The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-06

purnose was. II Il not probable tn IL the whole
win be called for. THIS is owing to the fact
that but few can be induced to avail them
selves of its benefits. The law of 1850 was
in operation three years, and in that time
there were sent from Virginia to Liberia 40
free blacks and slaves. "a asc0st To Tie treasu
ry of s5, no.. Under the present law. in the
first six months, two companies Of emigrants,
consisting of 1so negroes, have been sent to
I5iberia from virginfa--a larger number than
has gone from any other state In the same
time--for which $500 have been drawn from
the treasury, and $4,000 likely to be appro-
priated in q short time. The whole number
of emigrants from Virginia to Liberia since
isso, Is stated to be $500. Thus it appears
that of the annual appropriation of 100000
only vs., 400 have been expended in six months
The board is, however, in its infancy, and
doubtless greater results may be expected
hereafter. Ii the operations of the last six
months may be regarded asa basis for calcu.
lation and estimates. we should have an an.
nual emigration from this class Of 480, which
the board think would at least prevent any
increase of Interpolation. Thls is perhaps
correct; but by the census of 1850, the free
colored population Of Virginia was So, 1927,
and a we maYnoy safely put it down. at So
000.. Suppose any increase Of numbers is
prevented, when and how shall we get rid of
these 55,OO07 Shall we and our posterity
always endure the existing evil ? trust not:
we should not and l respectfully urge the
adoption of more efficient measures for their
removal, leaving the selection of the mode
to the united wisdom of the general Assem-,
bly,
tits proper that should bring to the notice
of the general assembly the condition of the
Washington monument fund. On the 22d of
February, l849, an act was passed by the ge-
neral assembly, directing commissioners to be
appointed by the executive to procure model
for the monument, with all necessary plans
and estimates for its erection On the 18th of
October following, the governor then in of
fee appointed the commissioners, who, in
compliance with the act, selected the plan,
fixed upon the site, and procured estimates for
the structure. An appropriation, with the
amount previously raised by individual sub
seription, not to exceed one hundred thousand
dollars, was made by the legislature. The
plans and estimates submitted to thecommis
sioners did not exceed the amount appropri
ated. On the 22d February, 1850, the corner
stone of the monument was laid, with the
most imposing ceremonies, and the work was
progressed with most energetically. 1t was
understood that the work, with ailits statues
and equipments would require five years for
its completion. When the commissioners
proceeded to enter into written contracts for
the work, it was immediately found that the
estimates submitted were much less than
were necessary to complete the design selec
ted, and accordingly only part of the statues
and equipments were contracted for, the COM
missioners preferring to leave the general as
sembiy the option of finishing the work ac-
cordng to the plan, and of appropriating the
necessary funds ct their own time. They
~, taJ x,y;&I, NJ f,r
two of the statues and for the equestrian
group, which is to surmount the structure, and
for few of the equipments necessary to fill
up the plan-the whole sum amounting to
$52,975, leaving forty seven thousand and
twenty five dollars of the original appropria-
ton, which it was believed would besutficient
TO construct the granite portion of the monu-
ment.
BY the Code of Virginia the act of 1s49
was amended, and the commissioners, who
had been previously appointed were superse-
ded At the commencement of my official
career, upon examining into the subject, l
found that about S75, goo had been spent in
the erection of the structure, and that a CON
sidera BILE part of the work was veto be com
pleted. felt it to be my duty to reorganize
the board of commissioners. Since that time,
there has been expended in paying fer the
work previously executed and III carrying on
the structure, about $4,000, and MIR. Craw-
ford has received in part payment ofhis con
tract, which was executed in $780, 81 600
At the last session ofthe general assembly an
additional appropriation 1850, GOO was made,
to meet the drafts which it was expected
would be drawn by llr. Crawford. in accord
ance with his contract; but as yet no drafts
have been made. The actual cost of the work
at the end of the last fiscal year was $l05,-
9f8 81, leaving unexpended of the.two appro-
priations $24,05l 76.
1t is understood that Mr.. Crawford has now
east, ready to be shipped, the two statues of
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, and
that he has completed some of the other
equipments of the monument. The eques-
TRAN statue of Washington is now in course
of preparation, and will be completed no
doubt as soon as consistent with its proper
execution.
The granite portion of the structure is now
nearly completed the iron stairway will in a
short time be erected the tagging and curb
ing will soon be laid, and the superintendent
and Iaborers may be dismissed during the
year. l have been thus explicit, that the ge-
veral assembly may understand at a glance
the position of this work. Ii the work is to
be finished according to its deslgn-and no
Virginiap would wish to see work, underta-
ken for such apurpoSe, unfnished-it will be
necessary that the contract for the additional
four statues, the eagles and other necessary
equipments, should be made, in order thatthe
monument shall be finished in the time origi-
nally supposed necessary, and that an ade-
quate appropriation be made therefor. =
In connection with this subject, l cannot
refrain from respectfully but earnestly re-
commencing to the legislature the pro-
priety of the purchase OF Mount Yer non by
the state of Virginia. And do so at this
time themore particularly, because there is
reason to apprehend that it is about to pass in
'tosthe hands of strangers The Importance of
the acquisition OF this property by the United
States, has frequently been brought to the at
tention of congress, aud it is surprising that
this commenda BILE project has met with so lit
tie favor. For this we should everfeel thanl2-
full, because, if once the property of the fade-
raj government, we might never have been
able to re purchaseit. This should never be.
Whilst we might reasonably prefer that it
should be the property of the Union rather
than belong to any private Individual. yet
Virginia, and she only, should be the owner,
and have control of this sacred and consecra-
ted spot, where rest the mortal remains other
immortal son. Who else bat Virginia should
own this halloWed spot--to,guard and protect
the grave of him, whose name viii be revet.
ed as long as one shall liyeto admire Ameri-
Can liberty! And should some ruthless hand
ever disturb this sepulchre of the honored
dead, or even change the primitive simplicity
of hi; former residence, sense of shame