Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-12
THE INAUGURATION OF THE WASHING
TON STATUE ON THE TWENTY-sECOND
OF FEBRUARY NEXT.

TON STATUE ON THE TWENTY-sECONI
OF FEBRUARY NEXT.
The public will be gratifed to learn from the fo
lowing documents and correspondence, that Senate
Hunter has consented TO deliver the oration on IN
I'D February, and that Mesars. Hope and Tbompso
have also accepted the invitation TO recite odss n
one OF the most interesting occasions in the hiaor
OF Virginia. At the same time there will be eeners
regret that MIR. Rives has felt himself compelled
decline enstlpg his eoquence in the same causs
At a meeting of the Governor and the Commis
souers to superntend the structure of the Washing
ton Monument. consisting of Messrs. William
Ritchie, Geo. w. Munford and Gustavus A. Myer.
NED al Inc CAPITOL in the City of Richmond, th
23d day of November, 1857, twas
Resolved, unanimously, That the Equestrian Statue
ot Washington be placed upon the Monument on IN,
I'D day of February next and that the Hon. K. N
1. Hunter be requested TO deliver an oration suitab
to the OCCASION and it, from any cause he sbonId h,
prevented from go doing, that the Hon. William C.
Rives be appointed his alternate.
The following letter was addressed to Mr.. Hunter
and similar one to Mr.. Rves:
RICHMOND. Nov. "a, 1857.
Dear Sir: We take pleasure In communicating &c
you the foregoing proceeding, with the expression
the earnest hope, that you will comply with the re-
quest contained in The resolution.
Very respectfully, yours,
On behalf of the Commissioners
Mr.. Rires' Reply.
CASTLE HILL, 29th Nov, 1857.
Dear Sir IL have just had the honor 10 receive
your letter of the 24h instant, informing me that at
late meeting Of the Governor and the Commissioners
of the Washington Monument, q resolution was
adopted requesting the Hon. R. NJ. T. Hunter to de.
liver on oration on the occasion of the inauguration
n fAf nf
proposed to take place on the 22d of February next,
and if from any cause be should be prevented from
SO doing, appointing me hs alternate.
sincerely hope that nothing will occur to prevent
Mr. Hunter from performing the honorable and dstin.
tnguished duty assigned to him; and for which he is
go eminently qualified. Should such contingency,
however occur the constant pressure Of
OF another Kind as we'll as the conviction that the
TASK would be much more acceptably performed by
others OF our fellow. citizens make it proper for ms
with the expression of my thanks for the honor done
me- to communicate TO you, without delay, nv ina
oility to fulfill the appointment rendered in the event
Mr.. Hunters declining it.
have the honor to be- with great respect,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) w. g. RIVES.
G. A. MYERS, Esq, Sec'y Comm'ra.
Mr.. Hunters Reply.
WAsHIsoToN, Jan. g. 1858.
Dear Sir: received, sometime since your letter
informing me that the Governor, and the Commis.
sioners Of the Washington Monument of Virginia
had honored me with an invitation to deliver the ad
dress on the 22d Of February, when the Statue to
be raised. accept the invitation with grateful an
probation OF the high compliment which has been
paid me. With great respect,
Your obedent servant,
tSigned) r. NJ. T. HUNTER.
At the same meeting the following resolution was
Resolved, That Messrs. James Barron Hope and
John X. Thompson be requested TO prepare and re.
cite odes sautatory and terminal, on the same &C.
casion, and TO arrange between Themselves which
shs deliver the first and which the Last of the Odes
The foregoing resolution having been communi
Gated on the 24th November, 1857 TO the gentlemen
named, by g.. A. Myers, the Secretary TO the Com
missioners, the following replies Rere received:
Dear Sir: have the honor TO acknowledge the re.
cep of your communication of tie 24th inst, and TO
inform you that il will afford msunsected gratiica
ton to participate in the august ceremonial of inau.
gursting the Statue; especially am graied at being
associated in my peculiar department with my friend
Mr. Thompson, who, am sure, will nobly atone in
the elegance VI performance, Tor any defects which
may obscure my own.
Present to his Excsllency the Governor and your
brother Commissioners my acknowledgements for
the consideration with which they have distinguished
me in this appointment and believe me, dear sir,
tsigned) JAMES BARRON HOPE.
G. A. MYERS, ESQ.,
Secretary TO Board Of Commissioners Richmond
HAMPTON, Va, Nov. q, 1885,.
RIcHaoSD, 9Th November, 1857.
My Dear Sr:-I have the ionor to acknowledge |
the receipt of your polite Letter, communicating the
resolution of the GovOrner md the Board of Com.
missioDers of the Virginia Washington Monument
inviting Mr.. James BarronH Hope and myself to pre-.
pare and recits ode for ne opening and conclusion
Of the ceremonies of Inauguration of the Equestrian
Statue of Washington, oDthe 22ud day of February,
1853. In reply, beg say, with thanks for the
high compliment impliedin the invitation that will
sndeavor, on my part tocarry out the wishes of the
Governor and the Boar Of Commissioners.
With high respeG, am sir,
Your ohdient servant,
(Signed) JNO. r. THOMPSON.
GYsTAvUs A. MYERS Esq, Secretary of the Board
If Commissioners virdnia Washington Monument