Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-22
CO.NGKESS.


CONGRESS-
Rouse OF REPRESENTATIVES, JAN. 10
Mr. Buchanan presented the following res
OluIion:
RPSoired, That Committee bc appointed.
whose duty il shall be TO inquire in what man
ner the resolutions nf Congress. passed on the
94th December, 1899 relative tn the erection
OF Il Marble Monument in the Capitol, al the
lily OF Washington, To commemorate the
great events OF the military and political life
oil General George Washington may be best
acco2plished, and that they have leave 10 re-
port by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. BUCHANAN said, the House would, he
trusted, excuse him for making few obser-
vations IN explanation IF the motives which
had impelled him To offer the resolution now
under consideration. On the 2fih December,
1888, the Congress Ofthe u. States resolved
That marble monument be erected by the
United States, in the Capitol, at the city of
Washington, and that the family of General
Washington be requested To permit his BODY
To be deposited under it and that the mo-
numeni he 50 designed AS tn commemorate the
great events of his military and political lif,. {"
They also resolved, " That the President of
'ne United States he requested To- direct IA
copy OF these resolutions 10 be transmitted To
Mrs. Washington, assuring her of the profound
andcharacter , Of their cpudoence on the late
allcting dispensatiOn ofProydence and en-
treating her assent to the intrrment Of th- re
mains OF General George Washington in the
manner expressed in the first resolution" The
Then President of the United States trans
miited these resolutions To Mrs. Washington,
who, on the 3lsf December. 1899, returned
an answer, which will take leave to read To
the House
MoUsT VERNON, Dec. 81, .1799.
DIR w HE feel with keenest anguish, the late
disp-nsatio0 OF DIVINE Providence, I cannot he in
sensible TO the mournful tributes of respect and vene
ranon which are paid TO the memory nl my dear de
ceaseo husband and as his best services and mos
anxious wishes, were always devoted 10 The welfare
and happiness OF his country know that Ihcy were
truly apprecihIed and gratefully embered affords
no Inconsldcrabe cOnsoIatioa o.
laugh 10y that great example which have so long
n'u htiore nc, never TO oppose NV private wishes
the public will, must consent to the request mad,
ny Congress, which you have had tie goodness to
transmit TO mr aud IA doing this need NOT | cam
not say what sacrifice OF Individual feeling make
to y sense of public duty.
W'h g'"tefu! acknowledgements, and unfeignrd
tha"ks, Tor ~" personal respect, and evidences OF
confidence, expressed Nv Congress, aud Yourself,
lIemain very respectfully.
Sir, Your ohed't humble sorv',.
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
During the same session of Congress, a bill
passed the House Of Representatives for cree
the Cry of Washington. 1t was postponed
in the Senate until the next Session. Several
attempts have since been made in Congress io
redeem the pljghtcd faith Of the nation, but
they have all prOy,f unavailing. The man
who was emphatcally first in war, first in
peace, and Grst in The hearts of his country
men, has been sieeping with his fathers Tor
almost a quarter Of cpnidry, and his mortal
remains have yct been unhDnored by that
pr"rl- no. with Justice call him the father
Of their country.
Il is difficult to determine, whether this
neglect be mare i.npOlllic or uugratpful-
Every Use nation has raid bonOrs 10 The
memory OF the men, who have been the
sasiouss of their country. Sculpture and
painting have sird with each other, IN trans
hitting their images and the memory of their
deeds, to the retnotesi generations. By these
means. the holy fire uf ,iriuOus emulation has
br,n kiuiled in the bosoms of The youth oil
succeeding ages.
Or country has produced General whose
prudence aud perseverance, wbusr courage
and lailitdry skill, conquered our indeprn-
dence. sain-t fearful udds, from The most
poWerfGl nation on earth and what is sill
more wonderful. was never iDtpx heated by the
Illusions of military glory Oar country has
given birth 10 a Statesman, who was chiefly
Instrumental Ia converting the chaos Of The old
confederation, into the most perfect fabric uf
human wisdOln-tbp federal constitution ;and
whose conduct, ~ President of the United
States, WAS characterized by such wisdom and
virtue, that, after the siricicsI examination ii
i. Dow admitted tp he the most proper guide,
to direct us 10 tie path which leads to Tic Ma
tion's prosperity and glory. IN short, our
conutry has produced a Washington be has
a." lad frr four aud twenty years, and we
ha g. erected no monument on which 10 record
his virtues, and our gratitude.
.ir Is said chat, Congress, by negcciing, Tor
so long = period to accomplish the 0hiect Of
toe resolutions. hid been subjected ~ The i'm /
p0te;ion oiperidy, as we'll as ingcatltude. We
lnaGe a Solemn promise to- the Cd part
ner Of Washington, and ~ the people Of the