I 4 i She Obelisk and its TO ices I dt,nr^ i'.Uarritigton-. 2i3ton,1837» f ,'4 iL'''''^t?»tai:: «' , WASHINGTON, After Hall & Sods' Engraving from the St. Meniin Crayon. THE OBELISK AND ITS VOICES; OR, THE INNER FACINGS OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT WITH THEIR LESSONS. ,^V BY HENRY B. CARRINGTON, U. S. A., \^^' ' AUTHOR OF BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, ETC. "For the stone shall cry out of the wall." — Habakkuk, Chapter II., Verse 11. BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. New York, Charles T. Dillingham. 188 7. Note. — " The Stone which cry out of the wall " suggest the names of Wash ington's Successors. It was a pleasant fancy to use them in the Arabesque margin of the outside Title: — thus, on the left, from Jefferson to Monroe; on the right, from Polk to Arthur, with Cleveland at the base of the centre ; at the top, Harry Clay, Patrick Henry and Calhoun ; under the Title, "In honore patris ejus fatneP Also, at the base, Chase, Webster, Winthrop; with other names anywhere, as I pleased, such as Morton, Uncas, etc., etc. H. B. C. C L 3G . 6U0 COPYRIGHTED HENRY B. CARRINGTON. 1887. C^/^U/t^eJ^ ,^Ajt. t--^fezt^^^>^^^Z)^;z^^'-^i'^^^^ft^ INDEX. Frontispiece. Portrait, from St. Memin Crayon. page. ii. Dedication. V. Preface. vii. History of The Obelisk. ix. Washington's Accounts. (Fac-Simile.) xiv. Engraving from Faneuil Hall Picture. xvi. Biographical. 2, 4 In Camp before Boston, 1775. 6 In Camp before Boston, 1776. 8 At Brooklyn, Long Island, 1776. 10 As a Dictator. 12 First New Jersey Campaign. 14 Contrasts at White Plains, 1776 and 1778. 16 Battle of Germantown. 18 Trying Times iu 1778. 20 Congress is deceived. ¦^2 Thirteen Sovereignties will not do ! 24 Engraving. Intoning Granite. 26 Orders of Louis XVI. 28 The grand Feint Movement. 30 Orders to the Allied Armies. .32 Cessation of Hostilities. 34 Engraving. Washington and the Flag. 36 Lines by Rev. William Jay. 38 Gov. PownaU's Prediction. 40 Battle of Great Meadows. 42 Organization of the Army. 44 Washington. Memorial Tribute. vl. 46 PREFACE. The thoughtful pilgrim in foreign lands, who measures all objects of interest by their relations to the past history of the countries visited, is strongly impressed by the gradual con vergence of all changes toward a closer commercial and social relationship. A recent ascent of the Washington Monument, inner faced as it is, with memorial bronzes, marbles and tablets by which the nations of the Old World have paid tribute to the recog nized Father of the Great Republic of the New, so vividly deepened this sentiment, that every stone which claimed association with the early civilization and the historical em pires of the past seemed burdened with this earnest and plaintive refrain, — Washington, Washington, Friend of Man ! From the dust of bygone ages, hither we come, — to live again, through Thee ! The kind suggestions of Col. Casey, in a pencil memoran dum to his card, -^" Take a half-dozen candles with you," was appreciated, when it was found that Congress had not supplied the funds for working the Electric Light Appara tus, with which the Obelisk is equipped. The visitor who only gratifies his desire to enjoy the wonderful panorama which the elevation of five hundred feet develops, loses the chief fruition of this dutiful pilgrimage. The contrast from day to darkness is not so impressive as the inoment, when his eye, accommodated to the feeble light, begins to piek out words and characters that have been borne from the oldest nations and oldest ruins of which there is historic record. Then, all history takes on its unit value, and the consensus of all patriotic souls throughout the world, in their judgment of Washington, is met by the responsive prayer, that they may soon realize the hopes which have been inspired through his example. The sudden transition from the interior to the summit of the monument, is equally unsatisfactory with the first entrance. The palm of the hand, casually placed upon the sill of an opening on either face, will sweep away all there is of the Nation's Capital and all its architectural pretensions. As the hot temper of contemporary partizans, during the life of Washington, deferred until these later times a clear view of the grandeur of his unselfish devotion to Liberty, so are all the immediate surroundings of the great Obelisk made to bear tribute to the preeminence of this represent ative monument and the glory of his world-wide benefi cence. The Fac-Simile of his closing account with the Govern ment (pp. xiv., XV.,) only intensifies our appreciation of tbe simplicity and nobility of his character. HISTORY OF THE OBELISK. The Washington Obelisk, or Monument, fiftj^-five feet and one and a half inches square at the base, and five hundred and fifty -five feet and six inches in lu'iglit, is completed, ready for that tracery upon its inner-facing, alread)' iu progress, which is to mark it as the ijerma- ni.-iit and universal memorial of a world's tribute to its great subject.* The science, energy and enthusiasm which inspired Colonel Thomas Lincoln Case}- of the L^nited States Engineer Corps since he took charge of the work, in 1878, are inseparable from its permanent history. On the Qth of August, 1783, Congress unanimously ordered, but never erected, an equestrian statue to the ]\Ieniory of Wasliiugton, yet the site then selected by ]\Iaji)r L'Enfant for that Memorial is the same which is o.3Cupied by the 01)elisk of to-day. Ou the Sth of May, 1800, the House of Representn- tives voted that a ilausoleum be erected. * The Dome of the Capitol is three hundred and seven and one-half feet tn the top of the Statue of Freedom. .^ HISTORY OF THE OBELISK. On the 1st of Januaiy, 1801, an appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars was made for the purpose ; but the project was again neglected, until ^Ir. Buchanan, afterwards President, but then "a young man, some- tlmig of a sophomore, with all the ardor of youth," as he once spoke of himself respecting those efforts, ap pealed to Congress to redeem its pledges. In 1833, the Washington National Monument Society was organized, with Chief Justice Marshall as its first President, succeeded by Ex-President Madison. Such was the delay, that on the 12th of November, 1846, an appeal was made to tlie citizens of New York City to raise half a million of dollars and build at that city. In a pamphlet of sixteen pages, I. S. Lyon, " Cartman No. 2489," proposed to stretch a parchment subscription list from White Hall Dock to Kino-'s Bridge and secure a sweeping donation without dis tinction of sex, party or condition. Evacuation Day, November 2.5th, was the appointed, but fruitless oppor tunity, -which the patriotic and enthusiastic cartman selected for the great contribution. HISTORY OF THE OBELISK. On the Srd of Januaiy, 1848, Congress took action that secured the entire present grounds of more than thirty acres, and ]\Ir. Thomas Syinonton, of Baltimore, donated a marble block, weighing 24,.5(l() pounds, for the corner-stone, ]\Ir. Robert Jlills having completed an accepted design for the [Monument. On the FOURTH OF JTTLY, 1S4S, the formal cer emonies of Laying the Corner Stone took place, with combined Military, Masonic, Civil and Religious inci dents, and the Oration was pronounced by Hon. Robert C. Winthrop of Massachusetts, then Speaker of tlie House of Representatives. At that time the accumulated fund had realized the sum of 662,450 ; but in 1854, when a height of one hundred and seventy feet had been attained, the expen- diture had reached 6230,000. February 22nd, 1855, a fresh effort was made to appropriate 6200,000 in execution of the vote of Jan uary 1st, 1801 , but it failed. In a Report, (No. 94, 2nd. Sess. 33rd Congress, ) HISTORY OF THE OBELISK. Mr. ^lay stated that each State, and two Territories had contributed stones, and after referring to those received from Roine. Switzerland, Bremen, Turkey, Greece, ('liina and Japan, eightv-one contributions, he added these woids. "Such tril)utes are our highest lr(.>phies. The history of mankind offers no parallel to tliis." l-5mr years later, in 185'J. only two courses of stone, each of two feet, had been added; yet California not only pledged an annual donation of 61,000, but at the elertion polls of rhat year, realized and paid to the Managers 610,'..M')2.(n . ()ther contributions were numer ous, including many from Sunday Schools, and Fire Conip;inies. as well as from all the organized Benevo lent Societies of the country. In 1876, Congress took liold of the work in earnest; and on the 21st of FEiiRrARY. 1885. , the ceremonies of dedication were as imposing as had been those which inaugurated the work. By the common consent of an appreciative people. HISTORY OF THE OBELISK. the words of consecration and of congratulation were sought from him who had so hopefully and triumphantly predicted its destined grandeur, thirty-seven vears be fore. And on the eve of his 79th birthday. May Ilth, 1887, it is not strange in recurring to the realized conception, that he thus wrote, to a friend: "This is the last day of 1113' 78th year, and as I look back on a long life, I esteem it my highest earthhj privilege to have been instrumental in doing something for the honor of Washington." It is wise to converge the patriotic sentiment of thinking peojjle, our children included, upon The VOICES and the LES.^ONS of TIIE OBELISK, hop ing thereby, that we may be led to a new and holier consecration to the cause of Liberty and HUMANITY. WASHINGTON'S ACCOUNTS. ^ ^f?'..<^ ^;^e^^2^*^^2e/„„^ rfeC^ 5*1?. jdx,**,^^^ ; iSa •'^Sio- 8- 4 ^»e^;^!tsC«attle of ^lonmouth, June 28th, 1778 liritish again retire from New Jersey, 1778 Again at White Plains, • 1778 At Middlebrook, N. J., and New Windsor, 1779 Winters at Morri-itown, New Jersey, 17S0 Confers witli Rochambeau as to plans. 1781 Threatens New Ycjrk in June aud Jul}', 1781 Joins Lafayette before Yorktown, 1781 Sunender of Coimvallis, < )ctober 19th, 1781 Farewell to the iVi'iny, Noveml)er 2d, 1783 Occupies New York, November 25tli, 1788 Parts with liis ( )fficers, December 4th, 1783 Uesigns his commission, December 23d, 1783 Presides at Constitutional Convention, 1783 Elected President of the Ignited States, March 4th, 1789 Inaugurated at New York, April 30tli, 1789 Ue-elected for four years. March 4th, 1793 Fa.rewell to the people, September 17tli. 1796 Retires to private life, March 4th, 1797 Appointed Commander-in-Chief, July 3d, 1798 Died at Mount Vernon, December 14tli, 4 1799 THE OBELISK. III. In form it is vast, substantially wrought. But it holds the sway of some magic spell. Its lines and its leaps are full of the thought, The soul of a nation must in its charge dwell. Wh)' solemn and grand, inspiring with awe. Why polished and bright, enchanting the sight. If it be not a shrine, forever to store Memorials that honor the good and the risht I WASHINGTON. In Camp before Boston. November 5th, 1775. Ih-)ioinic(-s l-teIiute to speak. Thus circling Avithin, and mounting on high. New proof gathered fast, of purpose in view, All tributes to blend, the far and the nigh, To Washington's name, so great and so true. WASHINGTON. Teyinc; Times in 1778. "Send the best and alilest men tO Congress. They must not slumber nor sleep at home, in such a time of pressing danger, — content with the enjoyment of places of honor or jjrofit in their own states, Avhile the com mon interests of America are mouldering and sinking into inevitable ruin. " If I Avere to draw a picture of the tiines and men, from what I have seen, heard, and in part known, I should in one word say, that idleness, dissipation and extravagance seem to have laid fast hold of most of them : that speculation and an insatiable thirst for riches seems to have got the better of every other con sideration ;uid almost of every order of men; that party disputes and personal quarrels are the great business of the day ; Avhile a. great and accumulating debt, ruined finances, depreciated money, ;ind want of credit, — Avhich in its own consequences is the Avant of eveiything — are but secondary considerations, if our affairs wore the most promising aspect. An assembly, a concert, a dinner, a siip[)er, \\ill not only take men off acting in this business, but from cA'en thinking of it.'" From letter to Col. Harrison of A'irginia. 20 THE OBELISK. XI. OnwaRD and upward, through the slow ascent. Pausing to study each novel design. The rays of my torch Avere everywhere sent. To lose nor a gem of this improvised mine. Tablets of bronze, in the richest relief, ]Marbles in colors, complete or begun. And beautiful shapes surpassing belief. From every known countiy under the sun. WASHINGTON. " Congress Avill deceive themselves, if they imagine that the army or a State that is the theatre of war can rub through a second campaign, as the last. It would be as unreasonable to suppose that because a man liad rolled a snow-ball till it had acquired the size of a horse, he might do it until it was the size of a house." From letter, Nov. 20tli, 1780, to Gen. Sullivan, then in Congress. To Franklin, then at Paris, Dec. 20th, an improved condition of affairs is noted. "I am happy in assuring you that a better disposition never prevailed in the legislatures of the scA'eral states, than at this time. The folly of temporaiy expedients is seen and ex ploded, and vigorous efforts Avill be used to obtain a jiermanent army and carry on the war .SA'stematically, if the ol)stinacy of Great Britain shall compel us to con tinue it. ^Ve want nothing but a loan co enable us to put our finances into a tolerable train. The country does not want resources, but Ave Avant the means of drawing them forth." THE OBELISK. XH. Each Order of men, of signal renown, Like Mason or Templar, and Pythian Knight, Combined with the rest some panel to own, And add to the walls, fresh source of delight. A model of column on Bunker Hill, A memorial slab from the Land of Tell, With others, united in zeal, to fill The measure of tribute deserved so well. 23 WASHINGTON. Thirteen Sovereignties too many in 1780. " Certain I am, unless Congress are vested Avith powers, by the separate States, competent to the great purposes .of Avar, or assume them as a matter of right, and they and the States act Avith more energy than they have hitherto done, our cause is lost. We can no longer drudge along in the old Avay. By ill-timing in the adoption of measures, by delays in the execution of them, or by unwarrantable jealousies, we incur enor mous expenses and derive no benefit from them. One State Avill comply Avith a requisition of Congress ; another neglects to do it ; a third executes it by halves ; and all differ in the manner, the matter, or so much in point of time, that Ave are always uphill. While such a system as the present one, or rather Avant of one, prevails, Ave shall CA'cr be unable to apply our strength or resources to any advantage. " I see one head gradually changing into thirteen. I see one army branching into thirteen, Avhich, instead of looking up to Congress as the supreme controlling power of the United States, are considering themselves as dependent upon their respective States." THE OBELISK. xiii. Amid these tokens of a World's deep love. In the silence of a lingering pause, I caught the gleam of flashing lights above. And by the chisels' ring, divined the cause. The blocks that inner-face the mighty shaft. Outnumber far, designs as yet displayed ; Yet cunning art had Avell defined the draught, Through Avhich each stone might be as Avell arrayed. THE OBELISK. XIA'. And noAv upon a scaffold, lightly swung, Three stalwart men were busily at work. To put Avithin another stone, its tongue, Intoning it, — until Avithin, should lurk Some precious thought ; — conception grand. To be like those below, revealed To Pilgrims yet to come, and thus command A poAver the mighty name should ever Avield. 27 WASHINGTON. Orders of Louis XVL, King of France, to Count de Rochambeau, Respecting For-ces sent to America. " The troops to obey Washington ; to admit the pre cedence of American Officers, of equal rank ; — on all formal occasions to yield the right to the American Army, and bear in mind that the whole purpose Avas heartily and efficiently to execute the Avill of the American Commander-in-Chief." Washington's Appeal to America in Response. " This is a decisive movement, one of the most ; — I Avill go farther, and say, the most important America has seen. The Court of France has made a glorious effort for our deliverance, and if we disappoint its in tentions by our supineness. Aye must become contempti ble in the eye of all mankind; — nor can Ave, after> venture to confide that our allies will persist in an attempt to establish Avliat it Avill appear Ave Avant in clination or ability to assist them in." THE OBELISK. XV. Work on, Good Men ! ! — The mallets' sullen thud. The chisels' ringing click, shall never cease ! Each daj^ of toil embalms some grateful word. To be disclosed when all on earth be peace ! The pent-up echoes of your earnest blows Die not, though lost to mortal ear ; But, as a wave set free, forever flows, You bless all nations far and near ! 29 WASHINGTON. The feint movement against New York and Staten Island, before joining the Army before YorktoAvn then commanded by Major General, the jMarquis de LaFay- ette, is thus explained by the American Commander- in-Chief : — " That much trouble was taken, and finesse used, to misguide and bcAvilder Sir Henry Clinton in regard to the real object, by fictitious communications as Avell as by making a deceptive provision of ovens, forage and boats in this neighborhood is certain." " Nor were less pains taken to deceive our own Army, for I had ahvays conceived when the imposition does not completely take place at home, it wordd never sufficiently succeed abroad." 30 THE OBELISK. XVI. Impelled to break aAvay from crowding thought. That blended past with ages yet to come, I mounted quickly to the highest loft. My tiresome journey, with its end to crown. No sooner did my steps the day reveal, Than, dizzy from the sudden, narroAV height, I seemed, beneath the moving clouds, to reel. As if, Avith shaft, away to take my flight. WASHINGTON. General Order, October 20th, 1781, To thc Allied Arinii's of France and America. " DiAdne Service is to be performed tomorroAV in the several brigades and divisions. "The Commander-in-Chief earnestly recommends that the troops, not on duty, should universally attend, Avith that seriousness of deportment and gratitude of heart Avhich the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of Providence demand of us." •i'l THE OBELISK. XVII. Columiua's Capital ! O feeble man, To call that fringing skirt of brick and stone. Described by radius smaller than a span. The site of greatness and a Nation's home ! Tall buildings, at whose portals, some Avith awe. Look up, and boast aloud, with silly pride, Have shrunk to earth, beneath the mighty Law Which dwarfs the human, by the Heavenly side. 33 WASHINGTON. From Order of April 18th, 1788, ANNOUNCING CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES Between Great Britain and America. " Happy, thrice Happy, shall they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed anything, — Avho have performed the meanest office in erecting this stupen dous fabric of freedom and empire on the broad basis of independency ; — Avho have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and establishing an As}-- lum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and religions." 34 THE OBELISK. xvm. So, as beyond the narrow mass I gaze. And gather States and Ocean to my view. My soul, Avith grateful joy, its voice Avill raise. To bless alike the Old World and the New! All earth has come, its tribute here to pay ; All times shall share the glory here revealed ; All hearts shall Avith their craving ever pray That they, with us< may be Avith freedom blesse( 35 ^tl*^^^^"" and titf Sit, % "strike, Strike, 0 Liberty, thy Silver Strings!" Author's Note. — On a pavement slab before the chan cel, in Brighton Chapel, Northampton-shire, England, the Washington family '¦Coat