The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-22

Ui.tary of the Monu ment.


ON the ODD of February, 1s4e, bill providing
for the completion Of the Washington Monument,
imam imously PASSED both Houses OF the General
Assembly Of Virginia. II was noble work for
nobl. ,,ay. The first section OF the bill empower
cd the Executive TO appoint Commissioners to pro
eure. under bis direction and control, model for
the monument, with all necessary plans and est.
mates for the erection thereof The second sec
ton authorized the executive to appoint Commits
sioners for each county, city and borough Of the
State, to receive donations for the monument. The
third provided for the commencement Of the strue'
ture so soon the model selected, the site de-
termined and tho contracts entered into. The
fourth hxed the cost ct Sloo,oso and ordered the
erection of the Monument on the Capitol Square
| In the city Of Richmond.
| II IL proper to add thata much greater sum
than that contemplated in the bill has been alrea
| dy expended.
| On the 5th Of February, 1850, the formal accep-
| lance OF Mr.. Crawford's model was announced
through the newspapers. Apremium Of $500 had
been offered for the best plan which should be
submitted to the Commissioners, and sirty.foar
we're accordingly presented for their examination
! previous to the sth OF January, 1880.
About this time, a resolution looking to an alb
rogation Of the bill, and a reputation of what
had been done, was introduced in the House oil
Delegates, and promptly voted down. 1t appears
from publication 10 the newspapers Of that day,
/ tina. the design which Crawford submitted and
which was selected by the Commissioners, was
modelled in room at Armory Hall, Boston during
! the months Of November and December
The corner stone. a splendid block OF granite
weighing about 10000 lbs, quarried above Ken
mond, was presented by the James River and IA
| nawha Company. The cap stone was presented Dy
| the Richmond and Danvile Railroad Company.
| The City Council Of Richmond appropriated
al 900 towards entertaining the military ana otDer
guests on the occasion Of laying the corner stone
! The President of the United States, ZACHARY
| TAYLOR with his suite, arrived in Richmond on tue
2lst aud after public reception in the haii OF the
| House of Delegates, were quartered al the tx
| change Hotel.
The Corner Stone Of the MOI ument WAS laid,
with imposing ceremonies, on the I'D. Early IN
the morning the heavens were overcast, aud a
slight snow storm ensued. This, however, did not
dampen the ardor of the populace assembled to do
honor to the day
The procession commenced its march about hail.
past IL o'clock, from the County Court House
The Chief Marshal and Aids rode In front. The
Governor of the State, Hon. J. b. Floyd, President
Taylor and ex-President Tyler came next, in ba-
rouche drawn by four splendid bays; then the mill
tary including the companies of our city and coun-
ty the cadets of the Va Military Institute; the Ar
tillsry, Capt, Paul, aud the Blues, Capt Dounan
from Petersburg. Then the Executive Council.
the orator of the day, Robert G. Scott, Esq and
the Presidents suite and Governors Aids, in car
riages; the Commissioners Of the Washington
Monument and Mr.. CRAWFORD, sculptor and archi-
tect, who designed the Monument; the members OF
the Legislatures officers of the State, Federal and
City Governments: the clergy the Masonic Frater-
nifty and Knights Templar; a brilliant cortsge of
Associations-and finally, citizens on foot, on horse
back and In carriages.
After the ceremonies Of laying the corner stone
which were conducted by the Masonic Fraternity
an eloquent address on the character OF WASH
NaroN was delivered by Passed Grand Master Rob-
ert G Scott. lie followed by Gov. Floyd, in
a beautiful and impressive speech
1t was regarded as happy omen that just as
the Masonic ceremonies commenced. the lowering
clouds dispelIed and the bright rays of the
sun smiled cheerfully upon the scene.
The Masons had collation. at Military Hall, at
ter which public dinner took place at Stewards
Factory. The President was present at both.
Fireworks were displayed on Capitol Square at
night, and magnificent ball, under the superyis'
ion of the Masonic Fraternity, at the Union Hotel
terminated the festivities of the occasion.