J'ff^rt^f.-Z ,„ AK AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OP ALL THE PKOCEEDIXOS OS THE FOURTH OF JULY, isis, WITH REGARD TO LATIKO THE CORNER STONE OF THE 4$%tn^tm ^0tmmM, JSOW ERECTIKG LNT THE CITY OF BALTIMORE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGRAVING OF THE MONUMENT. AN ADDRESS FROM THE CITIZENS OF BALTIMORE TO THE MAN WHO WAS " First imvar,Jirsi in peace, and first in tfie hearts of his countrymen." Together with his answer. — Also, FAC SIMILES OF THE ENGRAVED PLATE DEPOSITED TINDER "■'' Cs/j^j. THE CORNER STONE, ** ®«?5» AND A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. • --4 ^Baltimore : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BT .JOHN HORACE PRATT. 1815. F / m ^i^ttitt of .fEacplanij, ^^* BE IT REMEMBEREDy That on the thirteenth day of July, in the fortieth year of the independence of the United States of A- merica, John Horace Pratt, of the said district, hath deposited in this office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: " An authentic account of all tJie proceedings on the fourth of July, 1815, with regard to laying the comer stone of tfte WASHINGTON MONUMENT, now erecting in the city of Baltimore,- accompanied hy an engraving of the Monu- ment; an address from the citizens of BaMtnore, to tlie ma7i who was "fii-st in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- men," together with his answer. Also, fac similes of the engraved plate, deposited under the comer stone,- and a biographical sketch of General Washington^ In conformity to an act of the congress of the United States, entitled " an act forthe encouragement of learn- ing, by securmg the copies of maps, charts and books, to the au- thors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein men- tioned." And also to the act entitled, " an act supplementary to the act, entitled an act, for the encouragement of learning, by se- curing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to tlie arts of designmg, engravmg and etching: historical and other prints." PHIUP MOORE, Clerk of the District of Maryland. AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT, £5?c. Agreeably to previous arrangements, the managers of the monument met in Howard's Park, at twelve o'clock, on Teusday, the fourth of July, eighteen hun« dred and fifteen, and in the presence of from twenty-five to thirty thousand of their fellow citizens; among whom were a number of the reverend clergy; the pre- sident and members of the Cincinnati of Maryland, his excellency the governor R. w. G. M. and members of thegrandlodge of Maryland, and the subordinate lodges of Baltimore; the mayor and city council of Baltimore; officers of the army and navy; major general R. G. Harper and aids; and the third brigade of Maryland militia, un- der the command of brigadier general Sterett; they proceeded to perform the pleasing duty assigned them by the legis- lature of Maryland, of laying the first cor- ner stone of a monument, to be erected in the city of Baltimore, to the memory of General Washington, the father of the republic. In an elevated situation, near the spot prepared for laying the corner stone, was exhibited an excellent likeness of the de- ceased hero and sage; an original portrait, painted by Mr. Rembrandt Pe ale; and, immediately under the picture, a correct and beautiful representation of the monu- ment to be erected, as designed by Mr. M^lls, painted by Mr. Henry Warren. These were richly decorated by Mr. Hugh Findley, forming, together, an ap- propriate TROPHY for the occasion; and, at the beginning of the ceremony, the en- signs from the attending volunteer corps displayed their flags, on which were paint- ed the arms of the United States around the trophy. The ceremonies of the day were com- menced by some national airs from a vo- lunteer band of amateurs, Mr. Bunyie leader. A salute of thirty-nine guns, com- memorative of the number of years which was on that day completed since the de- claration of independence. — ^Washington's march, by the band. — James A. Bucha- nan, esq. president of the board of mana- gers, then addressed the audience as follows: "The distinguished honor, my fellow citizens, of presiding on this interesting occasion, has devolved upon me, in con- sequence of the death of my predecessor, the founder and first president of the board of managers, John Comegys; to whom, more than to any member of the board, more indeed, than to all the other mem- bers of the board, is to be ascribed what- ever there may be of merit in the procur- ing for our city the glory of being the first to erect a monument of gratitude to the father and benefactor of our country. "And, my fellow citizens, is it not with peculiar propriety that this first expres- sion of national gratitude should be made 6 in the city of Baltimore? at all times the first to evince its attachment to those re- publican institutions, to secure which was the great object of WAsniNGTON'slabours. Baltimore has at no time been backward with testimonials of her love and gratitude towards him. When she saw him elevat- ed to the highest honours in the gift of his country, Baltimore was among the first to approach him with her homage. ^The tokens of regard and affection,' said he, 'which I have often received from the ci- tizens of this town were always accepta- ble, because I always believed them sin- cere.' "When, descending from his exalted sta- tion, he relinquished his power, and sought for happiness in the bosom of retirement, the first to thank him for his services, and to regret his departure, was Baltimore. In reply to an address, presented to him on that occasion, by the city, he observed — 'I pray you to accept of my sincere thanks, for the evidence you have now giv- en, of approbation of my past services; for those regrets which you have express- ed, on the occasion of my retirement to private life, and for the affectionate at- tachment which you have declared for my person.' — If these be sufficientto establish, in Baltimore, a priority of claim to the hal- lowed services of this day; recent interest- ing events, of which she was the theatre, lean powerfully in support of them. Du- ring the war in which we have been engag- ed, the city, destined to bear the proud name of Washington to future ages, fell an easy conquest to the ruthless invader. The shock produced by this stroke was felt from the one end of these United States to the other. The minds of our countrymen appeared to be transfixed with horror and dismay; a night of awful dark- ness seemed to overshadow our land; the gloomiest apprehensions were entertained for the republic; the timid and the despond- ing, not recollecting that freedom rises with an elasticity proportionate to the pres- sure made upon it, were approaching a state of political despair. At this most awful moment for our country, Baltimore, the city of our affection, in which was con- tained our altars, our families, our all, be- came the next object of attack to a vindic« tive, and at that time, a vainglorious foe. The eyes of all America were fixed upon us! On the destiny of Baltimore seemed to be suspended the fate of the republic! She breasted the storm; and, thanks to her gallant defenders, exists now, in prosper- ity and glory, to perform her most grateful of duties. " The desire, my fellow citizens, of per- petuating the memory of illustrious men, has prevailed in every age of the world. The ingenuity of men has been exercised, as well in his rudest, as in his most polish- ed condition, in devising methods by which effectually to gratify this desire. The song of the poet, the pen of the historian, the pencil of the painter, the chissel of the sculptor, all have, in every age, been employed, to render their fame imperish- able. It has, indeed, been sometimes said that the only monument real excellence requires, is an existence in the recollec- tion of those who have been blessed by its operation: and that in the gratitude of posterity, it has its best reward. It would be superfluous, under present circumstan- ces, to enquire into the correctness or in^ correctness of this sentiment. We have taken the sense of mankind, as exhibited in immemorial usage for our guide; and^ I therefore proceed to state, that we are assembled here, my fellow citizens, to lay the corner stone of a monument, intend- ed to commemorate the virtues of our great Washington; of the hero and the sage who was ' first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.' On an occasion so grand, so interesting, it might perhaps be expected, that some no- tice should be taken of ' the services of the mighty dead;' but when we recollect, that the world is filled with his glory, and that its radiance shines with a lustre which requires no aid from eulogy, I feel relieved from a task which it would have been the height of presumption for me to , have undertaken. " With these few observations, my fellow citizens, more than which I have not be- lieved to be necessary, and less than which would not have satisfied my own impres- sions of duty, allow me to solicit your devout attention to the next feature of our arrangement, which is to invoke the bless- B 10 ings of Almighty God, on the purpose for which we are assembled." The following prayer, was then ad- dressed to the Throne of God, by the right reverend bishop Kemp. " O God! in whom we live, and move and have our being. Every good thing that we enjoy here, we derive from thee, and every good thing that we hope for hereafter, thou alone canst bestow. " We acknowledge, with deep humility, that we have followed too much the de- vices and desires of our own hearts; that we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and that we have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and that there is no spiritu- al health in us. Pardon, O merciful fa- ther, our manifold transgressions; purify our hearts from every defilement, and grant us grace, to enable us to devote our hearts and our lives more particularly to thy service. " We magnify and adore thee, the Su- preme Ruler of nations, for the many and distinguished blessings, which we enjoy, as a people, for the liberty, prosperity, and 11 happiness, which we have derived from that memorable act^ whose anniversary has again rolled round! On this day let eve- ry heart expand with gratitude and joy-— let it be distinguished by our citizens as the commencement of a new era in the history of nations, when a great and ex- tensive empire rose into existence; when a Supreme Being opened a way for the ra- pid dissemination of liberty, learning, and religion, over an uncultivated wilderness, ameliorating the condition of man, and spreading light and salvation through a wide extended land. God! for these bles- sings give us grace to be duly thankful. " In particular we come before thee, at this time, to implore a blessing on our present undertaking; and that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name; may per- petuate and extend those principles, upon which depend our happiness here and hereafter. " May this monument, whose corner stone we are now about to deposit, stand as a memorial of the blessings and advantages that our country derived from the character 13 and conduct of that personage whose name it is to bear, and whose virtues it is to perpetuate. May it excite in us those no- ble affections, that will entitle us to the continuance of his favor, who is the au- thor of every good and perfect gift; may we view it as a continued monitor, to em- ulate the virtues and to follow the ex- ample of him, whose character implies every thing that is great. ' let our hearts, and all that is within us, praise the Lord for his goodness.' " Let the soldier, when he views this monument, remember, that America re- quires he should form his character upon the model of Washington; that he should combine bravery with prudence; courage with humanity; the service of his God with the service of his country. " Let the statesman here learn the im- portant lesson, that integrity is the rule, by which all his plans are to be measured; honesty the scale in which all his schemes are to be weighed; that religion is the on- ly base on which the happiness of a na- tion can stand secure, and that true pa- triotism consists in that ardent love of our country, which excites to originate and promote measures to dispense the bless- ings of freedom, justice, and plenty, among all descriptions of citizens. " Let the private citizen, when he looks upon this monument, remember that it is erected in memory of a man, who was an ornament to private life as well as pub- lie; who, to the bravery of a soldier and the integrity of a statesman, added the virtues of an affectionate husband, a kind neighbor, an useful citizen, and a pious christian. " God! as it pleased thee to appoint the rain-bow, as a token that the earth should not again be destroyed by a flood, so may this monument remain as a token that America must not be deluged by sin; that the land of Washington must not be torn by faction or ruined by vice; that no domineering tyrant shall raise his head on this soil, or the happiness of our citizens be sacrificed at the shrine of ambition. " To this monument let the father lead his son, and tell him, thatto be greathe must possess the virtues and the principles of him to whose memory it is dedicated. 14 " On this monument, God, may we all look as a reproof of sin, and an encour- agement to virtue — as the ark of indepen- dence, the model of patriotism, and the reward of greatness — and may it be hap- pily instrumental in inspiring our hearts with noble sentiments, in elevating our souls above mean pursuits, and in prepar- ing us to share in the everlasting rewards of all those who love God, who trust in a redeemer, and whose souls are adorned by the noble qualities of pure christians. " These, our prayers, we offer unto thee in the name and through the merits of our blessed Redeemer; to whom, with thee and the holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end — Amen,'^ ' The president, accompaniedby the board of managers, then descended to the place where the corner stone was suspended, and by their secretary invited his excellen- cy Levin Winder, r. w. g. m. of masons, colonelJoHNE. Howard, president andge- neral S. Smith, vice-president of the Cin- cinnati, and Edward Johnson, mayor of the city of Baltimore, to witness the lay- ing of the stone. To whom, when assem- 15 bled, the president made the following ad- dress: " I have, gentlemen, been requested by the board of managers, to ask your par- ticipation with them on this interesting oc- casion; and, worshipful sir, (addressing the R. w. G. Master) to present you with these implements, (handing the square, plumb, and level,) used by your ancient fraternity, with which you will be pleased to proceed and ascertain the fitness of this stone." The R .w. G. Master replied, " Honour- able sir, on behalf of the free and accept- ed masons of this state, I accept, with plea- sure your invitation, and it will afford us peculiar satisfaction to render all the assist- ance within our power, so that the stone may be laid agreeably to the ancient usag- es of the order, especially, as the object of the building to be erected is to hand down to the latest posterity the virtues and patriotism of the greatest of men; who, du- ring his valuable life, honored our order by becoming a zealous and faithful mem» ber of the fraternity, ' ' 16 His excellency, the r. w. g. Master, then proceeded to try the fitness of the stone; and, addressing the president, pro- nounced the same " true and trusty." The architect, assisted by Messrs. Wil- liam Steuart and Thomas Towson, the operative masons, under the direction of the president, placed the stone in its proper position. The secretary then deposited in the stone a copper plate,* and a sealed glass bottle, containing a likeness of Washing- ton, his valedictory address, the several neviTspapers printed in this city, and the different coins of the United States. On the stone was engraved — "WILLIAM STEUART and THOMAS TOWSON, STONE CUTTERS. SATER STEVEKSON, STONE MASON. The president, accompanied by the r. w. G. Master, the president and vice-pre- sident of the Cincinnati, and the mayor of * See fac similes of its engraving, facing pages 16 and 17. / d O ■H a o !?; » CO o H O w o o o t Reverse side of the Plate. JOHN COMEGYS, JAMES A. BUCHANAN, ROBERT GILMORE, Jr. ISAAC M'KIM, WM. H. WINDER, DAVID WINCHESTER, FIELDING LUCAS, Jr. JAMES CALHOUN, Jr. JAMES COCKE, JOHNFRICK, JAMES WILLIAMS, WASHINGTON HALL. LEMUEL TAYLOR, GEORGE HOFFMAN, EDWARD J. COALE, JAMES PARTRIDGE, NICHOLAS C. RIDGELY, ROBERT MILLER, NATHANIEL F. WILLIAMS, LEVI HOLLINGSWORTH, WILLIAM GYWNN, B. H. MULLIKIN, I I JAMES BARROLL, ELI SIMKINS, Secretary. ROBERT MILLS, Arcldtect. The SUe presented by | EDWARD JOHNSON, COL. JOHN EAGER HOWARD. \ Mayor. o § Ha I VWVVV^'^'VV ^ o ^ K a S 1 -^ i^ 'W !?3 ^ 5 •<«. o ' ^^ ^ S I 17 / the city, proceeded and settled the stone. The Grand Master then pronounced— " May the Grand Architect of the universe grant a blessing on this foundation stone, which we have now laid, and by his provi- dence enable us to finish this and every other work which may be undertaken for the benefit of the republic and the perpe- tuity of our free institutions." The R. w. G. Master then received, se- verally, the vessels containing corn, wine, and oil, and addressed the president — '' Sir, as the scattering of corn, and the pouring out of wine and oil, on such occa- sions, are a part of our ancient ceremo- nies, with your assent I will perform that duty." The president signified his assent, when the grand master scattered the corn, and poured out the wine and oil on the stone, saying, " May the all bountiful au- thor of nature bless this city with an abun- dance of corn, wine, and oil, and with all the necessaries, conveniences, and com- forts, of life; and may the same Almighty Power preserve this city from ruin and de= cay to the latest posterity." C ^^y^ Was laid this '"^ ^ FOUNDATION 8T0NE of a ^ ^ w ^^^ '^ (g^s/ to b^ 6i*fected to the .^• O 18 The II. w. o. Master, then addressing the rev. John Hargrove, Grand Chaplain, said, '• Have we here the first and great- est light of masonry ?" He replied, "it is in my hands, r. w.'^ The R. w. G. Master again asked, "What instructions does it give on this occa- sion ?" The Grand Chaplain read the follow- ing select imssages from the holy writ- ings : " Thus, saith the Lord God, behold I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone^ a tried stone ^ a precious cornerstone^ a sure found- ation, ^c. " Judgement also will I lay to the line and righteousness unto the plummet." Isaiah^ xxviii ch, iQ b^ i7 v, " For behold the stone which I have laid before Joshua: upon one stone shall be seven eyes. Behold I will engrave the engraving thereof, with the lord of HOSTS." Zech, III ch, 9 v, " Bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. " Lift up yoru hands in the sanctuary and Mess the Lord. "The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." Psalm cxxxiy. Grand honors by the masons. The president then addressed Mr. Mills* — ' - "The managers, appointed by the le- gislature of Maryland, to superintend the erection of this monument, intended to hand down, to the latest generation, the love of country, the disinterestedness, the valor, and the patriotism, of one of the greatest and best of men, that ever lived in any age, having the most unbounded confidence in your skill and integrity as an architect, do now entrust you \vith these symbols, (handing the s. p. and l.) by which you are to prosecute, according to that design, (pointing to a representation of the monument, as designed by Mr. Mills, painted by Mr .Warren,) a monu- ment which may do honor to your- self as an architect, as well as those wlio have confided in you, and be in some de- gree commensurate with its object." * Mr. Robert Mills is a native of Ciiabiestojt, South Carolina^ anrl has the honor of being- the first American educated architect. 20 Mr. Mills replied — "The honor, sir, you have been pleased to confer upon me, I hope to prove that I duly appreciate, by a faithful performance of the duties incumbent on me as your architect. "I feel a double inducement to use my best exertions to execute faithfully, and with ability, the important duty entrusted to me, from the recollection, that the work to be performed is the execution of a monument, to perpetuate our coun- try's gratitude to the father of her liber- ties; and that you have given a preference to native genius in the choice of a de- sign for the work." The rev. Dr. Inglis, then addressed the throne of Divine Grace as follows: " Sovereign of nations^ whose throne is the only throne before which our free republic bows herself! If we know our own hearts, it is our delight to do the ho- mage as our monarch, our judge, and our God. We give thee thanks, that at length the foul blot of reproach is effaced from the public name, and that a splendid memorial of the people's gratitude is at length about ^1 to be reared, to tell to the world that honor is due from them, and shall be paid, to the brave, the just, and the good, to their chief, their benefactor and their father. >^ What people has ever had such cause of gratitude to thee, as this people? For what people, except of old, for thy chosen tribes, whom thou ledst through the wilderness to aland of rest, of plenty, prosperity andg lo- ry, hast thou ever done such deeds of wonder, as for this people? And of all thy multitudinous blessings bestowed upon us, we esteem it not the least, that thou didst give us the achievements and the exam- ple of thine eminent servant, whose spirit is now in other worlds, but whose happy memory lives undecayingly in our affec- tions, and to the honor of whose transcend- ent character this monumental fabrick is devoted thy servant, ' first in war — first in peace — and first in the hearts of his countrymen' — thy servant, the delight of an admiring world, ' whose country is the universe — whose fame is eternity.' We thank thee that thou didst form and adapt his mind to the crisis which cal- led him into action — to the exigencies of 3S the eventful times during which he exercis- ed his exalted talents and his no less exalted virtues. For while we cherish the name and memory of our glorious chief, we humbly and thankfully acknowledge that every perfect gift, whether of goodness or of greatness, cometh down from above; from thee, O , fountain of excellence; from thee, O father of lights; with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning! " We thank thee that this great man liv- ed not in vain, and that his precious exam- ple has not been lost upon the people before whose eyes it shines. The wounds of those brave men who have survived the shock of recent battles on no distant fields, whose patience and fortitude, un- der the privations and exposures of war, whose self-denial, whose contempt of dan- ger, and whose martial ardor, drove back the unsuccessful hosts of invasion to their ships, attest that the example of his valor and his patriotism has not been lost upon us. The annunciations of victory by our laurelled commanders, when the blood of the brave dyed the waters of the lakes, attest that the example of his modesty and SB his piety, has not shone upon us in vain. They attest, that, like him, the intrepid leader and the warrior, who, with firm and faithful step, advances to the onset, forgets not, amidst the pomp and circumstance of war, that God is the Lord of Hosts, to whom all might and all success are to be ascribed. '^ On this occasion, and at this sacred spot, may we be enabled to look back with gra- titude upon the past, and forward upon the future with hope, confidence and courage. Thou who didst accomplish this unparal- leled man with rich gifts for war and peace, that he might go in and out before this so great people, wilt not forsake the country that gave him birth and where his ashes lie. To thy blessing we solemnly commend its institutions and its inter- ests. This day, the anniversary of that proud day which gave us national ex- istence; of that glorious day, when first independence thundered from the Se- nate Hall, and scattered its lightening from the sword of the chief along the thorny and ensanguined pathway, that, un- der the auspices of Omnipotence, led. m the event, to victory and to peace; this day, this joyful day, we invoke thy bless- ing. Bless these assembled multitudes^ bless this flourishing and growing city^ ever favored by thy smiles, and of late signally protected by thy providence. Bless the state, of which it is the orna- ment, our governor and public function- aries; bless the United States of America, united indissolubly; free and indepen- dent perpetually; God save the republic, which himself hath formed to be the re- fuge of freedom; never, O never, of free- dom, may it prove the grave! Bless the president of the United States, and all in authority; and grant that, under their ad- ministration, the people may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. " Sovereign of nations; author of all good; patron and rewarder of integrity, patriot- ism and valor, we supplicate thy benedic- tion upon the interesting solemnity of this day; deign to smile upon the deed which has been done, and to accept it. For while this monumental structure shall pre- sent to the beholder the emblematic regis- 35 ter of glory, shall it not proclaim the ob- ligations of the republic to Him who form- ed her general for the field; her ruler for the the cabinet? O may this memorial of our dead friend and father speak in tones of deep interest to all his children. May it lead them to remember every particu- lar of his moral, civic, and military vir- tue. Let the believer remember that our chief venerated the rites of religion and the name of God. Let the citizen remem- ber, that our chief bowed to the suprema- cy of the laws, and gloried in rendering prompt obedience to the voice of consti- tuted authority. Let the soldier remem- ber that our chief fought because freedom, and truth, and virtue, and conscience, arm- ed him; that his sword would have refus- ed to leave its scabbard in an unholy cause, and that he never could have been induced by seduction or provocation to turn its point against the maternal bosom of his country. Let successive presidents, commanders, magistrates, counsellors, and all depositaries of power, remember that our chief sought not, in any one instance, himself^ but at all times his coimtrips zveaL " Save Lord, save this fabric of the peo- ple's gratitude; this structure to the bless- ed memory of our national father and benefactor, consecrated by the recollec- tions, the sensibilities, and the prayers of his children. O save it from destructive casualties; protect it against the moulder- ing touch of time; anti at what period so- ever the clangour of arms may again dis- turb our peaceful pursuits, let us look on this splendid pile; let us ask, where is the spirit of the hero whose fame it perpetu- ates; let us emulate his deeds, and gather- round the monument of our father; let us guard it with a no less resolved and un- shrinking purpose than we would our aL tars and our homes! " Almighty God, we believe that thou art never displeased with the expression of praise, where praise is due; we, there- fore, deem it becoming us on this solemn occasion, to notice with tender recoUec- tion, the respectable, amiable, and patriot- ic person, to whose indefatigable labors, we, of this vicinity, are chiefly indebted for the honorable privilege of laying the first monumental stone, sacred to the me- %7 moiy of the father of his country. In all pa- triotic offices, in all public works promotive of the interest of truth, virtue, benevo- lence, and liberty; grant that his example may be universally imitated with a perse- verance and an enthusiam worthy of the American citizen. " Sovereign of nations; almiglity crea- tor; God of the spirits of all flesh; father of our Saviour; by whose divine permis- sion we have united in these exercises: listen, we beseech thee, to our thanks- giving and supplications, and favorably, in much mercy, be pleased to answer them. — Amen. " Men, brethren, and fellow citizens- Jehovah bless you, and keep you — Jeho- vah make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you — Jehovah lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace — ^the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. — Amen,^^ Music. First solemn, then national. Grand salute of one hundred guns, the band playing a national air. The whole ceremonies of the day were concluded by three voUies from the whole line of infantry. The evening sky was beautifully be- spangled by rockets, thrown from the Ja- va frigate, and from the mansion of col. Howard, in the park. They rose in a briUiant line of fire, and forming a grace- ful arch, broke into stars as they descend- ed. Divine providence seemed to smile upon the occasion; the air was delightful- ly cool and the firmament serene. The evening silence and tranquility that closed the joyful turbulence of the day, formed a striking contrast, and seemed to display that sobriety of pleasure which the so- lemnity of the occasion demanded. A CARD. The board of managers return their sincere thanks to Mr. Buntib and his associates, for their valuable acquisition to the solemnity of the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of the monument — as also to Messrs. Wakken, Finlet and Peale, for the elegant decorations furnished for the occasion. ELI SIMKINS, Sec. S9 The following is an original inscription^ proposed for the Washington Monument^ with an English version, MONU^IENTUM PATRI PATRIiE DEDICATUM. Die quarto Juli, et Christiance '^ 44 When the old confederation was found inadequate, and a convention from the different states was formed, for the pur- pose of framing a more efficient consti- tution; of this body general Washington was elected president. When this instru- ment was put into operation, he was unanimously elected president of the Unit- ed States. After his constitutional service had expired, he was again by the unani- mous voice of his countrymen, called up- on to administer that office. Can a more transcendent proof of integrity, of honor, be given, than that the same man should be three times summoned to superintend, once tlie military, and twice the political, concerns of a great people. The history of his life is the history of his country's glory. The guardian star of America gleamed wth the same splendor in the soft cerulian firmament of peace, as througli the darkening shadow of war: the depth of the shade only added lustre to the beam. FINIS.