The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-03-23
WHOLE NUMBER lob
Eaws of Rbooe 1slan6.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PRO-
VIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PRO.
VIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
In General assembly, Jan. Session, 1854.
AN ACT to aid the erection of Mon
ument commemorative of the Delara-
ton Of American Independence.
II is enacted by tie General assembly as
tollotos:
Section l. For the purpose Of unit
ing with the others of the thirteen
original States in the necessary measures
for the construction and maintenance in
the public square adjoining Independ-
ence Hall, in the city of Philadelphia,
of a Monument to commemorate the
Declaration of American Independence,
the Governor of this State is authorized
to appoint a suitable citizen a Trustee
or agent to represent this State in the
Board Of Trustees that may be appointed
by the said States respectively for the
same purpose, with the like powers. It
will be the duty of the said Board Of
Trustees, when nine or more shall have
been appointed by as many of the said
thirteen States, to determine the design,
plan, materials and expense of the said
Monument, and to prepare a statement
exhibiting the proportion to be con-
tributed by each of the original thirteen
States to dcfray the said expense, as
suming as a rule for said proportion the
numerical representation at this time of
each such State in the House Of Rep
resentatives Of the Congress of the
United States, and the periods when,
in their judgment, the instalments of the
said contributions will be required in
determining the said design; an appro-
pirate place on the exterior of such
monument shall be provided for each
State, to contain such in-
scrptions as the State shall direct, COM
of some citizen or citizens
of her own who took part in the respon-
sibiity of the Declaration Of the Indc-
pendence of the said States. The
said Trustees are to report to such
of the States represented by them,
with all reasonable expedition, the
design, plan, and expense of the said
monument as proposed by them, and
the said statement of proportionate con-
tributions. When the said States shall
have made provisions for contributing
their respective quotas of the said ex-
pense, the said Boarl Of Trustees shall
be authorized to proceed and construct
the said monument and a sufficient
railing round the same, and shall receive
and expend the monies appropriated for
that purpose by the different States.
They will appoint the necessary super
intendents and Agents, and may author
izc Committee Of their body to receive
and take charge Of all monies contrib
uted. When the said monument shall
be finished, the Board of Trustees shall
render an account to their respective
States Of the monies received and ex-
pended by them or under their direc-
ton, which shall be verified by the oaths
Of the Principal, Superintendent, and
one or more of the Financial Committee
of the Board, and shall be certified by
the Mayor of the city Of Philadelphia,
and the Presidents of the Select and
Common Councils of the said city, or
any two of them, to have been compared
with the original vouchers and entries
and found correct.
Sec. 2. The person so appointed
Trustee shall hold aud exercise said
trust during the pleasure of the Govern
or Of this State, and in case of vacancy
by death, resignation or otherwise in the
said trust, the Governor shall appoint
successors from time to time as occasion
may require. No part of the fund con-
tributed by the State shall be applied
to compensate any Trustee for his SER
vices, but the actual expenses of tho
Trustees appointed on the part of this
Commonwealth will be betrayed BY the
General Assembly thereof
Sec. 4. Upon receiving The report of the
Board Of Trustees Of the dtsigu, pla0-,
material, and expense ofsaid monument,
and an estimate Of the proportion 70 -