HISTORY OF THE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT. Soon after the celebration in honor of the completion of Bunker Hill Monument, it occurred to the writer, that a faithful record of this enterprise night possess value in future years, and that he would attempt the work with a view to the presentation of the facts here narrated. It may be due to others as well as himself, to declare, that no suggestion from any quarter prompted this effort. What he has done has been done throughout, wholly at his own instance. He has taken pains to obtain precise and accurate information, and has had access to sources of the highest authority, which in a few years may be wholly beyond the reach of any who may be curious enough to investigate the matters here contained. BRUNSWICK, ME. MAY, 1852. ALPHEUS S. PACKARD. HISTORY. THE writer proposes to give a brief history of the Monument on Bunker Hill. He thinks it desirable to record for future generations a true statement of the origin and progress of one of the most imposing monuments of modern times; of the sources from whence the means of erecting it were obtained; of the embarrassments which impeded or interrupted the work; and to secure the remembrance of those who were most efficient and laborious in an enterprise so honorable to them and to our common country. It is thought, that hereafter it may be a matter of curiosity to know the facts here stated. What makes the subject especially interesting is, that this noble structure was reared by voluntary contributions, with the exception only of a comparatively small amount granted for the purpose by the Legislature of Massachusetts; and when completed, the projectors and builders had no more property in it than any other citizens of the State. Moreover the accomplishment of the enterprise was owing mainly to the energy and munificence of a few, whose names, although in this matter they were as far from selfish or private aims as men can be, are not known as they ought to be. The statements here made have been obtained from the records of the Standing and Building Committees of the Bunker Hill Association, from printed documents issued under the sanction of the Association, from the "History of the Siege of Boston," a valuable work recently published |