APPENDIX. NO. I. INVITATIONS AND ANSWERS. WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFICE, June 21st, 1848. MRS. JAMES MADISON: The Committee of Arrangements most respectfully invite you to attend the cere mony of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument, on the 4th day of July next. In accepting the presidency of the Society, Mr. Madison said, “A monument worthy the memory of Washington, reared by the means proposed, will commemo. rate at the same time a virtue, a patriotism, and a gratitude truly national, with which the friends of liberty everywhere will sympathize, and of which our country may always be proud." While your illustrious husband did not survive to see the corner-stone of the Monument laid, the committee, in common with your fellow-citizens, rejoice that you are in the midst of us, and that on them devolves the pleasing duty of assuring you that your presence on the occasion will greatly gratify the immense audience that will be assembled. Most respectfully yours, ARCH. HENDERSON, Chairman of Committee. To the Committee of Arrangements of the Washington National Monument. GENTLEMEN: In accepting, with great sensibility, your flattering invitation to be present with you at the imposing scene of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument, I feel the highest gratification; and believing that I can in no manner so well express my heartfelt concurrence in my husband's opinion, I will repeat as you have done, his venerated words:-"A monument worthy the memory of Washington, reared by the means proposed, will commemorate at the same time a virtue, a patriotism, and a gratitude truly national, with which the friends of liberty everywhere will sympathize, and of which our country may always be proud." Be pleased to accept, Gentlemen, the assurances of my great respect. WASHINGTON, June 22, 1848. D. P. MADISON. WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFICE, June 20, 1848. MRS. ALEXANDER HAMILTON : The Committee of Arrangements most respectfully invite you to attend the cere mony of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument on the 4th of July next. It has been your destiny to have descended from Gen. Schuyler, distinguished for his valuable and arduous services during the American Revolution; and to have been connected in the dearest relation in life with Gen. Alexander Hamilton, who ranks with the most celebrated of his own, or any other age; both were the friends, and possessed, in an eminent degree, the confidence of Washington. In his family you were at all times a cherished and beloved guest. Millions in the present day would rejoice to have a glimpse of that face with which you were familiar. Those who may witness the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Monument to be reared to perpetuate the memory of a name becoming more and more dear to the friends of civil liberty as the rights of men are better known and more generally respected, will be gratified to have an opportunity to pay their respects to you, who was so connected with so many of the important incidents of the Revolution, and endeared to the present generation by so many associations of the past, by the benevolence of your heart, and the purity of your life. Most respectfully yours, ARCH. HENDERSON, Chairman of Committee. SIR: To Gen. A. Henderson, Chairman of Committee of Arrangements. WASHINGTON CITY, June 22, 1848. I had the honor to receive the invitation of the Washington Monument Association, to attend the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of a National Monument on the 4th of July next, at the moment I was about to leave this city, where I have been for a very long time engaged in an application to Congress; which, in the probable course of human events, will be the last, as it is the most interesting business of my protracted life. The ceremony in which I am invited to participate calls back recollections so deeply interesting to me, from my early and intimate association with the illustrious man to whom this tribute of a nation's gratitude is so justly due, that I cannot deny myself the great gratification of witnessing it. Have the goodness to make my respects to the committee, and to receive my thanks for the flattering terms in which you have communicated their invitation. With great respect yours, ELIZABETH HAMILTON. WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFICE, June 21st, 1848. MRS. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS: The Committee of Arrangements most respectfully invite you to attend the cere. mony of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument, on the 4th day of July next. t It is within your knowledge that the Board of Managers first invited your distinguished husband to deliver an address on the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Monument. He had spoken of the lives and characters of Monroe, Lafayette, and Madison, in compliance with the wishes of his fellow-citizens, and the people without distinction of party, without sectional or geographical divisions, desired he should deliver the address on the occasion mentioned. The subject was held under consideration by him for a month, and when he finally declined, it was solely from a prophetic conviction that he might not have the mental or physical ability to perform the service on the 22d of February, the day then designated. The day, the association hoped, would have been ushered in by the usual demonstrations of rejoicing, was a day of solemn sadness and gloom. The nation has sympathized with you and with your family, in mourning the loss it has suffered. Bowing with submission to the decree of an overruling Providence, the vast assemblage will be gratified by your presence, if you can make it convenient and agree. able to leave the retirement of Quincy, for a few days on this occasion. Most respectfully yours, ARCH. HENDERSON, Chairman of Committee. QUINCY, June 26th, 1848. GEN. ARCH. HENDERSON, Chairman of Committee of Arrangements of Washington National Monument. I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of the polite invitation of the Committee of Arrangements of the Washington National Monurnent, to witness the laying of the corner-stone of the monument consecrated to the memory of the Father of his country, immortalized by the crowning fame of military achievement, blended with the wisdom of the statesman; and possessed of all the solid virtues of a pure and honest man. In the choice of the orator whom you had selected for this great occasion, allow me to express my grief for a loss which we all deplore. Through a long and meritorious life, he had loved and venerated the General, and fondly gloried in the living worth of the man through his arduous trials, and splendid career; and who having the felicity of his personal acquaintance, had enjoyed his favor and protection, which led to all the honors, through his discernment of youthful talent, which the nation have so justly distinguished and appreciated—and who would, had it pleased God to spare him yet a little longer, have done ample justice to a theme in which both heart and mind would have reveled with delight. The infirmities of health, and the great debility under which I labor, must plead my excuse for declining the flattering invitation which you have done me the honor to send to me, not being able to undertake so long a journey in the heat of summer. Permit me, dear General, to assure you, and the Committee of Arrangements, of the high sense of esteem and consideration of Your obedient servant, LOUISA CATHERINE ADAMS. GENTLEMEN: Answer of Chief Justice Taney. BALTIMORE, July 1st, 1848. I regret very much that I cannot avail myself of your kind invitation to attend the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Washington Monument, on the 4th inst.; it is an event which, undoubtedly, every American citizen would desire to witness. But I fear that the fatigue and exposure necessarily incident to the occasion, would be more than I could safely venture upon at this season, in my state of health. Returning you my thanks for the invitation with which you have honored me, I am, with great respect, I beg you to make the committee my very respectful acknowledgments for the honor they have conferred upon me, in requesting my presence at the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument. Nothing could afford me more satisfaction than to be in a situation to avail myself of their politeness, but as I have to regret that such is not the case, I can only send them my best wishes for the success of the great object in which they are engaged. Very respectfully your obedient servant, GEN. ARCH. HENDERSON, Chairman. M. VAN BUREN. Answer of Gen. Cass. DETROIT, Jnne 27th, 1848. GENTLEMEN : I have received, and thank you for the invitation to attend the laying of the corner-stone of the Washington Monument, on the 4th of July next. Circumstances will prevent me from being present upon that interesting occasion, but, though absent, I shall fully participate in all the feelings it is so well calculated to inspire. The virtues and services of Washington are inscribed upon the fairest pages of American history, and cherished in the hearts of the American people. We need no monument to preserve their recollection. It is not for him, but for us, and for those who are to come after us, that such a memorial is demanded by public sentiment, and will be consecrated by public gratitude. He has passed beyond the reach of even a nation's praise; but he lives for us in the fruit of his labors, and in the bright example which he offers now and hereafter, of a life devoted to his country, and of a death crowned by the hopes of a Christian. Monuments to departed worth are hal lowed by the usage of mankind, and by the feelings of human nature. They connect the living with the dead, and stimulate men to noble deeds, by the contempla tion of the noble deeds of those who have gone before them, and the fame which these bring with them. The memory of Washington will survive the structure you are about to erect, however broad and deep may be its foundation, and however firm its construction. But while it stands, it will tell the story of his days and deeds, and will invite his countrymen to imitate his example of patriotism, in whatever public sphere they may be called upon to act. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, respectfully, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, inclosing a resolution of the Committee of Arrangements inviting me to be present at the laying of the corner-stone of the Washington Monument on the 4th day of July next, and regret that my official engagements are such as to deprive me of that pleasure. Hoping and trusting that this monument, too long delayed, may be worthy of the great man whose virtues it is intended to commemorate, and that it may stand an enduring memorial of a nation's gratitude, to the purest of patriots, and noblest of benefactors, until time shall be no longer, I have the honor to remain Your friend and fellow citizen, A. HENDERSON, ESQ. AND OTHERS, Committee. [Invitations were transmitted to GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR, and GEN. W. O. BUTLER, to which, in consequence probably of the remoteness of their positions, no answers have been received.] |
