The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-13
TO the Public.

A Joint stock company, known as tpe
" Yorktown Centennial Association" has
recently been incorporated and organized
under the laws Of the State Of Virginia.
The object of this company, as set forth in
us charter, Is TO promote and secure the
proper celebration, in October, 1881, OF the
one hundredth anniversary OF the surren-
der at Yorktown, Va, Of the British forces
under Lord CORVALLIS.
By the act OF Congress approved June Z,
| 1880, the sum of $4,000 was appropriated
for the purpose of deiraying the expenses
incurred in The said Centennial celebration.
Il is conceded now by all who have be-
slowed any reflection upon the subject that
the amount named is wholly inadequate 10
meet the requirements OF celebration
which will be commensurate with the his.
torical significance of the event and the
present grandeur OF our country.
Under these circumstances the Organiza-
ton of an association to cooperate with and
to assist the Congressional Committee hay
ing the celebration in charge has become in
dlspensable.
The indications are such as to render it
absolutely certain that there will be an i'm
mense concourse OF people on that occasion
from all parts Of the country. Our ancient
allies. the French, will come IN response to
an invitation which will be extended to
them BY the President, in pursuance OF a
| Joint resolution Of Congress.
Detachments from the regular army and
navy will be there 10 furnish, IN coDiune-
ton with the citizen s0ldiery from every
State in the Union, grand military and
naval display.
| The people will be there--from the North
aud from the South, from the East and from
the West-with hearts full of thanksgiving
to Almighty God that after the lapse OF one
hundred years we are still united, prosper
Gus, and free. Catching inspiration from
the surroundings, and rcyiving the patriotic
memories of the past, they VIII raise theil
clad anthems on The consecrated spot where
one hundred years ago the sword OF Wash
inpton and his compatrots IN arms made
good. the declaration OF Jefferson and hi,
associates in Independence Hall.
The " Yorktown Centennial Association
has undertaken the task OF securing trans
portation at reasonable rates and OF pro-
yiding suitable accommodations for all who
NAV attend during the celebration, which
will continue from the 9th to the 2jth OF
October. Ii has purchased "Temple"
farm, consisting OF five hundred acres, on
which is still standing the encore" house,
within whose walls the Articles Of Capitu
lation were prepared and signed.
1t has donated fifteen acres TO the Govern
ment for the site OF the monument, the cor
ner-stone OF which will be laid on the 1911
OF October, with imposing ceremonies, bi
the Ancient Order Of Free Masons. AT th'
close of the celebration the Association pro
: poses TO donate the residue OF the farm .tC
J the Government to be converted into pafl
! and called /" Lafayette Park" IN hoh0r
, the illustrious hero whose unseinsh devo
ton 10 liberty prompted him to come to th
, assistance of the struggling colonies, ant
whose name is inseparably associated wit
tho final copsummation OF our independ
/ ence at Yorktown.
II is necessary TO have the farm prepare
and nut in order for military encampments
10 construct additional landings fer the az
commodatOn Of the large number OF stean
r ers which will be employed in transpOrtin
r the people; TO provide comfortable seats fo
/ at least thirty thousand people, and to ere(
! a commodous stand for the use OF the Coz
q gres sional Commission and the distir
/ guished visitors, including The President {
{ the United States, the members OF his Cab
S net, the Governors OF the States, the Judge
: OF the Supreme Court, and the Society {
!. Cincinnati.
Il To enable the Association TO meet thes
d and other expenses which will be necessi
y rily incurred in making suitable arrange
l. ments 1t Is estimated that at least $780, (
e must be raised by private subscription. Tt
y capital stock OF the Association has bee
r liked at that SUN, and has been divided int
o shares OF $40 each, for which will be 4
u sued certificates, handsomely engraved an
d adorned with yiguette portraits Of Genera
o Washington and Lafayette and Counts d
l. Rochambeau and DE Grasse. Competen
IS aud reliable agents have been appointed an
o duly authorized TO solicit subscriptions
l. the capital stock. l commend them and ii
d cause they represent TO the favorable col
e sideration OF the public, aud bespeak Il
u them the cordial cooperation Of patriot
Americans everywhere.
ri Let us resolve that the browning event ]
]. our Revolutionary struggle shall be. In o
}, respects, worthy OF the American peopl
!, and worthy OF the glorious acbievemel
Is which II Is designed to commemorate.
S JOHN GO0DE, President
C Yorktown Centennial Association.
hl Washington, February %, 1881.