The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-20
EAST CAPITOL STREET, Jan. Is, 1853.
To The Editor of The Union:


To The Editor of the Union:
DEAR SIR: have just read with great pleasure the
very correct History of the Jackson Statue" contained
in your paper of this morning Having been one OF the
original committee OF THIRTEEN, and chairman OF the
sub committee OF three who have had the work specially
in charge, have, of course watched very closely its
progress from lis commencement TO It's close, and
fully appreciate that accounts and happens 10 be in
my power to give EXACT account OF the manner in
which the " jackson Monument Committee was first
organized having written down at the time in my jour
nal all that occurred and there lie some interest
to know the history OF statue that can be re-
called, will give you an extract from that journal
commenced the journal OF that day with patriotic cou
let, which, for its significance to wha, has followed,
give:
"WEDNESDAY, September TO- ls4S.
''eThe tenth of September let us ever remember,
When fleet struck 10 Commodore Perry
81 was notified to meet, at the Pr
dents office, at half past two, p M to take into cone
Grafton the most propN manner OF proceeding to cause
statue be erected to the memory OF the lusrous An
drew Jackson: So. after dinner; | walked up; and
found the President, lMr Polk j Mr. Buchanan Secre-
ary of State Mr. Walker. Secretary of the Treasury
Governor Marcy. Secretary OF War; Mr. Cave johnson,
General Mr. John MssGn Attorney Ge
the Senate, and Mr. J. L. OSullvan.
"The propriety OF forming central committee, 10 con-
sst Of the President heads OF departments secretary OF
and two citizens of Washington, discussed at con-
siderable length Mr. Bancroft had been present before
my arrival. and opposed 10 the President and cab
inc, being officially on the committee Mr. Mason sug
gested many things that might be said. and objections
made to the propriety OF appointing such committee
proper manner 10 commence Mr. Johnson and agreed
with Mr. Buchanan. Mr.. USullivan urged very strong
ly the perfect propnety well as the policy OF forming
the committee in the way proposed. The Presldeni
avowed himself ready and willing 10 do all he could
with proprieiy, in the furlherance OF 80 worthy and
proper object and SAID when the formation o. .ne
/ sed first me
giving much thought TO the bearing might nave, ne
acquesced in the propIeiy OF il but. upon consultation
with Mr. Bancroft aud upon due refecton ne mad come
| 10 the conclusion that his had better not stand at
| The head of the committee; but that he would most
cbeerfuy do all in his power and he would head the
| subscription list. ..
Mi O'SuIlivan then read paper he had drawn up,
| and took down list OF names, Mr.. Cave Johnsons
name standing at the head, as a committee My ewn
| name and Mr. Dicknss on the list but Mr. Dick
ins declined being of the committee, and his name
was stricken of. The meeting then broke up"
Such my brief account written on the day oil the &C.
currence, of The formation OF the Jackson Monument
Committee. The names OF the gentlemen composing 1t
were not recolec,ed by me, presume OF should have
| written them down but they were those given in the
| article in your paper.
AT the first meeting OF the committee, believe, John
W. Maury, ESQ., was elected secretary, and has acted IN
that capacity ever since and his record will show all the
tranactions of the committee can state from memory
that as the chairman of the committee, was directed
to correspond with Hiram Powers, then in Florence on the
subject Of procuring from him marble statue and did 30
He replied; but before his reply received MIR Mills
came to Washington and introduced to the commit
tee by his friend, Mr. Geo w. Hardness, and from the
ardor with which he entered into the matter. and his as
surances based upon apparent thorough study OF The
subject that he could form self-balanced equestrian
statue The committee took his proposition into considera
lion, and finally decided TO employ him which was
done in the manner mentioned in your article OF this
morning
Mr. Mills's triumph is indeed glorious one. Like the
great modern bard OF England, he may truly say. IL
awoke one morning and found myself famous" for, in
the words OF the eloquent and warm hearted Venaoie
Yesterday, he has single stride stepped on TO the
topmost round OF the ladder"
He has discovered and established two principles,
one OF which may be hereafter of immense benefit TO
mankind First that metal be fused for castings OF
any size by furnace without chimney and at very
,rhing expense, compared with the usual method and,
secondly that equestrian statue with the horse IN
rearing position can be sefbalanced securely, so "a TO
give the natural position OF the horse and rider Wen
may he use the expression of the ancient Mathematician
" eureka" Respectfully, yours, ,o,,