something so shocking in it that human- in me to assign my reasons for this opinity revolts at the idea. My God, what ion as it would be insulting to your can this writer have in view by recom- conception to suppose you stood in need mending such measures? Can he be a of them. A moment's reflection will confriend to the army? Can he be a friend vince every dispassionate mind of the to this country? Rather, is he not an physical impossibility of carrying either insidious foe; some emissary, perhaps, proposal into execution. There might, gen from New York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the seeds of discord and separation between the civil and military powers of the continent? And what a compliment does he pay to our understandings when he recommends measures, in either alternative, impracticable in their nature? But here, gentlemen, I will drop the curtain, because it would be as imprudent COFFEE POT AND PISTOL TAKEN FROM tlemen, be an impropriety in my taking With respect to WASHINGTON'S CHAIR. tice to my own belief, and what I have great reason to conceive is the intention of Congress, conclude this address without giving it as my decided opinion that that honorable body entertains exalted sentiments of the services of the army, and, from a full conviction of its merits A RELIC OF BUNKER HILL, FOUND AT NEWBURG. with the great duty I owe to my country, and those powers we are bound to respect, you may freely command my services to the utmost extent of my abilities. While I give you these assurances, and pledge myself in the most unequivocal manner to exert whatever abilities I am possessed of in your favor, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained. Let me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress, that, previous to your dissolution as an army, they will cause all your actions to be fairly liquidated, as directed in the resolutions which were published to you two days ago; and that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their power to render ample justice to you for your faithful and meritorious services. And let me conjure you, in the name of our com as and sufferings, will do it complete justice. That their endeavors to discover and establish funds for this purpose have been unwearied, and will not cease till they have succeeded, I have not a doubt; but, like all other large bodies, where there is a variety of different interests to reconcile, their determinations are slow. Why, then, should we distrust them; and, in consequence of that distrust, adopt measures which may cast a shade over that glory which has been so justly acquired, and tarnish the reputation of an army which is celebrated through all Europe for its fortitude and patriotism? And for what is this done? To bring the object mon country, we seek nearer? No; most certainly, in my opinion, it will cast it at a greater dis tance. For myself (and I take no merit for giving the assurance, being induced to it from principles of gratitude, veracity, and justice, and a grateful sense of the confidence you have ever placed in me), a recollection of the cheerful assistance and prompt obedience I have experienced from you under every vicissitude of fortune, and the sincere affection I feel for an army I have so long had the honor to command, will oblige me to By thus determining and thus acting declare in this pub- you will pursue the plain and direct lic and solemn road to the attainment of your wishes; manner, that in you will defeat the insidious designs of the attainment of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret artifice; you will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient vir CAMP BROILER USED BY complete justice for all your toils and dangers, and in the gratification of every wish, so far as may be done consistently you value your POINT OF CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES-WASHINGTON MONUMENT tue rising superior to the pressure of the ner, with beer and choice spirits, costing most complicated sufferings, and you will, only seventy-five cents. In Philadelphia, by the dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when speak the society built Washington Hall, on Third Street, between Walnut and Spruce. Similar societies were organized elsewhere. They rapidly multiplied during the war, but with the demise of the Federal party, during Monroe's administration, they disappeared. Washington Monument. On Feb. 22, 1885, the Washington Monument was formally dedicated by Robert C. Winthrop, the man who laid its corner-stone in 1848. The first movement towards the erection of this monument was made as early as 1783, when the Continental Congress passed a resolution recommending the erection of an equestrian statue of Washington, supported by four marble pedestals showing the principal events in the war which he had successfully conducted. After his death, in December, 1799, the House and Senate passed a joint resolution for the erection of a monument under which his body should be placed; but Congress failed to provide for the execution of the work, and the matter was allowed to drop. In 1816 an unsuccessful effort was made by James Buchanan, then a young Congressman from Pennsylvania, Washington Benevolent Societies, political organizations, which originated in Philadelphia soon after the declaration of war in 1812. The first organization was fully completed on Feb. 22, 1813, under the title of the "Washington Benevolent Society of Pennsylvania." Each member was required to sign the Constitution and the following declaration: to revive an interest in the monument "We, each of us, do hereby declare that we are firmly attached to the Constitution of the United States and to that of Pennsylvania; to the principles of a free republican government, and to those which regulated the public conduct of George Washington; that we will, each of us, to the best of our ability, aid, and, so far as may be consistent with our religious principles respectively, preserve the rights and liberties of our country against all foreign and domestic violence, fraud, and usurpation; and that, as members of the Washington Benevolent Society, we will in all things comply with its regulations, support its principles, and enforce its views." It was a federal association, and had attractive social and benevolent features. The funds of the society were used for the purposes of charity among its members and their families, and for other purposes which might be prescribed. They had anniversary dinners on Washington's birthday, so simple that men of moderate means might participate in them, the din X.-0 which should lead to its construction. Twenty-five years later an association known as the "Washington Monument Society " was formed, and $87,000 was collected in sums of $1, each person so contributing being enrolled as a member of the society. The corner-stone was laid and the erection of the monument was begun July 4, 1848. The building progressed slowly until 1855, when, owing to the failure of the Senate to concur in the passage of an appropriation bill giving $200,000 to the enterprise, all work upon it ceased. The Civil War broke out, and the Washington Monument was for the time forgotten. In 1876 Senator Sherman introduced a resolution providing that whatever was returned from the government appropriation for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia should be refunded and appropriated to the completion of the Washington Monument. This resolution was amended by the appropriation committee of the House, and $1,000,000 was appropriated, to be paid in annual instal 209 WASHINGTON MONUMENT. ments of $30,000 each. A commission was appointed to examine the work already done, and the foundation was declared insufficient. A new foundation was accordingly constructed at a cost of nearly $100,000, and the work was pushed actively forward until its completion. nine years later, under the direction of Col. T. L. Casey, United States Engineers. The entire cost of the monument was about $1,500,000, of which amount nearly $300,000 was contributed by the "Washington Monument Association." Its base is 55 feet square-the base of the foundation being 106 feet square and 38 feet deep. Its height is 555 feet, being 30 feet greater than that of the cathedral at Cologne, and 75 feet greater than that of the Great Pyramid. It is built of Maryland marble lined with blue gneiss. Various stones contributed by the States are built into the interior lining. Including the foundation, the weight of the structure is nearly 82,000 tons. The top of the monument is protected by a cap made of aluminum, which is not affected by the elements. The ascent can be made by an elevator or by an iron stairway of nearly 900 steps. The thickness of the walls at the base is 15 feet, gradually lessening until at the top to 18 inches. WASHINGTONIANA Washingtoniana. Robert Dinwiddie, Pennsylvania, made a treaty with the Indlieutenant-governor of Virginia, observ- ian bands on the Monongahela River, in ing with anxiety and alarm the move- September, 1753, from whom he gained ments of the French on the frontiers of permission to build a fort at the junc enabled to construct a plan of it, which was sent to the British government. Washington kept a journal of his diplomatic expedition, and this, to arouse the enthusiasm of the people, was published, and was copied into every newspaper in the colonies. It was reprinted in London, and was regarded as a document of great importance, as unfolding the views of the French, and the first announcement of positive proof of their hostile acts in the disputed territory. tion of that river and the Alleghany, tion, cannons, and barracks, and the numnow Pittsburg. He also resolved to send ber of canoes in the stream-that he was a competent messenger to the nearest French post, with a letter demanding explanations, and the release and indemnification of the English traders whom the French had robbed and imprisoned. He chose for this delicate and hazardous service George Washington, then not twentytwo years of age. With three attendants, Washington left Williamsburg, Oct. 31, and, after journeying more than 400 miles (more than half the distance through a dark wilderness), encountering incredible hardships and dangers, amid snow and icy Disputes about rank caused a reference floods and hostile Indians, he reached the to General Shirley, then (1756) commandFrench post of Venango, Dec. 4, where er-in-chief of the British forces in Amerhe was politely received, and his visit ica, and Washington was chosen by his was made the occasion of great convivial- fellow-officers to present the matter to the ity by the officers of the garrison. He had been joined at Cumberland (Md.) by five others. The free use of wine disarmed the French of their prudence, and they revealed to their sober guest their design to permanently occupy the region they then had possession of. Washington perceived the necessity of quickly despatching his business and returning to Williamsburg; and after spending a WASHINGTON'S HOUSE IN FREDERICKSBURG. day at Venango, he pushed forward to Le general. He set out for Boston, a distance Bœuf, the headquarters of St. Pierre, the of 500 miles, on horseback, Feb. 4, acchief commander, who entertained him companied by two young officers, and politely four days, and then gave him a stopped several days in the principal cities written answer to Dinwiddie's remon- through which he passed. He was everystrance, enveloped and sealed. Washing- where received with great respect, for the ton retraced his perilous journey through fame of his exploits in the field where the wilderness, and after an absence of Braddock fell had preceded him. In New eleven weeks he again stood in the pres- York he was cordially entertained by Bevence of the governor (Jan. 16, 1754), with erly Robinson, son of the speaker of the his message fulfilled to the satisfaction Virginia Assembly. Mrs. Robinson's sisof all. Washington and his attendants ter, Mary Phillipse, was then at his house, had made such a minute examination of and Washington was smitten with her Fort Le Bœuf-its form, size, construc- charms. On his return from Boston he |