Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-08
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

We nroised Yesterday lay before our readers iucf
descrption of Mr. Crawfords model which had been &C
cepted by the Governor Executive Council and Commis
sioncrs under the laws OF the land and In fu view Oh inc
RESPONSIBILITIES thrown upon ihem Last FALL the Commis
;ners acting under the control Of the Governor published
an advertisement in the papers, Norm ana Soa lar anu
wide offering premium of $500 for the best plan which
would be approved by tho Commissoners-and the hrs Oh
December was fixed upon the limit for tho reception OF
A ar. For pood rea sons and allow time for the
ART Of the country to present ITSELF the time subsequent
e,ended 10 the 9Th of January On that day. and At n
perous meetings since down TO the present time, the Co.
and have been anxious and aborous
" engaged in examining the sxtyour plans, with their de-
scrptions estimates testimonials &C. On Friday last they
ended their deliberate examination and selected Mr. Cra~
fords model They yet farther, and TO meet the pro
ons Of the Code which does go into effect until the
s of July they submitted their selection 10 the Executive
Council who ocquesced in it, Thus fortified In every re-
spec they regarded their abors at an end and the selection
of the plan as final AT this point the movement was made
in the House. noticed yesterday and detailed to-day in Mon
davis proceedngs virtually looking TO an aorogaon OF The
law and reputation of what had been done, under the
m md solemn sanction of tho present law and OF the
Code
Tho Monument itself we cannot better describe than By
Introducing here the letter of Mr.. Crawford offering this
model for compeon under the advertisement Of the Com
'N'''-'" RICHMOND, vrRorSIA JAsuAny 7, 1850.
To his Erceuency the Governor Of prgn'a,
and 10 the Commissioners Of the Washington HonumenA
Gentlemen Preparatory entering into any description
of INV design beg leave that Ia IN the artistic sense
of the word skech that to say the general eilect OF Tue
whole Monument has been aimed at without entering upon
mine INV farther than absolutely necessary 10 convey
correct impression regarding the intention OF lne
Should the design meet with the approDaon oi your
ency and the Commissioners il then remains Tor me 10 per-
feet as far as lies in my power every portion OF inc WORK
The statuary for example, would then receive IN .he pro
of modelling in large an thaI attention 70 Homdon
now In the rotunda of the Capitol. The horse would re-
quire series Of studies, the importance OF when uy un-
dersand-consequenly do not pretend 70 oiler IN my oe
sign thing more than Simple IeSeloiaheo ~ ~ w
MATERIALS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MONUMENT
The PLATFORM first base, TO be of Virginia granite
The star base and the entire structure rising from it, TO
be of Virginia marble, white and of the purest quality
The statues and the equestrian group to be ~rougn. IN
bronze of rich and beautiful color the effect oil wnic
would be greatly increased by the proper INTRODUCTION OF
gold upon various parts Of the costumes ~
consider bronze preferable, iq point OF durablity 70
marbles it also allows greater esdom TO the artist IN he
composition of the statues and in obtan'aga spirited and
unmpeded action for the equestrian group INC psoro
to which casting in bronze has been brought IN the pesen
day has given the preference throughout Europe 20 aoe
or any other material for unencloscd monuments
sTArUAaY OF THE MONUMENT
Five of the statues upon the base OF the Monument afs
intended representations OF that number Of s ost us
tingushed of Yirgnathe selection OF the subjects
worthy of the honor of course leave TO the
of tho Commissioners suggesting however tat Two 81 Inc
FIVE at least should be of military character, IN order TO
maintain the general effect and harmony of the Monument
The sketches here given will explain this more uly Inc
sixth designed ewbomaic OF virginia ana S-
trates the motto upon its pedestal, OF there be hight
The elevated torch is indication OF hs-er ot hand is
pointing broken emblem of tyranny at her ee as ex
pessyc the advance of liberty and the diffusion q know
ledge This statue be placed according as the Commas
sioners may require either at the opposite point whch
consider To be the front Of be Monument because the lace
Of Washington is turned in that direction or IN the place
now occupies.
COSTUME OF FIGURES.
Regarding the costume OF the statues propose 10 lo9~
strictly the dress by The personages during their puoc
duties and make them in every sepse OF the erm u
length portraits The beet argument tor ts may De iouno
in the opinion Of Washington when consulted IN relation 10
the dress TO be represented upon the statue now IN your "a
piio
PROPORTIONS THE MONUMENT.
The small figure upon the steps Of the Monument 10 IN
the proportion Of one inch 10 twelve inches thai IS 10 say
person six feet hgh may be moved ut will by
the Commissioners to any part OF the desgns anc mus
able them simple process judge of tho relative proper
tons Of the Monument if wrought out to the aze pro-
pose Por example, of the step fronts OF the platform
would if enlarged 10 this size, be twelve feet in length
The around The pedestal would be nine
feet in height. /,
The equestrian group would from the feet of the
horse TO the hat of the General fourteen feet,
The entire height of the Monument from the ground to
tho head of Washington would be between fifty ana sixty
feet.
INSCRIPTIONS UPON THE MONUMENT
The spaces the staues with the exception OF the
two sides which filled with tho arms o Virginia. are
offered as suitable for Inscriptions An examination OF
sign will make this apparent to the Commissioners
The upper portion of the pedestal structure might have The
pannc each end devoted recording the names OF emil
nent civilians and Others whose efforts contributed TO the
success of our paional Independence
On the sides Of this portion have placed tho name Of
Washington aone-ths arrangement Is not presented as
final but would Of course, follow such revision as the
Commissioners think proper TO give the subject
SITE FoR MONUMENT.
beg leave suggest the second PLATFORM that is 10 say
the lower one in front of the Capitol
THE MONUMENT.
Regarding the estimate of expenses that would DO incurred
by tho erection The Monument can only say at present
that my object has been ao 70 EXCEED the sum
nv the Legislature of Virginia for The work am not yet
acquainted with tho cost OF marble or granite In Virginia.
and upon information in connection with this must depend
the possibility Of making correct estimate.
Should my design with approval shall then be on
abed to enter upon statement Oh the minute IN
your ExceiIeDcy and the Commissioners
Time required for tho completion OF the Monument Blk
years commencing February ~, 1851.
remain, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
THOS. CRAWFORD.
Mr Crawford is an American Sculptor who stands high
in his profession and ranks with Powers and Grecnough
not only in this country but in Europe That no will ex-
ecuto Monument worthy of Virginia and of the great
Washington and ono that will State and city
persons of TASTE admire work of art and draw new in
SEPARATION from the speaking image of Washington, we feel
no doubt Our high appreciation of the model as in every
respect happy striking and worthy of the State is fortified
by evidence which be co1royerted We ask atten-
ton 10 few Northumberland first introduce letter
from Mr.. Larobe, of Baltimore, lawyer OF eminence and
gentleman Of acknowledged and practical skill in the
line arts Tho letter Is private one-but gives such
clear ard beautiful view of Mr.. Crawfords Model that we
take the liberty of laying it before our readers Sucha let
ter should remain private 1t is just 10 Mr. Crawford,
Ii is Just TO ourselves that bring it forward to corrobo
rate our action We would add that Mr. L. is not acquainted
with Mr. Crawford and his tribute is 10 tho genius Of tho
Sculptor and will be SEEM drawn forth by own