expenses of said centennial celebration, and for the purposes mentioned in the preamble hereto, the same to be disbursed under the direction of the said joint committee at such times and in such manner as will best promote the objects and intent of this resolution.

The resolution, as before observed, was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. This committee was composed as follows: Hon. William S. Shallenberger of Pennsylvania, Hon. J. H. Lewis of Illinois, Hon. M. E. Cutts of Iowa, Hon. M. L. De Motte of Indiana, Hon. J. A. Scranton of Pennsylvania, Hon. Nicholas Ford of Missouri, Hon. J. Hyatt Smith of New York, Hon. Philip Cook of Georgia, Hon. J. W. Singleton of Illinois, Hon. H. A. Herbert of Alabama, Hon. Lewis Beach of New York.

On May 3, 1882, Mr. DE MOTTE, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following report:

The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to whom was referred the joint resolution "authorizing the Secretary of War to erect at Washington's Headquarters, in the city of Newburgh, N. Y., a memorial column, and to aid in defraying the expenses of the Centennial Celebration to be held at that city in the year 1883," having had the same under consideration, submit the following report:

The events intended to be commemorated by the proposed Centènnial Celebration at Newburgh in 1883 are of a broad and national character.

It was here, on the 19th day of April, 1783, that the formal proc lamation of peace was made, and it was here, on the green in front of Washington's Headquarters, that the patriot army was disbanded on the 3d day of November, 1783. On the 25th day of November, 1783, commonly called Evacuation Day, the British troops took to their transports, and sullenly quit the land they had come to conquer and oppress.

It was at Newburgh, or its immediate vicinity, about four miles from the present city, that the Army was encamped after the victory at Yorktown. Here those of the patriots who died during the encampment were buried. Rude mounds still indicate the spot, but no stone marks their resting place.

wants.

It was here, in the building known as the "Temple," that Washington met to confer with his officers upon the famous "Newburgh Letters." The Army, without pay and without clothing, had grown mutinous at the continued neglect of Congress to provide for their In this emergency it was proposed to form a limited monarchy and proclaim Washington dictator, with, eventually, the title of king. The proposition was formally made to him, but was promptly and indignantly rejected. It was here that Washington, Knox, Greene, Gates, St. Clair, Clinton, Wayne, and the Baron Steuben had their headquarters.*

There is a peculiar fitness in the place chosen for the celebration of these important national events. Newburgh and vicinity, from the very commencement of the war to its close, was the scene of numerous other notable incidents and events. The Highland Pass, as it is called, was regarded as the key to the whole struggle. The object of the British was to get possession of the Hudson, and, by uniting the forces of Burgoyne in the North with those of Howe in the South, cut off the Eastern from the Middle and Southern States. To checkmate the enemy Washington had taken early measures, by throwing up forts on the mountain spurs overlooking the river. The passage of vessels was to be obstructed by chains, booms, and chevaux de frise stationed at the narrow points.

To secure the control of the Highland Pass the British resorted to both assault and stratagem. The capture of Forts Clinton and Montgomery and the treason of Arnold are incidents of this region, which, with scores of others, make it rich with Revolutionary interest.

Among the other reasons for the proposed celebration may be given the fact that the year 1883 will furnish the last opportunity for commemorating by centennial ceremonies any of our Revolutionary events; and it so happens that the events it will commemorate

*The inaccuracies in statements of fact in this and preceding paragraphs will be noticed by the readers of history. Having been made in an official report, for the authorship of which the committee was not responsible, they can not now be eliminated.

are unsurpassed in grandeur and significance by any that preceded them.

During the last six years we have had several centennial celebrations, beginning with that at Bunker Hill and ending with that at Yorktown. None of these celebrations were in honor of Washington. They commemorated military events. The time has now come to pay a fitting tribute to Washington, not as a military hero, but as a patriot. By his refusal to accept the crown he saved to America the liberties won by the sword, and set an example of lofty patriotism which has probably never been equaled, certainly never surpassed, in the history of mankind.

No detailed plan for the proposed celebration has been perfected as yet. It will be left to the joint committee of Congress to be appointed under the resolution. A general idea, however, of what

would be proper to the occasion has been submitted.

It is proposed to erect at Washington's Headquarters, on the bluff overlooking the river, a plain shaft or column, with inscriptions commemorative of the most important events occurring at this point. For this purpose, it is thought, the sum of $10,000 will be adequate. It is further proposed to purchase the site on which the Temple stood and as much of the surrounding ground as may be deemed necessary, and erect thereon a structure of frame or logs in the original style of the Temple.

It is also proposed to buy the land in which the Revolutionary veterans are interred and have it substantially inclosed, to the end that it may be preserved from future desecration.

In addition, it is proposed to have, on some day in the year 1883 to be hereafter designated, a centennial jubilee at Washington's Headquarters. Military detachments from such of the original States as had troops at the encampment in 1783 are to be invited. The transportation and subsistence of these delegations will be paid out of the general fund.

To make the land purchases and defray the necessary expenses of the celebration it is estimated that the sum of $50,000 will be required. Of this amount the city of Newburgh has already raised $5,000 by tax, and the citizens have promised an additional $5,000 by voluntary subscription. A bill is now pending in the legislature of the State of New York for an appropriation by the State of $25,000 more.

Your committee is of opinion that a memorial shaft, not to exceed $10,000 in cost, should be erected by the General Government, and that the sum of $25,000 should be appropriated to pay for such shaft and aid in defraying the expenses of the celebration and for the other purposes mentioned in the preamble.

The joint resolution is therefore reported back, with a recommendation that the blank on page 3, section 3, line 1, be filled with the words "twenty-five," and that, as thus amended, it do pass.

On June 13, 1882, the following proceedings were had in the House:

Mr. BEACH. I ask unanimous consent to have taken up for immediate action a joint resolution in honor of the memory of Washington, and to protect the graves of our Revolutionary sires from further desecration. I do not believe there is a member on this floor who will cast a vote against this resolution. Its consideration will take but a few moments. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union be discharged from the consideration of House joint resolution No. 176, and that it be now put on its passage.

The Clerk read the resolution. (For copy of resolution, see ante.) Mr. HOLMAN. Mr. Speaker, I do not rise for the purpose of objecting to this resolution, but to reserve the right of objection for a moment. If it is determined to enter upon this celebration (and there seems to be a propriety in it), I hope that the sum to be expended will be definitely specified. If the sum named in the resolution is not sufficient, let a sufficient sum be fixed now; and let us have no exceeding of the authority granted by Congress on the part of those who may be named as the committee.

Mr. BEACH. If the gentleman from Indiana will permit me, I wish to explain that there is an amendment

Mr. HOLMAN. I suggest to my friend to add an amendment in the following words:

No greater sum shall be expended for said purposes than the sums above mentioned.

Mr. BEACH. An amendment has been prepared by the gentleman from Maine [Mr. Dingley] which I think will meet the views of the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Holman].

Mr. DINGLEY. I offer the following amendment

Mr. ROBINSON, of Massachusetts. Let the amendment be read, subject to objection.

Mr. BURROWS, of Michigan. I desire to reserve the right to object to consideration until after the amendment is read.

The SPEAKER. That may be done.

The Clerk read as follows:

Add at the end of section 3 the following words:

"Provided, That no part of the amount appropriated by this act shall be paid except on bills and vouchers approved by the Secretary of War as just and proper charges, and that no bills shall be contracted on account of the United States in excess of the appropriation hereby made."

Mr. HOLMAN. I hope the amendment will be accepted by the gentleman from New York, and that it will be adopted.

Mr. BURROWS, of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, when this matter was before the House on a previous occasion I objected to its consideration, for the reason that I was apprehensive it might lay the foundation for a repetition of the Yorktown affair, where the United States Government appropriated $40,000, and was afterwards called upon to make up a deficiency of $32,000. Now, if this bill can be so guarded that the gentlemen appointed to take charge of the proposed celebration shall not feel authorized or be allowed to go beyond the amount fixed by the bill and involve the Government in any future liability, I have no objection to it. If the amendment proposed by the gentleman from Maine covers that point, I am content.

Mr. DINGLEY. It not only meets it, but goes a little further. Mr. HOLMAN. The joint resolution is allowed to come in with the understanding that that amendment shall be accepted.

Mr. BEACH. I accept it. I think it is a wise and salutary pro

vision.

Mr. BURROWS, of Michigan. It was impossible to hear the amendment when it was read, and I ask that the Clerk again read it.

The amendment was again read.

Mr. BURROWS, of Michigan. I think that will meet the objection, and I therefore consent to the present consideration of the measure. Mr. SPRINGER. I want the joint resolution so guarded that we shall have no repetition of what occurred in the Yorktown celebration. Mr. ROBINSON, of New York. That is all provided for, and I hope the joint resolution will be permitted to pass.