APPENDIX.
NO. I.
INVITATIONS AND ANSWERS.
Washington National Monument Office, June 2lst, 1848.
Mrs. James Madison:
The Committee of Arrangements most respectfully invite you to attend the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument, on the 4th day of July next.
In accepting the presidency of the Society, Mr. Madison said, "A monument worthy of the memory of Washington, reared by the means proposed, will commemorate at the same time a virtue, a patriotism, and a gratitude truly national, with which the friends of liberty everywhere will sympathize, and of which our country may always be proud."
While your illustrious husband did not survive to see the corner-stone of the Monument laid, the committee, in common with your fellow-citizens, rejoice that you are in the midst of us, and that on them devolves the pleasing duty of assuring you that your presence on the occasion will greatly gratify the immense audience that will be assembled.
Most respectfully yours,
ARCH. HENDERSON, Chairman of Committee.
To the Committee of Arrangements of the Washington National Monument.
Gentlemen:
In accepting, with great sensibility, your flattering invitation to be present with you at the imposing scene of laying the corner-stone of the Washington National Monument, I feel the highest gratification; and believing that I can in no manner so well express my heartfelt concurrence in my husband's opinion, I will repeat as you have done, his venerated words:—"A monument worthy the memory of Washington, reared by the means proposed, will commemorate at the same time a virtue, a patriotism, and a gratitude truly national, with which the friends of liberty everywhere will sympathize, and of which our country may always be proud."
Be pleased to accept, Gentlemen, the assurances of my great respect.
D. P. MADISON.
