The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-24
OY'E YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION.
EXCHANGE HOTEL,
RIcHMOND, August is, ISL

RICHMOND, August is, 1881. }
Editors Dispatch: Desr SiTs,-A little
less than two months now remain to COM
pIete the arrangements for the celebration
al Yorktown Of the final victory which
schieved the independence Of the United
States, and as vet no active preparations
have been made at the scene OF the celebla-
tion.
The battles OF Bunker Hill, Bennington,
Saratoga, Cowpens, and others have in turn
been appropriately commemOrated in local
wav, but the celebration at Yorktown, I'M
like all of these, "na'ional IN every
sense, has attracted widespread attention,
and the manifestations OF interest every
where should be especially gratifying to the
people Of Virginia. 1t bas assumed proper
lions beyond the most sanguine expecta-
tions.
The insdequacy Of The appropriation by
Congress for the conduct Of the celebration
supplementary to the laying OF The corner
stone OF the monument ordered by the Col.
onial Congress has long since been con-
ceded, and the Yorktown Centennial Asso-
cistion, respective Of that fact, have been
moet active in their efforts to raise sufficient
funds through the sale OF its stock to make
good the deficit, and secure celebration
worthy Of the grand event to be commence
rated, but as yet they baye been enly par.
italy successful.
The innumerable anxious inquiries that
come from every section OF the country as
TO the extent Of the accommodations at
Yorktown is sufficient assurance OF the i'm
mense concourse OF people that may be ex-
pected. They have signded their intention
OF being present, and suitable sccommoda.
lions must be provided. departments Of
public comfort, with retiring rooms for
ladies' and for gentlemen, are absolutely
essential. Means must be provided for the
moving OF camp equIpage and baggage, for
the drainage OF camp, for lighting csmp
and grounds, 10 supply straw for camp
bedding, for fuel, and for an abundant
WaserAupply; the necessary reception
buildings, &C., mus be constructed, and
hundreds Of other things must be provided,
but without means nothing can be done.
Colonel PeytOu, the general superlDten.
| dent OF the Association, accompanied by
the secretary, attended the convention OF
the "American Bankers Association -
held at Niagara Falls last week Tor the pur.
pose, II possible, OF interesting the bank.
ing-men Of the country. 1t resulted in the
| forming OF committee OF prominent bank
presidents OF the city OF New York, under
whose solicitation II is hoped the two thou
ssud national banks in the United States
will each contribute the limited sum OF
twenty dollars Uuying two shares OF the
capital stock Of The AsSociation). What may
be realized from this cannot yet be estima
ted. The immortal Robert Morris fur.
uished the means 10 nuke that last grand
struggle. Assuredly his followers, who
have reaped so large share OF its benefits
should, in respect TO his memory, con.
tribute literally 10 make the celebration
q success.
However all this may be, the unfortunate
failure on the part OF the Virginia Legisla
| ture at its last session TO make the necessary
appropriation makes Il in part incumben
upon the citizens OF the state TO aid so far q,
tkeV can the efforts OF tbe Association By
subscribing literally to its stock. Whel
Virginia, upon whose soil the celebration i
10 be held, does her part, her sister colonia
States will cheerfuly follow her good ex
ample.
The magnificent stock certificate Of th
Association, engraved by the America
Bank-Note Company OF New York, Is, as
work OF art, TO be preserved as s0nuens
worth fully the price Of a share OF stock
Five hundred copies have been received to
day, aud stockholders can have theirs hlle'
up at the office of the Association any tim
AFTER the first OF September upoHsurrepde
OF their receipts.
The Association have purchased the TEN
pie farm. upon which the military and Ma
sonic encampmenis have been laid out uu
der the direction OF Colonel w. 7. Craig
bill, OF the United States army. portion
OF the farm has been sesaside by the Asso
clati0n 10 be let out In reservations --appll
cations for which should be made TO MI
Henry Hslsiead, upon the grounds at York
| town.
Two additional landings are now u
eonse Of construction, which, with the wv
already existing, It Is thought, Will amor
sample wharfage for steamers conveying VS.
itors.
The extension Of the Chesapeake an