American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-15
Communicated.
The Blocks of stone for the Monum


Among the blocks of stone recently received,
to be deposited in the Washington National
Monument, is one of unstained and hawless
granite, six feet square and fourteen inches
thick, weighing three tons, and presented by
the Legislature of Massachusetts. In a circle
in front is sculptured in bold relief the coat of
arms of the State, viz: an Indian chief, with a
bow in his right hand and an arrow in his left,
and above naked arm held in the act of
striking, and below a scroll bearing the motto,
Ense petit ptdciddm, sub hbertate guietem. On the
base, in large characters, is the name Of the
State TWAS executed by I. & w Smith, who
were employed exactly one year in getting out
the block and finishing the figures, &C. The
Legislative committee of both branches cele-
brated the completion of the work by dinner
Another stone is preparing to be sent to the
Monument by the citizens of Boston. 1t is
plrin piece of Rockport granite, about three
and half by four feet, and about twelve inches
thick The surface is polished, and in an OBJ
long scroll is cut the city seal in raised letters,
with the motto, Sicm patribus SIT Deus nobis,
CtUttat's regiRaine dondta, A. ID. 1922, in the
outer circle, and in the centre, BostoRie condita,
A. d. $780,
The stone presented on the 4th inst. by the
Sons of Temperance of Pennsylvania is beau
tiful block of pure white marble, worthy of the
place in which it is to be deposited, and credi-
table to the association by whom it has been
presented.
Perhaps the most beautiful specimen Of mar
bic which has yet been sent to the Monument is
block from Hawkins county, Tennessee This
marble is colored reddish brown, and suscepti-
BILE of an exquisite polish. The material is of n
rare color and quality, and would make most
beautiful mantelpieces and other ornaments for
houses.
This, and other blocks which have been re-
ceived from time to time, are certainly hand
some additions to the Monument and exhibit a
commendable and patriotic feeling on the part
Of the States, corporations and associations BY
which they have been presented, and an evi-
dence of their regard, affection and gratitude
for the illustrious patriot in whose honor the
great structure in which these stones nre to be
placed is now rising to the clouds. But | would
respectfully suggest that the sums given for
some of those blocks-thosc for instance from
New York and Massachusetts, carry up
the obelisk six feet at least, if they had been
ordered to be prepared here, and the surplus
transferred to the funds Of the society, to be
employed in the construction of the Monument.
T. those who may be desirous of ascending
to the top of the Monument now at an eleya-
tion of ninety feet, | am pleased to be able to
state, that the Board of Managers have caused
neat and substantial car, which will accommo-
date eight persons, to be constructed to convey
them up in safety, from which, even now,
splendid prospect is presented AT present,
however, the access is in some degree prevented,
by the closing up of Fourteenth street, oy order
of the Commissioner of Public Buildings. This,
it is 20 be hoped, will not DO long suffered to
continue. w.