 was more highly valued in the country towns than ten 
 dollars in currency are now, and it actually went fur- 
 ther. A majority of the families raised their own prod- 
 uce, spun and wove their own garments, and carpets, if 
 they had any, and realized, from the sale of the sur- 
 plus products of the farm or of their labor, only from 
 fifty to one or two hundred dollars a year in cash. 
 Daughters were as useful then as sons in the house- 
 hold economy, and became the better wives from their 
 bringing up. The householder w^ould be years in 
 building and finishing his house; first putting up the 
 frame, when his neighbors would render their gratui- 
 tous assistance at " the raising," then making a small 
 portion habitable to " get in," and, year by year, ob- 
 
232 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 taining the material, and working at intervals of 
 leisure upon the inside and out, until the whole was 
 completed, and became an ornament to the village. 
 There were but few banks in the country to stimulate 
 business. Manufactories were just springing up. Com- 
 merce was the great source of rapid wealth in Boston; 
 and boys in the country, not wanted at home, and not 
 finding situations in the city, would either go to sea, 
 or seek their home and fortune in the new States of 
 the West. The average salary of the ministers in the 
 State out of Boston would hardly reach four hundred 
 dollars, a scanty sum with which to rear a family, and 
 yet the parishes thought it was a great deal of money. 
 It is no wonder that there should be some clergymen, 
 who, overlooking the importance of cultivating the 
 patriotic sentiment of a love of countrj", and its liber- 
 ties as the guaranty of religious freedom and growth, 
 but contemplating only the necessities of Christian 
 beneficence with which they had to deal, should 
 even preach against giving to the Monument, in 
 the fear that their special objects of charity might 
 suffer. 
 
 Considering this state of things, it is not only 
 creditable to that period, but indeed a marvel, that 
 so large a sum as nearly $60,000 — equal to half a 
 million at least of our money — should be so spon- 
 taneously given. JSTo such sum had ever before been 
 raised in IN^ew England for any single object of the 
 kind, and this was owing to the intense patriotic ex- 
 citement produced by the eloquent and felicitous ap- 
 peals of the Association. It was all the money that 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 233 
 
 Mr. Everett's circular asked: $37,000 was his esti- 
 mate for a column 220 feet high, and all the land was 
 actually purchased for a little over f 23,000. Besides, 
 the Legislature had granted $10,000 in labor, which 
 was then supposed could be conveniently employed in 
 its construction. Therefore it was that Mr. Everett, 
 who had accurately gauged the probable result of 
 their appeal, apprehending that nothing more would 
 be likely to be very soon afterwards obtained, declared 
 that the only safe thing to do was to erect a column 
 according to his estimate, and to preserve all the land. 
 He actually selected a neat and classical design, which 
 he proposed for their adoption. 
 
 In view of the emergency from the deliberate change 
 of plan, the lottery was resorted to as the only exj^edient. 
 It had been the custom to grant the right to establish 
 lotteries for a specified term in aid of turnpikes, bridges, 
 acadeaiies, and other public institutions. Harvard Col- 
 lege had, only a few years before, received a grant of 
 that sort for one of its Halls. General Dearborn, as 
 one of a State Comuiissiou, had reported in favor of 
 granting a lottery in aid of internal improvement. 
 The Coi'poration of the City of Washington petitioned 
 the Legislature, in 1822, for leave to sell in the State 
 tickets of lotteries granted b}^ Congi'ess in aid of 
 cei'tain public improvements in the national capital. 
 George Blake strongly recommended the course, being 
 advised by Phinehas Blair, and also by J. K. Casey 
 of Baltimore, who advertised a scheme in the follow- 
 
 ing fashion : — 
 
 30 
 
234 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Caseifs Self-operating Lottery. 
 
 This lottery is patented by the United States, and has re- 
 ceived the full and unqualified approbation of the most en- 
 lightened philanthropists of the nation. The great object of it 
 is to exclude from all participation in adventure the poorer 
 classes of society, and to put down the inducements to j^rivafe 
 gambling, where the loss of fortune may truly be said to be 
 the least evil incident to this growing vice of our country. 
 
 Mr. Casey was very desirous of conducting the 
 enterprise, the success of which he deemed certain, 
 as tickets could readily be sold in the principal cities 
 of the United States. A vote of the Directors was 
 obtained to petition the Legislature, and the Senators 
 and Representatives elect were sounded in advance. 
 But the public sentiment in Massachusetts had been 
 strongly setting against lotteries as a vicious sj^stem 
 of raising money. If it was right and expedient to 
 23rohibit them by law, the State ought not to license 
 them by special enactment for any purpose, however 
 laudable. The Directors became sensible of this feel- 
 ing in season, and voted to petition for the direct aid 
 of the State, instead of a lottery. This petition failed 
 to attract any support. 
 
 In February, 1829, another ajDpeal to the people of 
 the State was determined upon. Instead of address- 
 ing official characters, the Directors themselves desig- 
 nated prominent gentlemen in the difierent towns and 
 in the wai'ds of- the city, who were requested to cir- 
 culate the address prepai-ed by General Dearborn, 
 and to solicit subscriptions, — one half to be paid in 
 the following month, and one half in a year. 
 
BUJ^KER HILL MOXUMEXT ASSOCI.ITIOX. 235 
 
 The following is an extract from his address: — 
 
 All civilized nations of ancient and modern times have 
 erected statues, mausoleums, or other monuments, to com- 
 memorate the deeds of their illustrious sons, or perpetuate 
 the recollection of memorable national events. This practice 
 has its source not only in proper feelings of gratitude for 
 patriotic services, but also in the universal desire of all great 
 men to live after death in the memory of posterity. This 
 desire stimulates them to illustrious actions, that they may 
 merit the renown which has uniformly been decreed as the 
 reward of such actions. . . . 
 
 It is not exaggeration to say that the whole character of 
 the subsequent war was changed by the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill, that that battle gave the character to the war, and that 
 on that Hill our Revolution was really achieved. How in- 
 teresting, then, not only to New England men, but to every 
 American, must this spot ever remain ! Our government is 
 the only free government founded on the rights of the people 
 and the sovereignty of the law which can be considered as 
 firmly established on earth. If any spot in this country should 
 be consecrated as holy ground on which to erect the temple 
 of liberty, that spot surely is Bunkek Hill. 
 
 Animated with these feelings and actuated by these princi- 
 ples, the Bunker Hill Monument Association have engaged 
 in the work of erecting a monument worthy of the spot, 
 worthy of those illustrious sons, and those memorable deeds 
 of the Revolution, which it is designed to commemorate, and 
 also worthy of ever standing the memorial of the establish- 
 ment of those great principles of liberty which resulted from 
 the Revolution. The monument will be the highest of the kind 
 in the worlds and only below the height of the Egyptian 
 Pyramids. It will form, when completed, an obelisk thirty 
 feet square at the base, and fifteen at the top. It will con- 
 sist of eighty courses of our Quincy granite, each course two 
 feet eight inches in thickness. The whole height, when laid, 
 will be two hundred and twenty feet. No traveller will then 
 inquire for the battle-ground. The monument will endure 
 
236 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 until the foundations of the earth itself are shaken. Our 
 descendants in the most remote ages will have this perpetual 
 memorial before them of the virtues and valor of their ances- 
 tors, and this ever-enduring memento of the price and the 
 value of liberty. 
 
 The whole quantity of stone necessary to complete this 
 work is six thousand seven hundred tons. Of this quantity 
 twenty-eight hundred tons are already laid in the first four- 
 teen courses, and five hundred tons more are already dressed 
 on the Hill, being the quantit}- required for five courses, and, 
 with that already laid, making more than half the quantity 
 necessary for the whole structure. Twelve hundred tons are 
 already split out in blocks to dimensions for the various parts 
 of the monument at Quincy, and have been placed in situa- 
 tions where they can be best hammered. The remainder, 
 twenty-two hundred tons, can be split from the quarry in 
 ninety days, for three thousand dolkirs : considerable prog- 
 ress has been made in preparing the ledge for that purpose. 
 The Committee continued the work as long as they con- 
 sidered themselves justified, and only ceased at the Hill on 
 the first of September, and on the seventeenth of January at 
 the quarry. 
 
 To accomplish this great work, it must be evident, has re- 
 quired a sum of money far beyond the subscription, and to 
 comj)lete it a still larger sum is required. The machinery at 
 the quarry, at the wharf, and on the Hill, has cost ten thou- 
 sand dollars, — but half the sum, as the Committee have learnt, 
 paid for the staging used in erecting the Washington Monu- 
 ment at Baltimore. To extinguish all the titles to the battle- 
 ground has cost twenty-four thousand dollars. In proceeding 
 as far as they have done, the Society have expended all their 
 funds, and twenty tliousand dollars in addition. Thirty thou- 
 sand dollars more are required to complete the work. With 
 fifty thousand dollars, the work can be completed within the 
 year, and the whole battle-field reserved. This most inter- 
 esting spot is now wholly in the control of the Society, and 
 from the Monument the whole field of battle is now open to 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 237 
 
 the eye ; but, unless fifty thousand dollars can be raised, a 
 considerable part of it must be sold, and the opportunity lost 
 for ever of reserving it from being covered with buildings 
 which would disfigure it. Under these circumstances, the 
 Society appeal with confidence to all Americans, and espe- 
 ciall}^ to every son of New England, to enable them at once 
 to finish the great work. 
 
 Joseph E. Sprague of Salem was Chairman of the 
 Committee, and attended to the printing and dis- 
 tribnting of the addresses: there was no response. 
 
 At the annnal meeting this June, Colonel Perkins 
 declined re-election as President, after two years' 
 arduous service, and Judges Story and Prescott as 
 Vice-Presidents. Mr. Everett, who found it impi-ac- 
 ticable for him any longer to perform the various 
 duties of Secretary, which had occupied so much of his 
 time, was transferred to the easier place of Director. 
 Levi Lincoln, who was then Governor of the State, 
 was elected President, Dr. Warren and Amos Law- 
 rence Vice-Presidents, and General Dearborn Secre- 
 tary. Other changes were made in the Board. It 
 does not appear by the record that Governor Lincoln 
 either accepted or declined the Presidency; but it is 
 presumed that he gave his consent to the use of his 
 name, with the understanding that he should take no 
 active part. 
 
 The Directors elected on the Building Committee: 
 Ebenezer Breed and David Devens of Charlestown, 
 Amos Lawrence and Charles Wells of Boston, and 
 H. A. S. Dearborn of Roxbury. Charlestown and 
 Koxbury are now parts of the metropolis of Boston. 
 
238 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 This was the j^ear m which the ladies made their 
 first effort. A Comaiittee was formed among them, 
 who undei'took to raise the desired means by a gen- 
 eral subscription in small sums by the women of the 
 State and the little children. Sums as small as twenty- 
 five cents were solicited. William Appleton encour- 
 aged the movement by sending them $500 to pay any 
 incidental expenses; and Amos Lawrence sent anony- 
 mously |100. 
 
 The Directors gratefully acknowledged their co- 
 operation, and by vote pledged all the money that 
 might be received from this efi^'ort to the raising of 
 the Monument, and to no other purpose. The im- 
 mediate return in money was small, but an efi'ort was 
 started which in the end led to success. The amount 
 of the ladies' donation, $2,225.38, was deposited as a 
 separate fund with the Massachusetts Hospital Life 
 Insurance Company, an institution under whose pru- 
 dent management money accumulates slowly at first, 
 but always surely, and after a while at a rapid rate. 
 
 At the meeting in 1830, Governor Lincoln declin- 
 ing. Judge William Prescott was chosen President; 
 and his son, Edward G. Prescott, Secretary; and 
 General Sullivan second Vice-President, in place of 
 Amos Lawrence declined. The Association instructed 
 the Directors to petition the Legislature for a grant 
 from the funds about to be received under an appro- 
 priation made by Congress for the payment of the 
 claim for the services of the State Militia, paid for by 
 the State during the late war; and to take such other 
 measures as might be deemed most expedient; "pro- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 239 
 
 vicled, that the land be not sold unless it shall be 
 found absolutely necessary." The Directors appointed, 
 August 4, a strong Committee — Dr. Warren, Mr. 
 Everett, General Sullivan, Amos Lawrence, and Col- 
 onel Baldwin — to consider and report the measures 
 proper to be adopted to carry out their instructions. On 
 the 13th of the same month, they rejiorted a series of 
 Resolutions and an address, written by Mr. Everett, 
 to be sent out to the public. Colonel Baldwin took a 
 prominent j^art at this adjourned meeting. The fol- 
 lowing Resolutions were unanimously adopted : — 
 
 1. Resolved^ That a respectful address be presented to the 
 legislature of this Commonwealth, at their next session, setting 
 forth the expediency of giving the aid of the Government to 
 a work in which the public is so deeply interested. 
 
 2. Resolved, That an effort be made to obtain further con- 
 tributions from individuals, when 'it has been ascertained that 
 the Government of this Commonwealth can extend such as- 
 sistance to the Association as will encourage the hope of a 
 speedy completion of the work. 
 
 3. Resolved, That, inasmuch as it is certain that a fair 
 price cannot be obtained for the Bunker Hill field, it would 
 be inexpedient to attempt a sale of any part of it at this time. 
 
 4. Resolved, That we consider the field of Bunker Hill as 
 a sacred legacy of our forefathers, defended by their arms 
 and watered by their blood, and that it ought to be kept open 
 to the view of remote posterity; and that it would be a per- 
 manent disgrace to the present generation of Americans to 
 employ the same for house-lots or other ordinary uses. 
 
 5. Resolved, That means should be adopted to represent to 
 the Government of this Commonwealth the importance of 
 securing this land in the hands of the public. 
 
 6. Resolved, That a committee of eight, with power to fill 
 vacancies, be chosen to prepare a respectful address to the 
 legislature, for the purpose recommended by the Association ; 
 
240 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and to support the application made in the address in a 
 proper manner. 
 
 7. Resolved^ That an address be submitted to the citizens 
 of this Commonwealth, on the part of the Directors, explana- 
 tory of the views of this Association ; of its operations and 
 actual condition ; and that the same be forthwith distrib- 
 uted to every town in the Commonwealth : and the Com- 
 mittee accordingly beg leave to present herewith the draft of 
 such an address. 
 
 The draft of Mr. Everett's address was also unani- 
 mously adopted, and ordered to be printed and distrib- 
 uted. After giving an acconnt of the efforts of the 
 Association and of the progress of the vv^ork, it de- 
 monstrated the great propriety of appropriating a por- 
 tion of the "Massachnsetts claim," when received, to 
 this permanent memorial of the Kevolntionary strng- 
 gle, and then it proceeded as follows to show the 
 propriety of the State joining with the public in com- 
 pleting a work of this extraordinary character, which 
 had been so well begun : — 
 
 In the present condition of the affairs of the Association, 
 the Directors think they may witli propriety say that some- 
 thing is imperiously required to be done. Private subscrip- 
 tions have been nearly suspended, partly no doubt from the 
 late pressure of the times ; but also from a sentiment of gen- 
 eral prevalence that the work itself is of a j^ublic nature, in 
 which the Commonwealth and individuals ought to go hand 
 in hand. The funds of the Association are exhausted ; and 
 the sale of the land would not, it is believed, more than en- 
 able the Directors to pay the debt for which it is pledged. 
 Meantime the spot remains the object of universal attraction. 
 Every motive which ever existed for undertaking the work 
 still operates in all its force. Every citizen of the United 
 States, and every stranger from Europe, that visits this 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 241 
 
 neighborhood, repairs to these heights, as the first object of in- 
 terest. If the Monument is to remain permanently in its 
 present condition, it will be a source only of discredit. The 
 sum necessary to complete it, and render it the loftiest work 
 of the kind in the world, and in beauty unsurpassed by any 
 other, if assessed as a tax on the good people of the Com- 
 monwealth, would amouut to less than nine cents each. The 
 Directors cannot doubt that the people, if called upon, would 
 cheerfully tax themselves to this amount for this object. But 
 Avhen it is considered that no tax will be required, and that 
 the sum needed can be set apart from the ample funds about 
 to flow into the treasury of the State, they are encouraged 
 to hope that their petition will meet with general favor. 
 
 In possessing within its limits the heights of Charlestown, 
 the State of Massachusetts may boast of a spot whose inter- 
 est is unequalled in the History of Liberty. It is conceded 
 that the American Revolution is the great era in the annals 
 of man. It was the revolution of mankind, in which the 
 moral necessity of free institutions for civilized societies of 
 men was vindicated and established. What impartial man can 
 doubt that the fate of this great revolution was decided be- 
 tween the 19th day of April and the 17th of June, 1775 ? Who 
 can doubt that if on those days our fathers had quailed 
 before the hostile armies, and Hancock and Adams had been 
 seized and sent to England for trial, and with Warren, Pres- 
 cott, and Putnam, and their compatriots, had expiated their 
 treason on Tower Hill, the American Revolution would have 
 been effectually checked ; and for what period, who can tell ? 
 
 It has seemed proper, therefore, that the field where this 
 great battle of freedom and independence was fought should 
 be separated from every secular use, — a field of blood, 
 sacred and precious, — restored to the condition in Avhich it 
 was trod by our fathers on the morning of the eventful day, 
 and adorned by a majestic monumental structure, which shall 
 mark it to the end of time. We are told by travellers that, 
 in the expanse of the Egyptian desert, a single obelisk, less 
 lofty and massive by far than that which is commenced on 
 
 31 
 
242 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Bunker Hill, remains to mark the spot of the great citj'^ of 
 the Sun, the residence of the patriarch Joseph, three thou- 
 sand five hundred years ago. In completing the Monument 
 on the heights at Charlestown, we shall point out to the 
 gratitude and admiration of our posterity, after an equal lapse 
 of ages, the scene of the first tremendous struggles for Ameri- 
 can Independence. 
 
 The Committee of eight appointed to prepare and 
 prosecute the petition to the Legislature were General 
 Sullivan, John Harris, General Dearborn, Thomas 
 J. Goodwin, Charles Wells, Alexander H. Everett, 
 Ebenezer Breed, and Oliver Ilolden. The election 
 of the Building Committee was, on motion of Colonel 
 Baldwin, postponed. 
 
 The Association always prefaced its petitions to the 
 Legislature by an eloquent appeal to the public, and 
 endeavored to produce in the minds of the people a 
 strong conviction that the aid sought of their Repre- 
 sentatives ought to be granted. All along in the his- 
 tory of this enterprise the Association sought to reach 
 the popular heart, to rouse the patriotism of the people, 
 and thus create a strong and enthusiastic public senti- 
 ment. 
 
 The annual meeting on Friday, June 17, 1831, was 
 attended by a small surprise party, which came near 
 taking possession of the Government of the Asso- 
 ciation. The President, Yice-Presidents, Secretary, 
 Treasurer, and about half a dozen of the old friends 
 of the enterprise, were there. The faces of the rest 
 were not familiar. The records and Treasurer's 
 report were read. General Dearborn reported that 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 243 
 
 the petition for a grant from the State was referred 
 to the next Legislature, and that measures were being 
 pushed by the Committee for raising money by gen- 
 eral subscription, but their operation had been delayed 
 by the sickness of Amos Lawrence, one of their Com- 
 mittee. General Sullivan reported that copies of a 
 pamphlet showing the condition of the Association 
 had been sent to all the State, City, and Town officers, 
 and to prominent individuals. On motion of Mr. 
 Clough, the ballot for officers was taken. J^ew per- 
 sons were chosen in place of the President, Vice- 
 Presidents, and Secretary, and eleven new Directors 
 were elected, by an average vote of thirty to ten for 
 the old officers displaced. The arduous office of 
 Treasurer no one coveted, and Mr. Russell was kept 
 in his place as if to mark the continued identity of the 
 Association. Leverett Saltonstall and Benjamin V. 
 French were the only Directors re-elected, and there 
 were twelve vacancies. 
 
 The announcement was received with surprise 
 mixed with indignation, nor was the feeling abated 
 when it appeared that the attempted change of the 
 government was made in the interest of the new 
 political party, known as the Anti-Masonic. It would 
 not have met with the least success, if even an half 
 hour's notice of the attempt had been given to the 
 public ; but the leaders of the new organization, claim- 
 ing to be founded upon the sole idea of political 
 opposition to secret societies, made this unexpected 
 demonstration by secret combination, and the con- 
 cealment of their votes before voting. 
 
244 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 At the adjourned meeting on July 25, Dr. Abner 
 Phelps, the new President, was in the chair, and Wil- 
 liam Marston, the new Secretary, apj^eared. So many 
 of the Association were pi'esent that the room could 
 not accommodate them, and another adjournment was 
 voted to the following Monday, August 1, to Faneuil 
 Hall, if it could be had ; and, if not, the Secretary was 
 instructed to obtain the most convenient place possi- 
 ble, and to give three days' notice thereof in four of 
 the Boston newspapers. ^Nathaniel P. Russell, the 
 Treasurer, Benjamin Russell, and William Sullivan 
 were appointed a Committee to prepare an alphabeti- 
 cal list of voters, to appoint a sufficient number to 
 check the names of those that voted, to ascertain 
 if votes by proxy can be legally received, and to 
 report any other arrangements they might think 
 proper. 
 
 In the afternoon of August 1, Faneuil Hall 
 opened its doors to the Bunker Hill Monument As- 
 sociation, assembled in large numbers; and there was 
 every apjDearance of an enthusiastic meeting in favor 
 of the former government. The names of those ap- 
 pointed to check the voting lists were announced, 
 one for each of the twelve wards of Boston, and one 
 for each of the towns of Charlestown, Cambridge, and 
 Roxbury, — these three to act for all other towns. 
 The Committee had consulted with Hon. Charles 
 Jackson, and they were of the opinion " that it will 
 not be expedient to receive proxy votes until the As- 
 sociation shall authorize the same by a by-law, which 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 245 
 
 they have authority to pass at any meeting." They 
 also reported six new by-laws: — 
 
 1. That the officers should be elected at the animal meet- 
 ing, or at an adjournment. 
 
 2. That no person shall vote unless he has contributed five 
 dollars to the funds. 
 
 3. That the Directors shall consist of thirty persons, of 
 whom those elected at the former meeting shall be a part. 
 
 4. That no part of the land belonging to the Association 
 shall be sold, nor any stones laid on the Monument, nor any 
 contracts be made for any operation thereon, unless the As- 
 sociation be first convened by advertisement, — giving at 
 least twenty days' notice thereof in two or more newspapers 
 printed in Boston, — and a vote be passed authorizing the 
 measure proposed. 
 
 5. Tliat no act of the Directors shall be valid unless a 
 majority of the whole Board concur therein. 
 
 6. That all by-laws inconsistent with those above men- 
 tioned be, and the same are, hereby annulled. 
 
 These were all adopted iiiianimoiisly without amend- 
 ment. A Committee of eight were appointed to re- 
 ceive, sort, and count the votes for eighteen Directors, 
 and it was voted to close the polls at six o'clock. Al- 
 though there was no ticket displayed in opposition to 
 that prepared by the friends of the old government, 
 who were the founders and laborious friends of the 
 Association, five hundred and eighty-two members re- 
 mained to have their names checked on the list, and 
 to deposit their ballots. A large number of other 
 persons, satisfied there was not the least opposition to 
 the reinstating of the old government in force, with- 
 drew befoi'e voting. The very appearance of the 
 meeting shewed beforehand what the result would be. 
 
246 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Judge Prescott, Dr. Warren, and General Sullivan, 
 the former President and Vice-Presidents, and fifteen 
 others of the old Board, including Amos Lawrence, 
 Edward Everett, and Francis J. Oliver, were unani- 
 mously elected. Eight of the old Directors were 
 not chosen, thei'e being no room on the Board for 
 any more, without making a greater addition to its 
 number. 
 
 Four attempts were made without success to pro- 
 cure a meeting of the Directors, at which business 
 could be transacted under the new by-law. General 
 Sullivan then prepared a form of notice, which was 
 adopted and sent to each Director, stating that his 
 presence was particularly requested at the time named 
 for the next meeting. On September 12, under this 
 notice, a legal meeting was obtained, at which a Com- 
 mittee was appointed to consider and report what 
 should be done. Two meetings were called to hear 
 their report, but, for want of a quorum being present, 
 the report was not made. Thus another year passed, 
 and nothing was done. 
 
 The next annual meeting was held on Monday, 
 June 18, 1832, in Fanenil Hall. The officers newly 
 elected by the Anti-Masonic party had publicly with- 
 drawn their names as candidates for re-election; but, 
 notwithstanding, four hundred and fifty-five members 
 appeared to cast their votes. Judge Prescott Avas re- 
 elected President; Dr. Warren and General Sullivan, 
 Vice-Presidents; and Edward G. Prescott, Secretary. 
 •A Board of Directors was chosen in harmony with 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 247 
 
 them, and the restrictive by-laws passed the year 
 before were rescinded. Thus ended, in complete 
 discomfitnre, the first and only attempt ever made to 
 identify the Association with a political party. 
 
 The ground of this movement of the leaders of the 
 Anti-Masonic party was their repugnance to the fact 
 that the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the 
 Monument was performed by the Grand Master of 
 Free Masons, and that this fact, and the words " Alex- 
 ander Paris, Architect," are inscribed on the plate 
 deposited in the foundation of the Monument. They 
 desired to get possession of the Monument to remove 
 this plate, or, if that should be impracticable, to insert 
 another which should correct or supersede it. In 
 their published "Report," they say: — 
 
 They desire a suitable correction of the inscription, so that 
 the truth may be handed down to future ages. This correc- 
 tion may be made at a trifling expense, and with no injury to 
 the Monument, simply by inserting a new plate with a true 
 inscription on the highest course of stone now laid. 
 
 But, aside from all considerations connected with the 
 Masonic character of the inscription, the undersigned put it 
 to their fellow-citizens, and especially the members of the 
 Association, whether the plate deposited in the foundation 
 ought to bear the name of a person as architect, who had no 
 concern with the design or erection? 
 
 It is, however, none the less the fact that Mr. Paris 
 did personate the Architect on that great historic 
 occasion, being duly authorized, and did perfoi'm the 
 part assigned to the architect, which is deemed 
 essential in the Masonic ceremony of laying a corner- 
 
248 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 stone. It is recorded that, on receiving the imple- 
 ments with the usual injunction from the Grand 
 Master, he made the following modest and exceed- 
 ingly felicitous reply : — 
 
 Most Worshipful Grand Master, — I receive from your 
 hands these implements of science and labor belonging to my 
 craft and profession with feelings of great personal diffidence, 
 but still in the strongest confidence and faith that such is 
 the triumphant spirit of the age, and such the numbers, ability, 
 and power of those who have ordered the craftsmen to com- 
 mence building, that the work will go bravely on, and the 
 fathers who have this day come up, resting each upon his 
 staff, to see you lay the corner-stone, will live long enough 
 to witness the dedication at the completion of the structure. 
 
 Mr. Paris had on request furnished designs to the 
 Committee, and also estimates of the comparative cost 
 of a column and an obelisk, and these corresponded 
 very closely with those made by Mr. Willard. He 
 was well know^n as a skilful architect, and had been 
 employed with Colonel Baldwin upon the public works 
 of the United States, and he had then a fair prospect 
 of being the permanent architect of the Monument. 
 He superintended the laying of the foundation and 
 the preparing of the corner-stone, both of which were 
 executed in a workmanlike manner by Gridley Bryant, 
 and were deemed sufficient for the structure then con- 
 templated. The fact that subsequenth^ a deeper 
 foundation was laid for a weightier structure, and a 
 more massive stone substituted, is as immaterial as 
 the fact that the members of the Building Committee 
 and most of the officers of the Association were 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 249 
 
 changed during the progress of the work. The great 
 object of the pubhc ceremony is to commemorate the 
 beginning of a great enterprise, and the inscription on 
 the phite deposited in the foundation should properly 
 bear the names of those persons who took part or 
 Avere officers on that day. Another ceremony upon a 
 change of plan, and another great public occasion with 
 an oration upon the substitution of a larger stone, 
 would have been most absurd. It would have been 
 alike injudicious to deposit, as proposed, a plate with 
 another inscription in the Monument forty feet from 
 the ground. 
 
 It was charged also that the Masonic ceremony was 
 attended with great disproportionate expense, whereas 
 it did not cost the Association a dollar. The whole 
 expense of that imposing celebration was $4,720.85, 
 which included the excavation and foundation, then 
 deemed adequate for the proposed structure, and all 
 the arrangements for the seating of the audience, the 
 escort, music, and the entertainment of invited guests. 
 Their Report sa3^s : — 
 
 The public entertained no doubt that the nation's guest, 
 General Lafayette, was to lay the corner-stone of the struc- 
 ture. For the performance of such a ceremony by so august 
 a personage, no reasonable expenditure of the funds of the 
 Association Avould have probably been deemed extravagant 
 or useless. 
 
 A great attempt was made to cast odium upon the 
 ISIasonic fraternity, as though they had contrived 
 through Mr. Oliver, a Director and Past Grand Mas- 
 
 32 
 
250 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ter, to wrest from General Lafayette this honor. But 
 it has been shown that the question was not whether 
 Lafayette or the Grand Master should perform the 
 ceremony, for it had been before determined that it 
 would have been otherwise performed by Mr. Webster, 
 as President of the Association. When Mr. Oliver 
 and Judge Prescott conferred with him upon the 
 propriety of inviting the Grand Master to officiate, 
 they undoubtedly satisfied him, from the fact that 
 General Joseph Warren died on the field while 
 holding that office, and that the Lodge of Masons in 
 Charlestown had so early erected a conspicuous monu- 
 ment to his memory, that this form of ceremony — 
 often solicited from its traditional authority and nat- 
 ural fitness in the erection of public structures, when 
 there was no special reason — was peculiarly appro- 
 priate to this occasion, would be also perfectly satis- 
 factory to General Lafayette, known to be a devoted 
 member of the order, and, more than all, would greatly 
 add to the eclat of the celebration. 
 
 The other complaint made by the new men in the 
 Board was the purchase of fifteen acres of land in- 
 stead of only the five acres which the Association was 
 authorized to take by the right of eminent domain. 
 It was on account of these alleged objections coming 
 to the public ear that the new by-laws were passed, 
 tying the hands of the objectors, so that not a stone 
 should be laid, nor the land sold, nor any thing else 
 done upon it without the vote of the Association at a 
 meeting to be specially convened. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 251 
 
 It is proper to state that Di\ Abner Phelps was 
 elected President in his absence withont any instru- 
 mentality of his own, and that he accepted the posi- 
 tion — so disagreeable under the circumstances — in 
 deference to the judgment of his political associates. 
 He was a graduate of Williams College of the class 
 of 1806. He was an affable gentleman, and was well 
 established in this city as a physician of good repute. 
 He took at this time a leading part in the promotion 
 of the Western Railroad, and in this direction he was 
 more successful, and made himself more useful to the 
 community. 
 
 One result of this unfortunate controversy was 
 another able and eloquent Address from the ever- 
 ready pen of Mr. Everett. It was a plea against sell- 
 ing any of the land. It stated that those who had 
 advanced money upon it were in no haste to enforce 
 their claim; that in a few years, in one generation at 
 the farthest, Boston and Charlestown might be con- 
 stituted one municipality, the bridges between them 
 would be free avenues, and as in former times Charles- 
 town was the abode of the Russells and Dexters, and 
 men of that class, to whom expense was no object in 
 the selection of a residence, so it would again be re- 
 sorted to by such men; and in the mean while let this 
 field be planted with trees, and it would become as 
 attractive a spot for a promenade as any in the world, 
 and then the idea of selling any portion of it would 
 no more be tolerated than would now be the proposal 
 to sell a part of Boston Common, to which this land 
 
252 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 on Bunker Hill was in many respects superior. The 
 address then forcibly stated the historic reasons Avhy 
 the whole land acquired by the Association should be 
 preserved for posterity, and concluded with the fol- 
 lowing strong statement of the author's faith in the 
 finishing of the Monument: — 
 
 Many of the original subscribers, it is known, were and 
 are ready to double their subscriptions ; and we have no 
 reason to doubt that the Commonwealth will yet, from 
 its ample funds, contribute effectivel}^ to the object, or, at 
 least, that it will purchase and for ever secure the field of 
 battle. 
 
 The Monument will he completed. What has already been 
 done is as substantial as the Pyramids of Egypt. It will stand 
 uninjured to the end of time. If this generation cannot or 
 will not finish it, the next will. It would be pleasant to those 
 who witnessed the commencement to behold the completion 
 of the work. But, if Ave prefer waiting, the work can wait. 
 It is a work which will last, unless an earthquake shall shake 
 it down, while the earth lasts. Let us proceed in it with an 
 elevation of feeling worthy of its character and destinj^, and 
 take no step under temporary excitements. Our brave fathers 
 who encountered the perils of the 17th June, 1775, many of 
 them realized but few of the blessings for which they staked 
 their lives. How few of them have survived to witness such 
 of the happy consequences of the Revolution as have been 
 unfolded within our experience ! We trust in the providence 
 of God, that, long after we have followed our fathers to the 
 dust, still richer blessings will flow to our children, and our 
 children's children, from those sacrifices and sufferings which 
 we would now piously commemorate. It may be even so as 
 regards the Monument. If the enthusiasm which, seven or 
 eight years ago, was awakened on the subject of a Monument 
 on Bunker Hill, is for the present extinct, be it so : it will 
 revive again. The next generation, the next jubilee, will see 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 253 
 
 it rekindled warmer, more affectionate, more ardent for the 
 delay. In the interval, the massy granite already laid will 
 not soften ; and, if we do not rashly alienate the soil, the 
 smooth green sod that now surrounds the rising obelisk will 
 remain unchanged, to be trodden by the grateful and enthusi- 
 astic multitudes, who will then press forward to complete our 
 unfinished work. If we sell the land, we shall, without rais- 
 ing a dollar to carry on the structure, take a step at once 
 irreparable, and the best calculated to discourage all further 
 effort on the part of those who have hitherto had it at heart 
 to prevent the desecration of Bunker Hill. 
 
 Let us beware, then, of selling that famous field, rendered 
 sacred by the deeds and hallowed by the relics of our ances- 
 tors ; and let those who set their names to such an act pre- 
 pare to have those names covered with the execrations of the 
 latest posterity, who will never cease to lament their avarice 
 and stand amazed at their want of patriotism. 
 
 This pathetic appeal was virtually lost upon the 
 peoj^le. It might have awakened their patriotic emo- 
 tions for the moment, but it did not serve to induce 
 them to make the trifling pecuniary sacrifice required 
 to preserve entire the memorable field on which their 
 fathers fought to give them Liberty and Indepen- 
 dence. If only Mr. Everett's timely warning had 
 been heeded, with what added gratitude and joy 
 would not the wealthy and enlarged metropolis of 
 Boston now hail her newly acquired possession of the 
 historic Charlestown! 
 
 The unfinished structure had now stood for four 
 years, covered in by a temporary roof, with its hoist- 
 ing mast lowered as if in defeat, and looking, as it 
 stood surrounded by the massive stones prepared for 
 
254 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the upper courses, and lying promiscuously at its base, 
 like a sublime ruin, the shock indeed of a great con- 
 vulsion of nature. The winds of the wintry storm 
 expended their fury upon it, the mast waved, the clat- 
 tering boards moaned piteously to their rage, but it 
 stood as firm as the everlasting rock. The sun and 
 the moon in turn cast their lingering beams upon it, 
 and then silently passed on, as if expecting each new 
 revolution to greet its promised summit. But wait, 
 and see what may come of the impending cloud 
 threatening the country ! If the Union, for which 
 the fathers fought, be not, indeed, to last; if Presi- 
 dent Jackson, with his patriotic firmness, aided by 
 'Webster in the Senate, do not now succeed in 
 demolishing the Hydra doctrine of nullification, the 
 Monument had better never be completed, but it 
 should remain always unfinished, like a broken col- 
 umn, emblematic of a Republic of magnificent prom- 
 ise in its rise, but prematurely dismembered, and 
 inglorious in its fall. 
 
^"A 
 
 0«-' 
 
 Qk, 
 
 <3^<_t vSLc 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The proofs of true munificence must be drawn from the uses to 
 which a man of wealth applies his fortune. 
 
 AMOS LAWRENCE was of the highest type of 
 manhood. He was born in Groton, Middlesex 
 Connty, April 22, 1786. His father, Samnel Law- 
 rence, was one of the minute-men of his town; and it 
 is related of him that on the morning of the 19th 
 April, 1775, when Colonel Prescott rode rapidly to 
 his house from the neighboring town of Pepperell, and 
 said to him, " Samnel, notify your men, the British are 
 coming," he rode seven miles in forty minutes, noti- 
 fied every one, and on the next day he reached Cam- 
 bridge with them after a rapid march of thirty miles; 
 that he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and received 
 a bullet through his cap which cut oflp some of his 
 hair, and a grape-shot which grazed his arm. He 
 lived to see the fiftieth anniversary of that event; he 
 became a magistrate of the county, and held several 
 offices in his town. 
 
 Amos Lawrence, though always in delicate liealth, 
 and frequentl}^ detained at home by sickness, received 
 an excellent education at the Groton Academy, which 
 has since been so liberally endowed by him and his 
 flimily, that their name has been given to it. After an 
 
256 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 apprenticeship in a country store, he came to Boston 
 upon being of age, and shortly estabhshed himself in 
 business on his own account. He received his brother 
 Abbott Lawrence as a clerk at the age of fifteen, and 
 as a partner on his majority. The co-partnership thus 
 formed was dissolved onl}^ by death. The house was 
 known to be as successful and as highly respected 
 as any in the city, or in the whole country. From the 
 great wealth which Amos Lawrence acquired he made 
 many liberal endow^ments in his lifetime. His con- 
 stant charity was bounded neither by sectarian nor 
 by narrow local lines. In the latter part of his life, 
 he was not satisfied with conforming to the Christian 
 standard of bestowing one tenth of his income, but, 
 reversing it, he kept only the tenth part, and gave 
 nine-tenths away. He derived so much pure enjoy- 
 ment from becoming his own executor, that he im- 
 parted this secret of true happiness, where he thought 
 it would avail, to some of his friends also blessed with 
 Avealth, and in several instances induced them to make 
 specific gratuities where greatly needed; but the 
 generous deed and its promoter were carefully kept 
 from the public eye. He delighted in the silent flow 
 of his own beneficence, and rejoiced in living a quiet, 
 unostentatious Christian life. A man of large brain 
 and a big heart, of keen sagacity and undeviating 
 rectitude, he needed only confirmed health, so that he 
 might continually go about, to make him the greatest 
 philanthropist of the age. 
 
 It was to be expected from his heritage and his 
 own character that he would embrace the plan of the 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 257 
 
 Association Avith enthusiasm, and that, supposing the 
 public generally participated with him in the same 
 feeling, he would have faith in its ultimate success, — 
 a faith which he subsequently intended should be re- 
 alized by his works, even if unaided. In the begin- 
 ning of his labors, he had the following correspond- 
 ence with Dr. Warren : — 
 
 Dear Sir, — The contributions to the Monument are going 
 on well. I have now no anxiety that the amount will fall be- 
 low twenty-five thousand dollars. I have seen a number of 
 the Committee, and they say there is an almost universally 
 good spirit prevailing toward it. Almost every man gives 
 something ; but the best contributions, and the most liberal, 
 are from the young men and those in the middling walks of 
 hfe. 
 
 I have not been so successful as I had hoped in the section 
 of Ward No. 10, — embracing Colonnade Row round through 
 Boylston Street, down to West Street, embracing that small 
 square ; but it will not fall short of a thousand dollars, includ- 
 ing Mr. Lowell's, Mr. Rice's, and my own subscription, which 
 makes one half that sum. 
 
 Our Row ought to have given that at least, but some of the 
 gentlemen who are very rich profess to care nothing about 
 it, and give little, less even than some of the industrious 
 young carpenters and masons. To-morrow another Com- 
 mittee takes it into another section of the ward : the ward is 
 divided into five sections. 
 
 I would by no means publish the names of contributors 
 at present ; some of the large subscriptions have been made 
 under an express pledge that they shall not be newspapered. 
 I think it was a sad mistake your Committee made in publish- 
 ing single subscriptions in the first place : it has well-nigh 
 ruined you. When your subscriptions are through, it may 
 then be a matter to be well considered whether to give them 
 a newspaper publicity. 
 
 33 
 
258 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It will be well, however, to take notice now of the progress 
 the subscriptions are making, as many people like to hear it 
 is going on well. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 Amos Lawjrence. 
 
 Dr. Warren. 
 
 If I had some blank certificates, I could get some more 
 money with them. 
 
 Boston, Nov. 23, 1824. 
 
 Deae. Sie, — Agreeably to your suggestion, I send you 
 twenty blanks, and shall be happy to send more, if you find 
 them useful to the execution of your plans. 
 
 In regard to the publication of the subscriptions, I believe 
 you and your friends differ from the general opinion. There 
 may be a few individuals who are sufficiently disinterested 
 and patriotic to give their money from a sentiment of public 
 good ; but nine out of ten are influenced in their donations 
 by the consideration of the opinion which the public will 
 have in regard to them ; and, if it were once understood that 
 their names and contributions were to remain unpublished 
 and unknown, I fancy the subscription would not be a very 
 great one. In regard to the publication of the first subscrip- 
 tions, it is possible that one or two might have been advan- 
 tageously omitted ; but, even with the unfavorable impression 
 made by these, I have no hesitation in saying, that not one 
 circumstance has more powerfully operated to excite the true 
 feeling than the publication of those subscriptions. I do not, 
 therefore, admit it to be a sad mistake, but a most fortunate 
 occurrence. 
 
 In a word, nw dear sir, it is much more easy to find fault 
 than to improve ; and I doubt whether so great an object 
 could have gone on with more success than this has done 
 thus far, under any management. However, I believe the 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 259 
 
 effect of the first publication to be sufficient for tlie present 
 purpose, as it leads every one to expect their names to appear 
 first or last ; and therefore I shall not press the point, especi- 
 ally as I have no doubt that your influence and assiduity will 
 more than compensate for any deficiency on other grounds. 
 
 I remain, very faithfully, yours, 
 
 John C. Waeeen. 
 
 It appears by the following letter that he foresaw 
 the awkwardness of the situation, — in which indeed 
 many honorable persons find themselves placed, bnt 
 feel conscious of being able to meet, — that of being 
 obliged in one capacity to negotiate with himself in 
 another. ISTevertbeless, he determined for his own 
 part not to be put in snch a position : — 
 
 Boston, Feb. 28, 1827. 
 
 My dear Sir, — I held five shares in the Quincy Railway 
 Company, which I subscribed for originally, solely to aid the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association, and have held them to 
 this time for the same purpose ; but the time has now come 
 when I am required to act in the double capacity of Com- 
 mittee-man for the Bunker Hill Monument Association and 
 proprietor in the railway, in a matter of bargain between the 
 two. Although I feel that my bias is strongly toward the 
 Monument, I do not wish to be placed in a situation that any 
 one can say hereafter that / hargaiyied tvith myself^ and, 
 whether with justice or not, that the railway made money 
 out of the Monument. I some time since had an application 
 for my stock, which I declined selling, but shall offer it for 
 sale immediately at cost and interest. If I sell it, I will serve 
 on the committee to which I was appoiuted at the last meet- 
 ing of the Building Committee ; if I do not sell it, shall 
 decline serving on that committee, and nominate yourself in 
 my place. 
 
260 ' HISTORY OF THE 
 
 I hope the Railway Company may be induced to contract 
 to perform the work for a less sum than the sub-committee 
 were authorized to pay. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 Amos Lawrence. 
 
 Dr. J. C. Warren, 
 
 Chairman of Building Committee B. H. M. A. 
 
 As soon as he saw his way clear to take the office 
 of member of the Building Committee, he made him- 
 self thoroughly acquainted with every detail of the 
 workj with the cost of every part, and the means of 
 payment. Acting as Secretary of the Committee, and 
 keeping all the papers, he soon came to admire Mr. 
 Willard's admirable methods, and the wonderful skill 
 and economy with which he managed every thing. 
 He felt the great loss which Mr. Willard's withdrawal 
 would be to the Association, and he earnestly strove 
 to prevent it, as the following letters will show: — 
 
 Boston, June 20, 1827. 
 Dear Sir, — I am truly sorry for your determination in 
 giving up the superintendence of the Monument. The meas- 
 ure will be a serious injury to its progress the present season. 
 At any rate, I most anxiously desire that you will continue 
 your judicious care for a few days, until we can look about 
 us ; and in the mean time, perhaps, some arrangements can be 
 made that will be satisfactory to you. I have been at your 
 lodgings and shop this morning, in hopes of seeing you. If 
 you Avill name any time and place when and wdiere I can see 
 you, I will do it. You have too much regard for the object of 
 your long continued labor to be willing to see it put in jeop- 
 ardy by any feelings of a private nature. Again I most ear- 
 nestly desire you to continue for a few days. 
 
 Truly yours, " A. L. 
 
 S. WiLLAUD, Esq. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 261 
 
 June 22. 
 
 My deae Sie, — Since I saw you, I have seen Mr. Willard, 
 and among the reasons he gives for resigning his phice as 
 superintendent of the Monument (none being given in the 
 note I showed you from him) are that the Chairman of the 
 Building Committee has never felt an interest in the success of 
 the ijlan^ and that he will not be likely to help it along ; but, 
 on the contrary, Avill retard it. He has strong prejudices, 
 and it is difficult to remedy them. I have obtained from the 
 head quarryman and Mr. Savage an outside estimate of the 
 cost of laying ten courses (26| feet), which the}^ make 19,938. 
 This, I have no doubt, is an outside estimate. 
 
 I promised to inform you when I should learn the reasons 
 Willard gives for leaving the work. Had I better send Wil- 
 lard's note to the Chairman ? I have had strong hopes the 
 thing might blow over, and the Colonel not know it, but 
 Willard, I think, does not intend to return. 
 
 A. L. 
 
 Gen. Sullivan. 
 
 General Dearborn wrote him an earnest letter, 
 desiring him to withdraw his opposition to a lottery, 
 and intimating that, by his influence in favor, the 
 grant could be obtained, and that in no other way 
 could the desired means be raised at that time. But 
 he was firm in his opposition. He had the opinion 
 that, when the Monument should be cari'ied up to 
 the height of forty feet, it would plead its own 
 cause, and the money could easily be procured. He 
 hiduced his associates to join with him in obtaining 
 a loan upon the pledge of the land outside the 
 reserved square, and General Sullivan, Dr. Warren, 
 Colonel Perkins, General Dearborn, and himself gave 
 their personal obligations to the Suffolk Bank for 
 $22,000. 
 
262 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 As a last resort, when other measures had failed, 
 he appealed to the Massachusetts Charitable Me- 
 chanics Association in the following letter: — 
 
 Boston, April 21, 1833. 
 
 Gentlemen, — Being myself earnestly desirous that the 
 Bunker Hill Monument should be completed according to the 
 original plan, and that that, together with the wliole of the 
 land now owned b}^ the Bunker Hill Monument Association 
 in Charlestown, being the famous battle-field, be dedicated 
 and preserved to the public as a perpetual memorial to future 
 generations of the ardent love of liberty and the pure princi- 
 ples of patriotism, of the hardy virtues which influenced 
 their ancestors to attempt, and enabled them to achieve, our 
 national independence, I present this proposition to j'ou, 
 believing that any object which powerfully approves itself to 
 your Association is sure to find favor with the public. It is 
 unnecessary to look back for errors in the management of the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Association, as such restrospect will 
 do nothing in aid of our present plan. It is sufficient to state 
 that the Association is in debt twenty -eight thousand dollars, 
 and that two-thirds of this famous field is liable to be sold for 
 the payment of this debt. If saved from clesecratio7i, at no 
 very distant time the whole field will be estimated as above 
 price. Sixty thousand dollars will finish the Monument, 
 secure the whole field, and do something towards fencing 
 and ornamenting it. To collect this sum requires a strong 
 movement, but it can be done. The present is the most 
 favorable time to do it there has been for some years. My 
 brothers will give their influence, labor, and money in aid of 
 it, and I will pay five thousand dollars, provided fifty thou- 
 sand dollars be paid, or secured to be paid, within three 
 months from all sources, or ten per cent on any less sum 
 than fifty thousand dollars. Your Association had it in con- 
 templation to purchase or build a suitable edifice for your 
 own occasions a few years since, and I believe were pre- 
 vented by considerations of prudence in regard to the state 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 263 
 
 of 5^our funds. I shall esteem it a privilege to contribute the 
 same amount to this object, if you still have it in view, that 
 1 do to the Bunker Hill Monument Association, if the plan 
 succeeds of saving the land by your aid, or I will apply the 
 amount in such other way as will be most useful that you 
 may point out for the benefit of 3^our Association. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 (Signed) Amos Lawrence. 
 
 Hon. S. T. Armstrong, 1 
 
 Hon. Ch. Wells, {Members of the Mass. Charitable 
 
 J. T. Buckingham, and f Mechanic Association. 
 
 J. P. Thorndike, Esq., J 
 
 This society was established in Boston in 1795, 
 under the influence of Panl Revei'e, the patriot leader 
 of the people during the Revolution, and afterwards 
 the conspicuous supporter of the adoption of the Con- 
 stitution of the United States. It was incorjiorated 
 ten years afterwards, and had grown up to be one 
 of the most flourishing societies in the country. Its 
 membership had always included the leading mechan- 
 ics and manufacturers of the State. Its objects have 
 been improvement in arts and manufactures, a chari- 
 table care for fellow-members overtaken by misfortune, 
 and the promotion of social intercourse. By the 
 shrewd management of its fund, its means of doing 
 good have become great, and its high character has 
 long been established. Its roll of active members in- 
 cludes many of the leading men in the city and the 
 Commonwealth, and it has conferred honorary mem- 
 bership upon distinguished statesmen and scholars, 
 commencing with the elder Adams, the second Presi- 
 dent of the United States. For orators it has had 
 
264 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Webster, Everett, and Winthrop. Its triennial fairs 
 and festivals have become celebrated. 
 
 It was a happy thought of Mr. Lawrence to address 
 the leading gentlemen of this society, and they could 
 not overlook the terms of his proposition. It was 
 deemed of such importance that a special meeting of 
 the society was called, at which the letter was read, 
 and Joseph T. Buckingham, the President, Samuel T. 
 Armstrong, Charles Wells, and John P. Thorndike 
 were appointed a Committee to confer with the Di- 
 rectors of the Monument Association, and to report 
 measures for action. The Directors cordially as- 
 sented to a new popular effort to be made in the 
 name of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic 
 Association, and appointed General Sullivan, Amos 
 Lawrence, and Thomas J. Goodwin a Committee to 
 confer with them respecting the officers to be elected 
 at the next annual meeting, in order that they might 
 more fully be represented in the government of the 
 Monument Association. 
 
 A meeting of the Mechanic Association was called 
 at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday, May 28, 1833, at four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, in aid of the Bunker Hill 
 Monument. The whole public were invited. The 
 Directors of the Monument Association voted to at- 
 tend in a body, published notices inviting the mem- 
 bers of the Association also to attend, and furnished 
 the speakers for the occasion. 
 
 Faneuil Hall was crowded and densely packed as 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCL^TION. 265 
 
 never before. President Buckingham called the meet- 
 ing to order, and read the resolutions adopted by the 
 Trustees, and an address to the people of the Com- 
 monwealth, signed by all the members of the gov- 
 ernment of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic 
 Association. George Blake introduced appropriate 
 resolutions, which he enforced in a concise, senten- 
 tious speech. Colonel Charles G. Greene followed 
 to second the resolutions in a brief speech, pertinent 
 and well delivered. He declared that " Every one who 
 values the name of an American, and the high char- 
 acter his country has assumed among the nations of 
 the earth, must be anxious to have the first step in her 
 brilliant career marked by a memorial worthy of its 
 importance. And, again, it is to the cause of Liberty 
 and the Rights of Man that this Monument is to be 
 erected; and who that values these blessings but will 
 wish to see this splendid token of their existence, 
 pointing in the perfection of its grandeur to the Great 
 Source from whence they emanated." 
 
 The next speaker was Mr. Everett, who seems to 
 have been ever ready to answer to the calls made upon 
 him in behalf of the public, and especially of the 
 Monument. He might have well declined at this 
 time, — as most men would have done, — upon the 
 ground that, if his advice had been followed, the 
 Monument, such as he proposed, would have been 
 finished, and the whole land would have been held, 
 and now enjoyed, ornamented, and free of debt, and 
 that he had already devoted as much of his time and 
 energy to the object as he could afford. But no: he 
 
 34 
 
266 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 felt that a great public duty was yet to be performed, 
 and he was willing to do his part until it was per- 
 formed. 
 
 "Webster, in his eulogy upon Adams and Jefferson, 
 describing true eloquence, said, "It must consist in 
 the man, in the subject, and in the occasion; " but 
 Everett often himself made the occasion. The Monu- 
 ment was now a trite theme. He had written sevei'al 
 addresses upon it, which had been everywhere circu- 
 lated, and had been thoroughly read. What more 
 could he say ? As he stepped forward upon the plat- 
 form hearty cheers welcomed him. It was his first 
 speech in Faneuil Hall. In his graceful presence, his 
 kindled eye, and earnest expression, there was a 
 magic magnetism which won rather than commanded 
 attention. He addressed the Society as brethren, 
 being an honorary member. He alluded to the re- 
 proaches cast upon the management of the Directors 
 of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and he 
 stood ready to take his full share from any one who 
 had given as much time as he had, or even, from any 
 one who would agree to give as much in future, he 
 would be willing to receive what he considered un- 
 merited censure. But the Monument unfinished for 
 so many years had come to be a public reproach, and 
 a disgrace to this generation. He knew that they all 
 felt it was time that it was completed, and yet they 
 would not do it from the feeling that they were about 
 to take off the reproach, but from the conviction that 
 a Monument should be built, even if one had not been 
 
BUXKER HILL MONUMEN'T ASSOCIATION. 267 
 
 commenced. He then demonstrated at length with 
 copions iUnstration the ntilitj of the Monument, prov- 
 ing that, after all, taking in view the aims and pur- 
 poses of life, the greater gratification one derives from 
 the higher moral sentiments, and the immense advan- 
 tage to the public from their inculcation by so proud 
 a memorial, it was really the best and most useful 
 thing they could do for the public good. He next 
 carried them back to the times when the fathers of the 
 Revolution spoke to the people in this very Hall; he 
 reminded them of the self-denial, the devoted heroism 
 of Warren, of his conspicuous courage and devotion in 
 the Battle of Bunker Hill, and he closed with repeat- 
 ing in thrilling accents, and as if in application to 
 them at this very moment, the well-known words which 
 had before echoed within these walls : " The voice of 
 your Fathers' blood cries to you from the ground." 
 
 The effect was unexampled. The shortened address 
 of Judge Story which followed, though highly appro- 
 priate and impressive, seemed, in comparison, like the 
 benediction pronounced by another clergyman after 
 the entrancing sermon of an eloquent divine. Every 
 one said, as the assembly broke up, " The Monument 
 IS completed," so thoroughly persuaded were they all 
 that this grand appeal would be followed by instan- 
 taneous action, needing no other prompter. 
 
 Mr. Lawrence felt great chagrin that the favorable 
 opportunity was not immediately improved. If he 
 had been well, he said, he would have obtained the 
 whole amount in forty-eight hours. If Mr. Bucking- 
 ham, who presided, had, before the adjournment. 
 
268 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 called from the chair for subscriptions, he might have 
 obtained all the money needed on the spot. But they 
 waited until the address of the Committee should be 
 sent to all the towns in the State, as if they would be 
 accompanied by the persuasive presence and voice of 
 the great orator. 
 
 At the ensuing annual meeting of the Monument 
 Association, the Directors reported some new by-laws 
 which were adopted. By these the Government was 
 vested in a Board consisting of the President, five 
 Vice-Presidents, fifty Directoi's, the Treasurer and 
 Secretarj^; it was also recommended to choose the 
 President of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic 
 Association for the time being in this and all future 
 elections the first Yice-President of the Bunker Hill 
 Monument Association, which ai'rangement has al- 
 ways been continued. At this meeting the former 
 officers of the Monument Association were re-elected ; 
 and Mr. Buckingham, ex officio, Samuel T. Arm- 
 strong, and Charles Wells were the first three Yice- 
 Presidents, leaving Dr. Warren and General Sullivan 
 to be the fourth and fifth. The twenty additional 
 Directors were officers and leading members of the 
 Mechanic Association, being at the same time mem- 
 bers of the Monument Association. The Board con- 
 tinued till 1836, with the single alteration in 1835 of 
 Joseph Jenkins, chosen fifth Vice-President in place 
 of General Sullivan resigned. A new Diploma was 
 authorized to be engraved at the expense of the 
 Monument Association, and a very large number of 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 269 
 
 copies were sti-iick off and placed in the hands of the 
 Mechanic Association, to be given to the subscribers 
 they might obtain. 
 
 Mr. Everett wrote the following letter to General 
 Sullivan in relation to the style of the Diploma, and a 
 new mode of raising money: — 
 
 Chaklestown, 8th July, 1833. 
 
 Deaii Sir, — I have yours of the 5th. I deeply regret that 
 my engagements are such as again to put it out of my power 
 to attend the meeting of the Directors. 
 
 I like your sketch of a certificate very much. As at pres- 
 ent advised, I should think there would be a propriety in 
 having each certificate signed (iiot facsimiled') by the Presi- 
 dent and Secretary. Their offices point them out as the 
 proper signers, and their relation to Colonel Prescott would 
 give a peculiar fitness to their signing. There are other 
 names entitled, by services rendered to the undertaking, to 
 be connected with this memorial of it ; but I do not know on 
 what principle of selection you could proceed, by which you 
 could get their names upon the certificate, without including 
 others. 
 
 But I am myself strongly inclined to think that, on the 
 score of economy, it would be better to issue, at present, 
 merely a printed paper to each new subscriber, certifying that 
 he is one, and stating it to be the purpose of the Directors, 
 wlien the work is completed, to deliver to each member 
 an engraved certificate. The paper might set forth some 
 reasons for this course. 
 
 You observe that the half of the tolls of the old bridge for 
 June, amounting to nearly $700, has been paid. Unfor- 
 tunately the sensitive jealousy of some of the friends of the 
 new bridge went far in impairing the effect of the arrange- 
 ment made by the Directors of the old bridge. Others, how- 
 ever, of the new bridge people (as John Skinner and Ebeu 
 
270 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Breed), fell in cordially. But for the iinliappy jealousy al- 
 luded to, the moiety of the tolls would have been at least 
 $1,000, and in that event the arrangement would have been 
 continued, and would of itself have been nearly adequate to 
 raise what we yet want. Now I want you, in your practical 
 wisdom and tact, to devise the means of setting this going 
 again, under kindlier auspices. Get the Directors of the old 
 bridge to renew the arrangement, with possibly some modifi- 
 cation ; and get round General Austin, of Charlestown, and 
 persuade him to take a different view of the subject. 
 
 Perhaps the old bridge would consent to give us the entire 
 net increase of toll over the average of their former receipts. 
 I know it is expecting them to be kindly disposed ; but as by 
 net increase, I understand the excess over the old average, 
 after a fair deduction for wear and tear of bridge and ex- 
 pense of collection, I do not know why they should not. It 
 would not be against their interest, and it would conciliate 
 some favor, and promote the end we have at heart. 
 
 Perhaps a small, respectable Committee of the Directors 
 (and that body could furnish no other), to confer with the 
 Directors of the old bridge and the new, and take measures, 
 would be useful. Such a Committee could have done some- 
 thing to make the arrangemeut more effective in June. I 
 Avrote about twenty communications in newspapers, and letters 
 to procure them written ; but the knowledge of the arrange- 
 ment did not fairly spread into the region of the main East- 
 ern travel, — did not soak into the country. 
 
 I think we may yet get $1,000 per month out of the old 
 bridge. With great respect, E. Everett. 
 
 P. S. The lines from Percival are very pretty, but the idea 
 they inculcate seems at variance with the Monument. 
 
 A word from the gentlemen who acted as counsel for the 
 new bridge might do good. 
 
 The new Diploma, however, bore the facsimiled 
 signatures of the fifty-eight officei's of the Associa- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 271 
 
 tion. It was twice as large as the first Diploma. 'No 
 report was made to the Momiment Association of the 
 persons to whom it was issued. 
 
 The following is the concluding part of one of these 
 communications written for the newspapers by Mr. 
 Everett for the purpose of drawing the travel over 
 Charles River Bi'idge, in order to help on the Monu- 
 ment. This apj^eared in the Boston " Advertiser: " — 
 
 We trust our friends on all hands, who drive out on parties 
 of pleasure during the month, will take this direction, and 
 pass Charles River Bridge. It is a very favorable time to see 
 the Dry Dock in the Navy Yard, especially if Old Ironsides 
 should, as is anticipated, be taken into it this month. Chelsea 
 Beach is one of the finest drives on the coast. The Nahant 
 Hotel is opened. The range of country through Maiden, the 
 upper part of Charlestown, Medford, and West Cambridge, 
 furnishes a delightful excursion. For a shorter excursion, 
 besides the Navy Yard, Charlestown itself furnishes much 
 attraction. The State Prison is now a perfect specimen of 
 the improved system of prison discipline, and well worth ex- 
 amination by intelligent strangers. The simple monument 
 to Harvard on Burying Hill is a very pleasing object ; and 
 old Bunker Hill itself is worth a pilgrimage to every one 
 who has not, or who has already, visited it. In short, we 
 do not well see how a man could get so much good out of 
 his toll as by paying it at the old bridge daring the month 
 of June. 
 
 General Nathaniel Austin, to whom Mr. Everett's 
 letter refers, was the brother of William Austin, 
 the author and lawyer before mentioned, and was the 
 champion of the Free Bridge doctrine, by which the 
 "Warren Bridge was built. It was claimed by many 
 that after the subscribers, who built that bridge, had 
 
272 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 been reimbursed from tbe tolls, and had surrendered 
 it to the State, according to the terms of their charter, 
 it would be lawful and expedient to continue the tolls 
 for the general benefit of the State, and further that 
 the State was bound so to do, as long as the extended 
 charter of the Charles River Bridge was in force, as 
 this would be of no value if the new bridge were free. 
 General Austin insisted that the toll on the bridge 
 was like a tax upon a highway, and that it was not 
 lawful to tax a highway, except for its own support. 
 He feared the precedent of applying any portion of 
 the tolls even to building the Monument. So Mr. 
 Everett and General Sullivan were again disappointed 
 in their expectations. 
 
 The Directors of the Monument Association acceded 
 to the suggestion of the Ti'ustees of the Mechanic 
 Association that the latter should have the charge of 
 continuing the building of the Monument under a 
 Building Committee by them appointed, but also 
 under the supervision of an Executive Committee on 
 the part of the Monument Association. Mr. Buck- 
 ingham, General Sullivan, John Skinner, Ebenezer 
 Breed, George Darracott, N^athaniel Hammond, Wil- 
 liam W. Stone, Joseph Jenkins, and John P. Thorn- 
 dike were made this Committee. They immediately 
 appointed a sub-committee of three to make examina- 
 tions and estimates as to the work done and to be 
 done, — who expended a vast amount of time and 
 labor, for which they received the thanks of the whole 
 Board. Their report is as follows: — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, 273 
 
 The Committee appointed to ascertain what proportion of 
 the Bunker Hill Monument had already been completed, the 
 quantity of material now on hand ready for use, the amount 
 of stone required to complete the structure according to the 
 original plan, and the probable cost of the same, have at- 
 tended the duty assigned them, and herewith subjoin their 
 report : — 
 
 That, after a very careful and minute examination and 
 investigation, they employed Mr. Perez Loring, an able and 
 experienced measurer, who with great care has gone over the 
 whole ground, and has also compared his own actual ad- 
 measurements with the original plans, and with the advice 
 and assistance of Mr. Solomon Willard, the able and original 
 architect, has given a tabular statement, not only of the whole 
 amount required, but the quantity in each course, thus en- 
 abling your Committee to calculate with some degree of cer- 
 tainty the cost of erection to any given height, should it be 
 thought advisable to vary the original plan ; and they find, as 
 will be shown by schedule A, that the whole amount of stone 
 required to build the Monument to the original height of 
 220 feet is 87,032 cubic feet. Of this amount, 35,876 feet have 
 already been laid in the Monument, leaving 51,156 feet re- 
 quired to complete the structure. Your Committee also find 
 that there is now on the hill, quarried and dressed, and ready 
 to go into the work, 6,910 feet, and leaves the amount re- 
 quired to complete the work 45,256 feet ; and this amount is 
 further reduced by a quantity of stone quarried, but not 
 dressed, amounting to 16,016 feet, which leaves to be quar- 
 ried 29,230 feet. By reference to the aforementioned sched- 
 ule A, it will be seen at a single glance the quantity of coarse 
 and fine hammering required to fit this stone and prepare it 
 for use in the work. Thus far your Committee have but 
 little difficulty in completing the task assigned them ; but a 
 still further duty devolved upon them, and one which your 
 Committee have found more laborious, and attended with 
 more difficulty than had been anticipated. They allude to 
 the more important part of estimating the probable expense 
 
 35 
 
274 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of completing the structure ; and your Committee would here 
 premise that, this Avork being unique in its kind, no possible 
 diligence on their part could enable them to do more than 
 approximate towards the truth in any estimate which they 
 might hazard. If, on the one hand, they measured this work 
 by the standard of works approximating in a very small 
 degree towards this in magnitude, and based their estimates 
 upon prices paid for heavy masses of granite, which had been 
 used upon public and private buildings in the vicinity, the 
 estimates would so far outrun the extent of any means which 
 would probably ever be within the control of the Association 
 that the enterprise would probably be abandoned in despair ; 
 and if, on the other hand, they were willing to take the esti- 
 mates of the very able and intelligent engineer who has here- 
 tofore superintended and directed the work, they should have 
 gone directly in opposition to the opinion of every practical 
 man with whom they advised, and were fearful they should 
 have made a report which would have led to error, and the 
 sum raised would have been found insufficient to complete 
 the work, and consequently another appeal would have been 
 necessary to the liberality and patriotism of the public. They 
 have therefore adopted that course which, upon the whole, 
 appeared most advisable and most safe to your Committee ; 
 viz., to base their report upon this as they should upon that 
 of any other public or private work which they were called to 
 estimate upon, — viz., the opinions of practical men actively 
 engaged in business of a similar character, and of their own 
 judgment. 
 
 By reference to schedule B, it Avill be seen that your Com- 
 mittee estimate the expense of completing the Monument 
 according to the original plan to the height of 220 feet, in 
 addition to the sums already expended, at the sum of $55,- 
 576.40 ; if the Monument is carried to the heiglit of 159 feet 
 6 inches, then the sum required, in addition to that already 
 laid out, will be 142,922.40 ; and if only 121 feet, in addition 
 to that already laid out, will be required $28,967.36. 
 
 B}' a reference to the same schedule, it will also appear that 
 the estimates are the cost per foot of quarrying, dressing, 
 transporting, laying, «fcc., and a sum for contingent expenses. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 275 
 
 The amount of the estimate, divided by the number of square 
 feet required, will give for the cost of each cubic foot laid in 
 the work, including every contingent expense, not far from 
 $1.30 per cubic foot. It will also be seen by reference 
 to the printed statement of Mr. Willard, published in 1830, 
 that according to the estimates made by him that the expense 
 per cubic foot is but 89|- cents for the stone laid in the work. 
 It will also be seen that if the amount of the work completed, 
 say the number of cubic feet laid, divided into the amount of 
 moneys expended, will leave a sum much larger than in the 
 present estimate for contingencies, which contingencies in the 
 opinion of your Committee is very satisfactorily accounted for ; 
 and the greatest discrepancy of opinion between your Com- 
 mittee and Mr. Willard is whether these or similar contingen- 
 cies will again accrue. It is with extreme reluctance your 
 Committee find themselves obliged to differ in opinion with 
 one who has had so much better opportunity than themselves 
 to form a correct judgment, than it is possible for them to 
 have done of the nature of a work of this magnitude, and from 
 one too who has done more than any other individual to for- 
 ward this great work, and who by his professional skill and 
 great assiduity has accomplished more with the same amount 
 of money than any other individual could probably have done ; 
 but for the reasons before stated your Committee felt them- 
 selves bound to make such an estimate as in their opinion will 
 cover the whole expense. 
 
 George Darracoti'. 
 
 John P. Thorndike. 
 
 Nath. Hammond. 
 Boston, January 15, 183 i. 
 
 Mr. "Willard was naturally exceedingly vexed that 
 the Committee should have added nearly fifty per 
 cent to his ow^n estimate : he thought that no better 
 test could be given than the actual results of what 
 had been done. Mr. Darracott, however, made what 
 amends he could at the annual meeting in 1834, bj 
 stating " That for beauty of material, accuracy of 
 
276 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 architectural design, and excellence of workmanship, 
 no work in the world can be considered superior to 
 this Monument, so far as it has gone on ; and that the 
 work has been done for less money than it could again 
 be done for, and that no credit is due to the sugges- 
 tion that the work has cost more money than it ought 
 to have cost; and also that the doing of this work so 
 well, and for so little money, is to be attributed almost 
 exclusively to Mr. Willard, who has not only devoted 
 his time and eminent ability, but has actually contrib- 
 uted one thousand dollai'S in money to building the 
 Monument." 
 
 Mr. Buckingham presented at the same meeting 
 the following report of the Executive Committee, 
 drawn up in his own concise and vigorous style: — 
 
 Annual Report to the Members of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, 
 at their Meeting, on the Anniversary of June 17, 1834:. 
 
 Since the last anniversaiy, the Board of Directors have 
 made every exertion in their power to advance the purposes 
 of the Association. The general depression, arising from the 
 state of the country, has been unfavorable to these exertions : 
 there is little reason to doubt that, in the ordinary state of 
 prosperity, the full amount of the subscriptions desired would 
 have been obtained. Public occurrences have, however, had 
 this beneficial effect, — they have turned the attention of the 
 "whole people to the principles of the American Revolution ; 
 and in this view Bunker Hill Monument holds a higher rank 
 in the public esteem than ever. 
 
 The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association have 
 persevered in their labors, and expect to raise a sufficient sum 
 to complete the Monument to the elevation which the Di- 
 rectors have agreed on. Tlie cost of doing this has been 
 ascertained by an intelligent and careful Committee. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 277 
 
 The only obstacle to going on with the work immediately, 
 and finishing the Monument as soon as the work can be done, 
 is the debt incurred for buying the battle-ground, in the hope 
 that this ground might be kept open and sacred for ever. 
 The Board of Directors have reluctantly come to the con- 
 clusion that the ground must be sold, reserving a square of 
 four hundred feet, with streets of fifty feet wide on the sides 
 thereof. It was hoped that the land around the square, and 
 the 127,000 feet not on the square, divided into shares of five 
 hundred dollars, would sell for the sum of twenty-five thou- 
 sand dollars. Such sale has not yet been eJffected, but it is 
 hoped it will be. 
 
 The land is supposed to be worth the money for which it 
 is offered, and the interest upon that money, if the power 
 to redeem should arise ; and if no redemption should occur, 
 that the purchasers would be fully rej)aid in the land itself. 
 There is anotlier resource : if the Monument be completed, 
 the annual visitors may be computed at ten thousand in num- 
 ber ; and, if each visitor (as is customary elsewhere, as to pub- 
 lic works) should pay fifty cents, the Monument might pay 
 for the land. 
 
 On the whole, the Association and the public may be en- 
 couraged that the Monument will be completed ; that, when 
 completed, it will be an object of such proud exultation to 
 this age, and to the whole country, tliat all who have aided 
 to raise it will derive the highest gratification in that the 
 work is done. It may hereafter be said of this Monument, 
 with more propriety and more feeling than the Greeks were 
 accustomed to speak of their statue of Olympian Jupiter, 
 that " to have lived, and to have died, ivithout having seen it, was 
 to have lived in vain^ 
 
 Joseph T. Buckingham, 
 
 Wm. Sullivan, 
 
 John Skinnek, 
 
 Ebenr. Breed, \ ^ . ^ . . 
 
 ^ T^ Executive Lommittee of 
 
 George Darracott, r ? ?. rr ir 
 
 Nathaniel Hammond, 
 AVm. W. Stone, 
 Joseph Jenkins, 
 John P. Thorndike, 
 
 the B. II. Monument. 
 
278 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It was determined that the Monument should be 
 deemed completed as to any eiFort at the present 
 thue, when raised to the height of one hundred 
 and fifty-nine feet and six inches. The work was 
 recommenced under the direction of Mr. Willard as 
 architect, of Charles Welles, George Darracott, John 
 P. Thorndike, the Building Committee, on June 
 17, 1834, and was continued till JS^ovember, 1835, 
 when it was again suspended for want of funds. 
 The amount expended during this period was $20,- 
 421.77, of which about f 16,000 was raised by sub- 
 scription by the Mechanic Association, and the balance 
 was the Ladies' Fund, and other money from the 
 Treasury of the Monument Association. 
 
 In 1836, Judge Prescott resigned his office as Presi- 
 dent, and Mr. Edward G. Prescott as Secretary. Mr. 
 Buckingham was elected President, Francis O. Watts 
 Secretary, and G. Washington Warren was elected 
 Director in the place of N^athan Tufts, deceased. 
 
 The anniversary this year was marked by a very 
 successful local celebration, under the auspices of the 
 young men of Charlestown. Mr. Everett was then 
 Governor of the Commonwealth, and resided in 
 Charlestown, in the elegant mansion built and for- 
 merly occupied by Mr. Seth Knowles, in Harvard 
 Street. His official co-operation gave eclat to the 
 occasion. His brother Alexander H. Everett was the 
 orator, whose oration was afterwards extended, and 
 published in the series of Sparks's Biography, under 
 the title of the Life of Warren. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 279 
 
 At the dinner which followed, reference was made 
 by Colonels Robert C. Winthrop and John H. Clif- 
 ford, of the Governor's staff, in their speeches, to the 
 nnfinished Monument; and it was suggested that the 
 young men who had got up so fine a celebration should 
 make an organized effort for its completion. In 
 response to this suggestion, it was then arranged that 
 a public meeting should be called in a week from 
 that day. 
 
 At the meeting held June 24, in the Town Hall in 
 Charlestown, Robert C. Winthrop, Albert Fearing, 
 Charles H. Parker, Thomas J. Shelton, Charles G. 
 Greene, Seth J. Thomas, Joshua Bates, James Dana, 
 G. Washington Warren, and William Sawyer wei'e 
 appointed a joint Committee, on the part of Boston 
 and Charlestown, to communicate with other towns. 
 Speeches were made by the four last named, and by 
 William W. Wheildon. This Committee had several 
 meetings, and prepared and forwarded their circulars 
 to every postmaster in the State. 'No response was 
 returned. Possibly some seed was scattered where it 
 afterwards produced fruit. 
 
 The money that was hired in 1827 and 1828, under 
 the authority given by the Directors, to carry up the 
 Monument to a respectable altitnde, the principal sum 
 being $22,000, had in 1834 reached by the accumulation 
 of interest to over $30,000. For this the five gentle- 
 men who were jointly and severally responsible to the 
 Suffolk Bank were notified that the Bank would look 
 to them personally for immediate payment. Some of 
 
280 HISTORr OF THE 
 
 them declared that it would be a great inconvenience 
 and hardship to them to advance the money, and wait 
 for repayment until the land could be sold. Dr. War- 
 ren offered to give $500 to the Monument, to be re- 
 leased from his liability. 
 
 It was found necessary to make the land marketable, 
 to reduce the reserved square in the northerly direc- 
 tion from 600 to 417 feet. When this w^as duly au- 
 thorized, a company of twenty-five gentlemen was 
 formed, after a great effoi't, who together took, in differ- 
 ent proportions, fifty shares at $500 a share, making 
 $25,000, and all the land except the diminished square 
 and the streets, to be made fifty feet wide, bounding 
 upon it, was conveyed to Thomas B. Wales, William I. 
 Bowditch, and William W. Stone, as trustees for the 
 subscribers, with the condition that the Association 
 should receive a reconveyance, at any time on or 
 before June 17, 1837, on repaying the principal and 
 interest, and all the taxes that might be levied. Mr. 
 Lawrence paid to the Bank the difference between the 
 sum raised and the debt due, which was over $5,000; 
 he was not repaid until six years afterwards. 
 
 A year before the term of redemption expired, the 
 country had fallen into the lowest state of financial 
 depression it had ever witnessed. This disastrous 
 condition of affairs continued from the fall of 1836 to 
 the spring of 1840. An attempt to obtain subscrip- 
 tion for any public object, not demanding absolute 
 and immediate relief, would have been utterly vain. 
 The trustees, after waiting a year from the time that 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 281 
 
 the right of redemption had expired, gave -notice that 
 they should proceed to put the land in condition for 
 public sale, unless it was at once redeemed. Hearing 
 nothing in repl}^, they authorized Samuel M. Felton 
 and George A. Parker, skilful engineers who had 
 been trained in the office of Colonel Baldwin, to make 
 the necessary contracts to grade the land. As soon 
 as the contractors appeared on the old battle-field in 
 force, and with their numerous workmen and teams 
 commenced to strip the sod, and cart away the earth, 
 a public pang was felt. It seemed as though the oft- 
 repeated appeals of the Directors would now be 
 listened to. In this stir of temporary emotion, the 
 Directors, September 15, 1838, appointed ]N"athan 
 Hale, George C. Shattuck, Samuel T. Armstrong, 
 George Darracott, Francis J. Oliver, Ebenezer Breed, 
 and Thomas Edmands a Committee to consider what 
 could be done ; they arranged with the trustees 
 for still another chance to redeem the land, by paying 
 to the contractors $250 for the cost of suspension of 
 work for thirty days. The Committee, by Mr. Hale, 
 September 26, reported that, though the repurchase 
 of the land would be desirable, if practicable con- 
 sistently with a prospect of an early completion of the 
 Monument, the attempt now to raise the $33,000 
 asked would retard the more important object. Thus 
 the effort to save so large a part of the battle-field 
 was abandoned for ever. The ground east and west 
 of the square was cut down from eight to twelve feet, 
 and a portion of the earth was used to fill up the 
 northern declivity. 
 
 36 
 
282 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It is now well known that during all this time there 
 was concealed in the will of Amos Lawrence a pro- 
 vision to the amount of $50,000, for the redeeming of 
 all the land from debt and the completion of the 
 Monument. Fortunately for the credit of the country 
 and for his own gratification, he lived several years 
 after the Monument was finished by the work of many 
 hands. It was a provision that he could not have 
 executed in his lifetime on account of that dislike of 
 even the appearance of ostentation in his deeds of 
 munificence. To be pointed at as the man who finished 
 the Bunker Hill Monument would have been too 
 much honor for so modest a man to bear. Of a kin- 
 dred sj^irit was General Theodore Lymai'^', one of 
 the original associates and Directors. The delicate 
 state of his health required him to withdraw in 1829; 
 but, while seeking health, he was studying how best 
 to promote one of the grandest works of beneficence. 
 Not until his death, July 17, 1849, was it known that 
 he was the giver, who kept even pace with the State, 
 bestowing equal sums on the establishment and sup- 
 port of the State Reform School. 
 
 The only legacy that was ever realized was the 
 handsome sum of $1,000, bequeathed by Nathan 
 Tufts, of Charlestown, who had been a Director. 
 The great London banker, Joshua Bates, a native 
 of Massachusetts, sent $500 for the Monument. Mr. 
 A. L. FoRESTiER, of Batavia, sent nearly $1,000, 
 through his correspondent, Benjamin T. Reed. 
 
 It was confidentially communicated to the Directors 
 by Mr. William Appleton that, whenever the Associa- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 283 
 
 tion, ill addition to a like offer of Mr. Lawrence, shonld 
 have money enough within f 10,000 to finish their 
 work, Mr. Toiiro wonld give that sum. It was a 
 noble ofter, and coming from a resident of a distant 
 State, curiosity was excited. 
 
 tTuDAH TouRO was born in Newport, Khode Island, 
 in the year 1776, the year from which the birth of the 
 country is dated. His father, Isaac Touro, was a 
 native of Holland, but came to Newport to live, and 
 married there. He was priest of the Synagogue, 
 and for many years conducted the Jewish service there. 
 In 1802, Judah Touro established himself in New 
 Orleans, when it was a Spanish town of less than ten 
 thousand inhabitants, having brought in the vessel in 
 which he sailed from Boston an assortment of New 
 England commodities, in the disposal of which he was 
 quite successful. He continued to receive consign- 
 ments from correspondents; and by an undeviating 
 course of strict attention to business, engaging in no 
 outside affairs, he soon acquired an honorable mercan- 
 tile name and a competent fortune. His most intimate 
 friend was Rezin D. Shepherd, a native of Yirginia, 
 who settled in New Orleans about the same time, and 
 became also a distinguished and a wealthy merchant. 
 They were both engaged in the military defence of 
 New Orleans in January, 1815, when attacked by the 
 British army; and when Touro was wounded, and 
 the surgeon had given him up for dead, Shepherd, 
 foregoing at the time all other duties, gave his whole 
 attention to restoring him to life, and did not leave 
 him until he was removed to his home, and placed 
 under the care of faithful nurses. 
 
284 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Shepherd and Toiiro became inseparable friends. 
 For a long time they occupied the same dwelling. 
 They became millionnaires together. 
 
 Touro died on the 18th January, 1854, after lead- 
 ing a long life of strict integrity and noble generosity. 
 More than half of his great fortune he bequeathed to 
 different charitable objects; he made his "dear, old, 
 and devoted friend, Kezin Davis Shephei'd," one of 
 his executors and residuary legatee. His last injunc- 
 tion was, " When I am dead, carry me to the spot of 
 my birth, and bury me by the side of my mother." 
 
 A devoted friend, who knew and loved him well, 
 concludes a just tribute to his memory in the follow- 
 ing words : " He was one of that smallest of all the 
 classes into which mankind can be divided, — of men 
 who accumulate wealth without even doing a wrong, 
 taking an advantage, or making an enemy; who be- 
 come rich without being avaricious; who deny them- 
 selves the comforts and enjoyments of life, that they 
 may acquire the means of promoting the comfort and 
 elevating the condition of their fellow-men." 
 
 That so many rich donations should at last flow so 
 unexpectedly as the spontaneous oflterings of noble 
 and ingenuous hearts seemed almost to comj^ensate 
 for the long delay of the great work. But the Monu- 
 ment must still pause in its course, and, as it were, 
 hug the ground, until the inspiring influence and 
 delicate hands of the gentler sex shall help to raise it 
 to the skies, whither Heaven-ward their jDurer spiiits 
 lead the way. 
 
.^y-S*!''--;'^ 
 
 ^/^<^^>i^^. /ifjz.£.e^ 
 
 FROM/ PHOTOGI^APH T/\l\EI\f_/T ThjE/GE OF 83 . 
 
CHAPTER Xril. 
 
 Next to God we are indebted to women, — first for life itself, and then 
 for making life worth having. 
 
 OARAH JOSEPHA HALE has the honor of 
 *^ being the. first wlio snggested to the pnblic the 
 co-operation of women in the building of the Bunker 
 Hill Monument. In the " Ladies' Magazine," which was 
 published and edited by her in Boston, she inserted a 
 series of articles from her own pen upon the subject. 
 The first article appeared in February, 1830, upon the 
 worth of money, in which she insisted that the pursuit 
 of money should not be inculcated on the young nor 
 followed by the old, as the great end and aim of life; 
 that the familiar maxim " Time is money " is a per- 
 nicious one, — it should rather be said " Time is the 
 opportunity of doing good; " and she asked why the 
 free joeople of our Republic should not " endeavor to 
 shake off the dominion of selfishness, and make the 
 object of their ambition, moral and mental excellence, 
 rather than wealth." Her plan of co-operation was 
 unfolded in the following extract, commencing with 
 an allusion to the scheme of a lottery, then deemed 
 by many the last resource of the Association: — 
 
 But the success of the petition is -very doubtful, and indeed 
 hardly to be desired. When we consider the grand event 
 
286 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 which the Monument is designed to commemorate, the en- 
 thusiasm, the patriotic ardor and display, with which it was 
 commenced, does it not seem humiliating, even degrading to 
 the character of the State, that it cannot be finished unless 
 an appeal be made to the avarice and gambling propensities 
 of the people, which all good and wise men regret are ever 
 permitted to operate ? 
 
 Impressed with the importance of this subject, and think- 
 ing the crisis one in which the ladies may, without any in- 
 fringement of that feminine propriety which they should 
 scrupulously retain when coming before the public, offer their 
 assistance, we would seriously suggest that an attempt be 
 made by the women of Massachusetts (or of all New Eng- 
 land, if that be thought best) to raise by their own exertions 
 the sum of fifty thousand dollars, to be appropriated to the 
 finishing of the Bunker Hill Monument. 
 
 It should be distinctly understood that the offering is ex- 
 pected to be, in effect as well as pretension, solely from the 
 ladies. Neither husbands, fathers, or brothers are to be im- 
 portuned for the money which is to be given. This must be 
 obtained by the industry, economy, or self-denial of those 
 who offer it. Are there not hundreds of ladies in this city 
 who might spare for one year largely from the sum allotted 
 for ornaments, and yet be sufficiently adorned ? Are there 
 not thousands of ladies in this rich State who would be 
 willing to make an exertion in so noble a cause ? 
 
 We would have none allowed to subscribe save females, 
 and children of both sexes under the age of twelve years. 
 What an opportunit}^ would then be jDresented to mothers, 
 to awaken in their children's hearts the love of countr}^, of 
 social order, and the refined enjoyment of doing good ; and 
 to imprint on their souls the deeds and virtues of those 
 worthy men whose names should be held by Americans in 
 everlasting remembrance ! 
 
 After referring to the example of the Koman women 
 who gave up their golden ornaments to pay the ran- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 287 
 
 som of their ca23tnred city, the article conchicles with 
 the opinion that " those who resolve to aid the plan 
 will feel, in the ennobling sentiments awakened by such 
 a resolution, that the true value of money is to use it 
 for purposes that purify the affections, improve the 
 intellect, and strengthen and exalt the best feelings 
 of our nature." In a subsequent article in the same 
 magazine, Mrs. Hale cited the example of the women 
 of Israel, who brought their bracelets and ear-rings 
 and jewels of gold as offerings to their leader in the 
 building of the tabernacle, and of " the wise-hearted 
 women who spun with their hands, and brought that 
 which they had spun, both of blue and of purple and 
 of scarlet and fine linen," as is recorded in the thirty- 
 fifth chapter of Exodus. 
 
 The muse of poesy also joined with her inspiration. 
 "The Last of the Band," written by Mrs. Hale, 
 rej^resenting the character of the last survivor of the 
 brave soldiers of the Battle of Bunker Hill, appeared 
 in her magazine in April, 1830. 
 
 Here are the first and the concluding stanzas of the 
 poem, which bore appropriately the Roman signature 
 of Cornelia: — 
 
 Yes, here is still the Mountain Grave; — 
 But wliere's the Pile they said would rise, 
 
 Throwing- its shadow o'er the wave, — 
 Lifting its forehead to the skies, — 
 
 A Beacon far o'er land and sea, 
 
 Signal and Seal of Liberty? 
 
 They're gone — those old men all are gone ! 
 Like autumn's latest leaves they passed; 
 
288 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Last of the Band, I am alone, 
 
 Quivering in age's winter blast; — 
 But ere I mingle with the dust, 
 Shall I not see my country just? 
 
 Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, the gifted poetess of Hart- 
 ford, of world-wide fame, also communicated to the 
 magazine anonymously — lest her husband might not 
 like her co-operation — her sublime poem entitled 
 " The Obelisk," the grand concluding lines of which 
 form the appropriate motto of Chapter VIII. 
 
 Before any of these communications appeared, Mrs. 
 Hale made an offer of her services to the Association, 
 and received the following oflScial reply : — 
 
 Brinley Place, Roxbury, 
 Jan. 28, 1830. 
 
 MucH-KESPECTED Madam, — Yoiir vGiy interesting com- 
 munication to Benjamin V. French, Esq., has been laid before 
 the Building Committee of the Bunker Hill Monument As- 
 sociation ; and, in accordance with the pleasant duty assigned 
 me of announcing the favorable opinion which is entertained 
 of your commendable profer of services, I have the honor of 
 transmitting the following transcript from its records : — 
 
 " At a meeting of the Building Committee on the 27th of 
 January, 1830, the Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Sarah 
 J. Hale, proposing to use her influence with the ladies of 
 New England to raise a portion of the fund required for 
 completing the Bunker Hill Monument. 
 
 " Voted, That the Chairman be requested to tender the 
 thanks of the Committee, in behalf of the Directors, to Mrs. 
 Hale, for hei' generous and patriotic offer, and to assure her 
 that her plan for aiding the Association, in finishing the 
 obelisk on the heights of Charlestown, not only meets their 
 entire and cordial approbation, but merits the gratitude of 
 every citizen of the United States." 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 289 
 
 Guided, Madam, by your beneficent precepts and cheering 
 example, the Mothers and Daughters of New England 
 will emulate that ardent love of country, for which those of 
 Carthage were distinguished, by offering up their jewels on 
 the altar of patriotism ; not to furnish forth the armaments of 
 war, but to do honor to the names of those gallant citizens, 
 who, in braving its dangers, achieved the Independence of 
 the Republic. 
 
 They are not called upon, in the moment of invasion and 
 disma}^, to present the soldiers of the mustering phalanx 
 with the buckler and the lance, but to perform the holy 
 office of commemorating valor on the field of its glory, — 
 of planting the flowers of immortality on the long-neglected 
 graves of their illustrious ancestors, of rearing a mausoleum 
 over the consecrated ashes of the heroes of the Revolution. 
 
 With the highest consideration and unfeigned respect, I 
 have the honor to be, Madam, your most obedient servant, 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn, 
 
 Chairman of the Buildincj Com. B. H. M. A. 
 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale. 
 
 This eftbrt was condemned by some, because the 
 women were " stepping* out of their sphere," and by 
 others who asserted that whatever the women might 
 contribute would come out of the men, and in most 
 cases, perhaps, out of those who had already given to 
 the same cause. To the first class of objectors, it was 
 replied that it was highly becoming in women to ap- 
 preciate the sacrifices of the fathers of the Revolution, 
 who themselves received the sympathy, and even the 
 participation in those sacrifices, of their wives and 
 daughters ; and the second class were answered that, 
 inasmuch as the subscription was limited to one dol- 
 lar, and the smallest sum below that was received, it 
 
 37 
 
290 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 could hardly be supposed that any woman, or child 
 even, would be unable to spare something from the 
 means which they had at their own disposal. 
 
 At a meeting of the Directors, on the 6th April, 
 1830, the following preamble and resolutions were 
 unanimously adopted : — 
 
 The Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Association 
 having learned with great pleasure that " a number of ladies 
 of Boston had formed a society with the intention of raising, 
 by voluntary subscription, a sum of money to be appropriated 
 towards completing the Bunker Hill Monument," and that 
 they have in an eloquent appeal invited the co-operation of 
 the ladies of New England in the same design, therefore, 
 
 1. Resolved^ That this commendable effort, in aid of the 
 great and interesting object for which the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association was instituted, merits the grateful acknowl- 
 edgment of the Directors ; that they highly appreciate the 
 exalted motives by which those patriotic ladies are actuated, 
 the generous zeal they have evinced to participate in com- 
 memorating the early events of the Revolution, in doing 
 honor to the names of their gallant countrymen, who, in the 
 cause of freedom, fell on the heights of Charlestown, and in 
 perpetuating the names and deeds of the illustrious founders 
 of the independence, prosperity, and glory of the Republic. 
 
 2. Resolved^ That whatever sum of money may be obtained 
 by the ladies of New England, and transmitted to the Treas- 
 urer of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, shall be con- 
 sidered SACRED, and applied to the sole purpose of com- 
 pleting THE Monument ; that no part of said fund shall be 
 appropriated for any other purpose than for prosecuting the 
 work on the Monument as aforesaid. 
 
 3. Resolved^ That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting 
 be signed by the President and Secretary, and transmitted to 
 the Corresponding Committee of the Society of Ladies, who 
 have associated to collect funds for completing the obelisk. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMEJ^T ASSOCIATION. 291 
 
 4. Resolved^ That tlie proceedings of this meeting be pub- 
 lished. 
 
 Amos Laweence, 2d Vice-President. 
 
 H, A. S. Dearborn, Secretary. 
 
 The following circular was issued to every town : — 
 
 To the Women of New England. 
 
 A number of ladies in Boston having formed a society with 
 the intention of raising, by a voluntary subscription in this 
 city, a sum of money, to be appropriated towards finishing 
 the Monument on Bunker Hill, respectfully invite the co- 
 operation of the ladies of New England in the same design. 
 
 The objects for which the Monument was projected, and 
 the circumstances under which it was begun, seem to pledge 
 the character of the people that it shall be completed ; and, 
 as the want of funds resulting from the general depression of 
 business has for some time past suspended its progress, we 
 deem it a proper occasion to bring in our offering, — the 
 offering of industry, economy, or self-denial, as an aid in for- 
 warding the work. 
 
 Another reason which marks the present time as peculiarly 
 suitable for a contribution of this description is that it will 
 be twice blessed. The money given will be a charity by fur- 
 nishing employment for industrious laborers, as well as an 
 aid in finishing a Monument to the memory of those pious 
 patriots who, by perils and sacrifices, secured to us the peace- 
 able enjoyment of our civil and religious privileges. We trust 
 that none of our sex will be indifferent to these considerations. 
 The subscription is confined to females ; but children of 
 both sexes are permitted to contribute, and the smallest sums 
 given by them will be acknowledged. This regulation is 
 adopted in the belief that a happy opportunity will thus 
 be presented for mothers to impress on the hearts of their 
 children the remembrance of that great event to which, as 
 free Republicans, we should ever look back with feelings of 
 fervent u'ratitude towards those who labored to secure oiir 
 
292 ■ HISTORY OF THE 
 
 independence and liberty, and with reverence and love to- 
 wards the God in whom our fathers trusted, who crowned 
 their efforts with success, and gave us the rich blessings 
 which distinguish our land. Hoping, as we do, that the 
 women throughout New England will feel interested in this 
 plan of beneficence, the subscription is limited to one dollar. 
 No one is invited to subscribe a larger sum, and smaller 
 sums will be thankfully accepted. Donations to any amount 
 will be received, and the names of the donoi^s recorded. 
 
 Should any lady, being a native of New England, though 
 now residing in some other part of the countrj^, wish to con- 
 tribute, her donation will be gratefulh^ acknowledged. 
 
 The ladies in the various towns and villages of Massachu- 
 setts, and in all cities, towns, and villages of the other New 
 England States, are invited to form societies in their respec- 
 tive towns, for the purpose of co-operating in this undertak- 
 ing. After collecting the offerings that may be made, they 
 will please to remit the amount to Nathaniel P. Russell, Esq., 
 Treasurer of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 Mrs. Caleb Loring, Mrs. Abbott Lawrknck, 
 
 ,, J. G. Palfrey, ,, A. H. Everett, 
 
 ,, John Pierpont, ,, J. B. Davis, 
 
 ,, S. L. Blake, ,, David L. Child, 
 
 ,, Sarah J. Hale, ,, Nathan Hale, 
 
 Committee of Correspondaice. 
 Mrs, E. TuCKERMAN, Treasure?'. 
 
 The following card appeared in the city papers : — 
 
 A Card. — To the Ladies of Boston. 
 
 In consequence of repeated suggestions, from ladies whose 
 opinions we think judicious, that there should be, in the city, 
 places of deposit, where offerings for the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment may be left, — the Committee of Correspondence would 
 respectfully state that donations and subscriptions will be re- 
 ceived by 
 
 Mrs. E. TucKEKMAN, Beacon Street, and 
 Miss PuTMAN, 14 Summer Street. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 293 
 
 The Committee of Ladies trust that the approval of the 
 Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and the 
 cordial co-operation which the ladies in the countrj- seem 
 willing to give the plan, will induce every lady of Boston, 
 who has it in her jDOwer, to contribute. It is calculated that 
 sixteen thoumnd dollars will finish the Monument. 
 
 Printers in this city will confer a favor by inserting this 
 card in their respective papers. 
 
 Although the sum collected in 1830, in answer to 
 the admirable circular address written by Mrs. Hale, 
 was, in one sense, insignificant, considering the high 
 mark aimed at; yet the offerings came from more 
 than three thousand women and children, who opened 
 their hearts to the appeal. The public impression 
 then made told ten years after. 
 
 Mrs. Hale in her last article thus reviewed the 
 result : — 
 
 Even the few and feeble efforts we have been able to make, 
 to engage our sex and the public in the completion of the 
 Monument, will have a salutary effect : the community will, 
 at least, call these things to mind ; and we do not believe 
 that, to an American heart, the battle of Bunker Hill can be 
 an uninteresting subject, unless that heart is trifling or self- 
 ish, blinded by sophistry, or narrowed b}^ prejudice. 
 
 Were the Monument completed, and the ground beautified, 
 as miglit easily be clone, would it not be a privilege to go from 
 the dust and din of the city, and breathe the free air of that 
 glorious elevation, and look abroad on the sublime and lovely 
 prospect? Would not every Christian feel his gratitude to 
 Heaven more deep and fervent, while reflecting how God 
 blessed the small beginnings of our people, till they had 
 become a mighty nation ? Would not the patriot be incited 
 to more disinterested exertions for his country, while stand- 
 ing on the spot where Warren fell ? The obelisk will not be 
 
294 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the trophy of a victory ; — for our troops were defeated. It 
 will not excite tlie soldier to battle ; but it will nerve the 
 good man to perform his duty, even unto death. Such is the 
 only lesson the Monument will teach. 
 
 At the annual meeting, held June 17, 1839, Leverett 
 Saltonstall was elected a Yice-President in place of 
 Samuel T. Armstrong, and G. Washington Warren 
 was elected Secretary in place of Francis O. Watts. 
 This meeting was adjourned for further action to the 
 evening of July 1, when, on motion of William W. 
 Stone, it was 
 
 Voted, That the Directors be requested to take measures to 
 raise funds sufficient to complete the Monument, pay off the 
 debt, and to grade and enclose the square with a suitable 
 fence ; it being the opinion of this meeting that, with proper 
 efforts, the necessary means for these objects may be raised at 
 the present time. 
 
 A meeting of the Directors was held July 9, at 
 which a committee was appointed in pursuance of the 
 request of the Corporation. As to their doings, Presi- 
 dent Buckingham presented a desponding report at 
 the annual meeting, June 17, 1840. He stated that 
 the Directors under the preceding vote appointed the 
 President, Thomas B. Curtis, Kobei't G. Shaw, Wil- 
 liam W. Stone, and such other gentlemen as they 
 might ask to join them, to raise funds for completing 
 the Monument; that they invited thirty gentlemen to 
 unite with them, to whom it was stated that two 
 gentlemen were willing to contribute ten thousand 
 dollars each; and that only twenty thousand dollars 
 more was wanted. It was suggested at the time of 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 295 
 
 their meeting that the season of the year was nnpro- 
 pitious, that many of our most wealthy citizens were 
 absent, — the same old story as now, — and it Avas 
 voted to postpone action till the autumn. In the 
 autumn, some of the Committee suggested that a Fair 
 might produce a very considerable sum in aid of the 
 funds; but for various reasons it was thought impracti- 
 cable at that time. That it was extremely difficult to 
 find gentlemen willing to engage in the irksome and 
 unpleasant employment of soliciting subscriptions. 
 " Under all these circumstances," the report dolefully 
 concludes, " it must be confessed that it is extremely 
 doubtful whether the present generation will have the 
 pleasure to see the Monument completed." But the 
 gloom which overhung the Association was like the 
 last thick cloud before the clearing up of the sky. 
 
 A meeting of the Directors was held eight days 
 afterwards at their usual place, the Room of the 
 American Academy of Arts and Sciences, No. 50 
 State Street. The Secretary proj)osed the following 
 vote: "That the President and Secretar}^, with such 
 other members of the Corporation as may be willing to 
 co-operate with them in the effort, be authorized and 
 requested to solicit and receive subscriptions, and 
 obtain sums by Fairs or other projects in aid of the 
 completion of the great object of the Corporation, and 
 that these gentlemen have power to adopt such meas- 
 ures as they may deem expedient in making this final 
 APPEAL to the people." 
 
 The Secretary stated, in supj^ort of his motion, that 
 
296 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 he understood that it was the opinion of several ladies 
 of Boston that a successful Fair might be held in the 
 latter part of that season, and he had the personal as- 
 surance of several in Charlestown that they would 
 heartily enter into the work, and would seek to enlist 
 the assistance of the ladies in the neighboring towns 
 of Middlesex County; that, if the Directors would 
 only authorize the undertaking, there was scarcely a 
 doubt of a triumphant success. Some thought the 
 proceeding premature, and that the means proposed 
 were not adequate to obtain the desired result. - Two 
 or three thousand dollars was as much as had ever 
 before been reaHzed from a Fair in Boston; and, as for 
 subscriptions, it was utterly vain to attempt them. 
 After an animated discussion, the objections were with- 
 drawn, and the vote was passed unanimously. 
 
 A large Committee was soon enlisted. - Mrs. Hale, 
 who still resided in Boston, was applied to, and she, 
 with five other ladies, — Mrs. Jonathan Chapman, wife 
 of the then Mayor of Boston, Mrs. Wilham H. Pres- 
 cott, Mrs. John C. Warren, Mrs. George Darracott, 
 and Mrs. Thomas B. Wales, — constituted the Exec- 
 utive Committee of the Ladies to organize the Fair. 
 As soon as they published the word, the hearts of the 
 women of the country were interested in the cause. 
 The young sought to rival the expertness of the aged; 
 delicate hands that rarely worked, — and then in orna- 
 mental finery, — joined with those which daily toiled; 
 those who plied the crochet in worsted of various 
 colors with those who knit the stocking; those skilled 
 in embroidered work, and those practised in plain 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 297 
 
 sewing, — all combined to make something useful or 
 attractive, that could be sold for the purpose of build- 
 ing the Monument. That Avas a glorious busy sum- 
 mer in 1840. Every lady, young or old, was then asked. 
 What are you doing for the Fair? The sex rose higher 
 in the public thought, for they were raising, by gener- 
 ous concerted action, a monument of their own innate 
 capacity for good as well.^ 
 
 So prompt and general was the response, that in 
 just one month from the passing of the vote to author- 
 ize the Fair, on July 25, 1840, at a meeting of the 
 Directors, unusually well attended, Charles Wells, 
 George Dari'acott, and John P. Thorndike were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to receive proj^osals for finishing 
 the Monument agreeably to the plan of the Corpora- 
 tion. The President reported that, under that vote, 
 a large Committee had associated themselves with 
 him and the Secretary, and that extensive arrange- 
 ments were made to hold a Fair during the second 
 week of September next, and to adopt other measures 
 in aid of the great object of the Association. 
 
 The reason for selecting this time was that, on the 
 tenth of September of that week, a Whig mass con- 
 vention was called to be held on Bunker Hill, which 
 w^ould draw a large concourse of the people. It was 
 the year of a Presidential election. President Yan 
 Buren's administration had to bear the blame for all 
 the financial misfortunes and the business adversities 
 of the times. The government had undertaken to 
 keep the national revenues in its own sub-treasuries, 
 and no longer deposit them in the selected State Banks, 
 
 38 
 
298 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 where they could be used as a basis of credit for the 
 trading and speculating classes. To this, and to the 
 low tariflP, was attributed the depressed condition of 
 all business enterprises. But party lines then happily 
 ran through every State, and each State gave its vote 
 sometimes to one party and sometimes to another; 
 thus, nearly even balanced in all the States, the parties 
 and the people composing them knew no sectional 
 lines of division. 
 
 The Fair opened in Qnincy Hall, which is opposite 
 to Faneuil Hall, on Tuesday, the eighth day of the 
 month, and lasted seven days. The Hall was 382 
 feet long, and 47 feet wide. For the entrance a 
 temporary stair-way was erected in the street, where 
 was also built a ticket-office; the passage out being 
 by the usual entrance at the other end. The tables 
 were tastefully arranged along the sides; and in the 
 space called the Rotunda, which is two feet wider, 
 there were circular tables, arranged in the centre 
 around an exact model of the completed Monument 
 built on the scale of one inch to the foot, which were 
 furnished by the ladies of Charlestown. There were 
 forty-three tables, stored with a great abundance and 
 variety of things to please the eye, to adorn the house 
 or person, or to supply the common wants of life. 
 The coujp cVceil at the entrance was enchanting, not 
 alone in the display of objects evincing great skill and 
 industry, and in the tasteful ornamentation of the 
 w^alls and tables, but in that indescribable grace and 
 attractiveness of the active forms and sparkling coun- 
 
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BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 299 
 
 tenances of those attending them, — their comely per- 
 sons not gandily overdressed, then* nngloved hands 
 showing winningly the desired articles, and with 
 every diversity of form, featnre, and carriage, still 
 the same uniform expression beaming from everj^ 
 face, of patriotic feeling and of sympathy with the 
 canse which bronght them all together. 
 
 The excellent order, and the smooth and pleasant 
 working of the Fair, were entirely owing to the high 
 and honorable character of the ladies Avho managed 
 and conducted it, and to the right start they took at 
 the opening. They had the wisdom to adopt, and 
 seasonably promulgate, the following: — 
 
 Regulations of the Bxmker Hill Monument Fair. 
 
 As complaints had often been made of the manner in i^hich sales at 
 Fairs were effected, the ladies who have the care of the tables at this Fair 
 agreed to observe the following regulations : — 
 
 1st. Each lady will endeavor that the articles on her table 
 shall be good of their kind, and at fair prices. 
 
 2d. Change shall be given to purchasers as readily as 
 though we were literally beJmid the counter; nor shall our 
 desire for the completion of the Monument induce us to use im- 
 portunity, or any other means of increasing our funds incon- 
 sistent with the respect we owe ourselves, and the cause in 
 which we are engaged. 
 
 3d. The confectionery shall be sold at the same price as at 
 the shops. 
 
 4th. There shall be no raffles, nor articles put up in any 
 way to be drawn by chances. 
 
 5th. We Avill have no party emblems, nor any device con- 
 nected with local politics. 
 
 6th. There shall be no Post-Office except the general one, 
 which is for the dutributinr/, not the receiving of letters, and 
 is entirely under the control of the superintendents. 
 
300 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 7th. Two marshals shall be appointed to each table by its 
 saperintencleuts. 
 
 8th. No lady assisting at a table shall be on the outside of 
 it, and none but its attendants, except on some special oc- 
 casion, allowed to be behind it. 
 
 9th. Each ladj^ will consider herself responsible for the 
 order and decorum of her table. 
 
 Note. — It was farther agreed that no season tickets should be issued; 
 and, as the object was to make as much money as could honorably be done, 
 the /;-ee passes were limited to those whose services were actually required 
 in the Hall. The jsrice of admission, after the first day, is twenty-Jife 
 cents. 
 
 The first day of the Fair was for exhibition merel}'^, 
 on which day double price was asked. Four thousand 
 persons gladly paid their half-dollar to enjoy the fresh 
 first view. There was a daily issue of a neatly printed 
 paper, entitled " The Monument," edited by Mrs. Hale, 
 and printed in the Hall by S. IN". Dickinson, on his 
 rotary power press. It contained twelve columns of 
 interesting reading, including appropriate local adver- 
 tisements. Among the contributors were Mrs. Sigour- 
 ney, who reproduced "The Obelisk" under her own 
 well-known initials, and Miss H. F. Gould, another 
 gifted poetess. 
 
 The post-office was indeed a fairy institution, to 
 which the males chiefly resorted. It was in chai'ge of 
 the intellectual editress of the leading evening paper of 
 the city, and it was constantly supplied. One had 
 but to give his name in full, and sure enough there 
 was an excellent letter in waiting for him, proj^erly 
 addressed, for which he had to pay twentj^-five cents 
 postage, as it had come all the waj^ to Boston from 
 Fairyland. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 301 
 
 Although the tenth of September brought to Boston 
 from every part of Massachusetts, and from other 
 States, large numbers of persons, all partaking of the 
 political excitement of the time, the banishment of 
 party emblems and devices from the Hall kept the Fair 
 perfectly agreeable to eveiy one, and woman's influ- 
 ence served to allay all political animosity. The over- 
 crowded hotels not being sufiicient to accommodate 
 the visitors, the houses of Whigs and Democrats were 
 alike thrown open to hospitality. Mr. Webster was 
 President of the Whig convention, and marched on 
 foot at the head of the immense procession, with all 
 the leading statesmen of the party, throughout the 
 long route. Franklin Dexter was marshal of the great 
 and unique procession. On arriving at Bunker Hill, 
 at the place appointed for the mass meeting, it was 
 j^roposed to ask for a contribution from each one in the 
 long procession of one dollar, or any smaller sijm, for 
 the completion of the Monument. In this way, it was 
 thought a large amount might be secured for the 
 object in the name of the Whigs. But Mr. Webster 
 replied that he did not deem it in the line of his duty 
 as a Whig to proj^ose it: he thought that the Bunker 
 Hill Monument ought not to be associated with any 
 party, and that the convention should do nothing 
 to take from the ladies the credit that was due to 
 them. 
 
 The delegation from Louisiana, however, in their 
 capacity as citizens of that State, purchased at the 
 Charlestown table the fine model of the Monument 
 which adorned it, and they caused it to be transported 
 
302 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to 'New Orleans, and to be placed in one of the public 
 buildings in honor of Judah Touro, where it remained 
 until it was destroyed with the building by fire. 
 
 The distinguished gentlemen from the South and 
 West, who came to attend the Whig convention, visited 
 the Fair, many of whom enrolled their names in the 
 subscription book kept by Mrs. Paige, and received 
 from her a handsomely engraved certificate of theii' 
 contributions; this book is preserved by the Associa- 
 tion. During the evenings the Brigade Band was in 
 attendance, and discoursed the finest music of the 
 time. Thus day and evening there was every variety 
 of attraction, and there was a constant feeling and a 
 glow of satisfaction, displayed in the countenances of 
 all, showing their happy belief that the great object 
 was now indeed about to be accomplished. 
 
 Before the result of the fair Avas officially reported, 
 the Directors entei-ed into a contract with James 
 Sullivan Savage for the completion of the Monument 
 to its full original height of 220 feet, for the sum of 
 $43,800, the top to be finished according to a plan 
 di-awn by Mr. Willard, and the whole work to be done 
 under his direction as architect. Charles Wells, George 
 Darracott, John P. Thorndike, and Charles Leighton 
 were appointed the Building Committee. The con- 
 tract system was resorted to in deference to public opin- 
 ion, as it seemed to be the general wish that the com- 
 pletion of the Monument should be made a certainty b}'^ 
 a contract with responsible parties for a certain sum, 
 within the amount of receipts. If Mr. Willard's esti- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 303 
 
 mates, based upon the two former experiments in 
 bnilding, had been rehed on, and the work had been 
 continued by day labor under his direction, the j^rofit 
 realized by the contractor might have been saved to 
 the Association. Undoubtedly, the best and most 
 economical method of executing public or private 
 works is by honest day labor, under competent and 
 fiiithful supervision, like that of a Baldwin or a 
 Willard. 
 
 The articles of agreement, embracing the contract, 
 and containing man}^ details, were prepared by John 
 E,. Adan, Esq., who rendered his services gratuitously. 
 They were signed on the fourth day of i^ovembei", 
 1840, and in less than twenty-one months were ful- 
 filled by Mr. Savage to the letter. Charles Wells, 
 the Chairman of the Buildiug Committee, visited the 
 Hill every working day during the time, and the other 
 members were frequently there. The only difference 
 in the performance of the work — showing, too, the 
 progress of the age during the few yeai's since the 
 last suspension — was the introduction of the Steam 
 Engine, Avhich displaced the horse-power formerly 
 used in the hoisting. It was a novel sight to behold 
 the immense blocks of stone gracefully moving up- 
 ward to their places, propelled by that mysterious and 
 newly adopted force. By the aid of steam, the period 
 of the construction was materially shortened. 
 
 When the obelisk reached the upper course of its 
 pyramidal form, a general desire was expressed that 
 some alteration should be made in the construction of 
 
304 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the apex, so that the visitor might safely come out on 
 the top and enjoy the grand panoramic view of kind, 
 sea, and sky. A meeting of the Directors was called 
 by the President July 5, 1842, to consider the sug- 
 gestion; but after a full discussion it was unanimously 
 voted, " as the sense of this Board, that the Monument 
 be finished in accordance with the plan of Mr. Wil- 
 lard, the architect." 
 
 In a little over two years from the first suggestion 
 of the Fair, the Secretary had the satisfaction to enter 
 on the records of the Association : " On Saturday, July 
 23, 1842, at six o'clock in the morning, pursuant to 
 public notice, the Directors and several hundred citi- 
 zens assembled on Bunker Hill to witness the laying 
 on of the top-stone upon the Monument. As the 
 clock struck six, a signal gun was fired by the mem- 
 bers of the Charlestown Artillery, and the cap-stone, 
 which had been previously adjusted to the hoisting 
 apparatus connected with the steam-engine, imme- 
 diately began to ascend. It was surmounted by the 
 American flag. In sixteen minutes, the cap-stone 
 reached the place of its destination on the top of the 
 Monument. At half-past six, it was embedded in 
 cement, and a national salute fired b}^ the Charlestown 
 artillerj^ announced the complete erection of the Monu- 
 ment." Colonel Charles R. Carnes of Charlestown 
 went up with the flag on the cap-stone, and stood 
 upon it, until it was put in place, Avlien he was let 
 down by the rope. 
 
 Returning now to the beneficent cause which made 
 possible this glad event, the following was found to 
 be the result in detail of the Ladies' Fair. It should 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 305 
 
 be understood that the ladies in charge of the several 
 
 tables paid their own expenses, and returned the net 
 
 amount, and the general expenses were only paid by 
 the Committee: — 
 
 RECEIPTS. 
 
 Boston. Mrs. J. C. Warren, Mrs. W. Appleton, Mrs. Rol- 
 lins, Mrs. Mills 11,647.36 
 
 Charlestown. Mrs. Hurd and Mrs. WaUier 1,546.37 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Prescott, Mrs. F. Dexter, Mrs. W. H. Eliot, 
 
 Miss Gardiner 1,321.45 
 
 ,, Mrs. Bradlee, Mrs Miles, Miss Lodge, and Miss 
 
 Wales 1,200.00 
 
 Picture presented by Sully, sold at above table 100.00 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Paige, certificates of membership .... 1,233.50 
 
 Worcester. Mrs. John Davis 1,219.08 
 
 Salem. Mrs. F. Peabody and Mrs. G. Peabody .... 1,109.18 
 
 Medford. Mrs Angier and Mrs. Hall 606.00 
 
 New Bedford. Mrs. W. T. Russell, Mrs. Colby 560.00 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Hale, Printing office and table 556.00 
 
 ,, Miss Walter, Post-office 552.25 
 
 ,, Mrs. Fearing, Mrs Emmons, Mrs. Chapman, Miss 
 
 Putnam 541.93 
 
 Taunton. Table and Fate Lady 512.00 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Frothingham and Mrs. Howe 505.00 
 
 Mrs. Jos. Hall 435.00 
 
 Roxbury. Mrs. Lang 411.56 
 
 Nantucket. Mrs. Tuck 400.42^ 
 
 Piano-forte, presented by Chickering and Mackay .... 400.00 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Horton, confectionery 381.35 
 
 Norwich, Conn. Mrs. Rockwell 368.25 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Loring, confectionery 362.02 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Darracott and Mrs. Clark 340.00 
 
 Old Cambridge. Miss Davis 337.50 
 
 Jamaica Plain. Mrs. Prince 325.12^ 
 
 Waltham. Mrs. Hobbs 300.00 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Turner 300.00 
 
 Lowell 282.00^ 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Wheelwright and Miss Russell 277.12^ 
 
 Mrs. Prentice 275.00 
 
 Mrs. E. H. Derby 272.62 
 
 Maiden. jMrs. Noyes 271.78 
 
 $18,949.88 
 39 
 
306 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Amount brought forward <$18,949.88 
 
 Northampton 261.581 
 
 Cambridgeport 250.00 
 
 Lynn. Mrs. Barker 209.861 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Greene 201.00 
 
 Mrs. Bradlee and Miss Wentworth 200.00 
 
 Mrs. Beals 182.00 
 
 Beverley. Mrs. Lovett 166.871 
 
 East Cambridge. Mrs. Wads worth 150.00 
 
 Boston. Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Snelling (confectionery) 126.04 
 
 ,, Mrs. Parker and Miss Francis, books .... 114.93 
 
 Mrs. Kendall and Mrs. A. Dexter 100.00 
 
 Mrs. Ewer and Miss Dorr 100.00 
 
 Female Orphan Asylum 100.00 
 
 Books of Charades (sold since the Fair), written and pre- 
 sented by Mrs. Gould and Sisters 50.00 
 
 Jennie Deans, made and exhibited by Mrs. Riddell, New 
 
 Bedford 50.00 
 
 Received previous to Fair from towns and individuals . . 376.00 
 
 ,, during ,, ,, societies and individuals 1,531.22 
 
 ,, from sale of tickets of admission 9,885.34 
 
 ,, ,, picture presented by Miss Martha Rob- 
 bins, sold by Miss Putnam . . . 25.00 
 ,, ,, ai'ticles since the Fair 37.25 
 
 $33,066,981 
 
 Expended since the Fair towards purchasing tables ^230.00 
 
 ,, for books, toys, medals, and engravings 
 
 distributed to all the tables .... 498.20 
 
 ,, for the Fair, viz. : — 
 
 Cleansing and repairing Hall 21.41 
 
 Boards and joists 446.80 
 
 Paintings and decorations 449.23 
 
 Drayage and porterage 12.53 
 
 Furniture 16.28 
 
 Lighting 177.03 
 
 Police and watch 294.50 
 
 Attendants 122.24 
 
 Printing and stationery 64.50 
 
 Advertising 07.95 
 
 Carriage hire 10.50 
 
 Music 273.00 
 
 Ladies' Refreshment Room 324.42 
 
 Discount on foreign money and counterfeit . . . 22.86^ $3,031.45^ 
 
 $30,035.53 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 307 
 
 It would appear by the following letter from the 
 artist Sully to a lady of Charlestown that his picture he 
 intended for her to place at the Charlestown table: — 
 
 Miss Caroline Etiieridge. 
 
 My deak Friend, — While deliberating to whom I should 
 consign a picture, I had made up my mind to present to the 
 Bunker Hill Monument Fair, Sally informed me that you had 
 taken an active interest in that praiseworthy business. I 
 gladly, therefore, send the picture to you, that it may be 
 presented, in the way you think fit, to the intended Fair. It 
 is a copy from Rembrandt's Peasant Girl, and is valued 
 
 at $150. 
 
 Very sincerely your friend, 
 
 Thos. Sully. 
 
 Miss Caroline Etheridge, care of the Executke Committee of the Fair, 
 for the benefit of the Bunker Hill Monument, Boston, Mass. 
 
 Miss Mary Otis, the Treasurer of the Bunker Hill 
 Monument Fair, paid over to Mr. Russell, the Treas- 
 urer of the Association, $30,035.53, — a larger sum by 
 far than had ever before been realized in the country 
 by any similar efforts. In connection with Miss Otis' 
 report, the Ladies' Committee say: — 
 
 That this report has been delayed to a period, which has 
 seemed to many to be unreasonably long, will hardly surprise 
 those who consider that it could not be given till returns had 
 been made from forty-three taljles ; and that many of these 
 were kept back for the purpose of making sale of articles 
 which remained after the Fair, and thus adding to the 
 amount. It was necessary also that time should be given 
 for all bills to be collected and paid. 
 
 The ladies who were appointed to superintend the concerns 
 of the Fair are unwilling to perform this last dut}^ in its 
 service, without acknowledgment to those, by whose kindness 
 
308 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and liberality it was made successful. This acknowledgment 
 must be general, because they to whom it is due are so many. 
 It was a public object, and generously did the public carry it 
 through. 
 
 While recording the list of towns that came so cordially 
 and effectually to our aid by their tables in the Hall, we do 
 not forget the many other places, from the ladies of which 
 contributions more or less considerable were received. And 
 this co-operation of so many out of our city, of some out of 
 our State, and even beyond the limits of New England, 
 showed a spirit to be abroad that might well animate and 
 encourage us. And indeed the interchange of kind feelings 
 among the man}'' brought from distant places, to act together 
 for a short time in a common cause, is not the least pleasant 
 of the results and recollections of the Fair. 
 
 To particularize the individuals, to whom acknowledgments 
 might justly be made, would lead to details so long, and to 
 publicity in many cases so unwished for, that we can only 
 include in one cordial offering of thanks all who contributed 
 in whatever way, or in whatever proportion, to the success of 
 the undertaking. 
 
 We may, however, be permitted to remark on the items in 
 the treasurer's report of expenses attending the Fair, that 
 these were smaller than could have been anticipated ; that 
 considerable deductions were given in from some of the bills ; 
 and especially that William AVashburn, Esq., to whose taste 
 and skill in planning and carrjdng into effect the accommoda- 
 tions and decorations of the Hall so much is due, declined 
 receiving any compensation for his valuable services. This 
 liberalit}^ will be best appreciated by those Avho were wit- 
 nesses of his indefatigable exertions previously to the Fair, 
 and during its continuance. 
 
 It is hoped that the gentlemen. Committee of the Bunker 
 Hill Monument Association, and others, to whose attendance 
 and courtesy we are indebted, will not be unwilling to receive 
 this slight notice of the pleasure with which their services are 
 remembered. To say that nothing was omitted on their part, 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 309 
 
 which could lighten the care and make pleasant the task of 
 the ladies engaged in the Fair, is but to echo the sentiments 
 of all. 
 
 Haying done what we could, it only remains for us to hope 
 that our days may yet see the completion of a Monument, 
 which shall stand to tell of our Fathers to coming genera- 
 tions. 
 
 Catherine G. Prescott, 
 Sarah J. Hale, 
 LuciNDA Chapman, 
 Susan P. Warren, 
 Sarah Darracott, 
 Abby L. Wales, 
 
 Executive Committee. 
 Boston, Nov. 1840. 
 
 At a meeting of the Directors held November 19, 
 1840, the above reports having been read, it was there- 
 upon 
 
 Voted unanimously. That the same be acce]3ted, entered at 
 large upon the records of the Corporation, and published in 
 the papers. Also, that Mr. David Francis be appointed a 
 Committee to cause the same to be printed in an appropriate 
 form for distribution. 
 
 The folloAving Resolutions, presented by the Presi- 
 dent, were unani-iiionsly accepted, and ordei-ed to be 
 printed with the above i-eports: — 
 
 Whereas this Board of Directors, through the agency of a 
 Committee appointed at a meeting on the 25th of June last, 
 invited the women of our country to aid this Association in 
 collecting a fund sufficient to complete the unfinished Monu- 
 ment on Bunker Hill ; and having been witnesses of the 
 cheerfulness and alacrity with which the ladies of Boston 
 and various other i)laces responded to that invitation, and of 
 the enthusiasm, industry, ingenuity, and untiring activity, 
 manifested by them in the prosecution of the design of a Fair 
 
310 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 at Quincy Hall, as one of the most successful means of secur- 
 ing the object in view ; and having received from a Com- 
 mittee of those ladies a communication by which it appears 
 that the proceeds of that Fair, amounting to thirty thousand 
 and thirty-five dollars, fifty-three cents, have been paid over 
 to the treasurer of the Association, as a contribution to the 
 Monument Fund : 
 
 It is therefore Resolved^ That the thanks of this Association 
 be presented to our countrywomen, to each, and to all, who 
 have united in collectiug this contribution, and thus enabled 
 the Directors to contract for the completion of the Monument. 
 
 Resolved^ That while, as Directors of a corporate body, we 
 thus in a formal manner express our gratitude, we cannot 
 withhold the declaration, that in our opinion all those who 
 are living in the enjoyment of the blessings of a free govern- 
 ment, and of its civil, literary, and religious institutions, — 
 all who cherish the sentiments of the heroes and patriots of 
 the Revolution, — all who reverence the memories of those 
 that suffered in defence of the principles of liberty, — all, in 
 fine, who admire patriotism in its most attractive form, and 
 love virtue in its holiest and most beautiful manifestation, — 
 will admire, will applaud, and will reverence the deed herein 
 recorded, the motive by which it was dictated, and the agents 
 by whom it was accomplished. 
 
 Resolved., That this Board will procure or cause to be written 
 a Memoir of the Fair, its origin, progress, and result, to be 
 placed on the records of the Corporation. 
 
 Mr. Francis, one of the Directors, gratuitonsly 
 printed in handsome style a large number of circulai's 
 embracing the foregoing reports, which were freely 
 distributed. 
 
 At a meeting of the Directors Jannar}^ 14, 1841, 
 Mr. Russell, the Treasurer, presented the following: — 
 
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BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. oil 
 
 Abstract of Donations to the Bunker Hill Monument Association, 
 since June 17, 1840. 
 
 Ladies of Greenfield 150.00 
 
 Operatives of Worsted Factory, Framingham . . 36.12 
 
 Clark and Hatch, Auctioneers 50.00 
 
 Israel Munson 200.00 
 
 James Phalen, New York 100.00 
 
 Abel Willard, omnibus proprietor, Cambridge . 60.00 
 
 Friend 5.00 
 
 Amos Lawrence 10,000.00 
 
 Ladies' Fair 30,035.53 
 
 Thos. B. Wales, Wm. W. Stone, and N. T. Bow- 
 ditch, Trustees 1,500.00 
 
 John C. Gray 150.00 
 
 Francis C. Gray 150.00 
 
 G. AVashington Warren 200.00 
 
 Boston Academy of Music 40.00 
 
 Fanny Elssler 569.50 
 
 Boston Musical Institute 40.00 
 
 J. Ingersoll Bowditch 20.00 ' 
 
 From Philadelphia, per Daniel McGregor . . . 794.14 
 
 A. L. Forestier, jjer Benjamin T. Reed .... 987.63 
 
 John Bryant 150.00 
 
 Ebenr. Breed, for visitors to the Monument . . 15.35 
 
 Judah Touro by William Appleton 10,000.00 |55, 153.27 
 
 From which there has been paid, viz. : — 
 
 Debt to Amos Lawrence, in full 7,563.73 
 
 Rent of Quincy Hall for Ladies' Fair .... 400.00 7,963.73 
 
 $47,189.54. 
 
 At this meeting the following Resolutions prepared 
 by the President were unanimously adopted : — 
 
 Resolved^ That the Directors receive the contribution of 
 Mr. Touro with sentiments of deep and grateful respect, con- 
 sidering it as a testimonial of his regard for the principles, and 
 the contest for which and its successful issue the Monument 
 is intended to commemorate, and his affectionate recollection 
 of the friends of his youth and the place of his early residence. 
 
 Resolved, That John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, 
 Joseph Story, Edward Everett, and Franklin Dexter be 
 
312 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 appointed a Committee to prepare an inscription for a tablet 
 to be placed in the Monument stating the object for which it 
 is erected, and recording the liberality of Judah Touro and 
 Amos Lawrence, and the successful exertions of the daugh- 
 ters of those patriots whose memories we would perpetuate, 
 — donations and labor which have placed in the possession of 
 the Directors a fund sufficient to complete this memorial of 
 one of the most important events in the history of our country. 
 
 Of those noble women who by their timel}^ appeal 
 and patriotic sympathy averted the continued disgrace 
 of the unfinished Monument, the greater number have 
 passed on to their eternal reward, but they have left 
 upon earth a i-ecord of their service and zeal for the 
 public good which history can never forget. Of the 
 few who still survive, Mrs. Hale, for many years past 
 a resident of Philadelphia, has, during her protracted 
 life, constantly employed her vigorous pen for the 
 elevation of her sex, and for the ^^I'oi^^otion of a laud- 
 able national sentiment. For thirtj^ years in Godey's 
 Lady's Book, under her editorship, she has pleaded 
 for the establishment of a National Thanksgiving to be 
 observed every year on the last Thursday of Novem- 
 ber, that being the day that was selected by Presi- 
 dent Washington in 1789, Avhen he Avas requested by a 
 joint Committee of both Houses of the first Congress 
 to set apart a day by Proclamation " as a day of public 
 Thanksgiving and Prayer." In that original model 
 Proclamation Washington referred to this country 
 having become " a Nation," and also to our " National 
 Government," our " National transgressions," and our 
 " jS^ational duties." If such a proclamation had been 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 313 
 
 issued every year by Washington and his successors 
 in the presidential office, it never would have been 
 forgotten anywhere that the United States was indeed 
 a nation. ^N^ational Fasts, also, have been occasionally 
 proclaimed by different Presidents in times of threat- 
 ened disaster, as on account of the prevalence of the 
 Asiatic cholera, and by President Buchanan in 1860, 
 before the outbreak. By a correspondence with the 
 Governors of all the States in 1859, Mrs. Hale was 
 instrumental in persuading them to appoint the last 
 Thursday in ]N^ovember of that year for a State 
 Thanksgiving. By similar efforts, a national Thanks- 
 giving was proclaimed by President Lincoln in 1863, 
 and in every succeeding year by the President for the 
 time being. She has urged and still urges Congress 
 to pass a Joint Resolution, recommending the annual 
 observance of the last Thursday of l^ovember as the 
 day of N^ational Thanksgiving, so that it may never 
 be overlooked by any President. 
 
 Prompted by a kindred sentiment of patriotism, 
 Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis of Boston, — who assisted in 
 the Monument Fair, and subsequently in a Fair held 
 for the purchase of Mount Yernon, — by her personal 
 influence, and by her example in throwing open to 
 the public her hospitable mansion invariably upon the 
 anniversaiy of Washington's birthday, induced the 
 Legislature of Massachusetts to make the twenty- 
 second day of February a legal holiday throughout the 
 Commonwealth. It remains for Congress and the 
 President, by recognizing these two days as national 
 
 40 
 
314 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 holidays, to perpetuate those sentiments of fraternal 
 concord and love of country, which it was the design 
 of the builders of the Bunker Hill Monument to kindle 
 and inspire. 
 
 The opportune aid of the women in finishing the 
 upper half of the Monument at a time when the men 
 despaired of seeing it done in their generation will 
 often be referred to as an illustration of what they 
 may yet do in aiding to form and complete the lofty 
 ideal of a true Republic. In all ages and countries 
 there have been exceptional cases of women being 
 rulers, or adepts in diplomacy and leadership, as 
 skilled in science and art, or as signal examples of 
 heroism, magnanimity, or beneficence. But here, 
 where the doors of knowledge and literature are 
 equally open to them, where the field of action is 
 almost only self-limited, their power of good to the 
 body-politic is immense. May the women of the 
 country — without whom indeed there would be no 
 country — aim to elevate Public Sentiment, which is the 
 ultimate and supreme ruler, and to set up a high stand- 
 ard of virtue, self-denial, and right-living, so that the 
 nation, under their refined influence, and guided by 
 the teachings of the Saviour of mankind, may become 
 the resplendent Light of the World! 
 
ITJhIv^ CohUMU ^inj^izD>^ OR UnioR 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Survey this wide-spread land, 
 
 And tell us where on earth 
 There can be found a better band, 
 
 Of more ennobling birth. 
 Than they who breathe this liberal air, 
 And all these glorious blessings share. 
 
 TOSEPII TINKER BUCKIIS'GHAM, the seventh 
 *^ gentleman elected to the oflSce of President of 
 the Association, had the peculiar pleasure of witness- 
 ing during his term the comj^letion of the great work. 
 He was born in Windham, Connecticut, December 
 21, 1779. In his fourth year, his father, a Revolu- 
 tionary soldier, died, leaving no estate; and he was 
 obliged in early youth to work upon a farm. At the 
 age of sixteen he entered a printing office, — the 
 college of such men as he, of the Franklin type, — 
 where he too obtained his education and livelihood. 
 In his twenty-first year he came to Boston, soon rose 
 to be a leader of the editorial corps, and was sur- 
 passed by no one as a writer of pure and terse Eng- 
 lish. As a critic, magazine-w^riter, and author, he 
 had excellent qualities. He was thoroughly American 
 in politics, and a genuine hater of every form of cock- 
 neyism and shams. He ably served the State in both 
 branches of the Legislature, and was President of the 
 Agricultural Society of Middlesex County, and also 
 
316 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the Massachusetts Charitahle Mechanic Associa- 
 tion, of whose annals he pnbhshed a veiy interesting 
 and vahiable memoir. It was during his presidency 
 of the Mechanic Association, and under his special 
 influence, that the eflbrt of that society was made for 
 the monument. 
 
 A few weeks after the elevation of the cap-stone, it 
 occurred to the Secretary that Mr. Webster should be 
 invited to deliver an addi'css on the succeeding anni- 
 versary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and he proposed 
 to President Buckingham to call with him on Mr. 
 Webster, who was then in Boston. The great states- 
 man was, as it were, under a political cloud, because he 
 had, in the judgment of the leaders of the Whig party, 
 though not in his own, overstaid his time in the cab- 
 inet of President Tyler* besides, his speech in Faneuil 
 Hall a short time before had given great offence. So 
 Boston was rather cold to him, as compared with 
 his recejotion in former times. Under these cir- 
 cumstances the call was made. There was a hearty 
 greeting and welcome. After a few words, Mr. 
 Buckingham said: "I suppose you are aware, Mr. 
 Webster, that the Bunker Hill Monument is finished? " 
 " Yes," he replied, " and I hope it fully meets the ex- 
 pectation of the founders of the Association." Mr. 
 Buckingham continued: "It has occurred to us, sir, 
 that it might be desirable to commemorate the event 
 on our next anniversary, — that is, if 3^ou would give 
 the oration. We, however, are not authorized to 
 speak on this subject, as it has not been yet before 
 the Directors. We come to get your private opinion." 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 317 
 
 Mr. Webster's luminous eyes Idndled at the sugges- 
 tion, and he promptly replied: "I do not desire that 
 any thing I may say should influence you or the 
 Directors; but this I am prej^ared to say now, that, if 
 the Directors should desire to have a celebration, and 
 I should be asked to deliver the oration, I shall cer- 
 tainly accept." 
 
 He did not inquire, nor seem to care, whether Con- 
 cord would have a rival celebration on the previous 
 19th April. On the 24th September, the Directors 
 determined to have a public celebration; and the 
 President, Secretarj^, and Dr. John O. Warren were 
 appointed a Committee of Arrangements, with full 
 powers, and with authority to add to their number, 
 not exceeding six. William Appleton, William W. 
 Stone, Edward Brooks, Charles Wells, George Dar- 
 racott, and Charles G. Greene were afterward joined 
 by the original committee; and these nine made all 
 the arrangements for that most successful celebration 
 of June 17,1843. 
 
 The President of the United States, and all his 
 cabinet, and all the Governors of the different States, 
 were specially invited, as it was desired to give to the 
 celebration a national and imposing character. In- 
 dications of the people's interest in the event and a 
 desire to participate in it were manifested from every 
 part of the country. The facilities of travel had won- 
 derfully increased by the construction of railroads, so 
 that a great multitude could repair here and return 
 home with far greater ease than in 1825. General 
 Samuel Chandler was the chief marshal of the pro- 
 
318 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 cession; and his arrangements were complete, and 
 well carried out. 
 
 On the 16th June, 1843, President Tyler and his 
 cabinet made their pubUc entry in Boston, during a 
 most violent rain-storm, escorted by the Boston regi- 
 ment, under the command of Colonel George T. 
 Bigelow. The city had provided quarters for the 
 presidential i3arty at the Tremont House, where, soon 
 after their arrival, thej^ received the calls of the Com- 
 mittee of the City Government, the judges, and other 
 official personages. Great apprehension was felt as 
 to the weather of the 17th, and what should be done 
 if the storm should continue; but, happily, it was a 
 clear Bunker-Hill day. The 17th fell on Saturday, 
 — the same day of the week on which the battle oc- 
 curred. In addition to the volunteer trooj)S of the 
 State, there were two regiments from 'New York and 
 one from New Hampshire. 
 
 Early in the morning the invited guests. Committee 
 of Arrangements, Governor Marcus Morton, the legis- 
 lative and executive departments of the government. 
 Mayor Brimmer and the City Council of Boston, met 
 in the State House, the President and party hav- 
 ing been escorted thither from their hotel by the 
 Lancers. There were present thirteen surviving sol- 
 diers of the battle of Banker Hill, and ninety-five 
 others who were in some of the battles of the Kevolu- 
 tion. Two hours were agreeably spent in receptions 
 and brief addresses of welcome. 
 
 Meanwhile, Boston Common and all the avenues 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 319 
 
 enclosing' or leading to it were alive with the move- 
 ment of troops and of the different bodies of the pro- 
 cession, each taking its assigned post in perfect order. 
 Major-General Appleton Howe had the command of 
 the whole military escort, Colonel Eben W. Stone 
 being his chief of staff. Generals Nettleton, Dun- 
 ham, and Dana were the brigade commanders. The 
 Masonic Fraternity, having been specially invited, ap- 
 peared in full numbers and regalia. The Association 
 and various kindred societies, other organizations. 
 Harvard College, Andover Seminary, and other liter- 
 ary institutions, and delegations from all parts of the 
 country, had their different places, and were generally 
 decorated w^ith the badge of the day. 
 
 Precisely at eleven o'clock, — at the moment of the 
 time appointed by General Chandler, the promptest 
 of marshals, — the procession moved forward. The 
 streets on the route were completely decorated, and 
 all the windows, and all the standpoints from which 
 there was a view, were filled with delighted specta- 
 tors. Cheers by the men and the weaving of handker- 
 chiefs by the women gave enthusiastic greetings to 
 the President and other guests, to the Revolutionary 
 soldiers, and also to the different bodies on foot, as 
 they moved along, keeping step to the music of the 
 Union, which was most eloquently discoursed by over 
 thirty bands. Such a procession, in honor of a great 
 event, and on a great anniversary, to which the 
 masses of all orders of society fl.ock together, animated 
 by the same sympathetic feeling of 23atriotic enthusi- 
 asm, is most impressive. It means something more 
 
320 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 than an idle pageant: it teaches a lesson never to be 
 forgotten by those who witness or who are present 
 in it. 
 
 More than two hnndred pohcemen accompanied the 
 procession, making way, and keeping back the dense 
 masses where necessary. A majority of these officers 
 had been also appointed by the authorities of Charles- 
 town and sworn in as special officers of that town for 
 the day, — a measure which will not again be required, 
 as fortunately Bunker Hill has been since made part 
 of the metropolis. The crowds kept back at their 
 simple bidding, and compressed themselves to their 
 utmost possibility with good-humored patience. Mr. 
 Upshur, of Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, at the 
 dinner in Faneuil Hall, spoke of the admirable be- 
 havior and decorum of the multitude with the highest 
 encomium. In point of fact, it was remarked that not 
 a single commitment was made during the day. 
 
 In a little over three hours from the time of start- 
 ing, the head of the procession reached the enclosure 
 prepared for the public services. The pavilion for the 
 orator and invited guests was located about two hun- 
 dred feet north of the. northerly slope of Monument 
 Square, from which was a fine view of Mystic River. 
 On this slope, seats were arranged one above another 
 for ladies, which were by this time filled; those ladies 
 who had served at the Monument Fair having the 
 most conspicuous places. Mr. James W. Paige, as 
 chief marshal of the ground, had charge of the en- 
 closure. Between the stage and the ladies' seats, there 
 was a gradual ascent, as there was also from the top 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 321 
 
 of the slope within the square towards the Monument. 
 When this large space was filled by the procession and 
 the crowd which followed it, the effect was gorgeous: 
 no tongue or pen can adequately describe it. 
 
 For the opening service a fervent prayer was made 
 by Kev. Dr. George E. Ellis, during which the whole 
 assembly of men stood uncovered. President Buck- 
 ingham then presented the orator to the audience. 
 Mr. Webster's majestic figure, as soon as seen, was 
 greeted with long and reverberating cheers. He looked 
 remarkably well. Some incidents were wanting to 
 this occasion which marked that of 1825, especially 
 the presence of Lafayette, the novelty of the scene, 
 and the comparative freshness of the theme. On the 
 other hand, there stood before the orator the completed 
 monument, — the fruition of an expectation long de- 
 layed, the consummation of the people's pride in the 
 finished work. Down at its base, the hushed mass of 
 humanity seemed like the smooth waves of the tran- 
 quil sea. 
 
 Then, again, the further the Battle of Bunker Hill 
 recedes into the distant past, the greater the event ap- 
 pears, as its consequences are everywhere still more 
 and more developed. 
 
 Webster felt all this, and kindled with enthusiasm. 
 He briefly referred to the efforts of the Association, 
 and congratulated them that a duty at last had been 
 performed. Referring to the origin of the nation's 
 independence, he proceeded at length to show how 
 our fathers brought with them the Bible and the 
 
 41 
 
322 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 literature and the free institutions of the Old World, 
 escaping from local customs and fetters, and had 
 planted in the virgin soil of the new continent the 
 principles of a representative government. 
 
 As he contrasted the principles on which our gov- 
 ernment was founded with those on which the eph- 
 emeral governments of South America were set up, 
 he said: "I would that the fifty thousand voices 
 present could proclaim it with a shout which should 
 be heard over the globe." The clear, sonorous sound 
 of his voice reverberated from the Monument, and 
 the words came back in distinct echo, " over the 
 globe." Then those voices gave in response a cheer 
 loud enough to have drowned the cry and noise of 
 battle, which was made there sixty-eight years before. 
 In conclusion, he showed that the United States 
 had repaid its great obligation to the fatherland by 
 the impulse to progress, and by the example of the 
 character of "Washington, and of the success of our 
 Republic. 
 
 As an illustration of the effect which this address 
 produced. Dr. John C. Warren, who had observed to 
 his associates on the Committee as he rode over in 
 the procession that Mr. Webster, however grand, 
 could not possibly come up to his address in 1825, 
 for then he was in his prime, declared on the return, 
 with great delight, "Webster has surpassed him- 
 self ! " 
 
 While these exercises were going on, the whole 
 military escort was withdrawn to a convenient rest- 
 ing-place, where all the troops were served bountifully 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 323 
 
 with rations under the charge of Colonel Stone. The 
 line was re-formed when the exercises were over, and 
 the procession returned in the same order in which it 
 came. Mr. Webster was not in the procession in the 
 morning, desiring that nothing should divert or inter- 
 rupt the respect that should be given to the President 
 of the United States. But, as he appeared in his place 
 in the return, there was one loud continuous cheering 
 for him from Bunker Hill to the State House, — a 
 remarkable instance of the great popular applause 
 bestowed upon pre-eminent ability over even the 
 highest official position. 
 
 After a brief respite at the State House, the invited 
 guests and subscribers to the dinner were formed in 
 procession by George W. Gordon, Esq., Chief Mar- 
 shal, and were escorted to Faneuil Hall by the City 
 Greys, commanded by Captain Newell A. Thompson. 
 The Hall was splendidly decorated. Mr. Bucking- 
 ham presided at the feast with great dignity and good- 
 humor. He was supported by twenty-nine Vice- 
 Presidents, who were officers of the Association. 
 Grace was said by the Chaplain, Kev. Dr. George E. 
 Ellis. After the feast of the viands, the feast of 
 reason began. The first toast was, — 
 
 " The Battle of Bunker Hill, — Freedom fell, but Liberty tri- 
 umphed." 
 
 In response, the whole company standing sang the 
 following stanzas to the tune of "Old Hundred : " — 
 
 O God, yon pile shall mark, for aye. 
 The ground whereon our fathers fell, 
 
 The self-devoted of their day, 
 The beauty of their Israel. 
 
> 
 
 324 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 And while the winds shall o'er it sweep, 
 
 Thy thunders break around its head, 
 Those Martyrs there in peace shall sleep, 
 
 For Thou, O God, shalt guard their bed. 
 
 The second regular toast was, — 
 
 " The Monument, — The proud Memorial of a defeat, glorious to 
 the vanquished, and of a victory, fatal to the conquerors." 
 
 This was followed by an original song, composed 
 by Henry T. Tuckerman, adapted to the air of 
 " Sparkling and Bright," and sung by a select choir. 
 
 The third toast was responded to by the Band, 
 playing " Hail Columbia." 
 
 " The principles of the Revolutionary Struggle, — A love of liberty, 
 protected and regulated by law, and a dread of anarchy not less strong 
 than hatred of oppression. He that looks for the origin of those princi- 
 ples must look above the summit of the Monument which commemo- 
 rates their triumph." 
 
 By this time the company were fully prepared for 
 the toast which is always rapturously received, because 
 it speaks to the national heart : " The President of the 
 United States." After nine hearty cheers, President 
 Tyler briefly thanked the company for the flattering 
 notice of him, and gave: — 
 
 " The Union, — Union of purpose — Union of feeling — the Union 
 established by our fathers." 
 
 After the band had given " Yankee Doodle " with 
 full stress, the next toast was announced : — 
 
 " The Orator of the Day, — If we would find his equal in eloquence 
 and patriotism, we must be permitted to exercise liberally the right 
 which he has refused to the most powerful nation on earth, — The 
 RIGHT OF Search." 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 325 
 
 Had the toast been simply The Orator of the day, 
 it would have kindled great enthusiasm, but coupling 
 with it Mr. Webster's recent triumph in his letter to 
 Lord Ashburton, repudiating for his country hence- 
 forth and for ever the right of search on behalf of> 
 Great Britain, the old cradle of Liberty seemed to 
 rock with the vociferous cheers and cries which were 
 spontaneously uttered. As soon as the joyous tumult 
 had subsided, Mr. Webster briefly returned his ac- 
 knowledgments, and gave: — 
 
 " The rights of Commerce, — Everywhere to be protected at any 
 expense of blood and treasure." 
 
 George Ticknor Curtis, Esq., being called upon by 
 the chair, made an eloquent speech upon the heroes 
 and the heroic services of South Carolina during the 
 Revolution, and gave: — 
 
 " South Carolina and Massachusetts, — Shoulder to shoulder they 
 went through the Revolution, laying up for each other treasures of 
 glory. The sons never will divide the great inheritance." 
 
 Hugh S. Legare, the acting Secretary of State, in 
 whose honor this sentiment was given, was prevented 
 by a sudden and fatal illness from being present. 
 John C. Spencer, the Secretary of the Treasury, in 
 responding to a call made upon him, gave a sentiment 
 in honor of the Ladies of [N^ew England. James M. 
 Porter the Secretary of War in like manner gave a 
 sentiment in honor of the Pilgrim Fathers. 
 
 The President then called for the next toast upon 
 George Bancroft, Esq., who had been appointed by 
 the Committee the substitute orator of the day, in 
 
326 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 case of the failure of Mr. Webster. He spoke as 
 
 follows : — 
 
 Mr. President, — When Massachusetts recalls her days 
 of trial, her heart throbs with gratitude for Virginia. The 
 blood of Virginians did not wet the soil of Bunker Hill; but 
 the spirit of the Ancient Dominion had gone before, guiding 
 by its light, and cheering by its sympathy. 
 
 "When the passage of the Stamp Act roused the genius of 
 American freedom to that contest between liberty and power, 
 which has, this day, so forcibly been illustrated in the pres- 
 ence of myriads of hearers, it was while the Virginians were 
 musing that the fire first burned ; it was Virginia that gave 
 the example of resistance, and the words of Patrick Henry 
 rung through the land like the voice of a trumpet. 
 
 When the Representatives of Massachusetts stood forth to 
 deny altogether the dominion of the British Parliament, it 
 was Virginia that leaned forward to share the danger and 
 invite a correspondence. 
 
 When the Boston Port Bill closed our harbor, and the 
 ships that should be the swift messengers of New England's 
 industry lay chained to the useless wharfs, and the hammer 
 of the shipwright was silent, and the laborer went to and fro 
 in the streets unemployed, all Virginia demanded to esteem 
 the sufferers here as members of her own household ; and, to 
 take but one example, the people of the remote Augusta 
 country, 120 miles at least from a navigable river, made their 
 way over rocks and streams and ranges of hills, with no roads 
 but the roughest, and thus carted, or dragged, or rolled, to 
 tide-water, more than a liundred barrels of flour, their gift to 
 the poor of Boston. 
 
 When, at the cry from Lexington and Concord, New Eng- 
 land rose in arras, and abandoned its metropolis only to lay 
 siege to its enemies that were encamped there, Virginia sent 
 for our defence the most expert of her riflemen, bravest among 
 the brave. 
 
 When to remove invasion by attack, it Avas resolved to scale 
 the mountains that divide us from Quebec, Virginians were 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 327 
 
 among the boldest to climb the highlands of Maine ; and the 
 waters of the Kennebec and the Chaudiere, as long as they 
 flow, will tell the story of their daring. 
 
 And greatest benefit of all ! When Boston was to be re- 
 covered, it was a son of Virginia who took the command of 
 our armies, and conducted successfully the most extraordinary 
 siege in the annals of human warfare ; and WashingtGjST, most 
 blessed among warriors, wisest of heroes, peerless among men, 
 as he led back our exiled families to their homes, saw around 
 him not one whom his ambition had bereaved of a husband 
 or a son ; and, as he made his triumphant entry into the 
 town which he had delivered, beheld himself thrice happy 
 in a bloodless victory. I will give you, sir, 
 
 " Virginia and Massachusetts, — Their names are blended insepara- 
 bly in the record of their country's glory : their sons will ever cherish 
 the freedom and the Union established by their fathers." 
 
 Mr. Upshur, of Yirgiiiia, Secretary of the Navy, 
 rose to respond, amidst enthusiastic applause. He 
 said: — 
 
 Me. President, — We are all assembled upon a very in- 
 teresting occasion ; we are all — those of us who are strangers 
 
 — enjoying the kind hospitalities of the citizens of Boston ; 
 and it becomes the dut}^ of some one of the Virginians present 
 to respond to the call upon his native State. In responding 
 to your call, — your association of Massachusetts and Virginia, 
 
 — where shall I begin ? Topics rush upon the mind so rapidly, 
 each so strongly appealing for notice and utterance, that the 
 tongue is confused and the power of recollection lost. But, 
 indeed, why should I attempt to recall to Massachusetts 
 minds those topics? It is a part of every Massachusetts 
 man's education to know of the Revolutionary exertions of 
 tlie different States, and of the ties which bound them to- 
 gether. Every school-boy in New England, witli his satchel 
 on his back, can tell of Lexington and Bunker Hill, of Tren- 
 ton and Yorktown. 
 
328 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Every one in Massachusetts knows all this, and I hope I 
 may say that, in my own State, our children learn to lisp 
 those hallowed names at their mothers' knees. And, sir, 
 though it was Virginia's fortune to furnish to the American 
 army a leader whose peer the world never saw ; though in 
 all creation there has been but one Washington, and never 
 will be another ; and though he was wholly of Virginia, — 
 yet we are not selfish ! His fame is bright enough to cast a 
 lustre over the whole land. We can share it freely with all 
 our countrymen, and all shall have enough. 
 
 But, sir, engrossing as is that name, — and, as I hope, with- 
 out a violation of modesty I may say, brilliant as are many 
 other names belonging to Virginia, — their glory belongs not 
 to us alone. In looking back to the events of the Revolution, 
 who is there that can separate Virginia from Massachusetts ? 
 Who can fail to couple the Old Dominion with this noble 
 Commonwealth? Would, sir, would that Virginia were here 
 to-day to respond, as she would respond, to the greeting of 
 Massachusetts ; but venturing, incompetent as I am so to do, 
 to represent her embodied spirit, in her name I say to Massa- 
 chusetts, — as she would say, were she here, — Hail, hail to 
 thee, O my sister ! 
 
 After expressing at length his great admiration of 
 the scenes he had witnessed, and of the order ex- 
 hibited by the great crowd which had gathered to- 
 gether, he gave : — 
 
 '• Massachusetts, — Foremost in the conflict by wliich our liberties 
 were won, and foremost to show us what our liberties are, when won." 
 
 In answer to a toast complimentary to the State of 
 Kentucky, Charles A. "VVickliffe, Postmaster-General, 
 concluded his speech as follows : " But, gentlemen, we 
 are here in this hall, the cradle of liberty, and, if I mis- 
 take not the history of the times, there is, not far dis- 
 tant, a church called the Old South. I will give : " — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 329 
 
 " The Citizens of Boston, — They feast as freemen in halls once 
 desecrated by hostile armies, and in that church, where once fed the 
 warrior's steed, they worship the living God in peace and safety." 
 
 The President of the United States, Cabinet, and 
 suite, here left the hall, being- greeted on their exit 
 by loud cheers, the whole company standing. Caleb 
 dishing, who had been but recently appointed as 
 Minister to China, being called up by an appropriate 
 toast, spoke eloquently upon the advantages of joeace, 
 and gave : — 
 
 " The triumphs of Peace, — More renowned than those of War." 
 
 George S. Uillard, Esq., being announced by the 
 chair, pronounced an eloquent and classic eulogium 
 npon Edward Everett, then the Minister Plenipoten- 
 tiary of the United States at London, and closed with 
 the following: — 
 
 " The Hon. Edioard Everett, — Who has shown to the world the 
 power and the grace which eloquence borrows from free institutions, 
 and that the fire of genius never burns so brightly as when laid upon 
 the altar of patriotism." 
 
 As a response to his sentiment, the President re- 
 quested the Chief Marshal to read the following letter 
 from Mr. Everett: — 
 
 London, 18th May, 1843. 
 To J. T. Buckingham, Esq. 
 
 My deak Sir, — A pressure of business puts it out of my 
 power to express to you, as fully as I should wish, the satis- 
 faction I feel that you are so soon to celebrate the completion 
 of the Bunker Hill Monument. I congratulate you and all 
 the other public-spirited friends of this patriotic work, on the 
 happy termination of 3'our labors. I look backward with 
 
 42 
 
330 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 j)leasure on the humble share it was my own good fortune 
 to take in the earlier efforts to accomplish this object ; and 
 though absent and distant from you, on this auspicious occa- 
 sion, I assure you I shall be present with you in imagination. 
 
 It is now ten years, Avithin a few days, since I uttered in 
 Faneuil Hall, before a public meeting at which I think you 
 presided (as you have at so many others held for the same 
 good cause), the confident words that '''■ I was sure the work 
 would he done^ I rested that assurance on my belief that 
 the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, not prone 
 to leave a job half completed, having undertaken to finish it, 
 would persevere in the enterprise till the cap-stone was car- 
 ried up. I am much obliged to them for saving my reputa- 
 tion as a prophet. 
 
 I beg leave to offer you the sentiment which 3'ou will find 
 below, and with it for yourself and my fellow- citizens, who 
 may be .assembled on the occasion, the assurance of the kind 
 remembrance and cordial good wishes of 
 
 Your friend and associate, 
 
 Edwakd Everett. 
 
 " The Bunher Hill MonumenU — While we rear this noble pile to 
 the memory of our fathers, may our own principles and conduct be 
 such as to cause our names to be cherished with theirs by posterity, 
 and make our beloved country the object of respect with the friends of 
 liberty throughout the world." 
 
 A letter from Governor Marcus Morton, who was 
 suffering from indisposition, was read. The two great 
 benefactors of the Association were remembered by 
 the following: — 
 
 Amos and Judah, venerated names, 
 
 Patiuarcli and Prophet press their equal claims, 
 
 Like generous coursers, running " neck and neck," 
 
 Each aids the work by giving it a check. 
 
 Christian and Jew, they carry out one plan, 
 
 For, though of different faith, each is in heart a Man. 
 
BUNKER HILL . MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 331 
 
 Mr. Buckingham, on retiring from the chair, 
 gave : — 
 
 " The Seventeenth of June, 111 6, — The day when the flame of 
 liberty flashed from a yeoman's powder-horn, and the voice of freedom 
 spoke from a rusty gun." 
 
 Hon. Stephen C. PhilHps, of Salem, one of the 
 Vice-Presidents, in taking the cliair, gave: — 
 
 " The health of the President of the day" 
 
 which was received with great applause. He next 
 gave : — 
 
 " The Bunker Hill Monument, — It bears no inscription, and it needs 
 none, since the lessons of patriotism it is designed to teach can be in- 
 scribed only upon the hearts of those who behold it." 
 
 Many other volunteer toasts were given, and songs 
 were sung, and the patriotic festivities were prolonged 
 to a late hour. The closing toast of the feast was 
 given by Isaac Livermore, Esq., a Director, and it was 
 loudly cheered: — 
 
 " England and the United States, — They have learned that two indi- 
 viduals can settle the differences between them better than two con- 
 tending armies. May the amicable relations of the treaty of 1843 be 
 as enduring as the memorial of the battle of the 17tli June, 1775." 
 
 So the most distinguished dinner ever given in 
 Faneuil Hall closed with a token of good-will to the 
 mother country. 
 
 In the latter part of the evening, there was a 
 brilliant reception at the residence of Mr. Paige, on 
 Summer Street, which was connected with the adjoin- 
 ing house of Colonel Benjamin Loring, a patriotic 
 
332 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Director of the Association; and in the spacious 
 drawino'-rooms of the two houses the distinofnished 
 strangers and citizens, joining in the refined society of 
 ladies, were hospitably entertained until well-nigh the 
 Sabbath morn. Those houses, and those of Webster 
 and Everett, in the same street, are all demolished; 
 in a few years it will be hard for any one to believe 
 that these men ever lived in that business street. 
 
 The open areas, on which the greater part of the 
 people assembled to hear, at a long interval, Web- 
 ster's two grand orations, are already covered with 
 buildings. JS^othing now remains on the old battle- 
 field for public gatherings but Monument Square and 
 the neighboring streets. The projected avenue from 
 City Square to the Monument is now much needed; 
 and its want Avill be more and more felt as time goes 
 on, and the world's pilgrimage to the American 
 Mecca is still increasino'. 
 
 The city of Boston owns two historical paintings: 
 one is in Faneuil Hall, by Healy, and represents Mr. 
 Webster in the Senate of the Uiiited States, delivering 
 that far-famed speech in defence of Massachusetts, in 
 answer to an able speech by Mr. Hayne of South 
 Carolina, and in which he proclaimed that memorable 
 and ever-cherished motto, " Liberty and Union one 
 and inseparable ; " the other is in the Charlestown 
 branch of the City Library, and was painted by Pope 
 soon after Mr. Webster's decease, as a memorial of 
 him; this represents him delivering this last address, 
 with the Monument and audience in front, and at the 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 333 
 
 point of saying, as he turns to President Tyler, among 
 the distingnished men on the pUxtform, with his hand 
 stretching forward, " This cohnim stands on UisriON." 
 Whatever triumphs that wonderful man achieved, 
 — and no one enjoyed more or greater, — whether in 
 the forum, in the Senate, in the popular assemblj^, or, 
 by the statesman's pen, in the Department of State, 
 he will be best known and appreciated in after times 
 as the Patriot Orator, and, as such, his great 
 name, identified with Bunker Hill Monument, Avill be 
 transmitted with it to the advancing centuries of the 
 Republic. 
 
 This magnificent demonstration was unhappily fol- 
 lowed by tAvo mournful events. Hugh S. Legare, of 
 South Carolina, who was Attorney-General, and also 
 Secretary of State ad interim, in jDlace of Mr. Web- 
 ster, resigned, and who had come on to attend this 
 august occasion, died, after a sudden illness of four 
 days, in the house of his friend, George Ticknor, 
 where he received the kindest and most hospitable 
 attention. Before leaving Washington, he had sent 
 the following letter, anticipating the pleasure he was 
 not permitted to enjoy: — 
 
 Washington, June 6, 1843. 
 
 Sir, — I had the honor duly to receive, but have hitherto 
 been prevented from acknowledging, the letter by which you 
 communicated to me the obliging invitation of the Committee 
 of Arrangements for the Bunker Hill celebration. My official 
 business will not permit me to accompany the President on 
 his tour ; but it is my purpose, if I can find the necessary 
 leisure, to join him, on the 17th, at Boston and at Bunker Hill. 
 
334 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 I need not assure you how honored I shall feel myself, in 
 that event, by the civilities which the Committee has been 
 so kind as to offer me, and that I am, with the highest con- 
 sideration, Sir, 
 
 Their and your most obliged and most humble servant, 
 
 H. S. Legare. 
 
 G. Washington Waeren, Esq., &c. 
 
 Captain Josiah Cleveland came on from Oswego to 
 !New York to joinin the celebration with his surviving 
 comrades of the Revolutionary Army. He was the 
 hero of that day. But the excitement was too much 
 for him: he died in Charlestown, after a short illness, 
 in his ninetieth j^ear, and was buried from St. John's 
 Church, where a funeral discourse was j)i'eached by 
 the rector, Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Lambert, on Sunday, 
 July 2. His remains wei*e escorted by several mili- 
 tary companies to Mount Auburn Cemetery, Avhere he 
 was buried, with military honors, in a lot purchased 
 by Amos Lawrence. He enlisted from Connecticut, 
 his native State, and, having commenced his service 
 in the battle of Bunker Hill, continued it to the great 
 day of Yorktown. He was personally known to 
 "Washington and to Lafayette, and was recognized by 
 the latter at Bunker Hill on the fiftieth anniversary 
 in 1825. Fortunate in the great incidents of his life, 
 and in the eclat of his death, which, though far away 
 from his kindred, took place in the midst of his fellow- 
 countrymen, all bound to him by gratitude and love. 
 
 Many letters of regret were received from those 
 who were invited, but were unable to participate in 
 the celebration. Governor Fenner of lihode Island 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 335 
 
 was the only Governor present from another State, 
 and he was also present in 1825, as Governor. Gov- 
 ernor Hammond of South Carolina regretted that, 
 under the peculiar restriction which then existed in 
 the constitution of his State, he could not leave it 
 while in office. The British Consul in Boston was 
 very desirous of attending; but he could not overcome 
 the awkwardness of the situation, so he wrote this 
 letter: — 
 
 Bkitish Consulate, Boston, June 14, 1843. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I beg to thank you for your obliging letter, 
 and, through you, the Committee of the Bunker Hill Asso- 
 ciation, for their invitation to join in the celebration on the 
 17th inst. 
 
 Under the peculiar circumstances of the occasion, I feel 
 very sensibly the liberality of this invitation. It would have 
 given me great pleasure, on personal accounts, to be with my 
 colleagues of the Consular Corps in the place assigned to us 
 in the ceremonies. But, on consideration, I think it better, 
 for several reasons, that 1 should respectfull}^ decline the honor 
 intended to me by the Committee ; and I have no doubt the 
 gentlemen composing it will understand my motives, without 
 requiring of me the somewhat difficult and always doubtful 
 task of " defining my position." 
 
 Trusting to your kindness to make known my sentiments 
 to the other members, 
 
 I am, dear sir, with much truth, 
 
 Your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 T. C. Grattan. 
 
 G. Washington Wakeen, Esq. 
 
 Had he faced the dilemma, and given in his appear- 
 ance, the concluding toast of the feast would have re- 
 ceived a still more hearty recognition. It remained 
 
336 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 for His Royal Highness Albei-t Edward, the Prince 
 of Wales, to break the ice, and go to Bunker Hill in 
 the spirit of amity and good- will. 
 
 Isaac Livermore, Esq , had been added to the Com- 
 mittee, whose special duty it was to provide the 
 " ways and means.'' He succeeded so well in ob- 
 taining subscriptions from public bodies and individ- 
 uals, that only $200 were drawn from the treasury on 
 account of this Celebration. 
 
 The next duty that remained for the Association to 
 perform was the fidfilment of the pledge given through 
 Mr. Everett, when he was Secretary, to King Solo- 
 mon's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, — that 
 some trace of their former monument should be pre- 
 served. The matter was referred to the Building Com- 
 mittee, with full powers, who directed that permission 
 be given to the Lodge to place a copy of their monu- 
 ment in the interior circle or newel, to face the 
 entrance. The Lodge accepted the proposition. An 
 exact copy of the Tuscan pillar, in Italian marble, was 
 prepared; and extensive arrangements were made for 
 its inauguration on June 24, 1845, by the Grand Lodge. 
 The fraternity attended in large numbers. A brilliant 
 Masonic procession — the first that had appeared in 
 public in this State for fifteen years — was formed 
 under Winslow Lewis, chief marshal, with Newell A. 
 Thompson and Peter C. Jones as aides, and passed 
 through the principal streets of Charlestown, Avhich 
 were lined with spectators, to the southerly side of 
 the Monument, where the exercises took place. The 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 337 
 
 audience covered the southerly part of the square to 
 Ilig'h Street. After a pra3^er b}'" Rev. Joseph O. 
 Skinner, one of the grand chaphiins, the venerable 
 John Soley, as representing King Solomon's Lodge, 
 in a firm voice and impressive manner addressed the 
 Grand Master, Augustus Peabody, as follows : — 
 
 Most Worshipful, — Half a century ago I had the honor 
 of dedicating, in the name of King Solomon's Lodge, the first 
 Monument erected on this spot to the memory of those brave 
 men who here fell in the cause of American freedom ; and 
 now, after a lapse of fifty years, I am, by the mercy of Divine 
 Providence, spared to unite with a new generation, and, over 
 the graves of our departed countrymen, to offer anew our 
 heartfelt gratitude for their patriotic services, and to shed the 
 tear of affectionate remembrance over their virtues. The 
 story of our resistance to the regal mandates and oppressive 
 requisitions of our maternal alliance has long since been 
 spread upon the page of history, and deeply engraven upon 
 the heart of every American. 
 
 The result of that resistance, under the guidance of Divine 
 Wisdom and the sword of our illustrious Brother Washing- 
 ton, was our independence as a nation, and the establishment 
 of our civil and religious privileges as a people. Let us, as 
 American citizens, strive to merit a continuance of these in- 
 estimable blessings, and, forgetting the wrongs that are past, 
 let us cultivate peace and kindred feeling with the family 
 from whence we sprang, and be mutually inclined to promote 
 the prosperity of each other so long as we continue members 
 of the famil}^ of nations ; and to this end let us implore the 
 Almighty Architect of the Universe to control that grasping 
 ambition which is the bane of public and private virtue and 
 the grave of national glory. 
 
 At the formation of the Bunker Hill Monument Associa- 
 tion, King Solomon's Lodge transferred to that body the 
 Monument they had erected, with the land belonging to the 
 
 43 
 
338 HISTOKY OF THE 
 
 same, upon condition that there should be placed within the 
 walls of the Monument they were about to erect, a suitable 
 memorial of the ancient pillar, in order to perpetuate that 
 early patriotic act of the Masonic Fraternity. In carrying 
 out this intention, a model of the original monument has been 
 executed in marble, and placed on the spot intended for its 
 location ; and now, sir, I present you with these working 
 tools, to enable you to examine its architectural proportions, 
 and am ready to introduce you to the place of its deposit. 
 
 Grand Master Peabody made a very effective and 
 spirited reply; and then proceeded, with the grand 
 oflScers, to examine the new model, which had already 
 been put in position, and to perform the ceremonial 
 services. An original ode by Thomas Power was 
 then sung; after which Charles B. Pogers, the Master 
 of King Solomon's Lodge, introduced, as orator of 
 the day, G. Washington Warren, who delivered the 
 address, of which the following is an extract: — 
 
 In the ceremonies of this morning we do not seek to ex- 
 hibit a vain spirit of ostentation. We wish fairly to discharge 
 a duty which we owe to truth and to history. If gratitude 
 for the performance of signal services be creditable to any 
 age, it is all the more creditable the sooner it is testified after 
 such services are rendered. If it were an achievement, 
 honorable to our people, by means of a general association 
 in 1825 to commence, and in 1843 to complete, a monument 
 on Bunker Hill, commemorating the battle of the 17th June, 
 1775, it was certainly more honorable to a single Lodge of 
 Free and Accepted Masons to pay the same tribute of respect 
 in 1794, when the generation had not yet passed away who 
 witnessed the memorable conflict. Time and national pros- 
 perity had not at that early period so richly unfolded the 
 inestimable consequences of the long-continued series of strug- 
 gles which was so brilliantly but terribly opened on this scene 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 339 
 
 of most deadly execution. The name of Bunker Hill had 
 not then become so prevalent a rallying-word throughout our 
 wide-spread land, nor was the place itself visited so fre- 
 quently as it now is daily by pilgrims from every clime. But 
 the ancient members of King Solomon's Lodge, brought up 
 at its feet and feeling to the full the generous emotions with 
 which the contemplation of the place can never fail to inspire 
 all true lovers of their country, thought they were doing but 
 a simple act of duty in setting up a Pillar of their own to 
 single out the spot, dear to them as inhabitants of Charles- 
 town, as joint heirs with their fellow-countrymen in the 
 blessed inheritance of civil and religious liberty, and still 
 equally dear to them as members of an institution whose 
 beloved chief had here shed his life-blood for the baptism of 
 his country's freedom. And when, in the course of events, 
 the whole community of a succeeding age were instigated, by 
 their sense of justice as well as of gratitude, to offer in a 
 similar but more enduring manner their homage of veneration 
 to the men who here fought, bled, and died, it was noble 
 in the Lodge to withdraw their rightful claim to the land, 
 and to surrender the cherished work of their hands, to give 
 place to another structure, which, in the sublimity of its con- 
 ception and in the generality of its contributors, should utter 
 forth a universal sentiment. 
 
 And how rightly. Brethren, our predecessors judged in 
 deeming this field to be deserving of monumental distinction ! 
 Other places there are familiar and endeared to every Ameri- 
 can heart, — other fields which in the view of history and of 
 distant ages will appear as classic, ay, holy ground, but here, 
 where our fathers first met in the form of an organized array 
 with the fixed resolution to oppose a foreign government, 
 whose injustice they had not been able to dissuade and were 
 then determined as a last resort with their arms to defeat ; — 
 here, where in battle array, and in sight, almost within reach, of 
 the swift-spreading flames which were involving in a common 
 destruction the dwellings and the sacred temple of worship of 
 this devoted town, they gallantly resisted the skilful attacks 
 
340 - HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of an experienced European soldiery, and where they dis- 
 played that steadiness of nerve and daring courage which 
 clearly demonstrated that on a fair trial, upon any thing like 
 equal terms and with the just cause which they had, they 
 would ever be victorious ; — here, here is the spot, where, all 
 the world over and in all time to come, the friends of Free- 
 dom will turn their glowing thoughts as to the prominent 
 battle-ground of the American Revolution. Here flowed in 
 copious streams the blood of the champions of American 
 Liberty; here her principles first took deep root in the 
 American soil ; and here, at last, has a grateful posterity 
 reared upon a foundation not to be disturbed a permanent 
 Monument which shall for ever proclaim her triumph. 
 
 At the conclusion of these exercises, there was a 
 dinner in a large tent spread out upon the then vacant 
 lots on the easterly side of the square, at which ad- 
 dresses and toasts were given by Charles W. Moore, 
 Grand Masters Peabody, and Joseph R. Chandler, 
 of Pennsylvania, and several others. 
 
 Thus was completed the inauguration of the double 
 monument, — the obelisk enclosing within its mighty 
 embrace a marble copy of the beautiful Tuscan pillar 
 which the first generation had set up on the mount of 
 sacrifice. 
 
 The same Building Committee were continued in 
 office for three years. A second contract was made 
 with Mr. Savage, under which he held possession of the 
 Monument, with the i-ight to take the usual fees from 
 visitors; and, for this privilege, he laid a granite walk 
 ten feet wide on each side of the Monument, erected an 
 iron fence on the outer line of the same, and also laid a 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 341 
 
 •brick sidewalk on the streets upon the four sides of the 
 square. The visitors' fees amounted to a much larger 
 sum than the Committee had supposed possible. Mr. 
 Savage retained the steam-engine that was used for 
 hoisting stone for the j)m*pose of raising a passenger- 
 car to the top. The fee for those who ascended on foot 
 was twelve and a half cents; for those who used the 
 car, twenty cents. Undoubtedly Mr. Savage realized 
 a lai-ge profit from this experiment. 
 
 The Committee, by their chairman, Charles Wells, 
 say, in their report, made and adopted June 17, 181:5 : 
 " From the commencement of Mr. Savage's contracts 
 to the end, he has appeared desirous to give satisfac- 
 tion, and to exert his best efforts for the fulfilment 
 of his engagements ; and your Committee believe that 
 the work is faithfully and substantially done; that the 
 materials used are equal to the samples referred to in 
 the contracts for doing the work; and that, after an 
 examination of the whole structure by the Directors, 
 they will be satisfied with the work, accept the Monu- 
 ment, and authorize the President of the Association 
 to accept the contracts." With regard to the Masonic 
 monument, they say: "After mature deliberation, it 
 was determined that, instead of placing a tablet with 
 an inscription in the upper part of the Monument, as 
 had been suggested by the Lodge and partially as- 
 sented to by the Committee, leave Avas granted to 
 erect a small marble monument in the hollow cone of 
 the Bunker Hill Monument, on the ground floor, 
 directly in front of the entrance door, — a location 
 favorable for those who may visit the Monument, and 
 
342 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 are unable from infirmity or age to ascend to its sum- 
 mit. To this proposition the Lodge has acceded. 
 A marble monument — a facsimile of the one orig- 
 inally erected by the Lodge — is now completed and 
 placed in its destined position. There may it remain 
 to perpetuate the memory of the illustrious dead, and 
 a lasting memento of brotherly love." 
 
 The Secretary, as one of the Committee on the Fair, 
 raised a subscription of fifty-three hundred dollars 
 towards erecting the iron fence to enclose Monument 
 Square and the granite steps leading to it. The fence 
 was planned by Isaiah Rogers, and erected by Charles 
 M. Cummings. On July 3, 1844, the President, the 
 Secretary, and Robert G. Shaw were appointed " a 
 Committee with full powers to cause trees and shrubs 
 to be set out on and around the square, and otherwise 
 to improve and ornament the grounds in such manner 
 as they may deem expedient." There being no funds 
 to meet these expenditures, the Secretary advanced 
 the money required on the j^ledge by the Association 
 of the receipts from the fees of visitors. The sum 
 advanced amounted to about 14^000. 
 
 At the annual meeting in 1847, Mr. Buckingham, de- 
 clining re-election, G. Washington Warren was elected 
 President, and Joseph H. Buckingham Secretary; and 
 Mr. Buckingham, Sen., was elected a Director, and in 
 1855 was elected a Vice-President, which oflSce he 
 held till his decease in 1861. The change in these 
 offices was the occasion of the passage of the folio \v- 
 lowing Resolutions: — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 343 
 
 On motion of "W". W. Wheildox, Esq., it was, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the members of this Associa- 
 tion do heartily reciprocate the sentiments expressed by the 
 late President in his letter of this day declining a re-election, 
 after twelve years' service, to the office which he has filled 
 for so long a period Avith such ability and success. 
 
 That the thanks of this Association be presented to the 
 Hon. Joseph T. Buckingham for the fidelity and unwearied 
 zeal with which he has watched over its interests ; and that 
 the Association will ever hold his name in grateful remem- 
 brance, regarding him as one of the most efficient agents in 
 the completion of this great commemorative structure, so 
 honorable to our country, and so admirably designed to per- 
 petuate the principles of the American Revolution. 
 
 Resolved unanimously. That the thanks of this Association 
 be presented to G. Washington Wareen, Esq., for the 
 faithful manner in which he has discharged the duties of his 
 office as Secretary for eight years past ; and particularly for 
 his judicious and valuable services in superintending the 
 laying out and improving of the grounds of the Association 
 around the Monument. 
 
 This being the year of the organization of the city of 
 Charlestown, there was a celebration of the anniversary 
 of the Battle of Bunker Hill by the city government, 
 at which Rev. Starr King delivered the oration, and 
 Paul Willard, Jr., a poem. Mr. A. W. Putnam, a 
 grandson of General Israel Putnam, was present as an 
 invited guest, and announced the intention to present 
 to the Association a sword worn by the veteran hero in 
 the Kevolutionary war. This valuable memorial was 
 subsequently received, with a letter authenticating it, 
 both of which have been carefully preserved. The 
 same year was marked by the visit of James K. Polk, 
 
344 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 President of the United States, who was received on 
 Monument Square, which was handsomely decorated. 
 Mr. Warren, the Mayor, extended to the President 
 a cordial welcome, in the presence of a large assembly, 
 to which the President made a courteous reply. 
 
 Mr. JSTathaniel P. Russell, the Treasurer, died July 
 3, 1848. He was present at the annual meeting, a 
 little more than a fortnight before, and appeared some- 
 what enfeebled. He was undoubtedly conscious of his 
 increasing infirmity, as he tendered the resignation of 
 his office. But the Association would not listen to 
 his proposal, and he was persuaded to withdraw it. 
 At the annual meeting in 1849, his son, Samuel Ham- 
 mond Russell, was elected to the office, and he has 
 most acceptably filled his father's place to this time. 
 Long may he live to perform for the Association the 
 less arduous duty. 
 
 Seasonable arrangements were made by the Asso- 
 ciation in 1850 for the appropriate celebration of 
 the seventj^-fifth anniversary. The President, Dr. 
 "Warren, William Appleton, William W. Wheildon, 
 Henry N^. Hooper, James W. Paige, and the Secre- 
 tai-y, were appointed a committee, with full powers. 
 Mr. Everett, who was then President of Harvard Col- 
 lege, Avas invited to deliver the oration; and the 
 President of the United States, his Cabinet, and 
 other distinguished gentlemen of the countrj'^, as 
 well as the Governor, the judges of the Supreme 
 Judicial Court, and other distinguished characters of 
 
BUNKER PULL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 345 
 
 the State were invited to attend. At this point, the 
 City Conncil of Charlestown proposed" to nnite with 
 the Association; and, the proposition being accepted, 
 the Mayor, who was the President of the Association, 
 and Aldermen Benjamin Phipps and John L. Tag- 
 gard, and Henry P. Fairbanks, President, and Erdix 
 T. Swift, Thomas F. Holden, and Otis Clapp, mem- 
 bers of the Common Council, were joined as members 
 of the City Committee. 
 
 Mr. Everett having accepted the appointment of 
 orator, the question arose in the Committee as to the 
 2Dlace for the public exercises. On previous occasions, 
 the Association was able to obtain a considerable 
 area outside of the square, which, added thereto, was 
 sufficient to accommodate a great assemblage; but 
 now buildings had been erected on every side. It 
 was determined to resort to one of the large ship- 
 houses in the Navy Yard, the use of which was freely 
 granted by lion. William Ballard Preston, the Secre- 
 tary of the Navy. This building is supposed to stand 
 on the spot where a portion of the British troops 
 landed from their boats on the morning of the 17th 
 June, 1775. It was appropriately fitted up for the 
 occasion, and handsomely decorated, under the direc- 
 tion of Commodore John Downes, who was then com- 
 manding this naval station. 
 
 Colonel Isaac H. Wright was appointed chief mar- 
 shal, and Major-General Benjamin F. Edmands had 
 the direction of the military escort, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Francis Boyd acting as chief of staff. The command 
 of the escort was subsequently assigned by General 
 
 44 
 
346 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Edmands to Colonel Joseph Andrews, of Salem. 
 Governor George N. Briggs ordered out the Boston 
 Independent Corps of Cadets, Colonel T. C. Amory 
 commander, as his body-guard. 
 
 The day was fine. A large procession, composed 
 of the invited guests, the various organizations of 
 Charlestown and Boston, the faculty and students 
 of Harvard College in its different departments, the 
 Association, the city government, and a large body of 
 citizens, was formed at City Square; and at 12 o'clock, 
 the very hour aj^pointed, moved through the jDrincipal 
 streets of Charlestown, which were lined with specta- 
 tors and adorned with brilliant decorations, set off 
 with patriotic mottoes. The children of the public 
 schools were formed in line upon the sides of Monu- 
 ment Square as the procession passed by. 
 
 The ship-house had been open to ladies before the 
 jDrocession arrived, and, after the building was filled to 
 its utmost capacity, it presented an indescribable ap- 
 pearance of beauty and splendor. Flags of all nations, 
 and drapery, interspersed with hanging flowers, con- 
 cealed the rudeness of its construction; the side 
 stages were metamorphosed into elegant galleries; and 
 what had been a huge workshop in Avhich workmen 
 fashioned and built the national ships of war became 
 for the occasion a modern Coliseum, filled to overflow- 
 ing with a cultivated audience, assembled to com- 
 memorate the dawn of the national existence. 
 
 After music, a fervent prayer by Kev. Dr. Ellis, 
 chaplain of the day, and the singing of an original 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 347 
 
 ode, composed by F. A. Diirivage to the tone of " Hail 
 Columbia," the orator was presented. 
 
 There was a certain inimitable grace and power in 
 Mr. Everett's oratory that one Avho had never heard 
 him could not realize. The oration itself was carefully 
 prepared, with all the touching incidents and circum- 
 stances of time and place foreseen; the main subject 
 w^as wrought out and unfolded clear and strong, — 
 like the swift current of the stream gathering strength 
 in its course ; and the Avhole possessed in that perfect 
 memory of his, so that the apt words proceeded from 
 his mouth in the prearranged order without the least 
 perceptible eifort, but with complete accuracy and en- 
 tire naturalness, with the graceful gesture suited to 
 the word, and with that ease and flow and warmth of 
 expression which would lead the entranced listener 
 to think it was all the glowing inspiration of the 
 moment. 
 
 In his exordiuQi, he referred the audience to the 
 roof which sheltered them hung with the banners 
 of all nations, but none more honored than our 
 own; to the dismantled ships of war which at short 
 notice could be clothed " with the naval thunders of 
 America; " to the park of artillery which they had just 
 passed, and to other instances of striking contrast with 
 the day of 1775, as. themselves monuments which told 
 the same story as that erected by the Association, 
 against which the storms of a thousand w^inters would 
 beat in vain. The Association, he said, had established 
 for one of its objects the celebration, at frequent inter- 
 vals, of this anniversary; so that their obelisk should 
 
348 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 never be like its Egyptian prototype, — "a silent mys- 
 tery to the successive generations that gaze npon it; " 
 — but that there should be frequently made upon the 
 spot a liviug record and solemn attestation of the 
 events and principles in honor of which it was erected. 
 Alluding to the masterly orations of 1825 and 1843, 
 and to the historic accounts of the battle, he proceeded 
 to uufold the unexampled consequences of that event 
 in their different stages, resulting iu the consummation 
 of the Union by the nation's birth ; and, deprecating 
 any thing that should threaten to destroy the national 
 unity, he closed with this aspiration : " Let pure patri- 
 otism add its bond to the bars of iron which are bind- 
 ing this continent together; and, as intelligence shoots 
 with the electric spark from ocean to ocean, let public 
 spirit and love of country catch from heart to heart.'' 
 
 The great concourse of people were enchained by 
 the orator's eloquence for an hour and a quarter, 
 with frequent interruptions of genuine applause. 
 After the benediction of the chaplain had dismissed 
 the vast assembly, the Association and City Council, 
 with the invited guests and the subsci'ibers to the 
 dinner, proceeded, under the same military escort, to 
 the large hall of the Fitchburg Eaih-oad ComjDany's 
 station, where thej^ sat down to a feast, to the number 
 of twelve hundred. 
 
 In due time, the President extended a welcome to 
 the company assembled to celebrate the seventy-fifth 
 anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, and to note 
 its results up to that time. " Who of us,'' he asked, 
 " will be permitted to take a similar observation when 
 the century shall be completed?" 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 349 
 
 In re^Dly to appropriate sentiments, speeches and 
 toasts were given, in order, by the Governor, George 
 N. Briggs, Mr. Justice Levi Woodbnrj, of the Su- 
 23reme Court of the United States, Chief Justice 
 Lemuel Shaw, of the Supreme Judicial Court of the 
 State, Charles Devens, Jr., United States Marshal, in 
 answer to a toast in honor of the President of the 
 United States, and by John P. Bigelow, Mayor of 
 Boston, and others. 
 
 Mr Webster, who was prevented by official duties 
 from attending, as Mr. Everett had been likewise 
 prevented from attending the former celebrations, sent 
 a thrilling patriotic letter, concluding with this toast: 
 
 '^^ Bunker Hill 3Ionument, — May it crumble to the dust before it 
 shall look down upon a country dishonored, disgraced, and ruined by 
 the breaking up, by sacrilegious hands, of that Union which has 
 secured its liberty, fostered its prosperity, and spread its glory and 
 renown throughout the world." 
 
 The following from Ex-Speaker Robert C. Win- 
 throp, who was also detained at Washington, was 
 announced: — 
 
 " Bunker Hill and Torktown, — The opening struggle and the 
 crowning triumph of the same great contest for American Liberty. 
 May a common glory in the past, a common pride in the present, and 
 a common interest in the future keep them always united under the 
 flag of a common country." 
 
 This celebration not only gave .great satisfaction 
 throughout the country, but was the occasion of the 
 one which followed after another interval of seven 
 years. Colonel Perkins, Ex-President of the Associa- 
 tion, who attended these exercises, was prompted on 
 
350 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 that day to offer one thousand dollars towards the 
 erection of a Monument on Bunker Hill to General 
 "Warren. This proposition was referred to the Presi- 
 dent, Mr. Everett, and Mr. Franklin Dexter, who re- 
 ported in favor of a statue. Their report was accepted. 
 A petition was addressed to Congress for a grant in 
 compliance with the resolution passed by the Conti- 
 nental Congress in 1777, that a Monument be erected 
 to General Joseph Warren in Boston; but, this fail- 
 ing, the Committee were authorized to receive sub- 
 scriptions, and to assume the whole work. Henry 
 Dexter, the sculptor, was, by the advice of Colonel 
 Perkins, employed to execute the Monumental Statue. 
 Arrangements were made for its inauguration June 
 17, 1857, by a Committee consisting of the President, 
 Mr. Everett, Dr. Wilham P. Lawrence, Mr. Wheildon, 
 Mr. Winthrop, and Messrs. Peter Hubbell, F. W. 
 Lincoln, Jr., T. T. Sawyer, and J. W. Wightman. 
 Colonel Thomas Aspinwall was appointed Grand 
 Marshal, who had for aides General John S. Tyler 
 and Colonel Newell A. Thompson. A fine Pavilion 
 was erected on the north side of Monument Square to 
 accommodate ten thousand. Mr. James Lawrence was 
 Chief Marshal of the grounds. The Committee and 
 invited guests assembled at the State Ilonse. The 
 Legislature had appointed a joint Committee with full 
 powers to make arrangements for the reception of 
 distinguished visitors. As on the two preceding cele- 
 brations, the President of the United States and his 
 Cabinet, the Vice-President and Senators, and the 
 Governors of the States, were invited. 
 
^^^(^L^(6<W-^ /5 J-i^i^ 
 
 / 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 351 
 
 The procession started at 12 noon precisely, under 
 a fine military escort tendered by the City of Charles- 
 town, Hon. Timothy T. Sawyer, Mayor, nnder the com- 
 mand of Colonel Charles B. Rogers. The famous 
 Seventh Eegiment of jSTew York, under Colonel A. 
 Duryea and Lt.-Colonel M. Lefferts, formed a con- 
 spicuous part of the escort. The Masonic Fraternity, 
 various societies and institutions, and a large body of 
 citizens composed the procession, which surpassed 
 even those of the former occasions, as the crowds of 
 spectators on the line and the splendor of the decora- 
 tions of the streets exceeded those before. At three 
 o'clock the exercises on the ground commenced, at 
 about the same hour that the battle began there 
 eighty-two years before. Rev. Dr. James "Walker, 
 then President of Harvard College, officiated as the 
 ChajDlain, as his Predecessor did the day before the 
 battle, when the troops were about to leave the Col- 
 lege quarters for the uncertain conflict. Mr. Everett 
 gave the address of Presentation of the Statue to the 
 Association, in his finest and most eloquent manner. 
 The President made the address of reception. John 
 T. Heard, as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of 
 Massachusetts, performed the Masonic ceremonies, 
 and addresses were made by him, by Governor Henry 
 J. Gardner, by Mr. Winthrop, and several of the dis- 
 tinguished strangers, — all filled with most patriotic 
 sentiments. 
 
 Colonel Perkins did not live to witness the execu- 
 tion of the work which he originated. He died Jan- 
 uary 11, 1854, in the ninetieth year of his age. In 
 
352 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 addition to his fame as an eminent merchant, a 
 patriotic citizen, and the first gentleman of his time, 
 his name will be gratefully remembered, not only as 
 an instrumental founder of the Association, but as the 
 one who gave to it an example, and led the way in 
 the commemoration of illustrious men by erecting 
 monumental statues to their memory. 
 
 A full account of this celebration was published by 
 the Association in a volume edited by Mr. Wheildon, 
 and entitled " The Inauguration of the Statue of 
 General Warren on Bunker Hill; " a book which may 
 always be consulted with interest as giving a true 
 index of the real feeling of the community, showing 
 an ardent love of country at a period so near the 
 impending crisis. 
 
 The theme of all the orations and speeches on 
 Bunker Hill is what Mr. Webster said the Monument 
 should ever remind us of, — the Liberty and the glory 
 of the country. " Here upon Bunker Hill was laid the 
 corner-stone of American Independence." Here is the 
 nation's landmark, the primal point of observation, 
 where, at frequent intervals in the long line of the 
 future, whoever shall be deemed most worthy shall 
 speak on this anniversary, in behalf of and to the 
 people of America, of the great blessings of their 
 inheritance, and of their bounden duty to transmit 
 them unabridged to posterity. 
 
Enfi by AH Ritchie W Y 
 
 REPRESENTATIVE FROM MASS. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 It is when the hour of conflict is over, that History comes to a right 
 understanding of the strife, and is ready to exclaim, " Lo, God is here, and 
 "we knew it not." 
 
 ALBERT EDWARD, Prince of Wales, and 
 Heir Apparent of the British throne, made 
 a visit to Bunker Hill, with his full accompanying 
 suite, October 19, 1860, the seventy-ninth anniversary 
 of the surrender of Coi'nwallis to Washington at 
 Yorktown, which was the termination of the struggle 
 of separation from the Mother Country. This coinci- 
 dence, entirely accidental, might yet almost be said to 
 have been Providential; at least it might be regarded 
 as an auspicious omen of permanent peace between 
 England and America. 
 
 An invitation from the President was forwarded to 
 the Prince by Mr. Everett, and it was arranged that 
 after visiting Cambridge the Royal party should go 
 to Bunker Hill. The reception was informal and 
 without ceremony, as the Duke of IS^ewcastle on be- 
 half of His Royal Highness had uniformly insisted 
 should be the case during the whole American tour. 
 After the Prince and his suite had each written his 
 name in the Visitors' Book, and had seen the statue 
 of General Warren, the President conducted his 
 
 45 
 
354 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Eoyal Highness to the interior of the Monument, 
 where he explained its construction, and also the 
 reason for the placing of the model of the Masonic 
 Monument where it stands, and then passed outside 
 upon the walk within the inner enclosure. As the 
 Prince, apart from the rest, was viewing the objects 
 of interest as pointed out, and was shown the British 
 ensign flying for the first time from the top by the 
 side of the American flag, he observed, " This Monu- 
 ment was not erected to our glory." " True, your 
 Highness," replied the President, " but it marks the 
 birth of a kindred nation, which will ever own its 
 affection for the mother-country, and as an ally will 
 prove as valuable as though she were still a part of 
 her." To this remark his Royal Highness, in appro- 
 priate words, gave his cordial assent. After the visit 
 was over, the Prince, in passing through the great 
 crowd of spectators, was loudly cheered. 
 
 From Bunker Hill the party proceeded to the rooms 
 of the Massachusetts Historical Society, where its 
 President, Mr. Winthrop, showed to his Royal High- 
 ness the various works and memorials of historic 
 interest, and called his special attention to the two 
 swords which were worn on the day of the Battle of 
 Bunker Hill, — the one by Colonel Prescott, and the 
 other by Captain Linzee, who commanded the "Falcon," 
 one of the British ships of war that fired upon the 
 American redoubt, and which the maiTiage of the 
 two grandchildren — William H. Prescott, the his- 
 torian, and a grand-daughter of Captain Linzee — had 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 355 
 
 brought together, and crossed in perpetual union. ISTo 
 more fitting ilkistration could have been furnished to 
 tliis most distinguished party of the genuine feeUng 
 of friendsliip and good-will which the American people 
 desired to manifest; and, following the visit to Bunker 
 Hill, it was most timely and felicitous. 
 
 It is said that his Royal Highness and suite were 
 particularly pleased with their reception in Boston, 
 and with the courteous and cordial attentions extended 
 on her behalf by her Mayor, Hon. Frederic W. Lin- 
 coln, a Director of the Association, who made them 
 feel quite at home, as if they were in an English town. 
 At any rate, the sending to the Prince, after his return 
 home, of a suitable memento of his remarkable visit 
 to Bunker Hill, was the occasion of eliciting an 
 expression of reciprocal regard in high quarters pecu- 
 liarly welcome at the time, as the following corre- 
 spondence will show : — 
 
 7 Monument Square, 
 Charlestown, Mass., Dec. 10, 1860. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, — 
 
 I most respectfully beg leave to present to your Royal 
 Highness the accompanying Parchment, to testify the ap- 
 preciation by the Government of the Bunker Hill Monument 
 Association of the memorable visit to Bunker Hill on the 
 19th of October last. The original, of which this is an ex- 
 act copy, — the autographs of your Royal Highness and suite 
 being taken from the Register and placed thereon, — is kept 
 for public inspection in the office of the Monument, there to 
 be carefully preserved in perpetuam memoriam rei, and in 
 cordial commemoration of the noble sentiment uttered by 
 your Royal Highness on this celebrated spot. 
 
356 HISTORY OF the 
 
 It has been thought that a facsimile of this memorial 
 would not be unacceptable to Your Royal Highness, and ac- 
 cordingly, at the suggestion of the Honorable Edward Everett, 
 and of the Honorable Robert C. Winthrop, Vice-Presidents 
 of the Association, and many others, I do herewith tender it, 
 with sentiments of my most profound respect, and with the 
 most hearty congratulations of us all upon the welcome visit 
 with which our country has been honored, and the happ}'" 
 return of your Royal Highness to our Eatherland. 
 
 G. Washington Wareen, 
 
 President of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. 
 
 The foregoing was forwarded by Mr. Everett, with 
 the accompanying parcel and a letter from himself, 
 to his Grace the Duke of Il^ewcastle, and subsequently 
 the following letters were received from his Grace and 
 from General Bruce: — 
 
 Downing St., Feb. 8, 1861. 
 
 My deak Mr. Everett, — About ten days ago', I re- 
 ceived from you a roll of paper, which, with an enclosure for 
 the Prince of Wales, from the Hon. G. Washington Warren, 
 contained a letter to myself from you of date 10th December. 
 
 You probably sent it by a private hand, and I only mention 
 the interval between the date of your letter and my receipt 
 of it, that you may not suppose I neglected the parcel. I 
 sent it to the Prince at Cambridge without delay. 
 
 I assure you the Queen and Prince Consort have felt very 
 deeply all the kindness — may I not say affection? — which 
 was shown to the Prince of Wales during his late most inter- 
 esting and remarkable visit to the United States, and I find 
 that I by no means overrated, in my conversations with you 
 and others, the effect which that kindness would produce in 
 this country. 
 
 That effect has been very remarkably shown in the feelings 
 which the sad events now occurring in your country have 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 357 
 
 elicited. Time was, and that not long past, when you might 
 have heard in every society jeers at the supposed failure of 
 your institutions, and even exultation at the prospect of your 
 pride being humbled and your greatness lowered. Noav every 
 account is looked for with the greatest anxiety, and I believe 
 the desire that you may ride through the storm unharmed is 
 all but universal. I have heard a Frenchman express his 
 utter inability to comprehend " such foolish generosity and 
 blindness to our own interests," as not to wish the utter dis- 
 ruption of the States. 
 
 If I may be allowed to speak of my own sentiments, I can 
 assure you that all I saw during the few weeks spent in 
 America has created an interest in my mind for the welfare 
 of the country that I read your newspapers with a j)ain 
 which could only be exceeded b}^ the news of disasters to 
 my own dear land. I sadly fear you have great troubles 
 yet to come ; but to learn from you (if you will ever spare 
 me a few liues) that you have better hopes would be a great 
 relief. 
 
 Believe me always, my dear Mr. Everett, 
 
 Yours very sincerely, 
 
 Newcastle. 
 
 Wadingley Hall, Cambridge. 
 
 My dear Mr. Everett, — I am desired by the Prince of 
 Wales to thank you and the members of the Bunker's Hill 
 Committee for the document you kindly forwarded at their 
 instance for his acceptance, commemorative of His Royal 
 Highness's visit to the Monument erected there. Of all 
 the many agreeable recollections connected with his grati- 
 fying tour in the United States, none are more cherished 
 than those attaching to his sojourn in your interesting city, 
 and all such memorials of it possess a peculiar value in his 
 eyes. 
 
 We liave had the gratification of making the acquaintance 
 of your son at the University, who bids fair I believe to tread 
 
358 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 in the footsteps of his distinguished father, and to prove him- 
 self not unworthy of his descent. 
 
 I say nothing about your politics, except that 1 most un- 
 feignedly hope that the present dissensions between different 
 sections of the country may speedily disappear. 
 
 Believe me, my dear Mr. Everett, 
 
 Very faithfully yours, 
 
 R. Beuce. 
 
 Upon the publication of the proceedings of the 
 Association, at the annual meeting in 1861, a hand- 
 somely bound copy was presented to the Prince 
 through the Minister Pleuipotentiary of the United 
 States, Mr. Adams, who subsequently transmitted 
 a copy of the letter received by him in acknowledg- 
 ment, as follows: — 
 
 Buckingham Palace, 
 
 September 29, 1861. 
 
 Sir, — Absence from England has prevented me from 
 having the honor of acknowledging at an earlier period the 
 receipt of Your Excellency's letter of the 11th inst. The 
 Prince of Wales, who returned last night from the Continent, 
 desires me to thank you for the communication in question, 
 and to request that Your Excellency will have the goodness 
 to express to the Bunker's Hill Monument Association of 
 Boston His Royal Highness's sense of the obligation conferred 
 upon him by the transmission for his acceptance of the volume 
 which accompanied 3^our letter. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 R. Beuce, Major- General, 
 
 To His Excellency the Hou. C. F. Adams, &c., Legation of the United 
 States. 
 
BUNKER HTLL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 359 
 
 It is gratifying to reflect that the Association were 
 the means of eliciting by this correspondence, before 
 the outbreak of the civil war, so hearty an expression 
 of good-will and sympathy from the distinguished 
 personages so near the British Throne. However 
 credulously some of the leading Statesmen and poli- 
 ticians of England might have listened to the sugges- 
 tions referred to in the Duke's letter, it is now well 
 known that the Queen and the people of England 
 favored the cause of the United States. They were 
 true to the instincts of Humanity. 
 
 The error of the Seceding States in seeking to 
 absolve themselves from allegiance to the N^ational 
 Government, and to form a new confederation upon 
 the basis of slavery as the coi*ner-stone, was owing to 
 the false education and enforced public sentiment 
 which had been sedulously promoted by the aspiring 
 politicians of the South for a generation. The more 
 perfect Union formed by the people of the United 
 States by the adoption of their Constitution was in- 
 variably spoken of by them as a Confederacy; the 
 National Government they called the Federal Gov- 
 ernment; they spoke of the Sovereign States; but 
 they did not own they had a Country. This studied 
 effort to de-nationalize their own section produced 
 at last its baneful consequences. 
 
 Thus they claimed that any of the States had the 
 right to leave the " Confederacy " at pleasure, and 
 whenever the sectional power of the Slave States as 
 a unit should cease to be predominant in all the 
 
360 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 branches of the General Government, they declared 
 their purpose of secession. On the accession of 
 President Lincoln, they deemed the time had come, 
 and they undertook to execute their long-cherished 
 design. 
 
 In looking back upon the course of public opinion 
 in those States, in the light of the pernicious doctrines 
 inculcated for a third of a century, it cannot be denied 
 that these men were sincere in their views; their 
 bravery and self-denial showed how earnest they 
 were in defending them. Still the union sentiment 
 and love of the whole country were fondly cherished 
 by niany hearts in the discontented States, and yielded 
 only to the coercive spirit of the madness ;which ruled 
 the hour. The excited leaders, in order to change 
 the almost irre]3ressible feeling of loyalty into aversion, 
 caused the flag of the nation to be trampled under 
 foot, or to be torn in pieces before the people, — an 
 indignity which, if it had been offered or attempted 
 in a foreign land, or at home by a foreign power, 
 would have roused their own indignation and resent- 
 ment. 
 
 It was a fitting time therefore for the Association 
 on its first anniversary, in 1861, after the attempted 
 secession had assumed the formidable appearance of 
 war, to uplift the flag of the nation from above the 
 summit of the Monument erected to its glory. This 
 was done with the most imposing ceremony possible, 
 in order to render it an inspiring occasion during 
 the dubious time. A mast seventy feet long, sur- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 361 
 
 mounted by a gilt ball, had been prepared and bolted 
 to the upper courses of the Monument, so that a flag 
 of the largest size might clear its apex. 
 
 A great concourse of people, enthusiastic in their 
 loyalty, gathered around the base of the Monument at 
 nine o'clock in the morning of that glorious day. An 
 appropriate prayer for the occasion was made by Rev. 
 James B. Miles. A select choir, organized by Wil- 
 liam H. Kent, sung a concerted piece, entitled " The 
 Rock of Liberty." The President made a short open- 
 ing address to His Excellency John A. Andrew, Gov- 
 ernor of Massachusetts, in which he predicted the 
 failure of the Rebellion in the following language: 
 " Belief in a beneficent Providence assures to us the 
 ultimate success of the issue. Order is Heaven's first 
 law. If, in the old countries, forms of government, in 
 themselves objectionable, are patiently submitted to 
 by intelligent populations for the blessings of peace, 
 HERE, where the best form is established which reason 
 and experience can contrive, the reflecting judgment, 
 the incalcidable interests, and the restored affections 
 of the people will at last unite to preserve it for the 
 good of the whole country. Surely our substantial 
 fabric of society, this system of law, of order, of cult- 
 ure, of progress and happiness, — the growth of a cen- 
 tury, — the associations of what to us is America, 
 will not be destroyed for the wanton purpose of at- 
 tempting new combinations. As well might one pro- 
 pose to batter down this Monument to its base, with 
 the view^ of rearing from its disjointed materials a 
 structure more firm, more appropriate, and more 
 
 46 
 
362 HISTOEY OF THE 
 
 majestic, as to think' of dissolving the Union for the 
 purpose of constructing one or more Confederations 
 that would not last long enough to claim the respect 
 of the world, or even their own." At the close of his 
 address, the President requested the Governor to un- 
 furl the flag. 
 
 Governor Andrew commenced his reply as fol- 
 lows: — 
 
 " Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association, — 
 
 " The request of your patriotic society, which with pious 
 and loyal devotion has preserved this silent granite to stand 
 for ever in this Mecca of the returning American Patriot, 
 and the approbation of the people of this historic town, is 
 more than command, on the seventeenth of June, to the 
 Chief Executive of Massachusetts. 
 
 " Obedient to your request, I am here to-day, present as 
 the humble but official representative of this venerable and 
 renowned Commonwealth, attended by the gentlemen of the 
 Council and by the representatives of our military arm, 
 proud also to be surrounded by gentlemen of the army and 
 navy, whose presence adds greater significance of the day, 
 whose valor has illustrated the American name upon all seas, 
 and who have followed that starry flag which shall stand for 
 ever while time shall endure, as a sign of the pious love of 
 man and God which distinguished the fathers of the Ameri- 
 can Republic." 
 
 After recalling the scenes of the Revolution, and 
 referring to the then impending civil strife, he closed 
 his eloquent address as follows : — 
 
 " If this Monument needed a voice, if it does not now speak 
 with silent but most mysterious and most eloquent organ. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 363 
 
 then let our country's flag, as it crowns the pinnacle of its 
 loftiest height, speak for it. Obedient, therefore, to the re- 
 quest of this Association, and to the impulse of my own heart, 
 I spread aloft the blazing ensign of the Republic, testifying 
 for ever, to the last generation of men, of the rights of man- 
 kind, and of constitutional liberty and law. Let it rise, until 
 it shall surmount the capital of the column ; let it float on 
 every wind, to every sea and every shore ; from every hill- top 
 let it wave ; down every river let it run. Respected it shall 
 be in Charlestown, Massachusetts ; and in Charleston, South 
 Carolina ; on the Mississippi and on the Penobscot ; in New 
 Orleans as in Cincinnati ; in the Gulf of Mexico as on Lake 
 Superior, and by France and England, now and for ever. 
 Catch it, ye breezes, as it swings aloft : fan it, every wind 
 that blows, clasp it in your arms, and let it float for ever as 
 the starry sign of 'Liberty, now and for ever, one and in- 
 separable.' " 
 
 As the Governor then pulled the rope, which 
 loosened the knot high above, the flag leaped from 
 the narrow compass into which it had Ipeen pent up, 
 and spread out large and beautiful to the morning 
 breeze, the multitude cheering and waving their hand- 
 kerchiefs with frantic enthusiasm. Gihiiore's Band 
 played the " Star-spangled Banner," the words of 
 which were immediately after sung, Mr. Frank A. 
 Hall, with his clear-sounding voice, leading ofl*, and 
 the ladies joining in the chorus. Then " America " 
 was sung in the same style and with the same effect. 
 It was a spectacle worthy of Bunker Hill, and of her 
 heaven-born mission, — sublime and stirring enough 
 to have fixed in loyalty any swerving Southern heart, 
 could it only have been brought within its inspiring 
 reach. 
 
364 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 There was an incident of historic significance con- 
 nected with this ceremony, — the presence of Colonel 
 Fletcher Webster, commanding the Twelfth Regi- 
 ment of Massachusetts volunteers, then on their way 
 to the field of action. He was the only surviving son 
 of the great Statesman and orator: his other son had 
 died before for his country in the Mexican war. The 
 Governor presented him to the great assembly. He 
 would have been gladly heard if only for his father's 
 sake. But he had an eloquence and a mission all his 
 owm. He uttered a few strong, thrilling sentences 
 with deep emotion, as if with a presentiment that he 
 was for the last time treading the sacred ground. 
 He said, in closing: "I now stand again at the base 
 of the Monument, and renew once more on this na- 
 tional altar vows, not for the first time made, of devo- 
 tion to my country, its constitution and union. 
 
 " I feel the inspiration which breathes around this 
 spot; I feel the awful presence of the great dead, who 
 speak to us out of this hallowed ground; they call to 
 us with voices more impressive to us than human, to 
 show ourselves not unworthy sons. From this spot 
 I take my departure, like the mariner commencing his 
 voyage, and wherever my eyes may close they will be 
 turned hitherward toward this North; and, in what- 
 ever event, grateful will be the reflection that this 
 Monument still stands, — still, still is gilded by the 
 earliest beams of the rising sun, and that still depart- 
 ing day lingers and plays on its summit for ever." 
 
 Colonel Webster sealed his patriotic devotion with 
 his blood, at Bull Run, August 30, 1862. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 365 
 
 Others descended from or nearly akin to the found- 
 ers and officers of the Association gave their lives to 
 the cause, as General Thomas G. Stevenson, Colonel 
 Robert G. Shaw, Lt.-Colonel Waldo Merriam, Cap- 
 tain N. B. Shurtleff, Lieutenant H. F. "Wolcott, and 
 Joseph P. Hubbell. There were others who bravely 
 served in the field, and returned home. Dr. Luther 
 V. Bell, one of the Directors, also died while on 
 service in the field as a Brigade Surgeon. 
 
 During the whole war, the Association employed 
 its unremitting efiJ'orts upon the side of loyalty, and 
 for the complete reconciliation of the disafi'ected sec- 
 tion to the country which was so soon to be reunited. 
 At the annual meeting in 1862, the President said 
 in his address: "On this anniversary, we can mark 
 the wonderful progress of the past year. That flag 
 is now honored in every State. On the land and on 
 the sea, it waves with new brilliancy. States as States 
 are returning to their allegiance. The Constitution 
 of the Union is in the ascendant. Let us hope that 
 on the next anniversary, which will be the fortieth of 
 the Association, we shall be able to hold the antici- 
 pated public commemoration of a reunion of all the 
 States, a restoration of the ancient feeling of mutual 
 good-will, and of that essential, unreserved loyalty to 
 our sacred Constitution, which has formed the people 
 of the United States of America one great Republic, 
 demonstrated by the passing events to be Indivisible 
 and Invincible." Mr. Winthrop followed in a con- 
 cise and eloquent speech, heartily indorsing the senti- 
 ments expressed by the chair, and moved the printing 
 
366 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the address with the proceedings of the day, which 
 was unanimously carried. 
 
 The Association never faltered in its faith that the 
 issue of the contest would be decided in favor of the 
 U:t^ro]sr, on which the Monumeistt staistds. Where- 
 ever the power of the nation was acknowledged, the 
 people also manifested their faith by prosecuting the 
 works and cultivating the arts of peace. Churches 
 and school-houses were erected, — the sure muniments 
 of defence, — universities of learning and institutions 
 of charity were endowed. The City of Boston during 
 the war erected her new City Hall, under Mayors 
 Wightman and Lincoln; Charlestown established her 
 Mystic Water Works; and, as if to crown and conse- 
 crate the national struggle. Congress completed the 
 Capitol by elevating upon its highest pinnacle the 
 Statue of Liberty. 
 
 In 1864, on a suggestion made by Mr. Wheildon, 
 a Committee consisting of himself, Mr. Winthrop, 
 Mr. Lincoln, Mr. J. H. Wolcott, and Dr. Winslow 
 Lewis, was appointed to consider the expediency of 
 re-erecting in Boston the Beacon Hill Monument, 
 which was built in 1790, and was taken down in 1810, 
 in consequence of the reduction of the hill upon which 
 it stood. This Committee applied to the Legislature 
 for an additional act, which was passed, and was 
 formally accepted by the Association at the annual 
 meeting in 1865. This act is in these words: — 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 367 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 In the Year one tliousand eight hundred and sixty-fice. 
 
 An Act, 
 
 In addition to an Act to incorporate the Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment Association. 
 
 Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Represeiitatives in 
 Greneral Court assembled^ and hy the authority of the same 
 as follows : — • 
 
 Sect. 1. That the Bunker Hill "Monument Association be, 
 and they hereby are, authorized, on some suitable site to be 
 selected and provided by them, to rebuild the Beacon Hill 
 Monument, which was in seventeen hundred and ninety built 
 by the citizens of Boston " to commemorate that train of 
 events which led to the American Revolution, and finally 
 secured liberty and independence to the United States," and 
 to take such legal and proper measures as may be necessary 
 to effect their object ; provided, that said Association shall not 
 be authorized to rebuild said Monument on any land belong- 
 ing to the City of Boston, without the consent of its public 
 authorities first obtained. 
 
 Sect. 2. That, for the purpose expressed in the foregoing 
 section, the said Bunker Hill Monument Association are 
 hereby authorized to take and receive the four tablets or in- 
 scriptions, formerly composing a part of said Beacon Hill 
 Monument, now in the Doric Hall of the State House ; and 
 the Sergeant-at-Arms for the time being is authorized and 
 empowered to deliver the same to said Association, its Com- 
 mittee or agent, whenever he is satisfied said tablets are to 
 be used in rebuilding said Monument, and are required for 
 that purpose. 
 
 Approved by the Governor, 
 
 John A. Andrew. 
 
 March 28, 1865. 
 
368 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Although the trust reposed by this act has not yet 
 been fulfilled, the appointment of a Committee, a year 
 before the civil war terminated, to consider the ex- 
 pediency of reproducing this Monument, is a signal 
 proof not only of the faith of the Association in the 
 happy result, but of its steadfast purpose to do every 
 thing in its power to perpetuate the memory of the 
 early events of our country's history, and thus add 
 new incentives to patriotism. 
 
 The last time that the flag was displayed from the 
 elevated mast was on November 25, 1866, the day set 
 apart by the Proclamation of President Johnson as a 
 day of National Thanksgiving for the cessation of the 
 Pebellion. The mast was soon after taken down, 
 having fully subserved its purpose, and the Monu- 
 ment presented its original appearance. In the spring 
 of 1867, a liberty-pole was erected on the square one 
 hundred and forty feet high, and about sixty feet dis- 
 tant from the north-easterly corner of the Monument. 
 On the cross-bar was lettered the motto, "Liberty 
 and Union:" "1775, 17th of June, 1867." A flag 
 was first displayed on the anniversary in 1867. This 
 arrangement was made by the Standing Committee as 
 an experiment, in order to relieve the Monument from 
 the disparaging efi'ect, in an artistic point of vieAV, by 
 providing instead a way of displaying the flag from a 
 liberty -pole near by. It was removed in 1874; and 
 two flags are now, on occasions, hung from poles put 
 out of the side windows of the Monument, which 
 interrupts the outline of its beautiful proportions. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 369 
 
 The observance of the centennial anniversary was 
 in contemphition for j^ears before its advent. At the 
 preceding- anniversary, in 1874, Mr. "Wixthkop wa.s 
 elected orator by the Association; and the Standing 
 Committee, consisting of the President, Treasurer, 
 Secretary, and thirteen Directors, were instructed to 
 make all the other necessary arrangements. Mr. Win- 
 throp, feeling compelled, by necessary absence abroad, 
 to decline the honor, Charles Devens, Jr., one of 
 the Directors, and a Justice of the Supreme Judicial 
 Court of Massachusetts, who served as Brigadier- 
 General of Volunteers in the Kebellion, was appointed 
 by the Standing Committee in his place. The Commit- 
 tee occupied much time during the year in making the 
 arrangements which devolved upon the Association. 
 
 Fortunately, by the legislative act of Union passed 
 in 1873, which was accepted by the voters of Boston 
 and Charlestown on the day of the State election, the 
 two cities became one on the first Monday of Janu- 
 ary, 1874, and thus the government of the metropolis 
 could properly take a prominent part in the due ob- 
 servance of the first centennial anniversary. It cor- 
 dially co-operated in making its ari-angements upon a 
 magnificent scale. The City Council appropriated for 
 the purpose the munificent sum of thirty-five thou- 
 sand dollars, which, by the good management of the 
 Mayor, Samuel C. Cobb, and the committee acting 
 with him, was not quite expended. 
 
 In 1873, the Association, on the motion of Colonel 
 Henry Walker, a Director, ordered that the Direc- 
 
 47 
 
370 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tors petition the Legislature that the 17th of June 
 be declared by law a legal holiday. In 1874, the 
 Legislature, on its consideration, referred the sub- 
 ject to the next Legislature (1875), which only 
 passed the resolve that it should be made a holi- 
 day for that year. It also made a liberal appro- 
 priation for the entertainment of distinguished guests 
 of the State, and authorized the Governor to order a 
 review of all the volunteer troops of the State on the 
 day of the celebration. Governor Gastoist readily 
 acceded. Thus, by the combined action of the State, 
 the Metropolis, and the Association, the finest military 
 and civic display took place that had ever been wit- 
 nessed at au}^ ceremonial on the continent. 
 
 As the city and the Association has j^ublished each, 
 in an elegant style, a full account of this, the grandest 
 of all popular celebrations, it is sufficient in this His- 
 tory, referring to what may be readily found in those 
 volumes, to briefly glance at some iucidents of the 
 occasion. 
 
 As the grand procession organized by the city, 
 under the lead of General OsBORisr, its Chief Marshal, 
 and his numerous stafi" and corps of assistants, passed 
 over the long route of about seven miles, commencing 
 at the new Boston, Avhich had within the half-century 
 risen up from the Bay, and thence along the his- 
 toric streets and places of the olden time, all profusely 
 decorated with flags and densely packed with im- 
 mense throngs of spectators, who hailed with special 
 welcome their brethren in arms from the Southern 
 States, the enthusiasm was irrepressible. Music and 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 371 
 
 cheers filled the air. The perfect order of the march, 
 the beauty and variety of the uniforms and equipages, 
 and the number of distinguished characters, and the 
 hosts still marching on, astonished the sight. All the 
 glories and memories of the former celebrations seemed 
 to be concentrated in this. 
 
 It was half-past six o'clock before Colonel Henky 
 Walker, the Chief Marshal of the Association, called 
 to order the great assembly in the Pavilion in front of 
 the Monument. After a devout prayer by Rev. Dr. 
 RuFUS Ellis, the pastor of the First Church in Bos- 
 ton, which in the early settlement first worshipped in 
 Charlestown, and after the singing of a hymn, " Prayer 
 before Battle," by the Apollo Club, the President pre- 
 sented the orator of the day. As a great-grandson of 
 one who, bearing the self-same name, was one hundred 
 years before a member of that renowned and patriotic 
 Committee of Safety, and approved, to the ruin of his 
 private fortune, of the order given to fortify that hill; 
 as an accomplished scholar, versed in knowledge, 
 literature, and in the history of his country; and as 
 a gallant soldier, who buckled on his sword and 
 marched to the field to maintain the country's in- 
 tegrity, and then returned to adorn the highest judicial 
 office in the State, — he spoke to the attentive auditory 
 with authority, and with all the unction, grace, and 
 power which the theme and the occasion could inspire. 
 As he spoke for nearly an hour, without once refer- 
 ring to his notes, and epitomizing for lack of time his 
 prepared oration, he enchained in rapt admiration 
 General Sherman and the other distinguished men 
 
372 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 around, and the great mass before them. Vice-Pi'esi- 
 dent Wilson said, and these were ahuost the last 
 pnblic words he spoke, " ]N'o words uttered by Web- 
 ster were better calculated to do more good, in all this 
 broad land, than are the words uttered here to-daj^, 
 in the present condition of the country." 
 
 Owing to the too late hour at which the exercises 
 commenced, there were but few responses, and those 
 quite brief, from the representatives of other States. 
 These were interspersed by singing by the Apollo 
 Club of an original hymn by Chai-les James Sprague, 
 Esq., and other songs. Colonel Walker pronounced 
 the prize ode by George Sennott, Esq., a concluding 
 hymn by the President was sung, and then the great 
 gathering was dismissed by Rev. Phillips Brooks, 
 Kector of Trinity Church. For the first time the 
 festivity of a dinner with patriotic toasts and speeches 
 was dispensed with. There were, however, many 
 entertainments in the evening, at which the numerous 
 guests exchanged hearty greetings with their gener- 
 ous hosts. 
 
 The Masonic Orders and Lodges did not appear in 
 the procession, as so many of the Fraternity were in 
 the military and civil organizations. But the Officers 
 of the Grand Lodge of the State appeared; the Grand 
 Master, Percival L. Everett, wearing the Masonic 
 apron of the Grand Lodge which belonged to Gen- 
 eral Joseph Warren, and the late Dr. Winslow Lewis 
 weai'ing the same Masonic aj)ron which Lafayette 
 wore fifty years before. Rev. Dr. Samuel K. Loth- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 373 
 
 rop, Hon. Marshall P. "Wilder, Francis C. Whiston, 
 the toast-master of 1825, and a few other veterans, 
 who were in this procession, were also in that of the 
 half-century celebration. With what emotion must 
 they have contrasted the day of 1875 with that of 
 1825 — the great growth and improvement of the 
 enlarged metropolis; the route extended to give room 
 to the longer procession and the multiplied specta- 
 tors; the country, too, with her new-born States 
 stretching out to the Pacific Coast, arid yet brought 
 nearer together by the new ties of the railroad, and, 
 greatest of wonders, the electric telegraph, waiting 
 to transmit, in an instant, the latest news all over 
 the globe! 
 
 When Lafayette, in his toast at the semi-centennial 
 anniversary, predicted that the toast at this centennial 
 jubilee would be "To Enfranchised Europe," he did 
 not conceive, any more than did his gratified enter- 
 tainers, of the miraculous change which the spirit of 
 Liberty would then have wrought in the United States. 
 It did not then seem credible that slavery, entailed 
 upon the Southern States by the mother countrj^, to 
 which the JSTorthern States had largely contributed by 
 the gainful transportation of the captured Africans, 
 and which had become so deep rooted in Southern soil, 
 would ever be abolished by amendment to the national 
 organic law. But God — with whom all things are 
 possible — has manifested himself to us in the history 
 of our first century, and we may surely believe that 
 He will inspire and guide the national heart to solve 
 
374 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 the political and social problems, and to meet the 
 emergencies, of the centuries that are to follow. 
 
 The flag of the Kepublic waves more proudly now ; 
 the Monument appears the more grand and eloquent 
 orator; the Declaration of Independence is a sublime 
 realit}^; the Republic is in truth an exemplar. Hence- 
 forth in the territory of the United States all men are 
 born free and equal; and free education, equal rights, 
 benevolent institutions, private munificence, and the 
 kindly offices of that Charity which never faileth, will 
 overcome or ameliorate that inequality of position 
 and circumstances which seems to be the ordained lot 
 of humanity. May He, who made of one blood all 
 nations of men, harmonize and make homogeneous the 
 United States of America, destined to be composed of 
 all races and sects, whose boast it is, and always should 
 be, that their land is the Asylum of the oppressed and 
 the Home of the free! 
 
?*-Li 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Earth has not any thing to show more fair : 
 Dull would he be of soul to pass by 
 A sight so touching in its majesty. 
 
 THE Bunker Hill Monument is a fit type 
 of the national unity. Built in the form of 
 a monolithic structure, but of such large propor- 
 tions, and of such unique interior arrangement, as to 
 compel the use of many separate blocks, it aptly illus- 
 trates, in its grandeur as a single object, and in the 
 beautiful adaptation and harmony of its several parts, 
 the national motto, " JEJ plurihus unum y " signifying 
 that out of many States there has sprung up, by a sort 
 of natural growth, our glorious Union. 
 
 It is not to be doubted that Mr.. "Webster, in his 
 masterly speeches defending the Union and the Consti- 
 tution, drew a sort of inspiration from the ardor with 
 which, from the very first, he advocated the design of 
 the Monument. I^ot only in the Senate and in the 
 popular assembly, but before the Supreme Court of 
 the United States also, as the important leading cases 
 arose, his eloquence kindled as he had occasion to 
 develop the latent powers of the Constitution, show- 
 ing that this ably drawn instrument, adopted by the 
 people, was eminently national in its scope and au- 
 
376 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 thority, was susceptible of adaptation to every con- 
 tingency, and was potent to nullify any State act 
 which was inconsistent with any of its provisions. In 
 his later years, he clearly demonstrated the ph^^sical 
 and the moral impossibility of a peaceable secession 
 of any of the States; and, though the Union has not 
 continued under the temporary compromises which he 
 assisted in framing, it has been carried through the 
 emergencies of a stupendous war, in a great degree, 
 by the beacon light which shines resplendent from his 
 patriotic orations and forensic arguments. It re- 
 mained for him, a few years before his lamented 
 decease, to take the lead in the settlement of an 
 important question with regard to the Monument. 
 
 In the first letter issued by the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence in 1823, it was suggested that the pro- 
 posed Monument should contain the names and dates 
 of the distinguished characters and events which 
 originated the independence of the countr3^ In 1841, 
 a committee of eminent men was appointed to prepare 
 an inscription for a tablet to be placed in the Monu- 
 ment. Though the individual members were notified 
 every year of their aj^pointment, nothing was done by 
 them. At the meeting of the Directors held June 
 17, 1818, the matter was called up by Mr. Robert G. 
 Shaw; and, upon his motion, the President was re- 
 quested to fill the vacancies in the Committee caused 
 by the death of Judge Story and Hon. John Quincy 
 Adams; and the Committee was further authorized 
 to provide the tablet and inscription agreeably to the 
 original vote. The President appointed Dr. John C. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 377 
 
 Warren and Mr. William Appleton ; the other mem- 
 bers of the Committee being Daniel Webster, Edward 
 Everett, and Franklin Dexter. Mr. Everett, in the 
 absence of Mr. Webster, acted as chairman, and con- 
 vened several meetings, at which the President was 
 present by invitation. Mr. Francis C. Gray and Mr. 
 Ticknor were invited to send in their suggestions. 
 At last Mr. Everett was requested to prepare the in- 
 scriptions from those submitted to him, with such 
 alterations as he might suggest. 
 
 As a matter of curiosity, some of the sketches or 
 studies submitted are here given. The following are 
 by Mr. Gray, with Mr. Ticknor's approval : — 
 
 (1) 
 
 (2) 
 
 Here 
 
 Honor 
 
 was the centre 
 
 to 
 
 of the works thrown up 
 
 the men 
 
 and so long defended 
 
 of 
 
 by the Americans 
 
 Massachusetts 
 
 under 
 
 Connecticut 
 
 Col. Peescott 
 
 and 
 
 June 17 
 
 New Hampshire 
 
 1775. 
 
 who fell here 
 
 
 fulfilling their duty 
 
 
 to 
 
 
 their country 
 
 
 and 
 
 
 mankind. 
 
 (3) 
 
 (4) 
 
 The names 
 
 Near this spot 
 
 of those who fought here 
 
 General Wakken 
 
 belong to history 
 
 and other men of New England 
 
 and 
 
 fell 
 
 will outlast 
 
 in the cause 
 
 this stone. 
 
 of their Country 
 
 
 and of 
 
 
 Freedom. 
 
 48 
 
378 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Mr. Gray's letter accompanying the foregoing, 
 written in an enthusiastic style, is worthy of preser- 
 vation : — 
 
 Friday Evening, 2d March, 1849. 
 
 My deae, Sir, — In compliance with your request, I have 
 conferred with Mr. Ticknor, and enclose, as the result, two 
 sketches. 
 
 No. 1 is designed to state the precise spot and date in the 
 simplest words possible ; No. 2, as a tribute to the dead, with- 
 out distinction of rank, for death knows none : all gave their 
 lives, and no one could give more. It is stated that about 
 one hundred were killed of Massachusetts, fifteen from Con- 
 necticut, and fifteen from New Hampshire ; and it seems due 
 to the States who aided the former as auxiliaries that day to 
 mention their names with hers. The last words were sug- 
 gested by a sentiment frequently expressed in Europe, — 
 that this was the first battle ever fought solely for the main- 
 tenance of popular rights ; and who knows but that centuries 
 hence it may be deemed the Thermopylae not only of American 
 liberty, but of freedom, wherever it shall be found ? 
 
 Neither of us can devise an inscription with names likely 
 to be at all satisfactory : that must be done by somebody else, 
 if necessary. But is it necessary ? Is there not a just and 
 proper pride in assuming that the names of those distin- 
 guished there and the leading events of the day must be 
 known to all who can read the inscriptions ? 
 
 If a reason is needed for omitting names, it might perhaps 
 be something like No. 3. 
 
 Should any thing be put on the site of the old Monument, 
 the following, suggested by Mr. W. A., would be simj)le and 
 
 a^^propriate : — 
 
 On 
 
 this spot 
 
 Warren 
 
 fell, 
 
 leaving the rest to history. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 F. C. Gray. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 379 
 
 The following were furnished by Franklin Dex- 
 ter : — 
 
 The corner-stone 
 
 of this Monument 
 
 was laid on the 17th June, 1825, by the 
 
 hands of Major- General Lafayette, and 
 
 in the presence of the survivors of the 
 
 Battle, and on the 17th June, 1843, it 
 
 was finished, and dedicated with the 
 
 prayers of an assembled multitude for the 
 
 Perpetuity of the American 
 
 Union. 
 
 Battle of Bunker Hill, 
 
 June 17th, 
 
 1775. 
 
 From the Redoubt 
 
 in this direction extended the 
 
 Entrenchment 
 
 whei*e the presence and example of 
 
 Major-Gexkral Israel Putnam 
 
 animated his countrymen to a 
 
 noble resistance in the cause of 
 
 Liberty. 
 
 This Monument 
 stands on the site of the Redoubt 
 which was raised and bravely 
 defended by a patriotic militia 
 
 under the command of 
 
 Colonel William Prescott, 
 
 and within which was slain 
 
 Major-General Joseph Warren, 
 
 one of the eai'liest and most 
 
 illustrious of the martyrs who 
 
 fell in the contest for American 
 
 Liberty. 
 
380 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 On the 17tb of May, 1849, Mr. Everett submitted 
 the following Report to the Committee : — 
 
 It appeared to be the unanimous sense of the Committee, 
 at the former meeting, that the inscription or inscriptions, 
 which might be prepared for the face of the Monument, should 
 be in the English language, and of the sim^^lest character ; con- 
 fined to a brief indication of the object of the work. It 
 seemed to be the opinion of the Committee that such facts 
 as it may be necessary to state, in reference to the construc- 
 tion of the work, — in consequence of the pledges given in 
 the course of the erection, — might with propriety be reserved 
 for a tablet to be placed in the interior of the Monument ; or 
 in an apartment over an arched gate-way, at the entrance of 
 the Monument Square, should the Association ever have the 
 means of erecting such a building, and deem it expedient to 
 do so. Suggestions were also made at the last meeting of the 
 Committee, in favor of placing a stone to identify, with a suit- 
 able brief inscription, the remains of the intrenchment run- 
 ning north-eastwardly from the redoubt down the hill ; and 
 also of placing a monumental tablet, to mark the spot where 
 General Warren fell ; but the Committee came to no order on 
 these points. 
 
 Shortly after the meeting of the 23d of February, the under- 
 signed was favored with a sketch of inscriptions for the sev- 
 eral faces of the Monument, kindly offered for consideration 
 by Hon. Franklin Dexter, a member of the Committee. Five 
 drafts of inscriptions were also sent him by Dr. Warren, 
 drawn up with great skill by Hon. F. C. Gray, in consulta- 
 tion with Mr. William Appleton, a member of the Committee, 
 and with Mr. George Ticknor. The undersigned has derived 
 important aid from these sources. 
 
 Should it be decided by the Committee to adopt the plan 
 of identifying the important localities in the immediate 
 neighborhood of the Monument, there will be no need of 
 more than one inscription on the face of the obelisk itself, 
 the object of which, of course, would be to set forth the fact 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 381 
 
 tliat it is erected on the site of the redoubt. As Colonel 
 Prescott stands in a peculiar relation to that work, ais the 
 officer detached for its erection and defence, there is nothing 
 invidious, but an obvious propriety, in introducing his name 
 into this inscription. 
 
 There were three Generals present on the field, not in com- 
 mand, but as volunteers, aiding by their counsel and example 
 the operations of the day ; viz., Pomeroy, Putnam, and War- 
 ren. Less has been said of Pomeroy's participation in the 
 battle than might perhaps with propriety. The anecdote of 
 his dismounting when he came to Charlestown Neck, because 
 he did not like to ride General Ward's horse through the 
 raking fire of the British vessels, deserves for him the honor 
 of being mentioned byname. Putnam's presence and activit}'" 
 are undoubted, though unfortunately subject to controversy. 
 With respect to the conspicuous place due to the name of 
 Warren, in any permanent memorial of the battle, there can 
 be but one opinion. 
 
 Upon the whole, the undersigned is disposed to recommend 
 that an inscription of the character mentioned above should 
 be placed on the south side of the Monument ; that a stone 
 should be placed at the commencement of the still remaining 
 ridge of earth which belongs to the intrenchment ; and that 
 the names of Pomeroy and Putnam should be mentioned in 
 the inscription which announces its object ; and that a monu- 
 mental tablet be placed on the spot, near which General 
 Warren is known to have fallen, on the western side of 
 the obelisk. In connection with this last suggestion, it has 
 been thought by several persons interested in these memorials, 
 that the remains of General Warren, which were identified a 
 few years since, might be placed with propriety beneath the 
 table. 
 
 With respect to those facts connected witli the progress of 
 the work which the Association is pledged to record upon the 
 Monument, it would seem in better taste to introduce them 
 upon a tablet to be placed within the structure ; and the 
 chamber at its summit affords a convenient and appropriate 
 
382 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 place. There are other interesting purposes which might 
 lead the Directors of the Association, at some future period, 
 should they possess the means, to erect an arch over the front 
 entrance to the square, containing a room for the meetings of 
 the Association and the Directors, and a place of deposit for 
 the archives, and for relics and memorials of the battle. The 
 walls of this room would be a very suitable place for com- 
 memorative tablets recording the origin and progress of the 
 work. But, in want of any present means to erect such a 
 structure, it would seem useless, on this occasion, to enter 
 farther into detail. 
 
 With respect to the mode of executing the inscription upon 
 the face of the Monument, the undersigned is disposed, though 
 with considerable hesitation, to recommend that it should be 
 placed upon a large marble tablet, — the largest that can be 
 conveniently procured of one slab of white marble, — to be 
 let into the face of the obelisk. The granite is of too coarse 
 a grain for letters cut in the stone itself, like those on the 
 Egyptian obelisks, and on the face of many marble structures 
 of ancient Greece and Italy. Bronze letters in relief were 
 made use of by the ancients ; and the choice would lie on the 
 present occasion — in the opinion of the undersigned — be- 
 tween them and a marble slab to be let into the work. 
 Should the latter be adopted, the letters could be made dis- 
 tinct by gold-leaf, to be renewed from time to time if neces- 
 sary. 
 
 The undersigned, with these introductory remarks, submits 
 the following sketches for the consideration of the Com- 
 mittee : — 
 
 For the South Side of the Monument. 
 
 This Monument 
 
 stands on the site of the redoubt, 
 
 which was raised on tlie eve of the 17th June, 1775, 
 
 and bravely defended through that eventful day, 
 
 by a detachment of the militia of 
 
 New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, 
 
 under the command of 
 
 Coi.oxEi. William Puescott. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 383 
 
 To mark the Remains of the Breast-work. 
 
 This stone marks the still remaining traces of the breast-work, where 
 the repeated charges of veteran troops were bravely, and for a long time 
 successfully, resisted by the citizen soldiery of New England, animated by 
 the presence and example of Major-Generals Pomeroy and Putnam, and 
 their gallant associates of every rank. 
 
 To indicate the Spot where Warren fell. 
 
 Near this spot 
 
 Major-Ghneral Joseph Warren, 
 
 a volunteer on the 17th June, 1775, 
 
 fell at the close of the battle. 
 
 His remains are deposited 
 
 beneath this stone. 
 
 [Note. — As it is now well known that tliis spot is in the street west of Monument 
 Square, this recommendation would have been impracticable.] 
 
 West Side. 
 
 On the 17th of June, 1825, 
 
 Being the 50th anniversary of the battle, 
 
 The corner-stone of this enduring structure was laid, 
 
 in the presence of General Lafayette, 
 
 and a large number of the veterans of the Revolution ; 
 
 Oh the 17th of June, 1843, 
 
 the noble pile was completed. 
 
 A vast multitude of every age and either sex, 
 
 grateful for their rich inheritance of civil and religious liberty, 
 
 and determined to transmit it to their children, 
 
 were addressed on each of these occasions, 
 
 in a manner worthy of the place, the subject, and the man, by 
 
 Daniel Webster. 
 
384 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 On a Tablet to he placed within the Monument : — 
 
 An Association was formed in Boston, A.D. 1823, 
 
 for the purpose of erecting a Monument on Bunker Hill. 
 
 Liberal subscriptions for defraying "the expense were made throughout 
 
 the country, 
 But chiefly in New England, and more especially in this State. 
 
 The sum of ten thousand dollars each was contributed by 
 
 Judah Touro of New Orleans, and Amos Lawrence of Boston : 
 
 A considerable appropriation was made by the Commonwealth, 
 
 And the amount of thirty thousand dollars, necessary to complete the work, 
 
 was raised by the patriotic efforts of the daughters of Massachusetts. 
 
 The services of Solomon Willard, Architect, were gratuitously rendered ; 
 
 The corner-stone of the work was laid on the 17th June, 1825, 
 
 With the assistance of Major- General Lafayette, 
 
 and in the presence of numerous survivors of the battle ; 
 
 And it was finished and dedicated on the 17th of June, 184:3, 
 
 by the prayers of an immense multitude, 
 
 offered up on this sacred spot, 
 
 For the perpetuity of the American Union. 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted by 
 
 Edwakd Everett. 
 Cambribgk, 17 May, 1849. 
 
 Mr. Webster was present and presided at the meet- 
 ing, at which Mr. Everett, as a sub-committee, made 
 this report. There was a considerable discussion 
 upon the merits of the several inscriptions reported, 
 and also of all the others that had been submitted,, 
 which were placed before the whole Committee; each 
 one was the subject of more or less criticism. At last 
 Mr. Webster made a few forcible remarks in his de- 
 cided manner upon the impropi'iety of placing any 
 inscription on the outside of the Monument; and, 
 although they were directed to prepare one and were 
 

 ^ 
 
 y^ 
 
 ^w- 
 
 
 
 /^ /t^ /^.^^ ^^.^.^^ ^-a^ ^^^^c^^^^jt^^cy 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 385 
 
 authorized to provide a tablet for it, the better way 
 would be to report back to the Directors a resolution 
 to that ejffect. He thought that it would be w^ell to 
 have at some future time a brief statement engrossed 
 upon parchment, and placed in some depository on 
 which should be inscribed a proper title. Thereupon 
 he took up a pen, and wrote upon a scrap of paper 
 such a title as he would have, and also the vote for 
 the Committee to pass. Upon reading what he had. 
 written and putting the question, the Committee 
 adopted his suggestions without objection. Mr. 
 Everett preserved this paper, having made an in- 
 dorsement thereon. 
 
 At the meeting of Directors held June 18, 1849, 
 Mr. Everett made an entii-ely different report from 
 the one presented to the Committee, concluding with 
 the following resolution in relation to an inscription, 
 which was unanimously passed: — 
 
 Resolved^ as the sense of this Board, that the great object 
 for which the obelisk was erected on Bunker Hill is monu- 
 mental, and not historical, and that it is not expedient that 
 any record of names, dates, or events connected with the 
 battle should be inscribed upon it. 
 
 In thus settling the question of an inscription, the 
 Board undoubtedly carried out the prevailing idea of 
 the original projectors, that the Monument should 
 commemorate an Era, to which the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill led the way, rather than that mere event, how- 
 ever conspicuous in history. Towards this satisfac- 
 tory^ result Mr. Webster chiefly contributed. 
 
 49 
 
386 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The construction of a Granite Lodge as a com- 
 ponent part of the Monument has been under consid-^ 
 eration since 1843. The principal difficulty in the 
 way has been the want of agreement upon the plan 
 of the building. The late Mr. George M. Dexter 
 furnished a sketch of an arch, to be placed at the 
 principal entrance for a gate-way, — having on one 
 side a keeper's office, and on the other a large room 
 which would serve for meetings of Directors, and for 
 the deposit of relics and memorials. He had promised 
 to furnish a complete working plan, but he did not 
 live to finish his design. Mr. WilUam S. Park, a 
 young architect of great promise, who has since died, 
 furnished to the Committee, having the matter in 
 charge, complete drawings in detail, with estimates, for 
 a granite structure, containing an office and a statue 
 room or Memorial Hall, to be placed within the en- 
 closure. A fund had been set apart, by vote of the 
 Directors, specially appropriated for the erection of 
 such an edifice; but the vote was afterwards i-escinded, 
 it being thought necessary to expend the money ac- 
 cumulated, amounting then to about $20,000, in the 
 reconstruction of the fence, and other improvements 
 upon the Monument and grounds. These were done 
 under the supervision of a sub-Committee of the 
 Standing Committee, consisting of Richard Frothing- 
 ham, P. W. Lincohi, John H. Thorndike, Edward 
 Lawrence, George B. ^eal, Pranklin Darracott, and 
 Osmyn Brewster. 
 
 George Peabody contributed in his lifetime $500 to 
 be set apart for this object; and, whenever a proper 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 387 
 
 plan and location can be determined upon, the means 
 can readily be obtained. "When this shall be accom- 
 plished, a collection of memorials and relics, and also 
 of commemorative works of art, can be made, to which 
 each generation will furnish its contribution. It will 
 be in the power of the Association to establish in time 
 one of the most interesting depositories of historical 
 memorials in the country. 
 
 The only Revolutionary Relics that are kept within 
 the Monument are the two cannon, called the Han- 
 cock and Adams, which were granted to the Associa- 
 tion by the act jDassed February 26, 1825. The 
 history of these field-pieces is quite interesting. They 
 are the only remains of the field artillery belonging 
 to the British American Colonies at the beginning of 
 the Revolutionary war. There were originally four of 
 them, and they were deposited in the Arsenal (or 
 Laboratory, as it was then called), at the corner of 
 West Street, in Boston. The town being in possession 
 of the British Army, it was daily expected they wouli 
 be seized; and how they might be rescued from this 
 danger was a subject of anxious consideration among 
 the patriots. A plan was contrived, and boldly exe- 
 cuted. At the time of changing the evening guard, 
 the British sentinel was taken off for a short time to 
 the Common, where the guard paraded. This moment 
 was seized by the townsmen to enter the Laboratory, 
 and remove the four field-pieces to the adjoining 
 school-house of Master Holbrook, where they were 
 deposited under his writing-desk all the day following, 
 
388 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and escaped the search which was made for them by 
 the British officers. At evening, they were placed in 
 an offal cart going into the conntry, and were soon 
 bronght into active service. Two of the pieces were 
 sent to Canada, and fell into the power of the British. 
 The others were christened the Hancock and Adams, 
 after the two leading patriots, and have found on 
 Bnnker Hill an appropriate resting-place. The in- 
 scription placed upon them by order of the Continental 
 Congress is as follows : — 
 
 ADAMS (or) HANCOCK. 
 
 Sacred to Liberty. 
 
 This is one of the four cannon which constituted the whole train of 
 field artillery possessed by the British Colonies of North America at the 
 commencement of the war, on the 19th of April, 1775. 
 
 This cannon and its fellow belonged to a number of citizens of Boston ; 
 were used in many engagements during the war. The other two, the 
 property of the government of Massachusetts, were taken by the enemy. 
 
 By order of the United States, in Congress assembled. May 17, 1788. 
 
 The Legislature, in the same act, authorized the Gov- 
 ernor and Council to deliver over to the Association 
 two other cannon that had been used in the Revolu- 
 tionary war. It was probably contemplated that four 
 would be wanted to be placed at the corners of the 
 platform of the Monument. All the plans for an 
 obelisk showed a platform. That of Colonel Bald- 
 win, which stands on the records adopted by a 
 vote of the Directors, showed a platform twenty 
 feet wide on each side of the Monument, with 
 three steps, of the whole length, leading thereto. The 
 obelisk, it is thought by many, cannot be deemed to 
 be completed without such a base, which will give to 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 389 
 
 it a more elevated and majestic appearance, and will 
 also afford a very convenient reserved space for public 
 occasions. 
 
 The importance of having wide avenues leading to 
 the obelisk has occupied the attention of the Associa- 
 tion for the past thirty years. Before selling the two- 
 thirds of the original purchase of the land, streets 
 were reserved, fifty feet wide, facing the three sides 
 of the Monument. JJ^early one acre of land was dedi- 
 cated to public use as highways, with the expectation 
 that these would be extended by the town. On the 
 north side, the city of Charlestown has extended the 
 street to Mystic River. On the south side, border- 
 ing on High Street, and looking towards the most 
 settled part of the town, the Association owned no 
 land, except the reserved square. 
 
 In 1847, the Committee upon the grounds, consist- 
 ing of the President, Joseph T. Buckingham, Robert 
 G. Shaw, and G. Washington Warren, recommended 
 that application be made to the then city of Charles- 
 town to lay out a street, not less than forty-five feet 
 wide, from High Street, in front of the Monument, to 
 Main Street, with an offer of an annual payment from 
 the income of the Association for a term of fifteen 
 years. The recommendation was adopted; and nego- 
 tiations were made with the city government each 
 year until 1850, when, upon a modification, made at 
 the request of the then mayor, Hon. Richard Froth- 
 ingham, a street, forty feet .wide, was laid out from 
 High Street to Warren Street. Afterwards, in 1866, 
 by a protracted and laborious negotiation, made with 
 
390 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the city government, under Hon. Charles Robinson, 
 Jr., the Mayor, the street was continued to Main 
 Street. Unfortunately, the original location of 
 the street was made by the city with reference to 
 the convenience of the landholders rather than to the 
 Monument as a permanent object of observation. 
 In the reduction of the width asked for by the 
 Mayor to forty feet, the street is thrown too far to 
 the west, so that the Monument is not in the centre. 
 
 Subsequently, a vigorous effort was made by the 
 Association to induce the city to lay out a new avenue 
 from City Square, sixty feet wide, to Monument 
 Square, having the centre of the Monument in a line 
 with the centre of the street. A strong petition of 
 the citizens came in aid. A hearing was had before 
 the whole board of Mayor and Aldermen, who had 
 exclusive jurisdiction, at which the Association was 
 represented by the President, Mr. Wheildon, and 
 Samuel S. Willson, Esq. There was a great weight 
 of evidence in favor of the petition. The committee 
 of the Board reported in ftivor of laying out the 
 avenue as prayed for, and as the proper continuation 
 of Warren Avenue, leading from Warren Bridge. 
 The measure failed by a small majority. It has 
 been thought that Governor Wlnthrop's statue 
 misrht some time adorn the Avenue near where he 
 first set up the Colonial Government. 
 
 This avenne would give a very fine view of the 
 obelisk from a great distance, presenting, from its 
 angular position to the street, two of its sides, so 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 391 
 
 that the effect upon the beholder would be much 
 greater than though only one side were shown. 
 There are now very few points from which this 
 majestic obelisk can be seen entire, and consequently, 
 as a consummate work of art, its eflPect is to a great 
 degree lost. The Washington Monument in Balti- 
 more is far better placed, in relation to the broad 
 avenues leading to it. For the same reason, the 
 Napoleon Monument in Place YendSme, Paris, 
 has a more imposing appearance. But, let this 
 avenue be laid out by the Park Commissioners as 
 a Park avenue, connecting two squares, or by the 
 Street Commissioners, as an avenue really required 
 for the public convenience, and the Bunker Hill 
 Monument will show itself, when thus uncovered, as 
 the finest monumental work in the world. The Asso- 
 ciation having done so much for the new Boston, 
 in crowning her with this matchless work, may well 
 require that she shall open up this desirable avenue 
 to it. 
 
 Another consideration ought to incline the city 
 government to make this improvement. Bj^ an ex- 
 amination of the assessors' valuation for the year 
 1876, made by Samuel S. Willson, Esq., one of the 
 assistant assessors, it appears that the ten acres 
 of land, which the Association disposed of for the 
 insignificant sum of $25,000, to relieve itself from 
 debt, after deducting the streets, are now appraised 
 at $608,800, and the buildings now erected thereon 
 are valued at $418,000, — the whole valuation of the 
 land and buildings amounting to $1,026,800. An 
 
392 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 annual tax of $12,000 is received by the city, which 
 it would not have received, had the Association been 
 able to retain for the public benefit the whole of its 
 original purchase. 
 
 In 1860, Joseph H. Buckingham, Esq., having re- 
 moved from the State, resigned the office of Secre- 
 tary, A Resolution of thanks to him for his long 
 and valuable services was unanimously passed. Sam- 
 uel F. McCleary, Esq., was elected to the office, which 
 he filled to the entire satisfaction of the Association, 
 until 1871, when Albert C Fearing, the present in- 
 cumbent, was elected, upon whom has devolved an 
 unusual amount of arduous duty. By a recent vote, 
 the Secretary of the Association is Secretary of the 
 Standing Committee, and a member ex officio. Mr. 
 McCleary, after his resignation as Secretary, was 
 elected a Director. The Standing Committee, includ- 
 ing the Secretary, now consists of sixteen members. 
 
 In 1862, a new diploma of membership was author- 
 ized; and a by-law was passed providing that new 
 members might be admitted by vote of the Associa- 
 tion, upon the nomination of the Directors or of the 
 Standing Committee and the payment of five dollars. 
 Since that time new members have been elected every 
 year. The Diploma recites : — 
 
 Be it made known by us, (he President, Treasurer, and 
 Secretary of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, in- 
 stituted in 1823, for the purpose of commemorating the early 
 events of the American Revolution by the erection of a 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION.' 393 
 
 monument on the ground where the action of Bunker Hill 
 was fought, and by the appropriate commemoration of the 
 
 glorious anniversary of the 17th of June, 1775, that — 
 
 has been admitted to be a member of this Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 In witness whereof we have signed our names to this 
 Diploma on this day of , in the year of our Lord 
 
 , and of the Independence of the United States of 
 America the 
 
 An examination of the Roll of Officers of the As- 
 sociation, with their terms of service, will show how 
 many of the leading citizens of Boston, several of 
 whom were conspicnons in pnblic life, have given 
 their aid and counsel at the call of this commemora- 
 tive society. Mr. Everett, whether in the different 
 exalted offices he successively held, or in private 
 station, which he equally adorned, served in one 
 way or another the Association from its formation 
 to his death, an unbroken period of forty-two years. 
 The Russells, father and son, have furnished a signal 
 example of the faithful and long-continued dis- 
 charge of a high official trust. WilKam Tudor died 
 abroad a few years after the enterprise, which he was 
 the first to suggest, had been commenced. General 
 H. A. S. Dearborn, also, after filling the office of 
 Adjutant- General of the State, and of Mayor of 
 Roxbury, severed at a later period his connection. 
 He died in Portland, Maine, July 29, 1851. 
 
 Of those now living it may be proper to refer to 
 two: Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, the senior Vice- 
 President, who has always evinced the deepest inter- 
 est in the proper administration of the affairs of the 
 
 50 
 
394 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Association, and of the right direction of its aims. 
 He has most acceptably gi-aced one public celebra- 
 tion with his eloquence, and is still depended upon 
 for future occasions. Uriel Crocker, Esq., has been 
 in the government for forty-four years, the longest 
 period of service attained by any, with the single ex- 
 ception of Mr. Theophilus R. Marvin, who was elected 
 the same year with him, 1833. Mr. Crocker, as an 
 officer of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic As- 
 sociation, disbursed all the moneys in the building of 
 the Monument while in charge of that patriotic ally. 
 Since that j^eriod, he has rendered important service 
 as a Director, Vice-President, and a member of the 
 Standing Committee, while at the same time he has 
 discharged many high trusts, and has filled a pro- 
 tracted life with good deeds. Others have shown 
 equal interest during their terms. In several instances, 
 the sons have been chosen to succeed to their fathers, 
 and in some cases even to the third generation. 
 
 Honorary members have also been elected from 
 the most distinguished men in the country, not resi- 
 dents of Massachusetts. By these means, and by 
 its traditional influence, the Association has assured 
 its perpetuity. 
 
 The annual meeting for the year 1875, in conse- 
 quence of the great Centennial Celebration, was, by 
 special vote, postponed to June 23, when the Presi- 
 dent, in his address, declined re-election, having 
 filled the office for twenty-eight years, and after 
 
^^f^-y-'i^^is-^ -^^^-^-^/-l/^'/C-^^^ti^^ 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 395 
 
 eleven years' previous service as Director and Secre- 
 tary. His place was filled by the choice of Richard 
 Frothingham, who had been a Director since 1840, 
 and for several years a member of the Standing 
 Committee. The late President was elected a Direc- 
 tor, and was continued upon the Standing Committee. 
 On motion of Rev. Dr Samuel K. Lothrop, seconded 
 by Hon. Joseph M. Wightman, a Resolution was 
 passed, extending to him " the thanks of the Associa- 
 tion for his long, faithful, and devoted services as its 
 President." 
 
 At the same meeting, the newly elected President, 
 Abbott Lawrence, Henry Walker, Charles F. Fair- 
 banks, and J. Collins "Warren Avere appointed a 
 committee to procure subscriptions for a statue in 
 honor of Colonel William Prescott, to be placed, 
 under the direction of the Standing Committee, on 
 Bunker Hill. Mr. Winthrop had also, in a letter 
 written Avhen abroad, suggested that the Association 
 should, at some future time, undertake to provide a 
 statue of Lafayette. An original portrait of the 
 General was purchased lately by Mr. Russell, the 
 present Treasurer, while in Paris, in 1875, which 
 now adorns the statue room of the Association. 
 
 Enough work has been laid out, as herein indi- 
 catedj and as set forth in the published " Proceedings " 
 for the last fifteen years, to occuj^y the attention of 
 the Association for the future; nor, indeed, will 
 its mission as a commemorative society be ended as 
 long as this great Republic shall continue to revere 
 
396 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the memory of its noble founders, and shall desire 
 to hold up conspicuous examples of patriotism and 
 illustrious service to the admiration of mankind. 
 
 In no better way can this imperfect history of the 
 Association be concluded than by giving- a brief 
 account of the important Pendulum experiment 
 made at the Monument in 1850, under the direc- 
 tion of Professors Eben jS^orton Horsford and 
 William C. Bond, then connected with Harvard 
 University. 
 
 M. Leon Foucault, a distinguished natural phi- 
 losopher, born in Paris in 1819, had found out that 
 the diurnal rotation of the earth upon its axis could 
 be demonstrated by the swing of a long pendulum, 
 and had perfectly succeeded in its illustration. These 
 professors desired to test this experiment in the 
 newel or well of the Monument. The Massachusetts 
 Charitable Mechanic Association joined in the re- 
 quest, appointed Mr. Frederic H. Stimpson and Hon. 
 Joseph M. Wightman, who were also Directors of 
 the Monument Association, a committee, and offered 
 to pay all the expenses of the necessary ai'range- 
 ments. Upon motion of Mr. Everett, the request 
 was granted. The assent of King Solomon's Lodge 
 was readily obtained for the temporary removal of 
 their marble monument, which stood in the way of 
 the trial, to a position in the Monument on the right 
 of the entrance. 
 
 As if to signalize the place of the experiment, the 
 ball used for the pendulum was one of those Revolu- 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 397 
 
 tionary balls which had been fired from one of the 
 British ships of war, — probably the " Lively," — on the 
 17th June, 1775. It weighed about thirty-one pounds 
 — originally thirty-two, — having lost something by 
 abrasion and the rust of time. It was supported in 
 a brass meridian, to which was attached an equatorial 
 ring, with adjusting screws for bringing the centre 
 of gravity directly in line with the pointer below and 
 the point of suspension above, and was suspended by 
 an annealed wire two hundred and ten feet long, the 
 lower end of which was secured to the brass meridian, 
 and the upper end to a staple in the roof of the 
 chamber at the top of the Monument. 
 
 To prevent currents of air from affecting the motion 
 of the pendulum, the grating above was replaced by 
 a plank floor; and the wu-e passing through the 
 chamber was encased in a square wooden trunk, with 
 panes of glass on opposite sides for observing the 
 very small arc described by the pendulum wire at this 
 height. It Avas also found necessary, in order to pre- 
 serve the quiet of the air, to close the ventilating port- 
 holes opening into the well along the course of the 
 circular stairway, and replace the iron-lattice gate at 
 the bottom with plate-glass doors. 
 
 A smooth wooden floor was laid at the bottom of 
 the shaft, from the centre of which, directly beneath 
 the point of suspension, three broad circles were 
 described, and painted white. These circles were 
 graduated into 360 degrees, which were figured, for 
 convenience of observation, counting from the right. 
 For more careful observation, a flat wooden ring was 
 
398 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 erected about four feet above the floor, with a brass 
 sight on the farther side, and a corresponding sight 
 at the extremity of an arm on the nearer side, which 
 was so arranged as to revolve around the axis of the 
 plane of oscillation. This ring rested upon marbles, 
 and could be adjusted by movable friction wheels 
 placed outside the ring upon the inner wall of the 
 Monument. With the aid of these compass sights, 
 the rotation of the plane of oscillation became ap- 
 parent in less time than if the point at the bottom of 
 the ball were observed, for the reason that the view 
 was confined .to a fine definite line, and also that the 
 distance of the nearer sight from the centre was five 
 feet, while the radius of the graduated arc on the 
 floor was rather less than three and a half feet. The 
 sight through which the observation was made 
 was moved by a small geared wheel npon a 
 graduated arc of brass placed in the door- way; and 
 such was the nicety of the adjustment that the prog- 
 ress of the plane of oscillation could be noticed in a 
 single vibration of the pendulum. 
 
 The mode of startiug the pendulum was that 
 adopted by Foucault. The ball being drawn to the 
 margin of the circle, and secured by a thread, was 
 permitted to come entirely to rest. When this was 
 attained, which required but a minute or two, the 
 thread was burned and the pendulum launched. 
 
 When the j^endulum was put in motion in the 
 manner above described, the progress of the plane 
 of oscillation soon became quite apparent, moving 
 steadily from the right toward the left of the observer. 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 399 
 
 As the progress made was about one degree in six 
 minutes, in half an hour it would traverse over about 
 five degrees of the graduated circle. The pendulum 
 would continue to vibrate an hour or more from the 
 time of starting. An entire revolution of the plane 
 of oscillation, in this latitude, would be accomplished, 
 if the motion were uniform and could be kept up, in 
 about thirty-five and a half hours, according to the 
 calculation of Professor Horsford. 
 
 The whole experiment was eminently successful, 
 and highly interesting to the great numbers who 
 witnessed it. Professor Horsford devised and super- 
 intended all these arrangements, and made frequent 
 and careful observations. In doing this, he noticed a 
 new phenomenon, of which he has, by request, fur- 
 nished the following interesting account for this 
 publication : — 
 
 Soon after the pendulum was in place, it was observed from 
 time to time that the spindle below the bob, instead of resting 
 directly over the centre of the floor of the well, to which 
 point it was first adjusted, was found on one side or the other 
 of this point. Upon observing more closely, it was found that 
 the spindle was to the north of the centre soon after mid-day, 
 and to the east of the centre at evening. While engaged just 
 after noon, on one very bright warm day, in accurately mark- 
 ing the position of the spindle, it happened, that a sudden 
 shower of rain struck the south side of the Monument, and at 
 the same instant the spindle moved southward through a 
 space of about a quarter of an inch. It was obvious at a 
 glance that the shower striking the more heated side of the 
 Monument had cooled it, and of course contracted it. The 
 effect of the previous heat had been to expand the more ex- 
 posed side of the Monument, and so carry the point of sus- 
 
400 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pension of the pendulum near the summit to the north. The 
 bob and spindle took position vertically below. The effect 
 of the shower and evaporation following was to cool the 
 southerly side of the Monument and shorten it, and so carry 
 the point of suspension of the pendulum toward the south. 
 
 This movement of the shaft may be thus illustrated : If 
 two iron rods of equal length, uniting at the top, and but a 
 short distance apart at the bottom, be arranged to represent 
 the north and south sides of the Monument, and a pendulum 
 be suspended from the point of union, and the rod represent- 
 ing the north side be incased in a wrapper of non-conducting 
 material throughout its length, to protect it from the sun, 
 while that representing the south side is exposed to the sun, 
 the latter will be heated and expand, and become longer 
 while the former will remain unchanged, and so the top be 
 carried over to the north, and with it the pendulum, so that 
 the spindle at the bottom will sweep in the same direction. 
 One can readily imagine the expansion of the southerly rod so 
 great as to cause the northerly rod to incline to the north, in 
 which case the pendulum would no longer swing between the 
 two rods, but outside and to the north of them. 
 
 The changing positions of the spindle found a read}^ ex- 
 planation in the uneq.ual heating of the sides of the Monu- 
 ment. The morning sun expanded the easterly side of the 
 Monument, increasing its length as compared with the westerly 
 side, and so tipping the shaft a little to the west. The bob 
 and spindle took position immediately below the point of sus- 
 pension. At noon, under the influence of the mid-day sun, 
 the Monument inclined to the north, and the spindle moved 
 in accordance with it ; and at evening the movement was to 
 the east. Daring the night, in the absence of the sun, the 
 more heated sides of the Monument cooled to the temperature 
 of the surrounding air, and assumed what may be considered 
 their normal relations. 
 
 A pencil attached to tlie bob Avas made for some days to 
 trace, on paper fixed to the floor, the rotation of the summit 
 of the Monument. The orbits were what may perhaps be 
 
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 401 
 
 called irregularly elliptical, as might have been expected from 
 the conditions. The base of the shaft was square, and pre- 
 senting no face to the meridian. It was heated during sun- 
 shine on each of three sides more than on the fourth. The 
 greatest diameter of the orbit as described by the pencil but 
 little exceeded half an inch. The mark made during the 
 night was almost a straight line, somewhat like the chord to 
 three-fourths of a circle. 
 
 It was a good thong-ht of Professor Horsford to 
 borrow from his friend and neighbor, Dr. Morrill 
 Wyman, that hostile missile of the olden time and 
 employ it in aid of scientific experiments. No better 
 place on which to demonstrate that the earth moves 
 than Bnnker Hill, whose Monument is one of its land- 
 marks from which a great movement in the political 
 and moral world may be dated. What would not 
 Galileo have given, and what would not the world 
 have gained, if he could only have pursued his philo- 
 sophical investigations unmolested under the freedom 
 and inspiration which that hallowed name assures! 
 
 As the solid Monument, obedient to a natural law, 
 sways to the sun in his daily course, and resumes its 
 perfect position in the cool of the night, so may the 
 national heart, whether in prosperous or adverse 
 times, beat in unison with the Monument in every 
 vicissitude, and may future historians have the happi- 
 ness to record abundant instances of the continual 
 progress and honorable example of the Republic in 
 the succeeding centuries. 
 
 51 
 
To 
 
 ALL THOSE 
 GOOD 
 
 CITIZENS 
 OF 
 
 Charlestown 
 
 AND 
 
 Boston, 
 
 WHO, TRULY 
 APPRECIAT- 
 ING THE 
 
 guixhcr fjill 
 Mojuxmtnt 
 
 AS THE FIT 
 
 MEMORIAL OF 
 
 THE COUNTRY 
 
 AND OF THE 
 
 WORLD TO THE 
 
 GLORIOUS 
 
 RESULTS OF 
 
 THE 
 
 AMERICAN 
 REVOLUTION ; 
 
 AS AN 
 
 ORNAMENT 
 
 TO BOTH CITIES 
 
 AND AN 
 
 INSTRUCTOR OF 
 
 RACH SUCCEEDING 
 
 GENERATION, — 
 
 HAVE ASKED 
 
 THAT THIS 
 
 |S>)jadous gibinuc 
 
 TO IT MAY 
 BE CONbTRUCTEP, 
 
 AND IN THE 
 
 HOPE THAT THEY 
 
 WILL PERSEVERE 
 
 UNTIL IT BE 
 
 ACCOMPLISHED, 
 
 SO THAT 
 
 THIS IMPERISHABLE 
 
 OBELISK MAY MORE 
 
 GENERALLY IMPRESS 
 
 THE POPULAR MIND, 
 
 AND MORE FULLY 
 
 MEET THE 
 
 EXPECTATIONS OF 
 
 ITS ni'M.DERS, 
 
 THIS PUBLICATION, 
 
 IN AID THET^EOF, 
 
 IS GRATEFULLY 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 nv THI-: rT!ESIDFNT, 
 ON HI^IIAl.F OF 
 
 The Bunker Hill 
 ' Monument Association. 
 
 Tills Dciliciition was inserted in tlie publication upon the Avenue, and in 
 the " rrocecdings " of subsequent years. 
 
MEMORABILIA. 
 
ssriyp BY JVHff ssRTAm-pmL.-. 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 ^ I ^HE first great loss brought home to the Association 
 -*- occurred in tlie decease of Nathaniel Popk Russell, 
 its faithful Treasurer from the beginning. At the Annual 
 Meeting held June 18, 1849, on motion of Mr. Everett, it 
 was 
 
 Resolved, That the President of tlie Association be requested to 
 address a letter to the. family of the late Hon. N. P. Russell, Treasurer 
 of the Association from its first organization, expressive of the grateful 
 sense entertained by its officers and members of the value of his long 
 and important services, and of their high respect for his memory. 
 
 A special meeting of the Directors was called, on October 
 27, 1852, to express the sentiments of the Board on the 
 bereavement which had been experienced in the death of 
 Daniel Webster. The President presented for their con- 
 sideration tlie following Resolutions : — 
 
 Resolved, That the Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Asso- 
 ciation do most sincerely sympathize in the general grief which has 
 overwhelmed the country in the national loss which it has so unex- 
 pectedly been called upon to bear, by which sad event one of the 
 founders and progenitors of the great work of the Association has 
 been removed froifi earth ; the memory of whose undying eloquence, 
 uttered before a vast multitude on Bunker Hill, at the laying of the 
 corner-stone of the Monument, and also at its completion, will be for 
 ever identified with that imperishable memorial to the cause of Repub- 
 lican Liberty. 
 
 Resolved, That the eminent public services of the illustrious deceased, 
 rendered throughout his whole life, constantly, in full measure, and with 
 thi most cordial readiness, at the sacrifice of his personal interest, fur- 
 nish the best example of that high aim which he so eloquently set forth 
 
406 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 to his countrymen ; for his whole life was to his country, his whole 
 country, and nothing but his country. 
 
 Resolved, That, in respect to the memory of Daniel Webster, the 
 Monument be dressed with appropriate badges of mourning, for the 
 space of thirty days ; and that it be recommended to the officers and 
 members of the Association to wear the usual badge of mourning upon 
 the left arm, for the same term. 
 
 These Resolutions were uuanLmously adopted ; and the 
 President, Secretary, and Treasurer, with Hon. Stephen 
 Fairbanks, Hon. Nathan Hale, Hon. Albert Fearing, Joseph 
 Tilden, Henry Forster, and Henry A. Peirce, were appohited 
 a delegation to attend the funeral of the deceased at Marsh- 
 field. For the first and only time, the Monument was dressed 
 in mourning ; and the individual members of the Association, 
 generally, joined in a like manifestation of sorrow. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting in 1853, the President referred, 
 in his Address, to the decease of Amos Lawrence, Robekt 
 G. Shaw, Thomas B. Wales, David Francis, and Benja- 
 min Thompson, in the following terms : — 
 
 Amos Lawkence, another of the founders and of the early friends 
 of the Association, has since been removed from this stage of being. He 
 will always deserve to be remembered as one who has appropriated 
 more of his means and of his time to the forwarding of the great work 
 of the Association than perhaps any other individual. At a period 
 when its affairs seemed desperate, when the erection of the Monument 
 was suspended for the want of means and none seemed to be in pros- 
 pect, he did not turn his back upon the enterprise, nor slacken in his 
 efforts. He was determined that the Monument should be finished ; 
 and he had provided the means which would have insured it, had it 
 not been erected in his lifetime. * 
 
 He made the Monument his adopted child ; and his name should 
 always be associated with it as one of the foremost of its builders. 
 
 During the last year, four of tlie Directors chosen at the last An- 
 nual Meeting have also died: Robert G. Shaw, Thomas B. "Wales, 
 David Francis, and Benjamin Thompson. 
 
 Mr. Shaw, for a great number of years, was an efficient and active 
 member of the Board. He was a constant attendant at the meetings, 
 and has been a liberal contributor to the Association. He was on many 
 
MEMORABILIA. 407 
 
 important committees, and rendered valuable service. He was on the 
 committee for opening the new street, — an object in which he ex- 
 pressed the warmest interest, and which he did much to promote. 
 
 Mr. Wales, who has lately deceased, was also a liberal contributor, 
 and for many years a Director. He kept up his interest in the pros- 
 perity of the Association to the last, and was always ready to render 
 his aid and assistance. 
 
 Mr. Francis has been a Director for many years, and an efficient 
 co-operator in the objects of the Association. 
 
 Mr. Thompson, who, although one of the earliest members of the 
 Association, was recently elected one of the Board of Directors, was 
 prevented by his public duties in Congress from attending any of 
 its meetings. 
 
 It is, however, a gratifying reflection, that, while all who designed 
 this undertaking, and who from time to time contributed their means 
 and tlieir time and efforts to its accomplishment, must await the final 
 doom of mortality, this great work, which so much engaged their inter- 
 est, will endure, and be a perpetual memorial of the patriotism of those 
 who reared it, as well as of the glorious event it will ever commemorate. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting in 1854, on motion of Hon. Rich- 
 ard Frothingham, the following was adopted : — 
 
 Whereas, since the last meeting of this Association, one of the 
 earliest and most liberal contributors to the objects for which it was 
 established has deceased. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Judah Touro, of New Orleans, the 
 Banker Hill Monument Association has lost an early, liberal, and 
 devoted friend, whose memory will ever be held in high esteem, and 
 whose noble contributions to charitable and patriotic purposes will 
 never be forgotten. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting in 1856, Mr. Everett, being un- 
 able to attend, sent the following letter and Resolution, 
 upon the death of Dr. John Collins Warren. On motion 
 of Isaac Harris, the Resolution was unanimously adopted. 
 
 Boston, 16th June, 1856. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I much regret that it is not in my power to attend 
 
 the meeting of the Bunker Hill Monument Association this morning. 
 
 I was particularly desirous of being present, that I might join in giving 
 
 utterance to that deep regret which we all feel at the loss, since our 
 
408 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 last Annual Meeting, of one of the earliest, most persevering, and most 
 efficient members and Directors of the Association. I allude, of course, 
 sir, to the late Dr. John C. Warren ; of whom I think it is but justice 
 to say, that to hira, more than to any other individual, the Bunker Hill 
 Monument owes its existence. He was one of the very first that 
 engaged in the undertaking. Occupied, as he was, with the duties of a 
 most laborious profession, he gave his time and his unremitted attention 
 to the work. No detail of business, however humble, was beneath him, 
 and he shunned no responsibility. Many difficulties were overcome 
 by his patience and judicious management. He never allowed the 
 obstacles which retarded the progress of the work — and they were 
 numerous and great — to discourage him; and he devoted his time 
 and thoughts to it, when it stood one-fourth part only built, burdened 
 with a debt which there were no visible means to pay, — a premature 
 -ruin i-ather than a structure hopefidly advancing to its completion, — ■ 
 as cheerfully as he did in the freshness of its early popularity. With- 
 out underrating the zeal of others or the value of their services, it 
 seemed to me, on more than one occasion, that, but for the firmness 
 and resolution of Dr. Warren, it would have remained for the next 
 generation to carry on and finish the Monument. 
 
 Undoubtedly, he had an interest in the structure which no one else 
 could feel, in consequence of his relationship with the patriot martyr 
 of the day, his uncle. General Joseph Warren. If this circum.-tance 
 augmented the zeal with which he exerted himself for the promotion of 
 the great work, no one will think it a matter of wonder or blame. If 
 it increased his interest in the Monument, it imposed no little restraint 
 upon him. I can truly say, that, intimately as I was associated with 
 him, in the early period of the undertaking, as a member of the E)xecutive 
 Committee, I never saw in him the slightest attempt to make tlie Monu- 
 ment in any way minister to family feeling. I am sure that he was 
 the member of the Committee by whom the name of General Warren 
 was least frequently mentioned. He ever appeared to me, in this 
 respect, to be influenced by the most scrupulous delicacy. He took a 
 patriotic interest in the work, and was evidently desirous that it should 
 be a memorial of all the honored names which history has associated 
 with the 17th of June; and, as far as possible, of the brave men who 
 fell in the ranks, and whose devotion to the country was not the less 
 meritorious because they are not ])rominently recorded in its annals. 
 
 Dr. Warren had investigated the localities of Bunker Hill, and the 
 vestiges of the battle, with greater care and pains than any other per- 
 
MEMORABILIA. 409 
 
 son ; and it was owing to his attention that some of them have been 
 identified, and marked by permanent memorials. 
 
 I feel, sir, a melancholy satisfaction in paying this last tribute to 
 the memory of one with whom, for a period of nearly fifty years, in 
 the most confidential relations, — those of " beloved physician " and 
 constant friend, — I have to my great happiness been intimately asso- 
 ciated. I regret only that the state of my health has not permitted me 
 to be present at the meeting, and do better justice to the subject and 
 to my feelings. 
 
 I remain, dear sir, with much regard, sincerely yours, 
 
 Edward Everett. 
 Hon. G. Washington Warken. 
 
 Resolved, That the members of the Bunker Hill Monument Associ- 
 ation deeply lament the loss sustained by them, since their last Annual 
 Meeting, in the decease of one of the earliest members and Directors of 
 the Association, the late Dr. Warren ; that they recognize him as one 
 of the most efficient, judicious, and liberal promoters and benefactors of 
 the undertaking ; and they desire to place on their records the most 
 emphatic attestation to the value of his services, from the commence- 
 ment to the completion of the Monument. 
 
 There were also passed at the same meeting the following 
 Resolutions : — 
 
 Resolved (on motion of Hon. Richard Frothingham), That the 
 Membei's of tliis Association lament the decease of Hon. Abbott 
 Lawrence, who was, from the first, a warm friend and liberal con- 
 tributor to the enterprise of building the Bunker Hill Monument ; and 
 that they will hold in grateful memory the services he has rendered in 
 this work. 
 
 Resolved (on motion of Amos A. Lawrence), That this Association 
 deeply lament the decease of David Devens, for many years a 
 respected and valued member, and one of its Directors. 
 
 The lives and services of these three were also dwelt upon 
 at length in the President's address. 
 
 On August 14, 1857, Hon, Franklin Dexter died. He was 
 born in CharlestoAvn, Nov. 5, 1793, and was the son of Hon. 
 Samuel Dexter, who had been Senator of the United States, 
 Secretary of War, and afterwards of the Treasury, under the 
 first President Adams, and was the foremost lawyer of his 
 
 52 
 
410 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 time. Mr. Franklin Dexter succeeded William Tudor as 
 Secretar}^, and his name as such is borne on the first diploma. 
 He was an eminent lawyer ; and, when Mr. Webster Avas 
 Secretary of State, he was appointed United States District 
 Attorney for Massachusetts. He was much devoted to art, 
 and his opinion as a connoisseur was considered authority. 
 When Benjamin Stevens, the popular Serjeant-at-Arms of 
 the Legislature, was directed to cause the exterior of the 
 State House to be painted, he left the determination of the 
 color to Mr. Dexter, as the first man of taste ; who took great 
 pains in the selection, mixing the paints himself, and con- 
 trasting different shades by moonlight, until he got the 
 exact hue which satisfied him. In his later years, he warmly 
 espoused the liberal side in the embittered controversy of 
 that time, and he published several very valuable articles 
 on political subjects and upon matters of art. At the Annual 
 Meeting in 1858, the President referred to his valuable ser- 
 vices to the Association ; and, on motion of Hon. Roberta C. 
 Winthrop, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the Bunker Hill Monument Association cordially 
 respond to the just tribute which has been pai<1, in the report of the 
 President, to the character and accomplishments of our late Associate 
 and friend, the Hon. Franklin Dexter ; and that we will ever cherish 
 an affectionate respect for his memory. 
 
 At the same meeting, on motion of Hon. Joseph M. 
 Wightman, President of the Massachusetts Charitable Me- 
 chanic Association, it was 
 
 Hesoh-ed, That the Bunker Hill Monument Association regret to 
 record the dee-ease, since the last Annual INIeeting, of George W. 
 Otis, Esq., a faithful and useful member of the Board of Directors 
 for many years. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting in 1860, the President announced 
 the decease, during the preceding year, of Col. Benjamik 
 LoKiNG and James Clark, Esq., two of the Directors, who 
 were universally esteemed for their patriotism, integrity, 
 and general philanthropy. 
 
MEMORABILIA. 411 
 
 Since 1860, the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting.s have 
 been published in a durable form, and may be referred to for 
 extended notices of the officers of the Association who have 
 died since that year. Resolutions were offered, in 1861, by 
 Hon F. W. Lincoln, Jr., to the memory of Ex-President Jo- 
 seph T; Buckingham ; in 1862, by Hon. Stephen Fairbanks, 
 for Hon. Nathan Appleton and Hon. William Appleton, 
 and by Dr. J. Mason Warren, for Dr. Luther V. Bell ; in 
 1863, by William W. Wheildon, Esq., seconded by Hon. 
 Richard Frothingham, for Hon. Nathan Hale ; in 1864, 
 by Mr. Frothingham, for Asa Swallow, Esq. 
 
 In 1865, an elegant and appropriate tribute was paid to 
 the memory of Edward Everett, by Mr. Winthrop ; and a 
 Resolution was offered by Dr. Henry Lyon, on the decease 
 of James K. Frothingham. In 1866, Resolutions were 
 offered by Mr. Winthrop, for Hon. Charles Wells ; by Mr. 
 Lincoln, for George Darracott and for Henry N. Hooper, ; 
 by Uriel Crocker, Esq., for John P. Thorndike ; and by 
 Dr. J. Mason Warren, for Dr. Abraham R. Thompson ; in 
 
 1867, by Mr. Lincoln, for Hon. Stephen Fairbanks; and 
 by John H. Thorndike, Esq., for G. Howl and Shaw: in 
 
 1868, by Dr. Winslow Lewis, for Dr. John Homans ; by 
 Benjamin T. Reed, for James W. Paige ; by Mr. Wheildon, 
 for Eben Barker ; by Hon. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, for Dr. 
 J. Mason Warren. 
 
 Resolutions were reported by a committee, consisting of 
 Col. Thomas Aspinwall, Mr. Lincoln, and Col. James W. 
 Sever, to the memory of Ex-President Hon. Levi Lincoln. 
 
 In 1869, Resolutions were offered by Mr. Lincoln, on the 
 death of Isaac Harris: in 1870, by Mr. Henry K. Froth- 
 ingham, on Lynde a. Huntington: in 1871, by Mr. Lin- 
 coln, on Hon. David Sears and Col. James W. Sever ; by 
 Mr. Winthrop, on George Ticknor ; and by Dr. Lyon, on 
 Peter Hubbell : in 1872, by Mr. Lincoln, on Thomas B. 
 Curtis :, in 1873, by Mr. Lincoln, on Nathaniel Hammond 
 and Col. Isaac H. Harris ; by Mr. Wheildon, a tribute to 
 Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis ; and by Hon. Charles Devens, 
 
412 
 
 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 Jr., upon Gen. Geokge G. Meade, an Honorary Member : 
 in 1874, by Mr. Wheildon, on Chakles Whitlock Mooee ; 
 by Mr. Lincoln, on Frederick H. Stimpson ; by Mr. Rus- 
 sell, the Treasurer, on Benjamin Tyler Reed ; and by Col. 
 Henry Walker, on Rear-Admiral John A. Winslow, an 
 Honorary Member. 
 
 In 1875, Hon. Thomas C. Amory presented Resolutions on 
 the decease of Hon. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff ; Hon. Otis 
 Norcross, upon Charles Leighton ; Hon. F. W. Lincoln, 
 upon Albert Fearing ; and Dr. C. D. Homans, upon 
 James Lawrence. 
 
 In 1876, Mr. Warren paid a tribute to the memory of Dr. 
 Winslow Lewis, who had the merited honor of wearing, in 
 the grand procession and celebration of the First Centennial 
 Anniversary, the very same Masonic apron which Lafayette 
 had worn at the first celebration, fifty years before. 
 
 Since the last meeting. Col. Thomas Aspinwall, the 
 veteran hero, the scholar, and the gentleman of the old 
 school, has died ; whose name will be affectionately remem- 
 bered, and associated with the celebration of 1857, as its 
 Grand Marshal. 
 
 Honorable mention was also made at the time, by the 
 President, in his addresses, of the important services ren- 
 dered by those deceased. All which, witli the Resolutions, 
 appears in the printed Proceedings of the Association. 
 
ROLL OF OFFICERS 
 
 Elected at the Annual Meetings in June, with their 
 Terms of Continuous Service. 
 
 N.B. Tiie names of those who died in oflSce are denoted by an asterisk (*) 
 placed against the j'ear of their decease-. Those against whose names there 
 is — , instead of the date of a year, in the last column, are still in office. 
 
 JOHN BROOKS 1823-25* 
 
 DANIEL WEBSTER 1825-27 
 
 THOMAS H. PERKINS 1827-29 
 
 LEVI LINCOLN 1829-30 
 
 WILLIAM PRESCOTT 1830-31 
 
 ABNER PHELPS 1831-32 
 
 WILLIAM PRESCOTT 1832-36 
 
 JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM 1836-47 
 
 G. WASHINGTON WARREN 1847-75 
 
 RICHARD FROTHINGHAM 1875 — 
 
 Ufce-PtESttients, 
 
 THOMAS H. PERKINS 1823-27 
 
 JOSEPH STORY -. . . . 1823-29 
 
 WILLIAM PRESCOTT 1827-29 
 
 AMOS LAWRENCE 1829-30 
 
 JOHN C. WARREN 1829-31 
 
 JOHN C. WARREN 1832-51* 
 
 WILLIAM SULLIVAN 1830-31 
 
414 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 JOHN D. WILLIAMS 1831-32 
 
 GEORGE ODIORNE • • • l«31-32 
 
 WILLIAM SULLIVAN 1832-35 
 
 PRESIDENT MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE 
 
 MECHANIC ASSOCIATION, ex officio . . . 1833 — 
 
 SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG 1833-39 
 
 CHARLES WELLS ; . . . 1833-66* 
 
 JOSEPH JENKINS 1835-40 
 
 LEVERETT SALTONSTALL 1839-45* 
 
 GEORGE C. SHATTUCK 1840-54* 
 
 ABBOTT LAWRENCE 1845-56* 
 
 JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM 1855-61* 
 
 EDWARD EVERETT 1856-65* 
 
 ROBERT C. WINTHROP 1856— 
 
 STEPHEN FAIRBANKS 1861-66* 
 
 THOMAS ASPINWALL 1865-76* 
 
 CHARLES LEIGHTON 1866-75* 
 
 ISAAC HARRIS 1867-69* 
 
 URIEL CROCKER 1869 — 
 
 CHARLES DEVENS, Jr 1875 — 
 
 Secretaries. 
 
 WILLIAM TUDOR 1823-24 
 
 FRANKLIN DEXTER 1824^25 
 
 EDWARD EVERETT 1825-29 
 
 liENRY A. S. DEARBORN 1829-30 
 
 EDWARD G. PRESCOTT 1830-31 
 
 WILLIAM MARSTON 1831-32 
 
 EDWARD G. PRESCOTT 1832-36 
 
 FRANCIS O. WATTS 1836-39 
 
 G. WASHINGTON WARREN 1839-47 
 
 JOSEPH H. BUCKINGHAM 1847-60 
 
 SAMUEL F. McCLEARY 1860-71 
 
 ANDREW C. FEARING, Jk 1871 — 
 
MEMORABILIA. 
 
 415 
 
 treasurers. 
 
 NATHANIEL P. RUSSELL 1823-4S* 
 
 SAMUEL H. RUSSELL 1840 — 
 
 Stantd'ncf (ITommittee, 1876-77. 
 
 RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, President. 
 
 G. WASHINGTON WARREN. 
 
 WILLIAM W. WHEILDON. 
 
 FREDERIC W. LINCOLN. 
 
 ROBERT C. WINTHROP. 
 
 SAMUEL H. RUSSELL. 
 
 FRANKLIN DARRACOTT. 
 
 JOHN H. THORNDIKE. 
 
 HENRY LYON. 
 
 URIEL CROCKER. 
 
 CHARLES DEVENS, Jr. 
 
 GEORGE B. NEAL. 
 
 OSMYN BREWSTER. 
 
 EDWARD LAWRENCE. 
 
 HENRY WALKER. 
 
 ALBERT C. FEARING, Jr., Secretary ex officio. 
 
 3Jice»Presitients, ex officio. 
 
 AS PRESIBENTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Joseph T. Buckingham 1833-35 
 
 Stephen Fairbanks . 1835-38 
 
 George Darracott . 1838-40 
 
 Joseph Lewis .... 1840-43 
 
 James Clark .... 1843-45 
 
 George G. Smith . . 1845-48 
 
 Henry N. Hooper . . 1848-51 
 
 Jonas Chickering . . 1851-54 
 Joseph F. Paul 
 
 Frederic W. Lincoln 1854-57 
 
 Joseph M. Wightman 1857-60 
 
 Pelham Bonney . . 1860-61* 
 
 Frederic H. Stimpson 1861-64 
 
 Joseph T. Bailey . . 1864-67 
 
 Jonas Fitch .... 1867-70 
 
 Albert J. Wright . 1870-73 
 
 Nathaniel Adams . . 1873-76 
 . . . 1876 — 
 
tilctorg* 
 
 ■/tpejb^erms of service. 
 
 The names of the Directors, Honorary Members, and Associate Mem- 
 bers are, for convenience, arranged in the alphabetical order of their Christian 
 names ; the surnames being arranged mider their initial letters. 
 
 A. 
 Daniel Wei.ls Alvord 
 Jonathan Adams . 
 James S. Amory . 
 Nathan Appleton 
 Nathan Appleton 
 Samuel T. Armstrong 
 Thomas G. Appleton 
 Thomas Aspinwall 
 William Appleton 
 William Appleton 
 William Austin . 
 William Austin . 
 
 B. 
 Amos Binney . . 
 Amos Binney . . 
 Daniel C. Baker . 
 Ebenezer Breed . 
 Eben Barker . . 
 Eben F. Barker . 
 Edward T. Barker 
 Edward Brooks . 
 Edward Brooks . 
 George Blake . . 
 George W. Brimmer 
 John B. Brown 
 Joseph P. Bradlee 
 
 1853-57 
 
 1831-32 
 
 1840 — 
 
 1825-29 
 
 1831-62* 
 
 1830-31 
 
 1862 — 
 
 1857-65 
 
 1840-62* 
 
 1862 — 
 
 1829-30 
 
 1831-32 
 
 1829-30 
 
 1840-47* 
 
 1854-58 
 
 1829-51* 
 
 1838-68* 
 
 1868-75 
 
 1875 — 
 
 1828-29 
 
 1840 — 
 
 1823-29 
 
 1827-29 
 
 1832-40 
 
 1833-36 
 
 JosiAH Bradlee . . 
 
 . 1832-55* 
 
 Joseph T. Buckingham 1832-36 
 
 Joseph T. Buckingham 1847-55 
 
 Loammi Baldwin . . 
 
 . 1824-29 
 
 Loammi Baldwin . . 
 
 . 1830-32 
 
 Luther V. Bell . . 
 
 . 1856-62* 
 
 Nathaniel J. Bradle 
 
 E 1875 — 
 
 Nathan Bridge . . 
 
 . 1829-30 
 
 OsMYN Brewster . . 
 
 . 1860 — 
 
 Peter C. Brooks . . 
 
 . 1824-25 
 
 T. Quincy Browne . 
 
 . 1874 — 
 
 William Blake . . 
 
 . 1840-62 
 
 William B. Breed . 
 
 . 1831-32 
 
 C. 
 
 
 Charles R. Codman 
 
 . 1873 — 
 
 Henry H. Child . . 
 
 . 1823-24 
 
 James Clark . . . 
 
 . 1836-60* 
 
 John Cotton . . . 
 
 . 1833-38 
 
 Samuel Chandler . 
 
 . 1843-49 
 
 Samuel C. Cobb . . 
 
 . 1869 — 
 
 Thomas B. Curtis . 
 
 . 1832-72* 
 
 Uriel Crocker . . 
 
 . 1833-69 
 
 D. 
 
 
 Charles Devens, Jr. 
 
 . 1868-75 ■ 
 
 David Devens ... 
 
 . 1829-55* 
 
 Ezra Dyer .... 
 
 . 1833-40 
 
MEMORABILIA. 
 
 417 
 
 Franklin Darracott 
 
 1866 — 
 
 Franklin Dexter 
 
 1823-24 
 
 Franklin Dexter 
 
 1849-57* 
 
 F. Gordon Dexter . 
 
 1858 — 
 
 George Darracott . 
 
 1829-32 
 
 Georgj^ Darracott . 
 
 1833-65* 
 
 H. A. S. Dearborn . 
 
 1823-40 
 
 Isaac P. Davis . . 
 
 1823-28 
 
 Isaac P. Davis . . 
 
 1839-40 
 
 James Dana . . . 
 
 1870 — 
 
 John B. Davis . . 
 
 1828-29 
 
 John B. Davis . . 
 
 1830-31 
 
 Edward Everett 
 
 . 1823-25 
 
 Edward Everett 
 
 . 1830-56 
 
 Henry H. Edes . . 
 
 . 1875 — 
 
 Samuel A. Eliot . . 
 
 . 1840-41 
 
 Thomas Edmands 
 
 . 1833-40 
 
 AViLLiAM II. Eliot . 
 
 . 1830-32 
 
 Albert Fearing . . . 1840-75* 
 
 Amos Farnsworth . . 1831-32 
 
 Benjamin V. French . 1829-32 
 
 Charles F. Fairbanks . 1867 — 
 
 David Francis . . . 1833-53* 
 
 Hknry K. Frothingham 1885 — 
 
 Hexuy p. Fairbanks . 1849-54* 
 
 Henry Fohster . . . 1840-55 
 
 James K. Frothingham 1830-40 
 
 James K. Frothingham 1841-64* 
 
 Jonathan French . . 1831-32 
 
 John Fourester . . . 1832-40 
 
 Richard Fletcher . . 1840-41 
 
 Richard Frothingham . 1840-75 
 
 Stephen Faihbanks . . 1833-61 
 
 Timothy Fuller . . . 1831-32 
 
 G. 
 
 Benjamin Gleason . . 1829-30 
 
 Benjamin Gorham . . 1823-28 
 
 Charles G. Greene . . 1838-50 
 
 Harhison Gray . . . 1833-40 
 
 Henry Gassett . . 
 John C. Gray . . . 
 Nathaniel Greene . 
 Thomas J. Goodwin 
 
 H. 
 Charles Hale . . . 
 Charles D. IIomans 
 David Henshaw . . 
 Ephraim Harrington 
 Henry N. Hooper 
 Isaac Harris . . 
 Isaac H. Hooper . . 
 Jacob Hale . . . 
 John Harris . . . 
 John Harris 
 John Homans . 
 John T. Heard . . 
 Joseph Hurd . . . 
 Joseph Hurd . . 
 Lynde a. Huntington 
 Nathan Hale . . . 
 Nathaniel Hammond 
 I Peter Hubbell 
 Richard Haughton . 
 Samuel D. Harris . 
 
 ^ J. 
 
 Francis Jackson . . 
 William Jackson 
 William Jackson 
 Joseph Jenkins 
 
 K. 
 
 Seth Knowles . . 
 
 L. 
 
 Abbott Lawrence 
 Abbott Lawrence 
 Abbott Lawrence 
 Abbott Lawrence 
 Amos Lawrence . 
 Amos Lawrence . 
 Amos A. Lawrence 
 Benjamin Loring 
 
 1831-32 
 1839-40 
 1833-49 
 1828-35 
 
 1863 — 
 
 1868 — 
 
 1829-30 
 
 1836-40 
 
 1861-65* 
 
 1833-67 
 
 1866-73* 
 
 1831-32 
 
 1830-40 
 
 1846-54* 
 
 1862-68* 
 
 1876 — 
 
 1823-24 
 
 1829-30 
 
 1854-69* 
 
 1830-63* 
 
 1830-73* 
 
 1847-71* 
 
 1810-41 
 
 1823-29 
 
 1833-35 
 1829-30 
 1831-32 
 1833-35 
 
 1823-29 
 
 1829-30 
 1832-43 
 
 1844-45 
 1875 — 
 1825-29 
 1831-32 
 1840 — 
 1839-58* 
 
 53 
 
418 
 
 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 Charles Leightox . . 1833-66 
 
 Charles Lymax . . . 1853 — 
 
 Edward Lawrence . . 1858 — 
 
 Frederick W. Lixcolx 1856 — 
 
 Henry Lee 1839-10 
 
 Henry Lyon .... 1866 — 
 
 Isaac Liverjiore . . . 1840 — 
 
 James Lawrence . . . 1856-75* 
 
 James Lee, Jr. . . . 1854 — 
 
 John J. Low .... 1840-il 
 
 Levi Lincoln .... 1823-24 
 
 Samuel Lawrence . . 1823-32 
 
 Samuel K. Lothrop . . 1864 — 
 
 Theodore Lyman, Jr. . 1823-29 
 
 William E. Lawrence 1855 — 
 
 Winslow Lewis . . . 1862-76* 
 
 M. 
 
 Charles Merriam . . 1866 — 
 
 Charles W. Moore . . 1854-73* 
 
 Daniel Messenger . . 1833-40 
 
 David L. Morrill . . 1824-27 
 
 Ephraim Marsh . . . 1829-30 
 
 Ezra Mudge .... 1829-30 
 
 James McAllister . . 1834—36 
 
 Samuel F. McCleary . 1871 — 
 
 Theophilus R. Marvin 1833 — 
 
 Thomas Motley . . . 1839-40 
 
 AViLLiAM P. Mason . . 1828-29 
 
 William P. Mason . . 1830-32 
 
 X. 
 
 George B. Xeal . . . 1859 — 
 
 Otis Xorcross .... 1867 — 
 
 O. 
 
 Francis J. Oliver . . 182.3-29 
 
 Francis J. Oliver . . 1830-40 
 
 George W. Otis . . . 1833-57* 
 
 Henry A. Peirce . . 1849-74 
 
 James W. Paige . . . 1841-68* 
 
 Jesse Putnam .... 1823-28 
 
 Jonathan Phillips . . 1826-29 
 
 Joseph Peabody . . . 1827-28 
 
 Stephen C. Phillips . 1832-57* 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins . . 1834-39 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins . . 18.56 — 
 
 William Perkins . . . 1872 — 
 
 William Prescott . . 1824-27 
 
 William Prescott . . 1831-32 
 
 R. 
 
 Benjamin T. Reed . . 1840-74* 
 
 Edward H. Robbins . 1828-29 
 
 John H. Reed .... 1874 — 
 
 John Raynor .... 1833-10 
 
 Asa Swallow .... 1840-64* 
 
 David Sears .... 1824-28 
 
 Frederick H. Stimpson 1865-73* 
 Gardiner Howl and Shaw 18.53-67* 
 
 George C. Shattuck . 1835-40 
 
 Hiram Shurtleff . . 1375 — 
 
 Joseph E. Sprague . . 1828-29 
 
 James W. Sever . . . 1866-71* 
 
 John K. Simpson . . . 1833-38 
 
 John Skinner .... 1829-49* 
 
 L. Miles Stand ish . . 1873 — 
 
 Leveret Saltonstall . 1823-28 
 
 Leveret Saltonstall . 1829-39 
 
 Xathaniel Silsbee . . 1823-24 
 
 Xathaniel B. Shurtleff 1857-74* 
 
 Robert G. Shaw . . . 1828-53* 
 
 Samuel Swett .... 1823-29 
 
 Timothy T. S,\wyer . 1855 — 
 
 William Sullivan . . 1823-29 
 
 William Sullivan . . 1831-32 
 
 William W. Stone . . 1832-54 
 
 Daniel Putnwm 
 Fr.\ncis Peabody 
 George Peabody 
 
 182.5-29 I T. 
 
 1729-47 Abram K. Thompson . 1829-30 
 
 1828-29 Abram R. Thompson . 1853-66* 
 
MEMORABILTA. 
 
 419 
 
 Benjamin Thompson . 1851-53* 
 
 George Ticknor . . . 1823-26 
 
 Henry K. Thatcher . 1875 — 
 
 Israel Thorndike . . 1832-33 
 
 Job Turner 1836-54 
 
 Joseph Tilden .... 1832-53* 
 
 John H. Thorndike . . 1854 — 
 
 John P. Thorndike . . 1833-65* 
 
 Nathan Tufts .... 1828-30 
 
 l^ATHAN Tufts .... 1832-36* 
 
 William Tudor . . . 1825-28 
 
 Joel Thayer .... 1831-32 
 
 Joseph B. Thomas . . 1871 — 
 
 V. 
 
 Shadrack Varney . . 1810-49 
 
 W. 
 
 Benjamin Whipple . . 1829-30 
 
 Charles Wells . . . 1829-33 
 
 Daniel Webster . . . 1823-25 
 
 Daniel Weld .... 1831-32 
 
 G. Washington Warren 1836-39 
 
 G. Washington Warren 
 Henry Walker . . . 
 J. Huntington Wolcott 
 John C. Warren . . . 
 John Wells .... 
 John D. Williams . . 
 John D. Williams . . 
 Jonathan Mason Warren 
 Jonathan Whitney . . 
 J. Collins Warren . . 
 Joseph M. Wightman . 
 Mark Weare .... 
 Oliver Wolcott . . . 
 Robert C. Winthrop . 
 Samuel H. Walley . . 
 Simon Wilkinson . . 
 Thomas B. Wales . . 
 Timothy Walker . . . 
 William W. Wheildon 
 William Wyman . . . 
 
 Y. 
 
 Ammi B. Young 
 
 1875 — 
 
 1874 — 
 
 1841 — 
 
 1828-29 
 
 1824-28 
 
 1829-30 
 
 1832-48 
 
 1849-67* 
 
 1833-39 
 
 1867 — 
 
 1860 — 
 
 1833-34 
 
 1824-27 
 
 185;j-56 
 
 1840 — 
 
 1833-40 
 
 1840-53* 
 
 1829-30 
 
 1845 — 
 
 1840-43 
 
 1848-57 
 
 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. 
 
 1825. 
 
 Orator Hon. Daniel Webster. 
 
 ^ S Rev. Joseph Thaxter. 
 
 Chaplains i ^ „^ _ ^ 
 
 ( Rev. James Walker, D.D. 
 
 Chief Marshal of Pi-ocessioii .... Geii. Theodore Lyman, Jr. 
 
 ,, ,, ,, Grounds Col. Samuel Jaques. 
 
 1843. 
 
 Orator Hon. Daniel Webster. 
 
 Chaplain Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D. 
 
 Chief Marshal of Procession .... Gen. Samuel Chandler. 
 
 ,, ,, ,, Grounds Mr. James W. Paige. 
 
420 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 1850. 
 
 Orator Hon. Edward Everett. 
 
 Chaplain Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D. 
 
 Chief Marshal Col. Isaac H. Wright. 
 
 1857. 
 _ 5 Hon. Edward Everett. 
 
 ( Hon. Robert C. Winthrop. 
 
 Chaplain Rev. James Walker, D.D. 
 
 Grand Marshal of Procession .... Col. Thomas Aspinwall. 
 Chief ,, ,, Grounds James Lawrence, Esq. 
 
 1861. 
 
 Orator Gov. John A. Andrew. 
 
 Chaplain Rev. James B. Miles. 
 
 Chief Marshal Hon. James Dana. 
 
 1875. 
 
 Orator Hon. Charles Devens, Jr. 
 
 ^ (Rev. RuFUS Ellis, D.D. 
 
 Chaplains ■< 
 
 ( Rev. Phillips Brooks. 
 
 Chief Marshal of Association .... Col. Hknry Walker. 
 
 ,, ,, ,, City of Boston . . . Gen. Francis A. Osborn. 
 
 CHAPLAINS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS. 
 
 In 1862 it was voted that in future the Annual Meetings be opened by prayer 
 and that the President appoint the Chaplain. 
 
 1863 Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, D.D. 
 
 1864 Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D. 
 
 1865 Rev. George W. Blagden, D.D. 
 
 1866 Rev. James B. Miles. 
 
 1867 Rev. Chandler Bobbins, D.D. 
 
 1868 Rev. Rufus Ellis. 
 
 1870 Rev. Charles E. Grinnell. 
 
 1871 Rev. Phillips Brooks. 
 
 1872 Rev. Rufus Ellis, D.D. 
 
 1873 Rev. John F. W. Ware. 
 
 1874 Prof. William Everett. 
 
 1875 Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, D.D. 
 
 1876 Rev. Thomas R. Lambert, D.D. 
 
lE)0n0rarp jWembevs^ 
 
 A. 
 
 James Alden. 
 *JoHN Adams. 
 *JoHN QuiNCY Adams. 
 
 B. 
 
 *BENJAMI]Sr BUSSEY. 
 *ICHABOD BaRTLETT. 
 
 *Peter C. Brooks. 
 *SiMOK Bolivar. 
 *William Bainbridge. 
 
 C. 
 
 *Charles Carroll, of Carroll- 
 ton. 
 *Dewitt Clinton. 
 George W. Curtis. 
 *Henry Clay. 
 *JoHN Carter. 
 
 D. 
 
 Charles H. Davis. 
 *David Daggett. 
 *Henry Dearborn. 
 *Joseph Desha. 
 
 E. 
 *William Eustis. 
 
 F. 
 *David G. Farragut. 
 Hamilton Fish. 
 
 G. 
 
 *A. K. Go VAX. 
 *Gardiner Greene. 
 *George Gibbs. 
 *JoHN Gaillard. 
 *RoBERT Gilmer. 
 *Samuel Gore. 
 Ulysses S. Grant. 
 *William Gray. 
 
 H. 
 *JoHN Hoffman. 
 *Eobert Y. Hayne. 
 
 J. 
 *Leonard Jar vis. 
 *Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 K. 
 
 *James Kent. 
 
 *JOHN T. KiRKLAND. 
 JUDSON KiLPATRICK. 
 
 L. 
 
 *Lafayette. 
 *Charles Lowell. 
 *JoHN Lowell. 
 Oscar Lafayette. 
 
 M. 
 *C. F. Mercer. 
 *David Lawrence Morrill. 
 *George McDuffie. 
 
422 
 
 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 *George G. Meade. 
 
 Irvin McDowell. 
 *James Madison. 
 *James Monroe. 
 *JoHN Marshall. 
 *JoNATHAN Mason. 
 *Marcus Morton. 
 *Perez Morton. 
 
 *JosEPH TV. Newcomb. 
 
 *RlCHARD E. NeWCOMB. 
 
 0. 
 *Harrison G. Otis. 
 
 *Benjamin Pickman. 
 *Benjamin Pierce. 
 *Bernard Peyton. 
 *Daniel Putnam. 
 
 David D. Porter. 
 *Elijah Paine. 
 *George Peabody. 
 *IsAAC Parker. 
 *James Pleasants. 
 *William Phillips. 
 
 *Benjamin Silliman. 
 
 Charles Steedman. 
 
 Carl Schurz. 
 *JosEPH Story. 
 
 Philip H. Sheridan. 
 *Samuel Southard. 
 
 *WlLLIAM C. SoMERVILLE. 
 
 William T. Sherman. 
 
 T. 
 *George Tucker. 
 
 *ISRAEL ThORNDIKE. 
 
 *Thomas Todd. 
 
 V. 
 
 *C. P. Yanness. 
 *WiLLiAM Vance. 
 
 W. 
 
 *Arnold Welles. 
 *JoHN Wilson. 
 
 *JOHN A. WiNSLOAV. 
 
 *Oliyer Wolcott. 
 *Thomas L. Winthrop. 
 
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Associate IHemiiers, 
 
 Elected by the Association since 1860. 
 
 N. B. — The names of the original Members, and of all who were elected by the 
 Association before 1860, will be found on pages 44-47. 
 
 *Edwin F. Adams. 
 
 Francis B. Austin. 
 
 Frederic Amory. 
 
 Henry C. Adams. 
 
 H. Edward Abbott. 
 
 James Adams, Jr. 
 
 James W. Austin. 
 
 Joseph B. Ames. 
 
 Robert Amory. 
 
 Thomas C. Amory. 
 *Thomas Aspinwall. 
 
 William Appleton, Jr. 
 
 William Aspinwall. 
 
 B. 
 
 Andrew Jackson Bailey. 
 Buckminster Brown. 
 Charles V. Bemis. 
 Charles R. Byram. 
 Eben F. Barker. 
 Edward T. Barker. 
 Ezekiel G. Byam. 
 Francis Brooks. 
 George H. Burr. 
 George P. Baldwin. 
 Henry N. Blake. 
 Henry W. Bragg. 
 John P. Barnard. 
 *Leonard C. Bowles. 
 Nathaniel J. Bradlee. 
 Nelson Bartlett. 
 
 Peter Baker. 
 
 Peter C. Brooks, Jr. 
 
 Phillips Brooks. 
 
 S. Stoddard Blanchard. 
 
 Thomas P. Beal. 
 
 T. Quincy Browne. 
 
 William E. Bicknell. 
 
 William G. Brooks. 
 
 C. 
 Abram E. Cutter. 
 Alvin Colburn. 
 Arthur B. Coburn. 
 Charles A. Clajjp. 
 Charles F. Choate. 
 Charles R. Codman. 
 Charles T. Carruth. 
 Ethan N. Coburn. 
 George A. Coolidge. 
 George B. Chase. 
 George G. Crocker. 
 George H. Campbell. 
 Henry C. Cutter. 
 Linus M. Child. 
 Nahura Chapin. 
 Samuel C. Cobb. 
 Seth E. Clapp. 
 Uriel H. Crocker. 
 
 D. 
 
 Arthur Lithgow Devens. 
 Charles Devens, Jr. 
 
424 
 
 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 Charles Deane. 
 Charles H. Drew. 
 Edward F. Devens. 
 Fi-anklin Darracott. 
 F. A. Downing. 
 F. Marland Darracott. 
 Oliver Ditson. 
 Richard H. Dana, Jr. 
 Stephen G. Deblois. 
 Thomas Dana, 2d. 
 Thomas Dwight, Jr. 
 AYilliam J. Dale. 
 
 E. 
 
 Edward Everett. 
 George D. Edraands. 
 Henry Herbert Edes. 
 Isaac P. T. Edmands. 
 Percival L. Everett. 
 Rufus Ellis. 
 
 Thomas R. B. Edmands. 
 William Everett. 
 
 Alfred D. Foster. 
 Andrew C. Fearing, Jr. 
 Charles E. Fuller. 
 Charles F. Fairbanks. 
 Edward J. Forster. 
 George Darracott Fenno. 
 Charles C. French. 
 John K. Fuller. 
 Jonas H. French. 
 Lyman P. French. 
 Rufus S. Frost. 
 Thomas G. Frothinghara. 
 William II. Finney. 
 
 G. 
 Charles E. Grinnell. 
 Charles O. Gage. 
 Charles S. Gill. 
 George F. Greene. 
 John Goldthwait. 
 
 Joseph F. Green. 
 Nehemiah Gibson. 
 Richard C. Greenleaf. 
 Samuel A. Green. 
 Samuel C. Goodwin. 
 
 H. 
 
 Albert H. Hoyt. 
 
 Charles Hale. 
 *Charles Chauncey Haven. 
 
 Charles D. Homans. 
 
 Clement Hugh Hill. 
 
 Franklin A. Hall. 
 
 Francis B. Hayes. 
 
 Franklin Hopkins. 
 
 G. H. W. Herrick. 
 
 George Hyde. 
 
 Hamilton A. Hill. 
 
 H. Hollis Hunnewell 
 
 Henry C. Hutchins. 
 
 Horace G. Hutchins. 
 *Isaac H. Hooper. 
 *Israel Hunt. 
 
 James F. Hunnewell. 
 
 Joseph Healy. 
 
 John W. Hunt. 
 
 Josiah Little Hale. 
 
 Liverus Hull. 
 
 Moses Hunt. 
 
 Philip Hichborn. 
 
 Samuel H. Hurd. 
 
 Samuel P. Hinckley. 
 
 Thomas B. Harris. 
 * William Harris. 
 *William Sturgis Hooper. 
 
 Walter Hastings. 
 
 J. 
 
 Daniel Johnson. 
 E. Worthen James. 
 Francis Jaques. 
 Henry Percy Jaques. 
 Henry F. Jenks. 
 Thomas H. B. James. 
 
MEMORABILIA. 
 
 425 
 
 K. 
 
 Charles K. Kirby. 
 George A. Kettell. 
 George P. King. 
 James W. Kidney. 
 John Kent. 
 L. Gushing Kimball. 
 William H. Kent. 
 
 L. 
 
 Abbott Lawrence. 
 Amory A. Lawrence. 
 Charles R. Lawrence. 
 Edward Lawrence, Jr. 
 Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr. 
 George E. Littlefield. 
 George W. Little. 
 Henry Lyon. 
 Henry W. Lyon. 
 James Lawrence. 
 Jacob Littlefield. 
 Samuel P. Langmaid. 
 Solomon Lincoln. 
 Thomas R. Lambert. 
 Theodore Lyman. 
 William Lawrence. 
 
 M. 
 
 Anthony S. Morss. 
 
 Albert Mason. 
 
 Charles Merriam. 
 
 Edward S. Moseley. 
 *Frederic W. Moores. 
 
 Godfrey Morse. 
 * James B. Miles. 
 
 Nathan Mathews. 
 
 Nathaniel B. Mansfield. 
 
 Robert M. Mason. 
 
 W. T. R. Marvin. 
 
 William Makepeace. 
 
 WilHam B. Morris. 
 
 N. 
 Grenville H. Norcross. 
 Otis Norcross. 
 
 Otis Norcross, Jr. 
 Sereno D. Nickerson. 
 
 O. 
 
 Francis A. Osborn. 
 
 Asa P. Potter. 
 Charles E. Powers. 
 Edwards A. Park. 
 George S. Poole. 
 George W. Palmer. 
 Peter Parker. 
 * Robert S. Perkins. 
 William Perkins. 
 William E. Perkins. 
 
 R. 
 
 Augustus Richardson. 
 
 Caleb Rand. 
 
 Edward B. Robins. 
 
 Henry M. Rogers. 
 *Isaac F. Redfield. 
 
 John Codman Ropes. 
 
 John Reed. 
 
 John H. Reed. 
 *Luther C. Redfield. 
 
 William L. Richardson. 
 
 Andrew Sawtell. 
 
 Arthur J. C. Sowdon. 
 
 Benjamin F. Stacey. 
 
 Charles E. Stevens. 
 
 Charles A. B. Shepard. 
 *David Sears, Jr. 
 
 D. Waldo Salisbury. 
 
 Frank E. Sweetser. 
 
 Francis H. Swan. 
 
 Hiram S. Shurtleff. 
 
 Isaac H. Sweetser. 
 
 James E. Stone. 
 * James W. Sever. 
 
 John Stowell. 
 
 John H. Studley. 
 
 54 
 
426 
 
 MEMORABILIA. 
 
 L. Miles Standish. 
 Lemuel Shaw. 
 Phinehas J. Stone. 
 Phinehas J. Stone, Jr. 
 Solomon B. Stebbins. 
 Thomas L. Swann. 
 Timothy T. Sawyer, Jr. 
 Warren Sawyer. 
 William B. Stearns. 
 William W. Swan. 
 
 . T. 
 
 Abraham R. Thompson. 
 Edwin Thompson. 
 Ezra J. Trull. 
 Edward S. Tobey. 
 Francis Thompson. 
 Frederick Tudor. 
 George F. Thorndike. 
 Henry Elmer Townsend. 
 Henry Knox Thatcher. 
 Joseph B. Thomas. 
 John L. Thorndike. 
 Washington B. Trull. 
 William W. Tucker. 
 
 W. 
 
 Albert J. Wright. 
 Alexander S. Wheeler. 
 Arthur W. Willard. 
 
 Charles Whittier. 
 
 Charles Woodbury. 
 
 Charles Herbert Williams. 
 *Daniel H. Whitney. 
 
 David B. Weston. 
 
 Edward Warren. . 
 
 Erving AVinslow. 
 
 Francis C. Whiston. 
 
 Freeman A. Walker. 
 
 Henry Walker. 
 
 Henry Austin Whitney. 
 
 Henry D. Williams. 
 
 Henry F. Woods. 
 
 Henry L. J. Warren. 
 
 Henry M. Wightman. 
 
 Henry W. Williams. 
 
 Henshaw B. Walley. 
 
 J. Collins Warren. 
 
 J. Otis Wetherbee. 
 
 John S. Whiting. 
 
 John Wilson. 
 
 John B. Wilson. 
 
 Joseph W. Warren. 
 
 Lucius H. Warren. 
 *Luther F. Whitney. 
 
 Marshall P. Wilder. 
 
 Roger Wolcott. 
 
 Sampson Warren. 
 
 Samuel S. Willson. 
 
 WiUiam F. Weld. 
 
SUBSCIIIBEE.S 
 
 TO 
 
 THE STATUE OF GENEHAL WAHREN. 
 
 Obtained ekom 1850 to 1857. 
 
 ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. 
 
 Thomas H. Perkins. 
 
 FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. 
 
 John Welles. 
 Samuel Appleton. 
 
 TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. 
 
 Amos Lawrence. 
 Abbott Lawrence. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. 
 
 G. Washington Warren. 
 
 Peter Hubbell. 
 
 James Lee, Jr. 
 
 James Hunnewell & Son. 
 
 J. Wiley Edmands. 
 
 Jacob Foss. 
 
 William Carleton. 
 
 Luther V. Bell. 
 
 James Dana. 
 
 James W. Paige & Co. 
 
 John W. Trull. 
 
 Josiah Bradlee & Co. 
 
 Charles H. Mills & Co. 
 
 Lawrence, Stone, & Co. 
 
 Read, Chadwick, & Dexter. 
 
 James M. Beebe & Co. 
 
 Nathan Appleton. 
 
 FIFTY DOLLARS. 
 
 Stephen Fairbanks. 
 Johnson, Sewall, & Co. 
 
 P. J. Stone. 
 William H. Prescott. 
 F. Skinner & Co. 
 
 TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. 
 
 Robert C. Winthrop. 
 AVilliam R. Lawrence. 
 Isaac Kendall. 
 Walter Plastings. 
 Henry A. Peirce. 
 Artemas Tirrell. 
 Lynde A. Huntington. 
 Andrew T. Hall. 
 Edward Lawrence. 
 James Adams. 
 Timothy T. Sawyer. 
 Richard Frothingham, Jr. 
 George B. Neal. 
 Josiah F. Guild. 
 John Hurd. 
 George Howe. 
 Edward Everett. 
 Nathan Matthews. 
 Thomas B. Curtis. 
 Sampson & Tappan. 
 Isaac Liver more. 
 Samuel Hooper. 
 Albert Fearing. 
 Edward S. Rand. 
 Benjamin Loring. 
 George W. Lyman. 
 George O. Hovey. 
 F. W. Lincoln, Jr. 
 John P. Rice. 
 William W. Wheildon. 
 Calvin C. Samson. 
 
 The children of Dr. John C. Warren contributed the handsome marble pedestal 
 on which the Statue stands, at the cost of 
 
''';-^' will 
 
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