The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-09-09
rhe wnshinKton 1l1onument.

In 1888, a society was organized IN Wash-
ington City, for the purpose OF erecting a
magnificent monument to the memory oi
Washington. The funds were to be raised
by voluntary contributions OF the American
people. The agents who were first appoint
ed, collected about 29, 1000 This sum, which
was deemed entirely inadequate to CON-
mence the monument, was invested in the
safest stocks Of the country, and by regular
and successive investments of the interest,
the funds Of the society, amounted in lS47,
to S58,0O0. This was still too small sum
but, as an appropriation from Congress was
expected, the corner stone was laid on the
9TH Of July, ls4s. The site for the structure
embraces about 80 acres, and when orna,
mented and laid offinto avenues, will make
a beautiful promenade, and spacious parade
ground.
The foundation Of the obelisk, or shaft
which is to be 500 feet above its base is 81
feet square at the bottom, and So feet II
inches square at the top. tits built OF mas
sive stones-the blue rock Of the Potomac
valley-many Of which weigh from 6 to s
tons each. These have been laid in mortar
composed Of hydraulic cement, strong stone
lime and coarse sand, which becomes in Q
few weeks as hard as the stone itself-tht
whole forminga solid mass Of stone % fee
in height. Upon this rises the shaft, o.
obelisk, cased with white marble. The
walls are Is feet in thickness, diminishing
to A feet at its apex. The cavity is % fee
square, in which is substantial iron stair
case. AT each landing place Of these stair
will be placed the blocks Of stone, &c,
which have been sent by the several State
of the Union, in compliance with the re
quest Of the Board Of managers. Whel
finished the ascent will be made by mean
of the stairs and machinery, and the interio
lighted up with gas.
The structure. now GO feet from the sui
face, including materials, workshops, &C., ha
cost $50 600; and the whole cost OF tn
obelisk when completed, is estimated
S552,OOO.
/ The total amount OF contributions and az
lcruing interest, received since the origin
the society, is about 100000. Collection
arc still being made in the q. s. BY agents
and where no agents are appointed, u
Marshals for taking the census act as such
) We glean the above information in n
gard to the monument, from the N. Y. SUI
which contains an engraving Of the structu
as Il will appear when completed. 9'e
There is some speculation as to wheth
this monument will stand the "tooth
= time" and whether it will not crumble
: pieces Of its own weight, IL carried 10 u
|, height contemplated. Professor Johnst'
states that the stone used in lis constructio
, lis The poorest building material OF use
, the United States. Ii almost every squa
Inch. the marble contains sulphuret OF ire
(which readily decomposes on exposure
the atmosphere, thus stainingand Destroy
the IA rts In contact with IT, Prof. J. sta'
that the Patent Office building is already
dlInpidaied by the decay Of the materi'
used in lis construction, that il is consld'
!. ed unsafe by some OF the occupants, o
0 butrtsses are now erecting to keep II ifo
. falling to the earth l'l''' va ''T