The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-02
MONUMENT TO HENRY CLAY
OFFICE CLAY MONUMENTAL Association. /,
LeIiHptOn March 06 lQ5a [


Hon. JOHN NJ. BoTrs-Sfr:--You are dopbtiesa
apprised of organization in this city, which nro
poses the erection ola National Monument over tho
Craze OF our il'ustrious countryman Henry CIav.
(upon the spot selected by himself the last rsst6
place Of his remans) TO commemorate the yirtuous
deeds ofhis long and glorious life.
10 aid In carrying out this enterprise Keutueki
ans havete due to themselYes-to the citizens nj
the United States-and to the fame ofthe lustrious
man whom this memorial is designed to honor-to
invite the citizens of every other State in the Union
to cooperate; and TO all should be Cered the nr;v
iege OF contributing 10 aid in work so appropri
ately due, to one, who, though, mt first in war
was certainly in peace and first in the hearts
CT his countrymen."
Ia the organization of ttis national movement
eighteen States now are associated aud trust that
before many months the remaining States will have
associated lii the grateful work
am instructed, NY Dear Sir, by the executive
committee having this Interesting euterDrjse in
charge to tender TO yourselfthe potion OF Chair
man of the Auxiliary Committee for the STATE of
Va, and to request your acceptance of the sama
Upon signitying to me your willingness to accent
will forward oyou q commission with the seal of
the association authorizing and empowering YOU to
act will also enclose you commissions in hIanL
tor those whom you may select to act with YOU as
members of the Virginia committee. The blanks
you will fill with the names of such gentlemen ga II
Is most agreeable 10 you to have associated with
you-In whose fidelity and character you have cnn
fdence-those who will take an earnest and act,ve
interest In forwarding the enterprise
For the association of Virginia in this national
monument wehaye telt at all times peculiar and
lively solieiude. To see Virginia, the birth place
of Henry Clay, and Kentucky the home of his ador.
tion associated in this glorious work, is deeply i
teresting and touching spectacle Yes, cir. we
must, we will lead in this national testimonial of
affection and gratitude to the statesman who sacri
feed his life in the last great struggle to perfect the
compromise and save his devoted country from the
horrors of anarchy and disunion 1t is over the
sacred grave of the martyr that we are called upon
to unite in rearing one glorious National Mauso-
leum (which will meet the sun in his coming which
tho earliest light, of the morning. will cid and
around whose lofty summit the parting day will
linger."
Around his grave cluster the National synpatbies
and attections-a sacred spot hallowed by a thou
sand glorious recollections-it is the only appropr
ate spot for the proposed memorial
Your early attention to the subject of this letter
is earnestly requested Allow me- Sir, to add NV
personal hope that you win accede to the wishes of
our committee and that you will give us the aid of
your personal influence in organizing your State
as early as practicable.
remain. with great respect
your friend and sv'.,
H. I. DUNCAN