Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-11
he Baitimore FEDERAL Gazette.
ksHiNGroN'S MONUMENT.
'coMmuNicArEp, k

SohhuNicATEp.
huch interest having been excited in the
public mind relative to the Monument about to
be erected in this city, to the memory OF Gene
raj George Washingfon-the design for which
W.. furnished by Robert Mills of s. Carolina,
architect, land TO whom the premium offered
BY the board Of managers, Tor erecting the mo-
nument was awarded) The following descrip
ton extracted 'front.' Catalogue Of the 18th ex
and the Pennsylvania Academy" will give those
at distance as perfect an idea of this elcean
specimen of American genius, as can possibly
be communicated in this way.
The design presents the appearance Of =
Greek column, elevated upon grand pedestal;
the column assumes the Doric proportions,
which, from its solidity and simplicity of cha
racter, hsrmonizcs with the spirit OF our gov
vernment, and IS enblematic OF the illustrious
parsonage to whose memory it is dedicated.
The pedestal of this colamn is square mass,
occupying an extent, on the plan, of fifty ieet
square, and an elevation oftwenty feet, broken
on each front by projecting wings the main
fronts are supported by skreen ofcolumns,
and pierced through by grand arch.way. The
number Of voussoirs comprising this arch COR
responds with the number OF states IN the uni
or, each state being designated by star, en-.
circled by corona triumphalis. On the key
voussoirs, the arms OF tie United States are
represented in basso relieve
The ornaments enriching these fronts, are
constituted of the following:
l. Over the grand arch .way and on q broad
frieze. the name Of the illustrious Washington,
9. Surmolnting the wing buildings, the tro-
pixies of victory. ApH $'s -s.s
8. Below these are sculptured the arms of
Maryland and Virginia, encircied by wreaths
on each side an inverted torch and star, with
other emblematical devices.
4. Under the insignia of Virginia, are insert
bed these words t. /,
Virginia gave the Hero birth,
Virginia saw the Hero die.''
And under the insignia of Maryland. these
words
"The gratitude Of Maryland"
The secondary fronts present grand flight
of steps leading up to colonnade, through
which you pass into the monument, and by an
inner fight of steps ascend to the great plat.
form Over the wing buildings, the trophies
of victory are seen in profile. In the friezc OF
OF the colonnade, the name Of Washington is
again inscribed, and on the faces of the wings
are sculptured the arms OF Pennsylvania, N. Jer.
sey, SC with some characteristic insignia
Arrived on the platform, which crowns this
grand pedestal, and which is enclosed by ba.
lustrade, we see the commence ment of the
great col1mn-the diameter of this is more than
twenty feet, and its altitude above 100 feet.
divided in its height by six irsn rallied galleries
which encircle 1t like bands, presenting pro-
menades, to accommodate the reading of those
historical inscriptions recorded ON the face of
the column. The number of these Compare
mcnts on the shaft, answer to the eyentful years
of tire American revolution--the record begin.
ing with the year 1875 and brought down to
the period OF the surrender Of lord CORVALLIS
at York, 17Sl. The events preceding the frs
period, find place at the top, and those sub
seqnent TO the last period, are inscribed upon
the base Of the column. This plan of record
brings to memory circumstances the most in
teresting: for whilst it exhibits the glory OF
our national father, it developes the character oil
those great men who We're his companions in
arms. and thus hands down to p.,s.erity the
actions OF those men who were dear to the
heart of the generous Washington. ~
On the lower compartment of the column
Occupying half its circumference is renre
sentation of the surrender Of lord Cornw.,I;s
in basso relieve. The reversed side of the co.
Iumn presents the memorable scene which took
place at Observation-Disclosures resipninp
bis sword and commission Of commander in
chief Of the armies OF the u. States to the Pre-
sidert of Congress.
The chapters Of historical events inscribed
upon tie shaft OF the column are separated by
military emb!ems.
The years in which the events took place.
stand at Vie head of the chapters encircled by
wreaths--the circular space, which these occn.
ply fern aperturcs which light the interior of
4 the monument.
The enrichments of the echinus Tor great
moulding of the capital) Of the column are com.
posed Of these words: