by Richard Frothingham, Jr. Esq., and from private sources of undoubted authority, to which the public could not have access.

We have the authority of IIon. Edward Everett for affirming, that the idea of such a monument was first conceived by William Tudor Esq. It is due to another gentleman of well known public spirit and who, as will be seen, was an active and efficient promoter of the enterprise, to state, that in April 1822 the following spirited paragraph appeared in the Boston Patriot, which is worthy of a place in this record, as being the first effort to call public attention to the object.

"FOR THE BOSTON PATRIOT.

BUNKER HILL.

A lot of ground, including the monument erected to the memory of Gen. Warren, and the remains of the Breast Work,' thrown up on the eve of the Battle fought on that spot on the 17 of June 1775, is advertised to be sold at auction the first day of May.

As a site so memorable should not be covered with buildings, it is hoped, that some patriotic gentlemen of wealth in the town of Charlestown will puchase this American Marathon and have it enclosed with a stone or iron fence, to be held sacred, as the spot where the defenders of the Republic first met the shock of battle "in times which tried men's souls."

No stranger from other States visits this part of the union who does not wish to stand where fought the Champions of Liberty. Future generations will hold that blood-stained height in proud remembrance. There repose the ashes of the brave; there was planted the Tree of Liberty. Let not the glorious sepulchre of our Revolutionary warriors be profaned.”

Within a day or two after this paragraph appeared, Mr. Tudor, having ascertained from the Editor, that the writer was

Gen. II. A. S. Dearborn, called on him, and after referring to the article which had attracted his notice, consulted him on the measures which should be adopted to secure the land. An interest was soon excited in the minds of several gentlemen, and as the result of their conference on the expediency of securing the land as an area for a monument to commorate the great event of which it was the theatre, Dr. J. C. Warren of Boston purchased the land in Nov. 1822 and held it until the Monument Association, subsequently formed, took it from his hands. It is honorable to Boston and to that generation, that many were ready to coöperate by more than good words and kind wishes in what was manifestly to prove an arduous and protracted labor. Several meetings of those interested in the project were held at Dr. Warren's house. A breakfast party of gentlemen consisting among others of IIon. Daniel Webster, Professor Ticknor, Dr. John C. Warren, Hon. William Sullivan, Hon. George Blake and William Tudor, Esq. assembled at the house of Col. Perkins, and then visited the battle ground, and consulted on the subject of a monument. It was to this occacasion, it is presumed, that Mr. Webster refers in his address at the completion of the monument when he remarks; that the first measures towards erecting the monument were adopted in the house of Thomas II. Perkins, Esq., where the projectors of the scheme assembled for the purpose. Soon after, a Circular dated May 10, 1823, signed by Messrs. Webster, William Tudor and Theodore Lyman, Jr., called the first public meeting of those friendly to the object, which was held at the Merchant's Exchange, when measures to obtain an act of Incorporation were adopted.

ORGANIZATION &c.

The following twenty-four individuals were incorporated under

the name of "The Bunker Hill Monument Association," "for the construction of a monument in Charlestown to perpetuate the memory of the early events of the American Revolution;" Joseph Story, Jesse Putman, Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, Samuel D. Harris, Samuel Swett, Theodore Lyman, Jr., Stephen Gorham, Jr., Thomas H. Perkins, William Tudor, Henry A. S. Dearborn, Benjamin Gorham, Franklin Dexter, William Sullivan, George Ticknor, Charles R. Codman, Warren Dutton, Isaac P. Davis, Thomas Harris, Seth Knowles, Benjamin Welles, John C. Warren, George Blake and Francis C. Gray. The act bears date June 7, 1823. By a subsequent act, the monument, on its completion, with the land on which it stands and its appurtenances, was to be assigned and transferred to the Commonwealth, on condition, that the State shall keep the monument and its appurtenances in good repair forever.

At a meeting, June 17, 1823, the Association made choice of Gov. Brooks for President. A by-law of the Association, passed at this meeting, requires a Board of thirteen Directors to be chosen at the annual meetings of the Corporation, who were to have the general control of the funds and the general direction of the affairs of the association. An additional by-law, June 19, increased the number of this Board to twenty-five, and by another, passed June 1825, the Directors were made responsible for any expenditure beyond the amount of funds actually collected for the purpose of building the monument.

WAYS AND MEANS, &c.

It may well be supposed, that much preliminary labor, of which the public knew little or nothing and which was done by a few individuals, was required before the structure could be commenced.

The first object was to awaken general interest in a project

which was to depend for its accomplishment mainly, if not entirely, on private contributions. The Directors accordingly, July 19, 1823, were empowered to elect Honorary members of the Association. At the same meeting all settled clergymen of New England were chosen honorary members. It was also voted, that all persons subscribing five dollars to the object should thereby become members; and that those subscribing a less sum than five dollars and not less than one, should have their names recorded in a manuscript prepared for the purpose; measures, which, it would seem, addressed the principle of patriotism in every New England bosom and were adapted to make the enterprise one of general concern. A year, however, passed before this appeal to the public was effectually made. At a meeting of the Directors, July 1824, a standing Committee of five was constituted to exercise the powers of the Directors in managing the affairs of the association, composed of the following gentlemen; Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, Dr. John C. Warren. Hon. Edward Everett, George Blake Esq. and Samuel D. Harris Esq. This Committee, at their second meeting, August 9, took the first steps towards the vigorous prosecution of the enterprise in the following plan of proceedings, reported by Dr. Warren, for promoting the object of the association.

"1. That a letter explaining the object of the association be prepared and circulated among the members of the community able to promote its design by their aid or interest.

2. That a letter be addressed to the town of Charlestown requesting their coöporation and aid.

3. That a public appeal be made in the Newspapers upon the subject. 4. That letters be addressed to the young men of Boston, Charlestown and Salem, to engage their interest in the cause.

5. That Committees be appointed in the said meetings of the young men to procure subscriptions.

6. That an enlarged drawing of the Plan of the Monument be exhibited in conspicuous public places.

7. That subscription books be opened for different sums in differe.." columns or pages; as for sums of 5, 10 and to 500, and above 500 dollars.

8. That no effort be spared to forward the work in such a manner, that the corner stone of the monument may be laid June 17, 1825."

Mr. Everett was requested to prepare a letter according to the first article, and Gen. Dearborn, to address a letter to the town of Charlestown agreeably to the second.

In pursuance of this general scheme a circular, subscribed by all the Directors, was sent to a large number of individuals throughout New England and the other States. Certain individuals were particularly addressed throughout the country and Americans residing in London and Paris, and their patronage was solicited for the object. Subscription books were prepared for general circulation in the more considerable towns, and letters were sent to gentlemen in other States, who were corresponding members of the association, requesting them to take charge of procuring subscriptions in their several States. Ward committees were appointed in Boston for the purpose of raising subscriptions. A large number of gentlemen of influence and distinction throughout New England were elected Associates, among whom were the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of Massachusetts, the Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Councilors of the several New England States, and special meetings of the Associates were recommended to be held in the leading towns. A Diploma with a vignette was prepared as a certificate of membership for such as subscribed. the requisite sum. The clergymen of the Commonwealth were addressed by letter and requested to call the attention of their people to the object on the day of the Annual Thanksgiving.

The Subscription Books, two hundred in number, were returned, April, 1825; by which it appeared, that about 2500 individuals had subscribed sums varying from 5 to 500 dollars. To these were added the funds of the Washington Benevolent