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upon the terrace of the Capitol, and gazed upon the wide and imposing 

 landscape before his eyes, must have grieved that such a fine tract of 

 land as that embraced within the public reservation called the Mall, 

 should remain so long unattended to, an eyesore and a standing re- 

 proach to the good sense and taste of the nation. To do away with this 

 reproach, and in order to persuade Congress that now is the time to aid 

 in extending the usefulness and efficacy of the Smithsonian Fund, do I 

 propose that at the same moment when an action is had by them upon 

 that subject, an adequate sum shall also be appropriated for the improve- 

 ment and ornament of that reservation, so that the buildings of the 

 University, proposed by said bequest, may be surrounded by grounds 

 worthy of the nation and of the great institution they are called upon 

 to establish. It being public property, and for the benefit of the whole 

 nation, there can certainly be no constitutional scruples on that score, 

 nor any impolicy or impropriety in voting the necessary funds. The 

 Mall is so well prepared already for the purpose, its level surface requir- 

 ing but little graduation or excavation, and the cost attendant upon the 

 planting of trees in avenues, as in the London parks, the construction 

 of roads and paths for equestrians and pedestrians, and a good and suf- 

 ficient enclosure, so insignificant, that I am sure the public would be 

 greatly surprised upon discovering with what little pains, time, and ex- 

 pense the result could be effected. When, therefore, spacious and level 

 avenues and walks are made, shaded by fine and spreading trees, the 

 greensward well fashioned, and the desolate spot converted into a smiling 

 and verdant garden, what prouder monuments could we desire to be 

 placed there than the well-constructed and well-regulated institution of 

 the philanthropic testator, and the monumental tribute which several of 

 our public-spirited citizens, who have united together under the name 

 of " The Washington Monument Society," wish to erect to the memory 

 of the " Pater Patriai" in the metropolis of the country which owes 

 him so much? I would therefore suggest, that the gentlemen who have 

 the honor of initiating the patriotic project of erecting a monument to 

 that great and good man, should apply again, not discouraged by the 

 rude and unmerited reception they met with some few years back, to 

 Congress for a spot on the Mall for that purpose. The money which 

 they have collected, about $40,000, will be sufficient for the erection of 

 a handsome monument ; and, as they must have abandoned before this 

 all idea of making further collections, I think it the duty of the board 

 to make all due efforts to carry the original intention into execution, ac- 

 cording to their present means. I need hardly dilute upon the imme- 

 diate advantages for this city and District if a plan similar to the one of 

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